Life's Infiltration

By Amy Shannon

Dr. Raina Markum approaches both life and death the same. Where there is death, there is a new beginning. As Raina works feverishly to cure her patients, she never dreamed she'd be fighting against the inevitable...saving the life of her own son.

Terry fights his own demons from the past as a miracle appears in his life. Struggling with the long past loss of his family, he finally comes to terms with his painful childhood.

Just as the town grows and becomes a real flourishing town again, an explosion of severe magnitudes affects the lives of the entire town. Is the presence of the new mob family the cause?

Will the family be able to survive knowing that this time that death may be final?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Sep 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215262580

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Infiltration

Amy Shannon

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Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Dr. Raina Markum approaches both life and death the same. Where there is death, there is a new beginning. As Raina works feverishly to cure her patients, she never dreamed she'd be fighting against the inevitable...saving the life of her own son. 

Terry fights his own demons from the past as a miracle appears in his life. Struggling with the long past loss of his family, he finally comes to terms with his painful childhood.

Just as the town grows and becomes a real flourishing town again, an explosion of severe magnitudes affects the lives of the entire town. Is the presence of the new mob family the cause?

Will the family be able to survive knowing that this time that death may be final?

1 Triangular

DR. RAINA MARKUM sighed heavily, as she sat down at the picnic table outside the hospital. Oh, dammit. I’ll never get this, she buried her face in her hands.

CD? John Reardon said from above her.

Raina looked up. "What do you want?"

You!

How many times do I have to tell you to leave me alone? Raina stood up. "I love Terry and I’m going to stay with him. You and I are over. Have been for so many years. I don’t even know who you are anymore."

He grabbed her arms and pulled her into a kiss. Don’t you remember our love?

"I did until you made me hate it! Raina snapped. Get it through your head… I don’t love you. I love my husband."

"Oh, damn you, CD. So, what? You just married the first guy you slept with after I died!" John spat.

"You think you know everything. You have no idea what you’re talking about. Terry wasn’t the first… Evan was!" Raina pushed his hands off her.

"Evan? You slept with my brother?"

"First of all, you were dead. Second of all, you’re still dead… to me, Raina slapped him across the face. Just because you’re back doesn’t give you full access to my life."

He pulled her into a strong, hard kiss. Don’t tell me that don’t mean anything to you, John said, as he was grabbed from behind.

"Get your damn hands and lips off my wife," Terry said, as he punched John in the face.

John hit him back, as the two men continued to struggle and fight, each one throwing punches.

Stop it. Both of you. Just stop it! Raina cried, as she tried to break the men free.

In the midst of their struggle, Raina was pushed to the ground, hitting her head on the picnic table. John and Terry continued to fight, until they were pulled apart.

Terry looked down at Raina. Doc, oh, my god. What happened? he said, as he struggled to break free of the man’s clutches.

John glared at Terry, as he, too, was being held by an unknown man. Look at what you did, he tried to break free in order to lunge at Terry.

A man, in a long dark coat, bent over and helped Raina stand. Doctor, are you all right? he asked calmly.

She looked into his dark eyes. Um, I think so. Thank you, she said sweetly, as she glared at John and Terry.

I was not going to interrupt until I saw what they did to you, he turned toward John and Terry. "You never, ever lay a hand on a woman."

Terry and John struggled. Doc, I’m so sorry. Are you all right? Terry asked.

"You know these men?" the man asked her.

"Yes, he’s my husband, and he’s my ex-husband," she said, as she pointed to Terry and then to John.

I can take care of the problem for you, he smiled.

Who are you? Raina asked.

I am Eric Carleno. And, you are?

Dr. Raina Markum. Please, your men can let them go, Raina said.

"Carleno? Terry asked. What the hell are you doing in Sars Springs?"

Eric turned toward the men. "You are Terrence Markum?" he asked.

"What about it?" Terry snapped.

Eric shook his head. I would have expected better, I guess. Scott, Allen, let the men go, he turned toward Raina. Dr. Markum, I have been trying to get a hold of you to meet with you. But, you have been unavailable.

I’m sorry. I did get your messages, but I just got back from New York, and this is the first day I’ve been in the office, Raina smiled.

Oh, your head is bleeding. Let me help you inside, Eric took her hand.

Terry glared at John and hit him one last time. You son of a bitch! Terry tried to follow them, but Raina and Eric turned around.

"Terry, go home, Raina said. We will talk later. And, John?"

Yeah, CD? John’s voice softened.

"Don’t bother me ever again," Raina took Eric’s hand and led him into the hospital.

Raina and Eric walked into the lab, as Dr. Martin Welch looked up. Ray, what happened?

I don’t want to discuss it right now. Can you look at this? It’s probably nothing.

Of course, he said, as he looked at Eric. "And you are?"

Oh, Martin, I’m sorry. This is Eric Carleno. Mr. Carleno, this is my partner, Dr. Martin Welch.

Eric shook his hand. Nice to finally meet you in person.

Um, yeah, Martin said. Raina, how did you do this to yourself?

"It wasn’t me. John and Terry decided to have another fistfight and I tried to break it up. Not a good idea," Raina said, as she sat down.

It doesn’t need stitches, but I’ll patch it up for you. I’ll be right back, Martin left the room.

Please, Mr. Carleno, sit, as soon, as he fixes me up, we can go in my office and talk.

Eric sat down in the chair next to Raina. When I called the few times, I heard you were not taking any new patients.

Do you have someone who needs my help? Raina smiled.

"You are taking new patients?"

Well, when we are filled up, we cannot take on new patients. It’s especially tough when one of us is out of town for a long period of time.

Oh, I did not realize you were gone so long.

Six months. I needed to get out of town for a while, Raina said. You saw the reasons, but I see nothing has changed. Enough about me. I won’t let either one of them drive me away again, Raina said, as Martin walked in the room.

Martin placed a bandage on her head. You sure you’re all right?

Yeah, nothing that a glass of wine won’t cure, Raina stood up. Martin, I’ll be in my office.

I’ll see you later. I’m about to do rounds, Martin headed out of the lab.

Please, Mr. Carleno, follow me, Raina said.

Doctor, call me Eric, please, he smiled at her, as he followed her into her office.

Raina sat down behind her desk. Eric, have a seat. What can I do for you?

Eric cleared his throat nervously. Yes, I know someone that is very sick. But, I need to know that I can trust you.

Raina leaned forward. Mr. Carleno, I’m sorry, I mean, Eric. I know who you are and what you do. The patient must be very sick for you to ask me, who’s not only a doctor, but also a cop, for help. I treat all patients as equal. I’ve had patients on both sides of the law. I’ve revived patients who didn’t deserve to live and I’ve been unable to save patients who didn’t deserve to die. However, I do my best for each patient, and I explore every single avenue to make them better.

"I am sorry, Dr. Markum. I did not mean to sound offensive. I heard about you, also, and that is why I came here."

Tell me about this patient.

She is a woman, very dear to me, he said. She has been in what, to me, looks like a coma. I have had different doctors tell me different conditions. None of them ever is the same diagnosis. Some say she is in a coma; others say she is catatonic. The diagnoses vary so much, Eric said. I would like for you to take a look at her.

Raina stood up. I assume you want absolute confidentiality and security.

Yes, he said.

May I ask her name?

Maria. For now, it is just Maria, he said coldly.

"That’s fine, as long, as it’s her real name."

Why does that matter?

Because when relating to my patients, calling them by their name and talking to them as if they were awake is crucial to their recovery.

"I understand. Yes, her name is Maria, he whispered. When?"

Tomorrow afternoon. I can arrange for transportation if you need it.

No, thank you. I can do it. I only live a few miles down the road.

OK. How about one o’clock? We can meet at my private entrance. It runs behind the hospital. I’ll be waiting there for you, Raina stood up and shook his hand.

Eric looked into her eyes. Thank you, Doctor.

I’m sorry we met under those embarrassing circumstances, but I’ll do whatever I can for her, she smiled.

"I understand the why of their disdain for each other, but the way they go about it, is not right, Eric smiled. Women are to be cherished and adored, not won like a prize," he turned and left the room.

Raina leaned back in her chair when Martin walked in. Ray, are you all right?

She wiped her tears and shook her head. No, Martin, I’m not. I don’t know what to do. I love my husband, but all this violence… she cried, as he wrapped his arms around her.

I’m here for you, you know that.

I know and thank you. Why does he have to fight with John? I can take care of myself, can’t I?

Of course, you can.

Then… why…

Why what, honey?

"Why does it remind me of Jake? How could John… how could Terry… after everything I’ve been through in my life?"

I don’t know, but, Ray, if Terry doesn’t straighten out, what’s going to happen?

I just don’t know anymore.

2 Confrontation

TERRY SHOOK HIS head, as he sat in the park and stared at the creek. "Damn, I did it again," he punched his hand with his fist.

John approached him. "When are you just going to let me take her back?" he smiled.

Terry stood up. Get the hell away from me! I don’t need to deal with you right now.

Why do you think she brought me back? he grinned.

"Because that’s what she does. Even people she hates, she brings back!" Terry spat.

Oh, please, you think she really loves you? I’m the one who saved her from Jake. I killed him so she’d be safe.

Yeah, right. I know the truth behind that. I also know about you and Skye.

What are you talking about?

"When she was in Palm Rains. I remember what you and Skye did. You cheated on your wife with my girlfriend."

"Someone had to satisfy Skye. I heard you couldn’t do it," he laughed.

"That’s none of your business. I chose not to have sex with Skye. You, on the other hand, betrayed your wife. Something I would never do. I never told her but maybe I should’ve. Look at how that turned out. You died and then came back just to get your hands on her mind, not her heart or even soul. You’re a selfish bastard, Terry punched John in the face. I can’t stand the sight of you."

John pulled himself up off the ground. "I’ll kill you. I am going to get my wife back," he punched Terry.

Terry punched him again. "She’s… not… your… wife. She’s… my… wife. Every emphasis on the words drew another punch from Terry’s fist to John’s face. È figlio di una cagna."

Speak English, you bastard! John spat, as he spit the blood out of his mouth.

Screw you, you son of a bitch! Terry spat as he punched John in the mouth again.

Matthew Garris and Jim O’Roark ran up to two men when they saw them fighting. Jim grabbed on to Terry, as Matthew grabbed John. Stop it! Jim demanded. What the hell is your problem?

"Him!" John and Terry said, as they pointed at each other.

If Raina finds out, she’ll kill both of you, Matthew said.

Um, we kinda did this earlier. She got hurt, John said.

Matthew and Jim looked at Terry and John and then at each other. They punched them in the face, as they yelled in unison, "you hurt my daughter?"

Terry wiped the blood off his face. "She tried to break us up. I guess we ended up pushing her and she fell. We didn’t know it right away… until that… mobster had his men pull us apart."

"What mobster?" Jim asked.

Carleno, Terry muttered, as he sat down on top of the picnic table. You taking lessons from your wife? Your punches hurt more than ever.

Yeah, I am, Jim said smugly, as he sat next to Terry and looked up at John. Just get the hell out of here and stay away from Raina.

I love her! John spat.

Doubt it, Matthew said. Just go, he pointed, as he sat on the other side of Terry.

John shook his head. "This isn’t over yet," he stormed out of the park.

"What is Carleno doing around here?" Matthew asked.

"You didn’t hear? About six months ago, he had that house built off Hill Top Road, Jim said. I’ve been having my men keep an eye on him, but without evidence…"

You mean that huge estate? Matthew said. "He’s really a mobster?"

Never been convicted, but, yeah, Terry said. Now, he’s trying to get something out of my wife.

Well, if it’s medical reasons, she won’t tell us what it’s about, Jim said, as he looked at Terry. You need to fix whatever is broken with you and your wife.

"I know, but I don’t know how. God, Jim, I’m acting like you."

"Worse. I didn’t keep beating up Randy, but I wish I did," Jim laughed slightly.

"Terry, why did Raina go to New York for six months?" Matthew asked.

Um, conferences, Terry said.

"Really? For six months?" Jim asked.

Um, Terry put his head down. "She wanted to not only get away from John, but me, too."

What did you do? Jim asked.

Terry stood up and walked over to the creek. He turned around and faced Raina’s fathers. "Jim, Matthew, this isn’t the first time I accidentally hurt her," he sighed.

The two men stood up. "What did you do?" Jim asked abruptly.

"John and I were fighting at the house. He tried to burst right in my house. I pushed him back and he fell into Raina. I didn’t see her there. She fell down the steps and, um…"

And what? Matthew asked.

"She lost the baby, Terry cried. It’s my fault my wife lost our baby."

I didn’t even know she was pregnant, Matthew said.

"We didn’t either… until she lost it. It killed her inside. I killed her inside. I can’t ever make up for that pain, but seeing John’s face everywhere I go, makes me crazy, Terry said. Raina left three days later. She gave the excuse of the conferences. I know she and Ken went together, but I know the truth. She left to get away from me and John."

Matthew looked into Terry’s eyes. Do you love my daughter?

Yes, very much, Terry put his head down. With all my heart. I’m so afraid to lose her.

Jim lifted Terry’s head up. "How are you going to fix this?"

I don’t know. Every time I try to do something, John just appears in our faces, Terry said. "And now, she’s got some mobster fawning over her. And she likes it."

"Was he mean to her?" Jim asked.

No, he was actually nice, Terry said.

"Must be a nice change for her," Matthew said, as he shook his head.

"What does that mean?" Terry stared at Matthew.

"You and John have brought nothing but violence back in her life. Don’t you remember