A Doll's Secret

By Jennifer A. Brown

"I know where Allison is."

Former child star Jason Turner is excited about the direction his life is taking. He is about to open the business of his dreams, and his sister is now a published author. All thoughts of his dark past are at bay.

Until he meets Stacy, the new doll in his daughter's life. Sh

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kingston Publishing Company
• Release date: Sep 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781645334590

Book preview

Copyright

A Doll’s Secret is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

A DOLL’S SECRET: A NOVEL

Copyright © 2023 by Jennifer A. Brown

All rights reserved.

Editing by KP Editing

Cover Design by KP Designs

- www.kpdesignshop.com

Published by Kingston Publishing Company

- www.kingstonpublishing.com

The uploading, scanning, and distribution of this book in any form or by any means—including but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the copyright holder is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized editions of this work, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Table of Contents

Copyright

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Epilogue

About the Author

About the Publisher

Prologue

Nolan Scott took one last swig of the bottle of Heineken before slamming it back onto the bar with so much force, it cracked. Another, Dan.

The bartender gave him a doubtful look before shaking his head. No man. I’m cutting you off. You’ve had four already.

So? My money’s good! And you know it.

Dan leaned against the bar, sighing. Nolan, you just got laid off. You are not going to have any more money coming in.

So what? I’m starting my own business! he slurred. I don’t need a multimillion-dollar software company telling this old techie what he can and can’t do! I’ll do it myself!

Dan sighed once again. Well, you’re not going to do it shit faced drunk. Let me at least call you a cab.

Nolan waved him off, taking his phone out and with a few taps, bringing up the Uber app. Don’t bother. I can get an Uber.

Dan watched as he tapped around on the phone for a few moments, seeming to fumble a little before smiling and holding the phone up to prove he had indeed managed to snag a ride. He clumsily got off his bar stool and passed by his reflection in the mirrored wall opposite him. He was rather fit for his age, with snow white hair, and what everyone took to be a permanent scowl on his face, but it was just his face. Of course, when you had been through as much as he had, you tended to carry the scars of life etched in the lines on your face.

Nolan stepped outside and lit a cigarette as he stood near the dumpster. Something caught his eye though the longer he stood there, gazing under the streetlight. It was a small dirty foot. Good god, was there a baby or something in there?

He stepped over toward it and gently touched it before realizing it was a doll’s foot. He pulled it out. It was void of clothes, but dirty as could be. It had a spot in the back where there had once been a voice box.

He found himself gazing into the eyes of the doll and he felt something. A familiarity. It wasn’t until the headlights of the Uber swept over him until he realized what that was.

A wicked smile took over his features as he tucked the doll under his arm and made his way

toward the Uber.

Chapter 1

Six Months Later

Watch your step. Jason Turner guided his sister Paige into what used to be the Valley View Mall in Eastgate, Ohio. He was eager to show her what he had done with it since acquiring the property over a year ago, shortly after a divorce left him angry and desolate. His buddy from high school, Randy Owens talked him into getting the property, saying he had the approval on a loan from the local bank, he just needed a co-signer. After Randy told him what he had in mind, Jason excitedly agreed to the venture.

Paige stepped over a protruding wire stretching across the floor with Jason’s guidance, the blindfold across her eyes starting to make her face sweat ever so slightly. Aren’t we there yet? My nose itches!

Jason guided her over to the spot he had decided to stop her at before undoing the blindfold. Paige looked around in awe at her surroundings, her hazel eyes taking it all in. Oh. My. God, she went on. This is incredible Jason.

Exactly what this city needs right? A fully functional indoor theme park, complete with an arcade and water park. There is even a mini golf course down at the other end.

Paige wandered up to the fountain in the very center. It was the same fountain that had been there since the opening of the mall over thirty years ago. There was now a plaque there to honor the mall, its original owners, as well as a few snapshots of what once was.

So…what do you think? Jason asked.

She turned to him. Are you kidding? This is amazing!

He beamed with pride. We’re having a grand opening this weekend, once we get a few kinks worked out and a few things pass inspection. A news crew is going to be here tomorrow to interview me and Randy.

Where is Randy?

He left just before you arrived. Had to pick up Derek from school. Which reminds me, I need to go pick up Michelle. I’ve got her tonight.

Michelle was Jason’s seven-year-old daughter. The only good thing he liked to say he got out of his previous marriage to Eastgate’s well renown interior designer, Pam Hardwell.

Paige found herself looking all around once more in amazement. There was a directory right beside the fountain, but the rides stuck out like a sore thumb. Especially the huge looping roller coaster that seemed to intertwine itself throughout the building.

We’re having a contest to name that, Jason told her, breaking her moments of awe.

She turned to him, as if remembering he was still there. Oh. To name the coaster?

He nodded as an incoming text appeared on his phone. He sighed in aggravation. Pam, reminding me to pick up Michelle. Just because I ran late that one day, she has been paranoid I won’t get her. I think she’s just looking for any excuse to take full custody.

Paige glanced at him, frowning. If anyone deserves full custody it’s you. She’s the one who cheated.

Yeah, and now she’s marrying the guy, Jason muttered. I’d better get going.

She followed her brother out into the bright sun where they parted ways after a brief hug. She promised him she would be there for the grand opening that weekend.

****

Valley View Heights Elementary School was just a five-minute drive from the mall. With no traffic, it could be a three-minute drive. Jason got there in just under five minutes and got behind a Buick in the pickup line to get Michelle.

He tapped his fingers in time to the music playing on his radio, as he waited for cars to move up. When it came time for him to pull up, he stopped and stared at his daughter. Or more precisely at what she held.

A lump formed in his throat. His mouth went dry. He knew he couldn’t be seeing what he thought he was seeing. He closed his eyes. Reopened them.

Nope. Still there.

His daughter got into the car holding onto the