Killing Heroes

By Jay Cannon

Felicia Clifton is a decorated veteran from a family of cops and veterans. After a stint as an Army Ranger, she joins the DC police force. Her only goal in life is to rid the world of criminals. But after getting her partner killed, then shooting an unarmed youth, she is placed on desk duty.

When Felicia witnesses an attempted kidnapping, she comes face-to-face with the person responsible for killing special forces veterans across the US. The same killings that landed her father in jail. Felicia later wounds the killer, who seeks retribution by framing Felicia for murder.

Now on the run, Felicia must find the killer, clear her father, and stop a new terror, which threatens civilization itself. So terrifying that she joins the killer to stop it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jay Cannon
• Release date: Nov 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215227763

Jay Cannon

Jay Cannon grew up in Muskegon Heights, Michigan. He became hooked on science fiction when he used to run home from junior high school to catch the original episodes of Star Trek. He spent six years in the U.S. Navy working on the flight deck of aircraft carriers, which felt like being on a starship. After leaving the Navy he spent several years in the software industry. During that period he passed time reading science fiction books and watching science fiction movies. He eventually decided to stop writing programs and start writing books.

Book preview

Killing Heroes

The Hunt for Heroic Veterans

Also by Jay Cannon:

Memories that Haunt My Mind

Short stories in: The Scribes of Nyota MYSTICS

The Euclidian: Alien Hitman

The Euclidian: When Worlds Collide

The Euclidian: Unforeseen Alliance

The Euclidian: Final Reckoning

Crazy Rich Aliens

Killing Heroes

Jay Cannon

Killing Heroes

Copyright © 2023 Jay Cannon (JC)

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used, reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever or stored in a database retrieval system without written permission except in those cases of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Editor: Joel Palmer

Cover art: © 2021, Navi' Robins @AnavielShadows

Book design and formatting: Cheryl Perez @CPerezIl

For more information, contact the author at:

[e-mail]

JayCannonAuthor.com

@JayCannonAuthor

First edition: September 2023

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

For my good friend Felicia Guity who captivated the world with her brilliance.

Introduction

Slumped on the floor of the car’s backseat, waiting for her prey, the would-be attacker took slow, shallow breaths pushing herself to remain calm. Still. Hidden. Eyes mere slits. Pulse rate normal. Focused on the attack.

The hood of the black cotton sweater lay rumpled on her neck. She listened intently to the sounds outside the car. Every footstep, conversation, door slam and wheeled vehicle was considered. Be patient, she thought. Soon the target will arrive. Not the one destined as a captive, but as enticement: the one who will be used to attract the others, the highly desired military targets.

The summer heat helped to keep the sidewalks clear. The few pedestrians braving the heat were heads down, focused, seeking cooler temperatures. No one would notice a person lying prone on the floor in the back of someone’s car. A slight noise or scuffle would go unnoticed. Even after temperatures dropped in the evening, pedestrians were too busy with texts, app poking, posting, and looking for likes, reposts and other signs of appreciation.

In years past, the community kept everyone safe. Strangers and strange occurrences didn’t go unnoticed. Now, being noticed was not a worry. Nowadays, safeguarding the community was another’s concern.

She breathed in the stale air, ignoring the acrid odors. The smashed Cheerios on the floor, faded Christmas tree deodorizer and wilted carrots deteriorating under the passenger seat were not her concern. The gym bag with sweaty workout clothes were unimportant details of a confined space that would help to conceal any odors from the lethal occupant.

A weapon rested in her hand — there only to immobilize the target. Killing would be counterproductive and waste ammunition. There was much to be done and little time to complete the tasks that lay ahead. This person was selected for a specific purpose. Attract and subdue a group of professionals who spent a lifetime honing a particular set of skills. Skills that would become hers to command.

A person approached the car, casting a shadow across the windshield. A double beep and the doors unlocked, announcing the arrival of her prey. The driver’s door opened. A backpack tossed into the passenger seat signaled the impending attack. The driver paused, frowning as decaying carrots popped onto the floor and between the seat and center console.

Damnit, I meant to clean those up, said a frustrated voice.

The driver sat down and hunched over to rub her feet, removing them from her high heel shoes. An odd smell hit her nose. Something is out of place. She reached for the open car door, gripped the steering wheel and twisted toward freedom. Not soon enough. The muscles in her back spasmed as a shock flowed over her, causing her to collapse into the car. The fall backward was interrupted by a well-placed hand at the back of her head. Another device pulsed energy into her brain and her eyes popped open.

Are you conscious? the assailant asked.

The groggy woman looked up into her eyes and slurred a response, Yes, and I’m yours to command.

Tossing the shoes and backpack into the backseat, the hooded attacker climbed into the passenger seat and the driver, under her command, closed the door and drove off in search of the next target.

Chapter One – Adjusting to the New Normal

Felicia pulled her unmarked police car into an open slot across from Eastern Market on a hot summer afternoon in DC, in search of a distraction from her testosterone-laden workplace. The bustling shopping community had become her favorite spot to clear her head. Also, a great place to purchase yellow flowers (preferably tulips) for her desk, grab a police thriller to read, or buy some fresh fruits and vegetables from one of the many market stalls.

Emerging from the car, she threw her Chanel bag over her shoulder, donned her shades and floppy hat, and stepped onto the sidewalk. Her black pumps lifted her imposing figure above the crowd. She waved to familiar faces as she strolled past the market’s quaint shops. A smile pushed its way across her lips as the shop windows, adorned with cute knickknacks, helped to extinguish the stress of the day from her mind.

A lady sauntered toward her with two blue phantom labradoodles leading the way. Felicia beamed at their exuberance. She squatted to hug them. Why can’t humans be as loving as you two?

Gorgeous dogs, Felicia said, smiling at the lady.

Thank you, she responded, scurrying past.

Felicia turned into Harvest Tide for lunch and sat at her favorite outside, corner table with a view of the crowded sidewalks on both sides of 7th Street. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the scent of food emanating from the nearby cafés. She licked her lips in anticipation of the flavors soon to grace her palate.

She placed her bag on the chair next to her and pulled out a police report describing the serial murders plaguing DC.

Three victims died from mysterious heart attacks in one week. Traces of a rare vasoconstricting drug were found. Nothing was stolen and there were no obvious connections between the victims. The murders occurred at night in different places across the city. What was the motive? Was this just a crazed serial killer?

A waiter interrupted her focus to request her order. I’ll have the usual, Tony. Just water to drink. He nodded and walked off, leaving Felicia time to turn back to the report.

A cool breeze rustled the leaves above her spot in the shade. Leaning her head back, Felicia stroked the moisture from her neck. She loved sunny days but preferred the cooler months, avoiding all the sweating, showers and lotion. A lady’s got to stay moisturized.

After receiving her order of Thai coconut bisque and wild berry spinach salad, Felicia inhaled the aroma from the bisque and nibbled on a pecan while continuing to scan the eerie details of the report. I’m sure I could solve this case if they would only allow me back into Homicide. Something about the report caught her eye, causing her to read and reread a statement. They’re all decorated combat veterans.

She bolted to her feet, tipping her chair over and startling the patrons at adjacent tables. Tony rushed over to investigate the disturbance. Sorry, Tony, it’s the job.

Don’t worry about it, said the waiter, lifting the chair back into place. I get that way sometimes. Is it the killings?

His question was met by a quick nod. She gave an apologetic wave to the patrons, paid the bill and headed to her car. Upon passing Hayden’s Liquor Store, Paula, the store owner, gave her a pained look and then turned her attention back to a hooded customer.

Felicia hesitated for a moment, looking toward her car and then the store. Could be nothing, but I could use another bottle of chardonnay. She strode into the small shop, greeted Paula and turned toward the white wine aisle. Glancing toward Paula, she noticed that neither the lean customer at the counter nor the burly, tattooed man next to him carried any noticeable groceries. She smiled and nodded to the large guy who returned a cold stare. His left arm rested in his jacket pocket while his right remained stiff at his side. The sun shining through the storefront windows cast a shadow of the pistol he held in his hand.

Felicia turned away and continued her walk toward the back of the store. Armed robbery in progress at Hayden’s in Eastern Market, she whispered into her radio. Unholstering her service pistol and lowering her profile, she rushed to the front of the store.

Let me see your hands! Do it. Now! Felicia said to the men at the counter. She took a rigid stance, pointing her 9mm handgun at them. The armed man turned his weapon toward Felicia and she shot him in the right shoulder. He fell back against a display case of margarita mix, dropping his gun on the floor. She kicked it away and grunted as a shadow flew over her, tackling her to the floor. The hooded robber climbed on top of her and began whaling at her head. Holding him off with her forearm, she pounded his chest and neck with the butt of her gun.

Freeing herself, she jumped to her feet, then fell forward as a bottle of margarita mix hit her in the head. A bullet into the attacker’s thigh put him out of commission. The pummeled man, lying below her, pulled on her bag, causing her to tumble into the shelf of tequila, broken glass cutting her arm. He clawed at her clothing as she fought to free herself. Grabbing a bottle, she smashed it against his head, knocking the fight out of him.

Standing and verifying the situation was under control, she holstered her weapon and called for an ambulance. Paula, you okay?

Yes, she replied, grasping her chest. Are you okay? Your arm. She pointed at the blood dripping across her hand.

I’ll be fine. Sorry about the mess. Liquid and glass shards from the busted bottles covered the floor as well as her nice shoes and pants. She took a paper towel from Paula and cleaned up her arm.

The mess is the least of my worries. I’m glad you came by when you did. They could have killed me.

You’re okay now. Felicia helped the dazed man from the floor and forcefully pushed him against the wall as two uniformed officers rushed in.

Felicia, everything okay? asked one of the officers.

Yes, these are the only two suspects. You might want to apply pressure to that one’s wounds while I cuff this guy.

Wow, he’s a mess, a lot like the rest of the place. I guess they got your dander up.

The man she was cuffing snickered, She’s probably not getting enough at home, and pushed his butt into her.

Bastard! she yelled, yanking up his arm. The man yelped loudly.

She broke my arm! the man wailed.

It’s not broken!

Felicia, why don’t you go out and flag down the EMTs while we finish up in here, said one of the officers. And get your arm looked at.

Didn’t you see him rubbing his ass against my crotch?

The officers glanced at each other and shrugged.

Still