By the River's Edge: A Tale of Crime, Courage, and Community

By J.N. Love

By the River's Edge: A Tale of Crime, Courage, and Community

In the town of Anchor, where the river's flow whispers tales of old, the shadows cast by O’Neil's criminal empire threaten to drown its residents in despair. But not all hope is lost. Marco, a young man entangled in O'Neil's malevolent web, and Johnny, an enigmatic figure from a world of crime, find their fates intertwined. As they delve deeper into the underbelly of corruption, they discover allies in the most unexpected places—the downtrodden squatter community by the river's edge. With every twist and turn, secrets emerge, loyalties are tested, and heroes rise from the unlikeliest of corners. This gripping saga reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the indomitable power of community, all set against the backdrop of a town ready to reclaim its future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.N. Love
• Release date: Oct 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215625644

J.N. Love

Navigating effortlessly between the realms of fantasy and the intricate labyrinths of thriller and mystery, "Josh" has held readers spellbound for more than a decade with his rich and immersive tales. Born amidst the rugged landscapes of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Josh's childhood amidst age-old legends and whispered tales of old kindled an early passion for stories that meld the magical with the mysterious.Josh's travels around the globe have added depth and nuance to his narratives, combining universal myths with his unique interpretive spins.His fantasy tales often draw inspiration from his African roots, blending age-old myths with fresh narrative innovations. In contrast, his thriller and mystery tales dive into the intricacies of human psyche, weaving plots that are both perplexing and enthralling.When not lost in his imaginative worlds, Josh retreats to his mountainside abode, indulging in his love for astronomy and spending evenings with his trusty dog, Atlas. Dive deeper into Josh's worlds.

Book preview

By the River's Edge:

A Tale of Crime, Courage, and Community

J.N. Love

R.B. Publishers

Copyright © 2023 R.B. Publishers

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

By the River's Edge:

A Tale of Crime, Courage, and Community

Chapter 1:

Descent into Despair

The night was unforgiving, and the haunting tune of melancholic whispers clawed through the air. There was an unspoken tension as the Bentley, an emblem of luxury and refinement, thundered along the winding roads. The monstrous engine roared with a power that seemed almost sinister, each rev a symphony of menace. The headlights cut through the darkness, briefly illuminating the mysterious expanse of trees and underbrush.

Inside, the rich leather and polished wood veneer belied the madness unfolding. Paulina clutched the edges of her seat, her elegant fingers, adorned with a wedding ring that bore the weight of memories, turning white from the strain. Her breathing was shallow, eyes darting to the driver, then to the rearview mirror, and then out the window, where the treacherous bends of the road seemed to loom and jeer at her impending fate.

Marcus! Slow down! she screamed, her voice catching with anxiety. She felt the force of the car pulling her left and right with every sharp turn. The exquisite silk of her evening gown seemed to constrict around her, as though it were a living entity adding to her suffocation.

Marcus, her husband of seven tumultuous years, wore an expression that was a cocktail of fury, defiance, and something Paulina couldn't quite place. Despair, perhaps? It made his usually handsome features look twisted and dark. I have it under control, he muttered, though his gritted teeth and sweat-beaded forehead told a different story.

Behind them, ensconced in the plush child seat, Enzo Jr. was a beacon of innocence amidst the chaos. His cherubic face, a mirror of Paulina's striking beauty, was alight with wonder. The rush of the world outside was a game to him. Every passing tree, a friend waving goodbye. Every flicker of light, a firefly joining him in his nighttime adventure.

Look, Mommy! Stars! Enzo exclaimed, pointing upwards, his little fingers smeared with chocolate from the dessert they'd left unfinished at the party.

Paulina's heart wrenched, feeling an almost physical pull towards her son. Baby, just hold on tight, she whispered, tears threatening to spill. She couldn't bear to think of the what-ifs.

The tension in the car was palpable. It was as though the very fabric of their lives was tearing at the seams, unravelling with the velocity of the Bentley.

The radio, previously playing soft jazz, now erupted with a cacophony of static, intermittently breaking to allow fragments of a warning about hazardous road conditions and recent accidents. But Marcus wasn't listening. His eyes, glazed and haunted, were locked on the road ahead, his grip on the steering wheel so tight that the leather squeaked in protest.

Suddenly, an oncoming bus, its hulking frame poorly lit against the inky night, appeared like a phantom. Its horn blared a mournful note, echoing the dread in Paulina's heart.

Marcus! she cried out, but it was too late. A split-second lapse in judgement, a momentary distraction, and the world turned cataclysmic.

The Bentley's tail clipped the front of the bus. The impact was jarring, a metallic crunch resonating through the dense forest, a sound so profound it felt like the earth itself had split open.

Time seemed to dilate. The Bentley, now unshackled from the laws of physics, became a mere puppet in the hands of momentum and gravity. The headlights, previously fierce and focused, now danced erratically, painting grotesque shadows as the car pirouetted towards the river below.

Paulina felt weightless, her reality disintegrating. Her thoughts darted to Enzo, to the promises of a future she'd made to him, to the lullabies she would no longer sing. Amidst the turmoil, she could hear Enzo's laugh – a sound so pure, so untouched by the malevolence of the moment.

Marcus reached out, fingers stretching towards Paulina, a gesture that spoke volumes. Regret, love, an apology – they all shimmered in his gaze. Their hands never met.

The Bentley, with its once mighty roar, now whimpered as it plunged into the abyss of the river. The world outside was a blur, but inside, every emotion, every heartbeat, was a poignant reminder of life's fragility.

As water began to seep in, enveloping them in its cold embrace, a haunting stillness settled. The descent into despair was complete.

Chapter 2:

Whispered Deals

The amber glow from a flickering bulb barely illuminated the dark wooden facade of O'Neil's Bar. The neon sign outside, which once proudly spelled O'Neil's, was now partially broken and read O' il's. It sputtered sporadically, casting a ghostly hue on the cobblestone streets of Anchor.

Inside, age-old tales clung to the nicotine-stained wallpaper, telling stories of sailors, workers, and those looking to find solace at the bottom of a glass. Yet among the common patrons, there existed another clientele: those who came seeking a different kind of solace – the solace of secrets traded and deals made in hushed tones.

Pete O'Neil was a looming figure behind the bar. His once jet-black hair now salted with gray, and a deep scar traced down his right cheek. The tales of its origin varied, each wilder than