Life's Intersection

By Amy Shannon

Dr. Raina Markum and her family find themselves at several intersections. The paths all lead the family to the hospital, where a madman holds some of the ER at bay with a bomb and a gun. Who followed the path and ended up in the ER and who will be outside to watch it explode? Bombs have exploded in the past and taken lives, which lives will it take this time?

After the life altering paths, Terry and Jim find themselves contemplating their career in law enforcement. The fear of losing their family as well as their own life finds them seeking advice on what to do.

While loss and tragedy take a few lives, how will the Sars Springs family come out from under the rubble of the pain, especially when the mob war takes it to a new level of destruction?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215130056

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’sIntersection

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 and her family find themselves at several intersections. The paths all lead the family to the hospital, where a madman holds some of the ER at bay with a bomb and a gun. Who followed the path and ended up in the ER and who will be outside to watch it explode? Bombs have exploded in the past and taken lives, which lives will it take this time?

After the life altering paths, Terry and Jim find themselves contemplating their career in law enforcement. The fear of losing their family as well as their own life finds them seeking advice on what to do. While loss and tragedy take a few lives, how will the Sars Springs family come out from under the rubble of the pain, especially when the mob war takes it to a new level of destruction.

1 Sunrise

DR. RAINA MARKUM walked out onto the balcony from her bedroom. Her husband, Terry, walked out and wrapped his arms around her. Morning, Doc, he whispered.

She turned around and gazed into his dark eyes. Morning, Baby, did I wake you?

No, I had to get up. I’ve got a meeting with your father this morning, he kissed her softly. How does your day look today?

Probably long. I have a meeting with Steven this morning and then I’m in the ER all day.

You’ve been doing that a lot lately.

I like it. Next week, I’ll be doing the day shift at the clinic, but I do like the ER. It’s never boring, that’s for sure.

Will you be home for dinner? he asked, as he led her into the bedroom.

Yeah, after my shift, I want to check in at the lab, but I’ll be home around six.

Good, I’m leaving the precinct at about five, but I have to check in at the restaurant. I’ll just bring dinner home, he said, as he started to get dressed.

Raina finished smoothing out her lab coat when there was a light knock on their bedroom door. Marc?

It’s me, Mom, he said from behind the door. Are you two coming down for breakfast?

We’ll be down in a minute, Terry said to their son.

Good, I need to talk to you before you go to work, Marcus said.

We’ll be right there, Terry looked at Raina. Sounds serious.

"Everything is serious when you’re 10, Raina laughed, as the two of them headed down the stairs. Raina smiled as she looked at the table that their son had set for them. Marc?"

It’s important, he grinned.

Terry and Raina sat down at the table and looked up at their son. All right, tell us what’s going on? Terry said.

Marcus sat down and smiled. Please, let me finish before you jump in.

We always let you finish, what is it? Raina asked.

I want to go to the school for the gifted students, he said.

Is that all? Terry breathed a sigh of relief, as he ran his hand through his dark hair.

You mean I can go?

Well, you have to pass the entrance exam and you have to decide on a major, Raina said.

I’ve decided already, Marcus smiled.

Well, what is it? Terry asked.

I want to be a Chef, like you Daddy, he smiled.

You do? Oh, that’s fine. I don’t know if they offer those kinds of classes there or not, Terry said.

They do. Look here, Marcus pulled a large brochure off the chair next to him and handed it to his father.

Terry browsed through the booklet as Raina looked over his shoulder. I guess they do, but you still have to take regular classes, along with some other required classes.

Like what? Raina asked.

Terry looked at his son, you’ve read all this, haven’t you?

Yes, sir, I have. I can do this. I know I can. I want to really do this.

You know that you’ll have to live on campus, right? Raina said.

I know. It’s OK, though. I’ll miss you, but I can see you on vacations and weekends. I know you think I’m just a little kid, but I’m not. Kaylee teaches there. I’ll see her a lot. It’s only an hour away and if you and Daddy miss me, you can always visit.

Raina looked at Terry and then smiled. Well, we have to talk about this a little more.

OK, I’ll let you two talk.

Well, Marc, you still have to pass the exam. I don’t doubt that you will, but you’ll have to do it, Terry said.

I know. I know I can pass. You’ll see. I’ll make you proud of me.

We’re already proud of you, Raina said, as he hurried out of the room. So, what do you think?

Terry stared down at the brochure again. Well, all of our kids except for Starr went to this school.

"True and he wants to be like his Daddy. He wants to be a Chef," Raina smiled.

Yeah, all of our kids have good heads on their shoulders.

Yes, they do, Raina kissed him softly. So, let’s let him take the exam.

He’ll be fine. He’ll do just fine, Terry kissed her as he touched her cheek.

Marcus hurried back into the room. Mom? Dad?

Raina and Terry turned around. What is it?

Um, he sat down at the table. I’ve been thinking.

We already said you could go, as long as you pass the entrance exam, Terry said.

Um, I’m grown up now, he said, as he sat down.

Of course, you are, Raina said. What’s this about?

"I want to be called Marcus."

No more Marc? Terry asked.

"Marcus sounds more grown up," he sighed.

If that’s what you want, Raina said. It is OK to have nicknames, you know.

I know, Mom. I’m not a little man anymore, he said.

Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… Raina sighed.

It’s all right, Mom, Marcus stood up. I love you both. I’m just growing up, he said, as he left the room.

Raina looked at Terry and held his hand. "I guess he is growing up."

You were nine when you told your parents to stop calling you Destiny.

I know, and Matt wanted to be just Matt, Raina smiled. I, of course, changed my mind a few years later, she smiled.

"You are my destiny," Terry kissed her softly.

Dr. Martin Welch walked out to the kitchen as his partner, Carey Markum, looked up. Morning, coffee?

Yeah, sounds good, Martin said. Are you all right?

Just feel really tired. I think I’m coming down with something, he said, as he poured Martin a cup of coffee.

Want me to examine you? Martin smiled.

"I’ll be fine. I’ve just had a lot of heartburn lately. I’m sure it’s nothing. Probably that spicy food we had at Destino the other night, Carey laughed. My brother the Chef likes that spicy food."

Martin kissed his cheek. "And you just eat it up."

Wouldn’t want to hurt Terry’s feelings, Carey laughed. Busy today?

Raina’s in the ER today, so, it’s just Dad and me in the lab.

When is Ken due back?

Not sure. Why?

"Just wondering if he’s ever going to marry my daughter or not," Carey smiled.

"I don’t know. You know, maybe they don’t want to get married. You don’t have to be married to be together."

"I worry about Charlotte. You know? We can’t get married, and we’ll always be together, right?"

Yup. Oh, I think Kaitlyn is coming over for dinner. I have to confirm with her, Martin said.

"Is she bringing Xander with her?"

"I didn’t ask. I didn’t think to ask. What do you think about that?"

Martin, Xander is my nephew and your best friend’s son. He’s a good man.

"I know he is. He has been known to date a lot of women. I guess I’m just being overprotective. What time do you think you’ll be home tonight?"

I’m thinking between five and six. Alex and I have a lot of budget files to go through. I hate fourth quarter, Carey smiled. But, it’s our baby, so to speak.

How is Aunt Alex feeling? I know she was sick last week.

She seems better. I think it was just a cold. Jim had it and passed it on to her, Carey stood up and then lost his balance.

Martin stood up quickly. Carey, what’s wrong?

I just got up too quickly. I’ll be fine, Carey kissed Martin softly. "Go on to the lab. I just have to grab my briefcase and I’m off to Solutions."

If you feel like this later, stop by the lab, and I’ll run some tests.

You worry too much, but I’ll do it. I hate hospitals, you know.

Me, too.

You work in one.

"I know, but I’m not a patient, and that’s all that matters, Martin said. I’ll see you tonight, if not sooner."

Alex O’Roark walked into the kitchen and stared out the bay window that overlooked her yard and the creek. She sighed heavily as Jim walked into the kitchen.

Angel, are you all right?

Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll feel pretty good. I’m just not looking forward to all the budget files I’ve got on my desk.

Fourth quarter, huh? he said, as he straightened his Chief of Police badge on his belt.

She walked over to the counter and poured them both a cup of coffee. "Yeah, Carey and I will be pouring over them today, but I’ve also asked Scott to come in and look over some other legal stuff for me, well, for Solutions."

So, he took the job as house attorney?

Yeah, Starr and Evan work so hard at the firm. Actually, I think Starr is the only full-time lawyer there, but she loves it. Evan is barely there, with his job at CSU and the bar, Starr runs it. Scott has been doing a lot of the corporate law, so Carey and I thought he’d be perfect.

Well, our granddaughter and her husband make one hell of a team and they’re both excellent lawyers, Jim touched her cheek. You sure you’re all right?

Yeah, Babe, she hugged him tightly. You know, I love you so much.

I love you, too. What are you doing for lunch today? Do you think you could get away for an hour?

I’ll meet you in your office. You’re going to be late, and so am I, she looked at her watch.

Jim held her tightly, "Angel, don’t you think it’s time?"

"For?"

"For us to be husband and wife again. It’s been five years."

"We will. You’re right. You’re so right. We’ll talk about it tonight."

OK, if you promise.

"I promise. Tonight. Even if we have to have Bill come over and marry us tonight."

We could do that, he smiled. Oh, Angel? he reached into his pocket.

What is it? she smiled.

He opened the ring box and kneeled on the floor. Angel, my love, my one and only, will you marry me?

Jim? You didn’t have to get me a ring. We’ve been married two times before.

But, this time is forever, he grinned. Will you be my wife again?

Definitely, she kissed him softly as he slipped the two-carat ring on her finger.

He kissed her hand and then her mouth again. You’re going to be late. I’ll see you later.

I’ll call Bill from the office.

He’s not in today?

"No, something about stuff at the B&E. He and Evan have their budgets to do."

"I’ll see you tonight and at lunch," he kissed her and headed out toward the family room.

Mike Dix and Evan Jones hurried down the stairs. Bill? Evan called, referring to their roommate, Bill Wheeler.

In the kitchen, he called back. I made breakfast, he said, as they headed in the kitchen.

Smells good, Mike said. Hope it tastes as good as it smells.

It’s eatable. So, eat and shut up, Bill laughed, as he handed them the plates.

Mike looked at Evan and then at Bill, So, how was your date last night?

"Fine, thanks. You know, she does have two other friends," Bill grinned, as he took a bite of his food.

Really? Nurses, too? Evan asked.

Yup. I invited them all over for dinner tonight, Bill said. Lena is mine. You two probably know her friends. They work in the hospital.

Who are they? Mike asked, as he sipped his coffee.

Robin, she works in the ER and the front lobby and Jessie, she works in the ICU, Bill smiled. "They’re both very pretty."

I know who you’re talking about, Evan said. Don’t you, Mike?

I think so. Robin is the blonde, right?

Yeah, she works with Raina a lot when they’re in the ER. I know that Raina works with her specifically because she picks up her shorthand easy, Evan said.

Right. OK. I’ll take Robin, Mike laughed. "It’s been ages, actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been with a blonde."

"She’s probably more your type. Jessie is a redhead. I can’t help it. I like the redheads, Evan said. Lana was a redhead."

"Evan, you can do this. It’s about time you both were happy and not pining over married women," Bill said.

Yeah, you’re right, Mike said. What time tonight? I have to work in the CSU lab until five or so. With me being shorthanded and all.

You know I wouldn’t take it off, but we need to get these books done at the bar, Evan said.

"I know. Don’t worry. I think that Ethan is going to start training in the CSU lab. Steven finished training him yesterday, I think, in the Healer’s State Hospital lab."

Do you ever think Raina would go back to work there? Bill asked.

She still does, now and then, but leaves it to Steven, Martin, Ken, and Courtney. Ethan’s been a great asset, Mike said.

Steven is happier, now, isn’t he?

When Al woke up, without pain, I thought Steven was going to burst with pride, Mike laughed.

I know. Best friends are worth so much, Bill said, as he raised his coffee cup.

Mike and Evan clicked their cups together and smiled. Yeah, we do make quite a trio, don’t we? Mike said.

Yes, we do, Bill said.

Dr. Steven Welch leaned back on the sofa and turned on the television. His wife, Courtney, walked in with two cups of coffee and sat down. Who was that on the phone? Steven asked.

That was Janie. She and Cody are flying out to DC tomorrow to visit RoseLyn. She just wanted to see if she could borrow our suitcases. Theirs are in storage.

Oh, that’s fine, Steven said distantly. When will she be picking them up?

Tonight. I invited them over for dinner. Steven, what’s wrong?

Haven’t heard from Andrew in a few months. I guess he hasn’t run out of money.

Steven, we did our best, but sometimes our children stray and do what they want.

"I know, but I worry about him. Court, he’s done drugs. He’s been arrested, multiple times. Now, I don’t know what he’s doing. I don’t think he’s in jail. I’ve asked Jim to monitor any of his arrests," Steven said, as he sipped his coffee.

I’m just as worried as you are. Steven, if something bad happened to him, we would’ve heard about it, she laid her head on her husband’s shoulder.

"I know. It’s just… all of our kids… Martin and Janie, they’re so successful and then Andrew."

He just headed down the wrong path. That’s all. We can be disappointed in him, but we still love him, don’t we?

Yeah, we do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t worry so much about him, Steven looked at the clock. "Are you working in the main lab or the