Ignored Instincts

By Robert E. Bryant

Michelle was born with a gift of instinct, a gift that only two of her best friends knew about.
Michelle had never ignored her gift until she met Grayson. By ignoring her instincts she was eventually forced to go to extreme measures in order to save her own life, hide into a new identity, and relocate. What measures did she have to take? Where did she go? But most importantly, how was she finally free?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798823024808

Robert E. Bryant

Born in Royston (Franklin County), Georgia, Robert E. Bryant moved to Greenwood, South Carolina in 1958 and has called this quiet Southern town home ever since. He has been interested in aviation all of his life and began flying when he was just twenty-nine years old. Later, at age forty-one, he received his pilot’s license (the same month his daughter, Yvette, received hers). Though he is a welder and welding instructor by vocation, he is certainly a pilot by avocation. His experience with aviation has afforded him to meet a number of interesting individuals, most notably Robert Morgan, pilot of the Memphis Belle; Charles Duke, Apollo 16; Charles Boland, Shuttle Commander; Jan Davis, Missions Specialist; Robert L. Scott, author of God Is My Copilot; the living members of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Black Sheep Squadron; and General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, first to break the sound barrier. Another life-long passion is storytelling. His stories come to him with such powerful imagery and meaning that he believes they must be divinely inspired. When the stories come to him, he feels compelled to share them. “They must come out,” he says. “They must be told.” He truly hopes his readers will enjoy the stories and be blessed and inspired by them as much as he has been blessed of God with them.

Book preview

© 2024 Robert E. Bryant. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this book are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Published by AuthorHouse  04/09/2024

ISBN: 979-8-8230-2479-2 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-2480-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024907202

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

18 Months Prior

Back in Pennsylvania

Currently, back in San Francisco

Presently in Yuma, Arizona

This book is

dedicated to:

My wife, Yvonne

My daughter, Yvette

My son, Bobby

My two dearest friends, Bob & Sharon

My Writer/Editor, Darlene

The ship was now moving at a slow speed. Logan watched for a sign of movement while his eyes slowly scanned the ocean in the direction where she fell.

Time seemed to have stood still as he continued to wait and watch.

Come on guys; where are you?

Logan thought he saw a flicker from a distance. He wanted to yell at the top of his lungs when he realized that it was the reflection from the diver’s gear that he saw, but he knew he had to remain quiet.

Logan watched as the divers got closer and closer to the ship. His heart raced as he wondered, Are they returning without her? Did she survive the fall?

18 Months Prior

M ichelle rushed through the airport, boarded the plane, found her seat, squeezed her carry-on into the overhead compartment, and plopped down. She let out a loud sigh indicating her relief. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the seat and whispered to herself, Michelle, breathe, calm down, you can do this.

First time on a plane? Michelle heard someone ask.

She opened her eyes and looked toward the direction of the male voice. The voice came from a man who was sitting in the aisle seat next to her.

Their eyes met and Michelle’s entire body went limp when he smiled at her and she saw his stunning, baby blue eyes. She smiled with embarrassment and replied, I’m sorry; I didn’t realize anyone could hear me. My nerves are a little on edge. It’s the scary thought of me, who has always lived in a small town, going to a dream job interview in the big city of Philadelphia.

If you don’t mind me saying, you remind me of a Southern Belle and I love the southern accent.

Accent yes but Southern Belle? No one, I mean no one, has ever told me that before. Thank you. I love being southern and I love the southern ways. I just hope I don’t lose any of that if I do get the job and move to Pennsylvania.

I’m assuming you are from South Carolina? the man asked.

Yes, born and raised.

Philadelphia is a long way from South Carolina. How did you happen to get an interview for this dream job?

My former college roommate lives in Philadelphia. She called me about an opening for an Interior Designer in the firm where she works. We’ve kept in touch since we graduated and she knew I was looking for a better opportunity somewhere else. I sent in my portfolio, they sent me the airplane ticket, and here I am. Abi is looking for a roommate and she said that if I got the job, I can move in with her.

You must be really good at what you do. Sounds like they have already made up their minds or they would not be flying you four states away. Do you have pictures of any of your jobs you wouldn’t mind sharing with a stranger?

While Michelle looked through her phone’s picture album she said, "Yes, I think I am pretty good at what I do. It was never confirmed if I’m their first or their last interview. I’m sure there will be many applicants who are far better than I.

Okay, here we go; these pictures were from my most recent jobs.

The man watched as Michelle scrolled through the before and after pictures and he said, These are amazing and I say you have what it takes to be a big shot designer. You have the talent and I know you’ve got the job. You are much better than you think you are. I wouldn’t be saying that unless I’m absolutely sure. I’m never wrong and I never make mistakes.

Michelle didn’t know exactly how to respond to his comment about being right and never making mistakes. The thought quickly went through her mind that he almost sounded narcissistic but pushed that thought right out of her mind. She wanted to talk more but the man turned away, picked up his newspaper, and began reading.

After the plane landed, the man got up, looked down at Michelle, and winked without saying a word. He quickly left the plane and was out of Michelle’s sight before she knew it.

***

Michelle looked around the airport hoping to see the man but, instead, she saw Abigail waving and running toward her with open arms. She hugged Michelle tightly and said, I can’t believe this is really happening. You and I working and living together just like we dreamed of when we were in college.

Let’s not get too excited, Michelle replied. I don’t have the job yet.

Michelle after your portfolio was reviewed by many, they didn’t hesitate to ask me to contact you. It’s time you realize how good you are!

That’s strange you would say that. A complete stranger, I spoke with on the plane, reminded me of that.

There, you see. Now, you have three hours before your interview. I have lunch ready at my apartment. We have some catching up to do.

As they walked toward the airport exit, Michelle said, Sounds great, but on the way I’ve got to tell you about that stranger I spoke with on the plane. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about him that makes me melt when I look into his eyes. I can just about guess he has swooned many women with those blue eyes of his. I have no idea where he’s from but I have this strong feeling that I’ll be seeing him again. He seems to be a little older than me, but I don’t care.

Abigail stopped and blurted out, Frank Sinatra!

Frank Sinatra? What made you think of him?

You know, old classic movies we used to watch during our college days. Sounds like you are describing Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. That was his nickname because of his sparkling blue eyes. Ooh let’s hurry. I do want to hear more about blue eyes.

***

Joe, I’ve cleared my last table and I’ll be taking my lunch break now.

Ok, I’ll need you to wrap silverware afterwards.

Michelle finished her lunch and picked up the newspaper. The caption, "Mystery Surrounds Death of Man From Pennsylvania," caught her attention.

A chill shot through her as she read the article about the body being discovered the same day she flew to Philadelphia two weeks ago. The article went on to state that, after further investigations, authorities have now linked the slain man to three assassinations and that it is possible that whoever he was working for may have done the killing or hired someone to do it.

Michelle shuddered as she finished reading the article. She put the paper down and was deep in thought as she looked out the restaurant window wondering how a man from Pennsylvania ended up murdered in this small town.

Penny for your thoughts Freckles, she heard someone say.

Michelle looked up and said, Logan! Oh my goodness.

She stood and gave him a long, hard hug and asked, What are you doing here? It’s been, what, five years since we last saw each other?

Logan and Michelle sat down and Michelle said, You look great.

Logan stared at Michelle and she asked, What’s wrong? What are you looking at? I don’t have food on my mouth do I?

Logan smiled, reached over and took Michelle by the chin. He moved her head to the right and then to the left and said, I guess I need to give you another nickname. What happened to the freckles?

Michelle shrugged her shoulders and said, I guess I finally grew out of them. But you haven’t answered my question. What’s an important agent like you doing in this small town? When you left for DC and took that job, I didn’t think I would ever see you again.

Logan glanced over at the newspaper that Michelle had laid down and said, I never thought I’d be back here as well but business brought me here. I have some time before my flight leaves and I took a chance on you still working here.

I’m glad you did. Tell me about your job. Do you like living in DC?

The job is going well. As you know, most of what I do is confidential so I can’t say too much but I do love what I’m doing. As a matter of fact, I’ve been involved in helping to create some life saving devices.

Wow; that’s impressive. Does your job involve protecting and putting people in witness protection?

All I can say is, yes, but I can’t elaborate.

That’s good to know.

Michelle shook her head, laughed, and said, I have no idea why I said that. I sure hope I never need protecting. Seriously though, I’m really proud of you Logan. You are doing something very special by helping people stay alive. We’ve known each other since grammar school, and you have always had a desire to help people in need. You are a good man. As for as me, waiting tables and wrapping silverware may be my career if a great job opportunity that I recently applied for doesn’t work out.

Logan’s reply to that was, I thought you were an Interior Designer here. What’s going on with that?

"I’m still an Interior Designer. I do get small jobs here and there. Sometimes months will go by before I land a big project, which puts a strain on my finances. So, while waiting on a permanent job of my dreams, I continue to wait tables and wrap silverware.

I recently returned from a job interview in Philadelphia. Do you remember my former roommate and friend, Abigail? The Interior Designer job is in the firm she works at, Allison’s Interior Designs. They were very impressed with my portfolio. And, if I get the job, I’ll move in with Abi. A job of my dreams and a place to stay is almost too good to be true.

Philadelphia isn’t that far from DC, Logan said. Just think, if you do get the job, which you deserve by the way, we will be much closer to each other. Maybe we can plan to see each other from time to time.

Logan then reached over and got Michelle’s hand and said, Things haven’t changed. I still feel the same way about you.

Michelle pulled her hand away and said, Logan, I’m sorry but …

"Don’t say anything. I’m the one who should be apologizing. I should not have brought up that subject again.

"Listen Michelle, if you do get the job and you need me for anything, here’s my card with all my contact information. You aren’t used to being in a big city like Philadelphia. It’s a whole new world. Anything can happen before you realize it.

"And I agree, I can’t imagine you ever needing our protection. But nonetheless, just be careful and use those instincts of yours after you get to Philadelphia, especially with the people you meet and decisions you make.

"Well, I’d better be on my way. Remember, no matter what it is, you can call me any time. I