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  With Cruel Intent

  A Romantic Thriller

  by

  Dennis F. Larsen

  COPYRIGHT

  With Cruel Intent

  First Edition

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2012 by Dennis F. Larsen

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  For information address:

  Dr. Dennis F. Larsen

  Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

  ISBN: 978-0-9918431-0-7

  [email protected]

  Cover Design by Sean Strong for curtisANDstrong

  QUOTATION

  “There is no fire like passion, there is no shark like hatred, there is no snare like folly, there is no torrent like greed.”

  ---Siddhārtha Gautama ~ 400 BC

  PROLOGUE

  The hammer snapped forward sending the firing pin into the primer cap of the 9mm cartridge. Smoke arose from the barrel as the metal-jacketed slug whined through the air towards the intended target. He rarely missed; hours near the little shed pumping rounds into soup cans had perfected his aim and honed his craft. Gunpowder now filled his nostrils propelling his memory back in time; his dad standing with him on the makeshift gun-range, the Beretta seemed much larger then. He could almost hear the patient, soothing whisper of his father's voice very close to his ear. The strong embrace as he wrapped the boy in his arms, steadying the youth's frame comforted the eager student, holding the handgun outstretched and shaking slightly.

  "That's it son, breathe easy, when you're ready to fire, hold your breath and squeeze the trigger. Don't jerk it! Slow and easy, now go ahead, take the shot."

  Oh, how he desired to hear those words again. To feel his father's presence, to smell his aftershave or to be wrapped in his arms; he would give everything he had for just a brief moment in time.

  The weight of the gun bouncing off his thigh brought his thoughts to the present and the work at hand. An anonymous source had requested his 'special talent' and was willing to pay mightily for it. In the back of his mind, he knew it was almost too good to be true, but who was he to question as his ego reminded him that he was certainly in a class by himself.

  "Stir things up!" they'd said.

  That was something he knew how to do and the gun would be his insurance.

  INTRODUCTION

  Thick humidity hung in the air, countless, tiny particles collectively suffocating Blanche as she stood on the corner of 300 Woodrow Wilson Drive. Sunshine streaked through the branches of the ancient oak that stood as a sentinel over the once prominent public library. Recent years had taken their toll on the regal structure that housed both the library and the regional museum. Weather, heat and public indifference had worn on the old girl and she was showing her age much like Baby Jane had in the classic Southern thriller. Gone were the days of government funding and the money pouring in from benefactors like Andrew Carnegie. Self interest and a soaring debt had taken care of almost all of the money needed to keep the library operational, however, a small donation here and there and some money still left over from a grant provided at the death of the towns “Bookmobile Lady” had kept the doors open, at least for now.

  Blanche took a white, neatly folded and starched handkerchief from her small clutch and noted the dampness even prior to its use. Gently, she blotted her forehead and nose being careful not to smear her makeup and returned the hanky to her purse.

  “Much hotter here than I expected,” she muttered to herself, realizing that she was indeed in a public place and talking to oneself was perhaps not uncommon in the South, but still could label one as ‘odd’.

  Doing her best to push the heat, humidity and lack of confidence aside she smoothed her silk-lined pencil skirt over her flat abdomen and ran her hands quickly over her behind for good measure.

  “Okay, here goes nothing,” she mused, as she took the first few steps to a new life and the unknown that awaited her in Valdosta, Georgia; fifty six thousand strong in the heart and soul of the 'never say die' confederacy.

  Ms. Blanche D. Delaney was born in a rather quaint, unassuming town in southern Utah. Grew up as most kids did in the late 70’s, her days spent in class and evenings playing ‘kick the can’ until dark then ‘no bears are out tonight’ until parents would call them in for the night. It was a simpler time. Two recent wars behind them, people were getting back to work, the economy was thriving and families didn’t perceive a rapist or serial killer behind every closed door. Children were able to roam the streets, playing at will and occasionally getting into mischief. On one memorable outing, Blanche and her ever-eager friend Holly had snuck into the local theater to catch the R-rated, taboo flick, The Fearless Vampire Killers. When her parents learned of the incident, one would have thought the world was coming to an end, ranting about the lack of morals and the decay of modern society. The reaction was a little overblown for Blanche who at 12 didn’t care much about rock and roll, drugs, the hippie culture and certainly not boys.

  She was, however, very interested in the forbidden love of a crazed fiend or the swashbuckling antics of every Harlequin romance villain she had read about from the time she could put two words together. Hours had passed in a fantasy land filled with beautiful women and savage men traversing uncharted landscapes in search of treasure but usually only finding love and lust. Her affair with literature and in particular romance novels had led her to college in Arizona where she obtained her degree in library studies and met Anthony, or Tony as he liked to be called, in her last year. Looking back on their relationship Blanche could not figure out what it was about him, beyond his strong jaw and blonde wavy hair that she found appealing. So it came as little or no surprise that after seven years of living together he greeted her at the door of their apartment, suitcase in one hand and their dog, Cuddles, in the other and announced, “I can’t hide my need to be me any longer, I’ve found someone who understands me and my urges and I’ll be moving in with him. Please put my things aside and I’ll be by to get them in a day or two.”

  Blanche had to catch herself to prevent tumbling down the stairs of the complex, “Did you say, HIM?” her mouth hanging open, arms lifeless at her sides.

  Tony had acted very matter of fact about the whole thing, suggesting that she was standing in his way of a brighter future. What did that mean anyway, and no wonder she’d never felt any connection or burning intimacy with him. She craved and longed for a ‘Jessie’ to ride into town, pull her into his arms and ride off into the sunset, but no, here she was, two jobs later, the economy tanking and no mystery man, no ‘Count Dracula’ and thankfully no Tony Two-steps.

  At 33, Valdosta had come as a bit of a shock, after all she’d put her resumes out to over 100 jurisdictions including Saginaw, Michigan, voted ten years running one of the worst and most dangerous places to live in the USA, however, even Saginaw needed a librarian and anything was better than wasting away in Podunksville, AZ collecting unemployment. The offer was enticing especially considering that they were prepared to hire her without an interview thus sparing her the cost of a plane ticket and the possible let down that would follow if she didn’t get the job. The Internet had been encouraging, listing warm temperatures, friendly small-town atmosphere, lower cost of living and lots of parks and trails that would lend themselves to Blanche’s need to keep her body toned.

  Her years in Arizona and Utah had harbored within her a yearning to feel the warm rays of the sun caressing her limbs as she jogged the many ri
ver washes and ravines that crisscrossed the southwest desert. In Blanche’s mind she was an attractive woman, not really anything special. She had to admit that she was in good physical shape and had been amply blessed in the bosom department, although she never saw herself as busty. Her brothers had never given her any indication that she was shapely and continued to call her flat-chested even when the boys at school noted her sweaters were taking on a life of their own. She ate well, salads and nasty looking green ‘shakes’ that were supposed to cure anything. Holly, still her best friend, had characterized her meals as such, “You can live on 'em, but they taste like shit.” All in all, she was pleased with the possibilities of moving to Georgia and was looking for a fresh start, a new job, and even the notion that Mr. Right might come along and inject some excitement into her life. Barring that, she’d take a steady paycheck, a decent TV and maybe a cat.

  The decision to leave Arizona had not been so cut and dried that she didn’t have second thoughts as she sat on the plane, knowing that everything in the world she owned was in the luggage compartment of the Boeing 727. She’d sold everything she could, given a bunch to friends and neighbors, including the ashtray that Tony had brought back from Jamaica on one of his ‘business trips’ that Blanche now knew to be ‘give me the business’ trips. Everything else had gone to charity or the local dumpster. She had saved the ashtray to give Holly as a special going away memento. It was round at the base like most ordinary ashtrays but had a rather large phallus, carved out of local Jamaican wood, that rose from the tray’s rim and defied gravity as it balanced on the table in front of them. When he had brought the odd gift home she thought perhaps he had purchased it to titillate her, but as she looked at it now, the undeniable truth struck her as somewhat funny.

  Holly had been speechless when she saw the item. “I don’t know what to... Well, I really think it’s uh... Is it really possible that they ever get that big?” she finally said.

  They shared a laugh and hug knowing that they wouldn’t get a chance to see each other until Christmas, if even then. The years following the split with Tony, Holly had been a great source of comfort and solace. They went to the gym together, often ate lunch at the plaza near Holly’s craft store where she sold local home made items and antiques. Blanche really didn’t know how she would make it without her lifelong confidant but was assured that they would only be as far apart as a phone call. Her family on the other hand needed some space from her or perhaps she needed the space from them. It was growing increasingly apparent that they didn’t approve of her lifestyle, and were disappointed that she didn’t have a husband, four children, a mortgage and a Dodge Caravan. That was not Blanche, never was, never would be. Something in the air told her she was meant for something different, something more, something unusual. She didn’t begrudge her friends and women who chose the path of a family and the whole 'settling down routine', but the books of her youth kept her searching for something that, most likely, was completely unattainable.

  The farewells at the airport had been awkward but sincere. Tears had flowed freely as she kissed her nieces and nephews goodbye, hugged her mom and dad, and held Holly longer than she should have. “Yes, maybe life does start at 33,” she thought to herself, as she left the teary crew and made her way through security and onto the plane.

  CHAPTER ONE

  The stairs to the old library were well worn by the soles of book lovers the years over, and it gladdened Blanche's heart to know that she was perhaps among kindred spirits. The top of each step was freshly painted with a yellow stripe in an attempt to keep the senior citizens on their toes and not their knees and elbows. More than once the county had doled out legal fees resulting from errant footfalls. The librarian carefully maneuvered the stairs and paused, her hand on the large handle below the sign reading 'Quietly Enter and Enjoy the World of Books', followed by another sign that read 'Valdosta Public Library - Donations Welcome'. The hinges creaked ever so slightly as she pulled the door open and got her first look at her new home away from home.

  Initially it didn't appear to Blanche to be very busy but under closer inspection she could see individuals scurrying about behind the scenes, taking books out of bins, sorting and getting them ready to go back on the shelves. She was surprised to see so many actively working considering the financial crunch they were under. The library itself was a warm and inviting space filled with row after row of shelving units interspersed with tables, computer monitors and comfy armchairs for those wanting to stay awhile. Rich wood accents highlighted the walls and angles giving the library a homey feel that culminated with a large reception desk in the centre of the first floor. Near the desk and stretching to the second floor was the most amazing cantilever staircase. Inlaid hardwood steps, beautiful iron work and an elegant hand carved wood grip, drew Blanche's eyes to the open area above, topped with a domed cathedral style ceiling that she had noted from the moment she'd gotten off the bus, complete with a Georgia flag waving in the noon breeze.

  At the desk stood a woman in her late fifties, hair in a graying bun, dress to the floor and wrists, with a nametag hugging her chest. Blanche moved close enough to make out the name, Ester Anderson - Director. She fit every stereotype and unsaid expectation Blanche had ever run into over her years of service in a library setting. Mrs. Anderson appeared to be all business as she moved from the desk counter to the computer and back again. Logging information, moving books from one pile to another and answering the phone while still working the papers and items in front of her, occasionally looking up to cast a sideways glance at the youth in the corner making paper airplanes and sending them into space. Blanche stood patiently waiting for Ester to have a lull so she could introduce herself.

  “What can I do for you?” the head librarian said, without even lifting her eyes from the countertop.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt but I’m the new librarian, Blanche Delaney from Arizona.”

  It was as if the older woman had just been injected with adrenalin, “Well, let’s see, welcome, welcome, but we didn’t expect to see you until, um let’s see, tomorrow August 6th,” she replied, as she moved papers about on the desk looking to find something of importance.

  Blanche, in an attempt to be tactful, replied in a hushed tone, “I believe today is the 6th?”

  “Oh my heavens, is that right, are you sure? Do you mean to tell me that I’ve spent the entire morning stamping items with the wrong date?” and with that she grabbed the date stamp from the desk, flipped it over and read, “August 5, oh no, that just won’t do. Now I’ll have to spend the remainder of the day correcting the errors of the morning, but that’s neither here nor there for you." She straightened herself up, took in a full breath of air and repeated these obviously rehearsed lines, "We are so pleased to have you join us here at the Valdosta Public Library and we look forward to getting to know you and helping you settle into our little community.” She extended her hand and took Blanche’s in a firm grip and shook it a time or two before releasing it and going back to the desktop in search of the illusive document she needed. “Oh here it is, I knew it was here somewhere. It says here that you are single and will be working full time with responsibility for the library only. I guess that leaves the museum to me but I’m sure I’ll need your help there on occasion as well,” more speaking to herself than Blanche. “Were you planning on working today or do you need some time to get your things taken care of?”

  Blanche was nodding yes to her question even before she had finished, “I had anticipated working today. I’ve been in town a couple of days already and got my things,” ‘which aren’t many,’ she thought to herself, “stowed and I’m ready to go.”

  “Alrighty, that sounds good. Let’s get you started with a tour of the library and I can answer some questions as we go along.” She turned and motioned to a young man working in the room behind a glass window. As he approached the front desk she said, “Can you watch the desk for a few minutes? I need to show our new librarian, Ms.
Delaney our facility.”

  “Sure Mrs. Anderson, no problem,” he replied, with a smile on his face, taking in the shapely librarian as she turned and headed off down a row of books with Ester.

  The tour was brief but informative. The library had been of service to the community for many years and Mrs. Anderson had been the director for more years than she cared to divulge. The working hours would be typical, starting at 8:30 a.m. and closing one half hour beyond the posted closing time. This would allow time to straighten things up in preparation for the next day. The library, however, was open two nights a week until 10:00 p.m. and Blanche would be expected to work those shifts on a regular basis, as she was the newest member of the staff.

  “Mrs. Anderson, you indicated in our correspondence that funding was a concern, yet I see so many young people working in the back room today,” she inquired.

  “Oh them, they belong to a work study group from the high school. They come in a couple times a week to help sort books and get them back on the shelf for us. Without them we’d be in real trouble. There are only four of us that are actually paid to be here. That’d be you, me, (pointing at herself), Marcus the custodian, I’ll introduce you to him later today, and Seymour. He’s a college student that helps out in the evenings when we need him. I guess that’s about it,” she said, with a shrug of her lace-covered shoulders. “I think today you should spend some time getting to know the layout of the library, what we have available and familiarize yourself with our computer system. I believe you said you had used something similar in your last position.”

  Blanche began to say yes, but was cut off and sent on her way with a flick of Ester’s hand and calling over her shoulder, “Let me know if you have any questions. I’ll be re-stamping all the books that came in this morning.” The next couple of hours just flew by as she inspected the rows of books and wandered the library from top to bottom. She noted that a steady stream of patrons had come and gone with some older people settled into the cozy chairs either reading the paper or sleeping, in some cases. At 3:00 p.m. she excused herself and informed Ester that she'd be back in half an hour after she'd finished her lunch.