[Alex Mercer 01.0] Girl in Trouble

by Stacy Claflin

  Finally, it had caught up with him. He probably would have continued getting away with it, but he’d dragged Flynn into it. Flynn had told Lloyd to stop killing girls as soon as he'd found out about his sick exploits years earlier, but Lloyd had threatened to turn Flynn in for his part in Jan's death. He doubted he’d be held responsible legally, but he never wanted to find out.

  Then this last time, Lloyd had been careless. He’d been seen, and then the girl’s dad had pegged Flynn. And why not? Despite Flynn’s identity change, he and Lloyd were still mirror images of each other.

  And now Lloyd had taken Flynn’s long-standing identity. It was Flynn Myer on the stand for the murder of all those girls, not Lloyd Vassman. Not even Flynn Vassman, but the good name Flynn had worked so hard for. The rock solid alibi hadn’t even helped—Lloyd had been caught with the girl and pretended to be Flynn. The fact that the cops couldn’t explain the video didn’t keep them from prosecuting him.

  Luckily, Flynn was resourceful and smart. He already had a new identity and a new look. He surreptitiously checked his hair piece, making sure it was in place. His new brown, wavy hair was just right. His darkened skin was starting to fade, though. It was a good thing he had an appointment for another spray the next day. That reminded him, he needed to order more blue contacts.

  The judge’s gavel sounded, reminding Flynn why he was there. He made eye contact with Lloyd. Flynn narrowed his eyes, reminding his brother not to tell anyone about him. Flynn had long ago warned his brother that if his antics got too close, Flynn wouldn't hesitate to take him down. And it had finally happened.

  The day Alex Mercer had confronted him in the grocery store, Flynn knew it was time he put a stop to his brother’s sadistic hobby. He let Lloyd know what was going to happen, and then he started messing with Alex Mercer. Planting the pot had been a little tricky, but not too difficult. Sending the texts had actually been fun.

  First, he’d found a file he and a friend had created so he could spy on his wife, who he was certain had been cheating. Flynn sent the file to Alex as a text attachment from a dummy email address. Alex had stupidly opened it, and it had given him full access to all of Alex’s emails and texts.

  Taking the picture of Lloyd and Ariana by the boat had been a nice added touch. It helped them to catch Lloyd, and even better, one girl’s life had been saved.

  The one thing he hadn’t anticipated, though, was the cops coming to his house, not once, but twice. Flynn had nearly gotten himself in trouble when they’d seen the upstairs—one of Lloyd’s many replications of their old house. Flynn had been stupid to allow Lloyd to use his attic one year. He’d been even more stupid not to get rid of the evidence, but part of him liked wandering the attic, remembering better times.

  In the end, though, leaving it there had worked in his favor. It was covered in Lloyd’s prints. Flynn had been careful never to touch anything, ever. He just kicked up some dust now and then as he walked over the shag carpeting.

  Flynn’s phone buzzed in his pocket. It was his new boss. He’d lied and said he was on jury duty so he could get out of work. Flynn ignored the call and listened to the prosecuting attorney question Lloyd.

  It was fun to watch his twin squirm. He almost felt bad for the guy. Almost. It didn’t matter what Lloyd said, with all the evidence against him—thirty years’ worth—there was no doubt in his mind that his twin would never again taste freedom. The whole world wanted to see him pay.

  Flynn pulled out his new driver’s license. Hopefully, this would be his last name change. It would certainly be the last time anyone would ever be able to find a connection between him and his psycho brother Lloyd—unless the police decided to look deeper into the unexplained airtight alibi.

  Turn Back Time (An Alex Mercer Thriller #2)

  Chapter One

  The large dilapidated building loomed in front of Lottie Mills as she hefted the bags into her arms and lumbered up the cracked walkway. Glowing rays from the setting sun behind her made it seem even more ominous than usual. She carefully avoided the raised areas in the cement where tree roots had long ago destroyed the path. A faded sign welcoming her to the Meriwether complex had profanities spray-painted across it and the scent of marijuana hung in the air. Shouts of an argument came from an open window inside the old apartment building. A baby cried somewhere. Glass shattered not far away.

  Lottie picked up her pace and pushed open the chipped, muddy glass door. She passed the long-broken elevator and hurried up two flights of stairs, stepping over a young man who passed out just before the second level. The hallway on the third level reeked of dirty diapers. She made her way to unit three-thirty-two. The two hung upside down, as always. Lottie knocked with her elbow, not wanting to set the bags of food on the ground.

  Shrieks from excited children sounded from inside the apartment. The door opened, and Sydney Kelly appeared with a frazzled smile. The dark circles under her eyes had gotten worse, and she had what looked like a bruise on her cheek underneath makeup. The younger woman pulled some light brown hair behind her ear and adjusted the toddler on her hip. “Thank you for bringing the groceries.”

  Lottie stepped inside and set the bags on the table between fast food wrappers and some half-eaten candy. “It’s not much, but I hope it helps.”

  Sydney put the child on a chair. “It always does. Thanks again. I wish I could do something to repay you.”

  Lottie glanced at the makeup-covered bruise. “You could let me help you with that.”

  “I can’t. I need him.”

  A boy and a girl ran into the room and chased each other around the adults.

  Lottie smiled at them and turned back to their mom. “Someday when you’re able, help out someone else in need.”

  “I can’t see that day ever coming, but okay.”

  “I’d stay and help with dinner, but I have some more food to deliver.”

  Sydney sighed. “How is it you’re the only one who’s made anything of your life since—” She glanced at the kids playing happily. “—well, you know?”

  “I’m not the only one.” Lottie thought of her son and daughter-in-law, who were doing even better than she was. “But I’m glad to help if you want to look for a better job.”

  “I’m not sure Joey would…” Her voice trailed off for a moment and her hand rested on the bruised cheek. “I should get this food put away. Thanks again.”

  “Always glad to help.”

  Sydney grabbed a bag. “Come on, Trula, help me out.”

  “Aw, do I have to? I…” The girl trailed off after looking at her mother's face and picked up a bag to carry.

  Lottie waved and headed out, closing the door behind her. In the hall, she was hit with the stench of dirty diapers again. She held her breath, hurried down the stairs and out the building, and gulped in the air outside. It wasn’t much better with the weed smoke drifting from somewhere. Yelling sounded from inside.

  Hurrying, Lottie made her way to her little sedan across the street. She drove just a few blocks before stopping again to hand out some more food. Her stomach growled since she’d yet to have her own dinner.

  “Just a few more minutes.” Lottie patted her belly and then pulled her messy, graying golden-copper hair into a loose bun. She topped it with an old, stained sun hat. There were many ogling eyes where she was going, and far too often her locks garnered her unwanted attention. It was best to get in and out as quickly as she could.

  She got out, pulled some more plastic grocery bags from the trunk, and headed down the alleyway between two abandoned shops, now overrun with squatters. Once she reached the alley, the odors of alcohol and urine made her gag.

  It saddened her that these people had to live like that. If only she could do more, but she already gave them more than she should. She was fortunate that her son and daughter-in-law were so generous with her, or she could never afford to help Sydney or any of the others.

  Lottie stepped over a puddle of she-didn’t-want-to-know-what, sin
ce it hadn’t rained recently. Laughter roared down an alley to her right. A scuffle sounded on the left. She took a deep breath and quickened her pace. As nervous as some of the homeless made her, they weren’t the ones she truly feared. Wherever Lottie went, even in her safe little backyard, she watched for them. She would never stop.

  Finally, she made it to the old department store, where some of the families lived. It hurt her heart that children lived here. Some people had suggested she report them to family services, but tearing those precious little ones from their loving parents would shatter her heart to pieces.

  Once inside, Lottie headed for the back of the building, smiling at all the children who crossed her path. She slid them packs of fruit snacks until she had no more.

  “Thanks, Miss Lottie.” The little girl in loose, dirty pigtails who’d gotten the last pack smiled at her. She showed off a gap in her front teeth.

  “Did you lose another tooth, Reyna?”

  She nodded, but her smiled faded. “I wish the tooth fairy came here.”

  Lottie set down a bag, dug into her jeans’ pocket, and pulled out a quarter. “I found this outside. Maybe she dropped it on the way in here.”

  Reyna’s eyes widened. “You think so?”

  “I do.” Lottie put the quarter in the girl’s palm and picked up the grocery bag. “Don’t lose that.”

  The little girl rubbed it between her thumb and first finger. “I won’t!” She scampered away, giggling.

  Lottie stepped over a broken, grimy mannequin and made her way to the back where the three families she visited weekly lived. She gave each family one overstuffed bag, made some small talk, and rushed outside, eager to get to her clean, safe home before her own groceries went bad in the trunk.

  Just before she came to the street, a man holding a half-empty booze bottle stepped out in front of her. He smiled, showing more missing teeth than little Reyna.

  “Excuse me.” Lottie stepped to the side, careful not to make eye contact.

  He moved in front of her again. “Up for a good time?”

  She glared at him. “My burly son is expecting to hear from me. If he doesn’t, he’s coming right here to find me.”

  The man held her gaze for a moment, but then stepped to the side.

  Lottie hurried out to the street and breathed a sigh of relief. Her car was only a block away. She turned toward it, and a stocky, dark-haired, bearded man just taller than she was stepped out from behind a faded blue van.

  Her blood ran cold. “I-I thought you were in jail.”

  “I was. Thanks to you and your brat.”

  She struggled to breathe normally. Her car wasn’t far. She needed to make a run for it.

  The man stepped closer. Two more jumped out from behind the vehicle.

  Lottie recognized them, also. She spun around and bolted away from them and her car. Multiple hands grabbed onto her, squeezing. She screamed. A large palm covered her mouth and nails dug into her cheeks and under her jaw. They dragged her toward the van and opened its side door.

  The men shoved her inside. A rough, unfinished box resembling a coffin sat open on the floor. She fought harder, but they forced her inside. Someone hit her on the head. The lid came down over her, shrouding her in darkness.

  She yelled and pushed on the lid with all her strength, using her hands and feet.

  A lock clicked into place.

  Continue Reading…

  If you enjoyed Girl in Trouble, you’ll love the Gone saga, where it all began!

  The Gone Trilogy

  A USA Today bestselling title

  One poor decision will haunt her forever.

  Macy Mercer only wants a little independence. Eager to prove herself grown up, she goes to a dark, secluded park. She’s supposed to meet the boy of her dreams who she met online. But the cute fifteen year old was a fantasy, his pictures fake. She finds herself face to face with Chester Woodran, a man capable of murder.

  Distraught over his own missing daughter, Chester insists that Macy replace his lost girl. He locks Macy up, withholds food, and roughs her up, demanding that she call him dad. Under duress from his constant threats and mind games, her hold on reality starts to slip. Clinging to her memories is the only way of holding onto her true identity, not believing that she is Chester’s daughter. Otherwise she may never see her family again.

  Purchase the complete trilogy

  Dean’s List

  A USA Today bestselling title

  Every marriage has secrets. Some are deadly.

  Lydia Harris knows her marriage to Dean has problems, but when she finds a box of news clippings he took great pains to conceal, the problems go from disappointing to dangerous. Nation-wide murders… in cities where he has traveled. She doesn’t want to believe him capable of such violence, so she searches for clues to explain the hidden clippings.

  As the evidence begins to mount, Lydia is torn. Dean seems to be trying to rekindle their lost spark, and she yearns for what they’d once had. But can she look past her own feelings to uncover the truth, or will she be next on his list?

  Purchase links

  No Return

  Family comes first. Until it kills you…

  Rusty Caldwell is a lonely victim of tragedy. After losing his wife and kids to a drunk driver, he spends most nights towing drunks to keep them off the streets. His one-track existence takes a turn when he finds out his estranged sister Mandy has committed suicide.

  After flying out to offer his support, Rusty learns there’s much more to the story. It turns out his sister had been cheating on her husband Chris with Travis Calloway, the rich CEO of the biggest company in town. Before Mandy died, she claimed that Travis fathered one of her children and demanded that he pay up…

  Rusty and Mandy’s neighbor Laura look into Travis, only to receive death threats for their troubles. With Travis and Chris both looking guilty, Rusty better find out the truth before he’s the next one to fall.

  Purchase links

  Other Story Worlds by Stacy Claflin

  Stacy is a multi-genre author. If you enjoy romance—either paranormal or sweet contemporary—you’re sure to find something you like! Visit StacyClaflin.com for more details.

  Sign up for new release updates and receive three free books.

  Want to hang out and talk about books? Join My Book Hangout and participate in the discussions. There are also exclusive giveaways, sneak peeks and more. Sometimes the members offer opinions on book covers too. You never know what you’ll find.

  Story Worlds by Stacy Claflin

  Stacy is a USA Today bestselling author who writes about complex characters overcoming incredible odds. Whether it's her Gone saga of psychological thrillers, her various paranormal romance tales, or her contemporary sweet romances, Stacy's three-dimensional characters shine through bringing an experience readers don’t soon forget.

  If you haven’t yet read the Gone Trilogy (the story of Macy’s abduction as a teenager) then you should read that. You’ll find out what happened and learn more about Chester and the cult. No Return and Dean’s List are standalone spin-offs from that saga. Stay tuned for a third Alex Mercer book in the fall of 2017.

  The Gone Saga

  The Gone Trilogy: Gone, Held, Over

  Dean’s List

  No Return

  Alex Mercer Thrillers

  Gone Saga spin-off

  Girl in Trouble

  Turn Back Time

  Curse of the Moon

  Lost Wolf

  Chosen Wolf

  Hunted Wolf

  Broken Wolf

  Cursed Wolf

  Secret Jaguar

  The Transformed Series

  Main Series

  Deception

  Betrayal

  Forgotten

  Ascension

  Duplicity

  Sacrifice

  Destroyed

  Transcend

  Entangled

  Dauntless

  Obscured


  Partition

  Standalones

  Fallen

  Silent Bite

  Hidden Intentions

  Saved by a Vampire

  Sweet Desire

  Short Story Collection

  Tiny Bites

  Standalones

  Haunted

  Sweet Dreams (Indigo Bay)

  The Hunters

  Seaside Surprises

  Seaside Heartbeats

  Seaside Dances

  Seaside Kisses

  Seaside Christmas

  Bayside Wishes

  Bayside Evenings

  Bayside Promises

  Bayside Destinies

  Bayside Dreams

  More coming soon!

  Visit StacyClaflin.com for details.

  Sign up for new release updates and receive three free books.

  Want to hang out and talk about books? Join My Book Hangout and participate in the discussions. There are also exclusive giveaways, sneak peeks and more. Sometimes the members offer opinions on book covers, too. You never know what you’ll find.

  Author’s Note

  Thanks so much for reading Girl in Trouble. This story has been a long time in the making—I know many of you have been waiting! I appreciate your patience because I really wanted to make it as best as it could be. I’ve gotten advice from a police detective and this book has gone through more drafts than any other I’ve written to date!