by Vic Robbie
He scanned the small room and found a cloth and rammed it in his mouth as a gag. Rolling up his left sleeve, he put his left hand down by the sink, splaying his fingers. Between the thumb and forefinger, there was a small red scar, and he probed it with the point of the knife trying to reopen the wound. The pain made him wince, and his eyes watered.
This will be painful.
With a deep intake of breath, he drove the blade deeper into his hand and blood spurted out over his shirt. The initial pain inflamed every nerve-ending, and as he opened his mouth, the gag fell out.
He had opened a cut big enough to push in his forefinger. Clamping his teeth together and panting, he searched for the foreign object but couldn’t locate it. He withdrew the finger and inserted the knife deeper into the wound, probing until he made contact.
Eventually, he levered it out, and it bounced on the side of the sink and landed on the floor. The object wasn’t much bigger than a grain of rice and appeared harmless now. With satisfaction, he stamped on the microchip, grinding it with a boot until destroyed. And he experienced a sense of loss as if he’d severed a final tie.
Before venturing outside, he picked up the cloth from the floor and wrapped it around his bleeding hand. No one paid him any attention and, as he neared the entrance to the alley, he paused and glanced over, determined not to go near it.
Sitting on the wooden bench, he watched the moonlight breaking through the smog and rippling across the waters like fingers of gold reaching out to him, and he swore he heard a saxophone playing the mellow notes of Summertime.
Solo got out of the Chevy at Fisherman’s Quay, and it was as if she were naked. Her hair was down and lay on her shoulders, and her only make-up was a light pink lipstick. For the first time in years, she no longer needed to hide behind a mask.
The red glow of the blood moon glinted surreally off the water, enticing her to sit on the bench, and a slight breeze caressed her cheek like a whisper. She looked down at the rippling waters distorting her reflection before the image coalesced into a vision of Headlock.
Together they sat looking out at the waters sensing each other’s strong and reassuring presence, and although they were a world apart, they were as one.
GET A FREE BOOK
Whether writing or reading a book, it’s often an exciting journey, taking you to different worlds and meeting new people. Please sign up to my readers’ list and join me on a special journey. I’ve already met many new readers and friends around the world through my books and I look forward to engaging with you, too. By signing up, you will receive a free copy of my bestselling WWII thriller In Pursuit of Platinum.
You won’t be spammed, I promise you.
Please visit my website www.vicrobbie.com to get your free eBook.
Also by Vic Robbie
The Ben Peters WWII thriller series
IN PURSUIT OF PLATINUM
Read the first in the Ben Peters WWII series
As the Germans invade Paris in 1940 American Ben Peters smuggles a fortune in platinum out of the city in the legendary Bullion Bentley. But the Bentley is carrying an even more valuable cargo, a mysterious Frenchwoman escaping with her son and a secret that could change the course of the war. Alena and Ben are the targets of Hitler’s ruthless investigator Ludwig Weber. As they flee, they experience the tragic realities of war and the raw emotions of two brave people living on the edge of fear.
PARADISE GOLD
Book 2 of the Ben Peters WWII thriller series
America is facing its biggest threat.
Nazi U-boats are dominating the Atlantic from their base in the Caribbean. And the US government has joined forces with the Mafia to stop Germany from stealing a fortune in gold. Caught between ruthless Germans and Mafia assassins, only American agent Ben Peters knows the Nazis’ terrifying plans for America, but first, he has to deal with two beautiful and dangerous women who will do anything to achieve their goals. Award-winning author Vic Robbie continues with his blend of fact and fiction. A pulsating spy thriller that is a roller-coaster read.
THE GIRL with the SILVER STILETTO
Book 3 of the Ben Peters WWII thriller series
Could you murder a child to save your own life?
At the end of World War II, Natalie is given an ultimatum. Execute the boy or die. Her only alternative is to hand him over to the Nazis. Why do the Nazis want the boy and who is he? As the suspense builds, the action races across three continents, from London to New York to California to Buenos Aires, and American agent Ben Peters stands alone against evil and his former lover.
Enjoyed the book?
Thanks for reading Beyond the Blood Moon, and I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, I would be grateful if you could help other like-minded readers discover it, too. Reviews are vitally important in encouraging readers to find new books and also for authors to expand our readership.
Good and honest reviews are like a massive pat on the back to an author and I appreciate your comments and help in getting my books noticed.
If you care to spend a few minutes to leave a review, that would be great. And it doesn’t have to be long.
Thanks for your help.
About the Author
Vic Robbie lives in England and spends time in California. An author of fiction and non-fiction, his work as a journalist has been published worldwide. He has worked as a writer, columnist and editor for newspapers and magazines in the UK, US and Australia. His first book in the Ben Peters thriller series, In Pursuit Of Platinum, reached #2 on Amazon’s best sellers list for War stories and #3 for Spy stories. He also founded and edited Golf & Travel magazine and the PGA Official Yearbook. A golfer of little skill, he has also run several marathons, including New York and London, for charity.
www.vicrobbie.com
[email protected]
For Maia, Jed, Archie and Isla
First published in 2019 by Principium Press
Copyright ©Vic Robbie, 2019
The moral right of Vic Robbie to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of both the author and the above publisher of this book.
This novel is a work of fiction and any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
ISBN 978-1-5272-5455-8
Cover design by Books Covered
Find out more at www.VicRobbie.com
1
Acknowledgments
Researching and writing a book can often lead you down surprising paths. But it would never be completed without the support, enthusiasm and encouragement of those closest to you.
My thanks to Christine for her never-ending support, and Sandie and John for being invaluable sounding boards. Also Gaby, Kirstie, Nick, Maia, Jed, Archie and Isla for their enthusiasm and encouragement. Their support and inspiration is much more valuable than they realise.
My thanks also to the many sources who have contributed by supplying information and knowledge, especially those from the other world who for their own safety have to remain anonymous.