by L C Hayden
“I will move if you let Sandy go first.”
“Like you think I’m an idiot? No way.”
“Then show me that you’re willin’ to work with me. Take that gun away from Sandy and point it at me instead.” Bronson stepped away from behind Bobbi and stood by her side, but still clung on to her.
Bobbi clicked her teeth, rolled her eyes, and hissed the words out. “Kill him, you fool.” She took a deep breath and softened her tone. “Papa Lazzarone wants you to shoot Bronson. He told me so. Do it, now.”
Bronson’s eyes narrowed as he briefly studied Bobbi’s features. Just as I thought. “You do know that Bobbi has been playin’ you all along.”
“How’s that?” Pablo’s hand that held the gun shook.
“There is no Papa Lazzarone.” Bronson spoke slowly so that Pablo would absorb the full meaning of the sentence.
“What?” Pablo looked at Bobbi. “Like what is he saying?”
“Don’t listen to him.” Bobbi’s tone was intended to intimidate. “Shoot him, now, while you still have a chance.”
“There never was a Papa Lazzarone,” Bronson continued, “and if there was, he’s long dead.”
“Aunt Bobbi, is that true?” Pablo’s voice sounded childlike.
“Shoot him, I said. Shoot the bastard.”
Pablo let out a noise, similar to that of a wounded animal.
At Pablo’s hesitation, an inner light radiated from Sandy’s eyes. She raised her right leg and brought it down hard on Pablo’s foot.
At the same time, Daniel looked around for something to use. The only thing available was the Bible. He grabbed it from the dresser stand and threw it, hitting Pablo on the back of his head.
Bronson pushed Bobbi to the floor and dashed toward Pablo. His hands fisted, and Bronson hit him on the belly.
Pablo folded up, and Bronson brought up his knee, impacting with Pablo’s head.
Pablo stumbled and went down as if a throw rug had been pulled out from under his feet.
Bronson took out the second set of handcuffs, threw Pablo’s hands behind him, cuffed him, and jerked him up.
Pablo complained, but Bronson ignored him.
He looked up and saw that Bobbi made several attempts to get up. Each time she did, Honey growled and took a step toward her. Bobbi stopped.
“Atta, girl, Honey,” Bronson said. “Remind me to get you some treats.” He turned to his nephew. “Help me escort these two pieces of trash to the car.”
“Gladly.”
They pushed them to the car, where each was cuffed to the door. Bronson locked the car. “It’ll be a bit crowded as we head to Wichita. The back seat is taken, so the three of us will have to ride on the front. Now, let’s get the heck out of here.”
As they gathered the few items they had in the room, Bronson said, “Proud of you, Sandy. Where did you learn to do that?”
“Read it in a book somewhere, or maybe I saw it on a TV show.”
“Readin’ is always good.” Bronson closed the door behind him. He looked at Daniel. “That was some fast thinkin’. Good for you. But the Bible, really, Daniel?”
Daniel shrugged. “I did whisper a prayer before I threw it, if that counts.”
“Prayers always count,” Bronson said. “Now, I don’t know about you all, but I’m tired of all of this drivin’. How about when we reach Wichita, we fly home?”
“Honey included?” Sandy asked.
“Honey included.” Bronson took out his cell and held onto it. “Hoover has arranged for some cop friends of his to meet us on I-35. We’ll hand them Bobbi and Pablo, and we’ll be home free.”
Sandy smiled. “That’s sweet music to my ears.”
Daniel wrapped his arms around Sandy. “This ordeal is finally over.”
“Yes, it is,” Bronson said. “Thank God.”
Sandy shrugged. “It may be over for you, but for me, it’s just beginning.”
“You’re talking about The Ledger,” Bronson said.
Sandy nodded. “It’s going to take a lot of work and probably a lot of heart ache, but now that I have this…” She pointed to the general location of The Ledger. “I plan to right every wrong, even if I go bankrupt.”
Daniel squeezed her shoulder. “I’ll be there for you every inch of the way.”
“You can count on Carol and me, too.”
Honey barked.
“Oh, yeah.” Bronson laughed. “You can count on Honey, too.”
The three did a group hug.
“Let’s go home.” Bronson broke the embrace. “But first, we’ll do the McDonald’s drive-through. I’ll treat you both and me to a good cup of coffee, and, Honey, I’ll treat you to a hamburger.” He pressed the call button and connected with Hoover.
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Kudos Page
People say that it takes a village to raise a kid. They also say that every book is an author’s child. Expending on those two thoughts, it takes a village to write a book. Yes, definitely, the writing process is a lonesome effort. But the creation, the perfecting, and the publishing of a book—that’s where the village comes in. Therefore, if you had a hand in this book, consider yourself thanked.
Having said that, there are some folks I’d like to individually thank. First of all, several people honored me by allowing me to use their names: Bobbi Lazzarone, Sandra Sechrest, Ellen Biebesheimer, Mike Hoover, and Joe Randig. I salute you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hope you enjoy the adventure as much as I enjoyed creating it.
Now, about Honey—yes, Honey is a real dog. I know that because she’s our dog. Her adventures and tricks show up in this book as well as future Bronson books. We love you, Honey!
A special thanks goes to Tom Spinks for suggesting I name the town Sechrest Falls. I had originally called it Sechrest Village, but Falls is so much better!
Another special thanks goes to Catherine Dilts who suggested I change the title from When Memory Dies to When Memory Fails. That is definitely a lot better title. Thanks, Catherine!
Then there are the beta readers, the wonderful beta readers who offered to read the manuscript in progress and provided helpful information that made this book so much better. Along these lines, other beta readers read the completed manuscript, spotting errors in grammar and content. Thank you so much for this invaluable service. The book is so much better because of you.
Last, but not least, a million thanks goes to all my readers. Without you, I wouldn’t have a reason to write. I appreciate your support and loyalty. I couldn’t make it without you. I love hearing from you. Contact me through my website at www.lchayden.com. While you’re there, sign up to receive my newsletter.
If you’re not my Facebook friend, befriend me at www.facebook.com/lc.hayden.3 and like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MysteriesbyHayden/?fref-ts.
As always, a very special thanks to my husband, Richard Hayden, who supports me by driving me everywhere, creating and maintaining my website, and always being there for me. When Bronson has a decision to make or he encounters a problem, I turn to Rich and we talk it through. Thank you, Honey (not the dog!,) for being you.
About the Author
L. C. Hayden is the creator of the popular Harry Bronson Thriller Series. Prior releases have won several major awards. What Lies Beyond the Fence was a finalist for the Best Suspense Novel for Killer’s Nashville’s Silver Falchion Award as well as the Reader’s Choice Award. When the Past Haunts You, a thriller that hit the Kindle Police Procedural #2 Best Seller List, was a finalist for Left Coast Crimes’ Watson Award for Best Characters. A previous Bronson release, Why Casey Had to Die, became an Agatha Award Finalist for Best Novel and a Pennsylvania Top 40 Pick.
Besides the Bronson Series, Hayden has penned a standalone thriller, Secrets of the Tu
nnels, and also the Aimee Brent Mystery Series. All of these books contain that edge of the seat suspense and unexpected twists Hayden is known for.
Her non-mysteries include a series about miracles and angels. The books are spiritually uplifting books.
Hayden’s other works include two children’s books and several others in various genres.
Besides being an accomplished author, Hayden is a popular speaker. She has done workshop and school presentations, has spoken to clubs and organizations, and has worked at several major cruise lines speaking about writing while cruising all over the world. From October 2006 to October 2007, Hayden hosted Mystery Writers of America’s only talk show, Murder Must Air.
Check out her books at www.tinyurl.com/LCHaydenbooks and befriend her on Facebook, and visit her website at www.lchayden.com. She loves hearing from her readers.
List of L. C. Hayden’s books
Harry Bronson Mystery Series
What Lies Beyond the Fence
When the Past Haunts You
When Death Intervenes
Why Casey Had to Die
Novels featuring Harry Bronson
What Others Know (Part 2)
When Colette Died (Part 1) (Bronson not featured)
Where Secrets Lie
Who’s Susan?
End of the Road, a Bronson Short Story
When Bronson and Darkness Collide, Box Set 1 (e-books only)
Aimee Brent Mystery Series
Vengeance in my Heart
ILL Conceived
Standalone Thriller
Secrets of the Tunnels
Inspirational
Nonfiction:
Angels and Miracles Abound
Angels Around Us
When Angels Touch You
Angel Trilogy, Box Set 1 (e-books only)
Fiction:
Bell-Shaped Flowers
Children’s picture books:
Puppy Dog and His Bone
What Am I? What Am I?
Paranormal
The Drums of Gerald Hurd
Writing Advice
Help! I Want to Write
Contributed to
A Second Helping of Murder (a cookbook)
Haunted Highways (collection of haunted places in Texas)
Edited and compiled
Breaking & Entering: The Road to Success (a Sisters in Crime how-to guide)
Stories from 2 Centuries, a Collection of Writings (by senior citizens)
Random Thoughts, a Collection of Writings (by senior citizens)
When Memory Fails
Copyright 2019
by
L. C. Hayden
ISBN 13:
ISBN 10:
Angel’s Trumpet Press
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electrical or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any information or retrieval system without written permission of the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in reviews.
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to a real person, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Thank you for reading my book!
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