7PM - Emily (A 5PM Short Story)
Page 5
“I would expect nothing less.” I cut the plastic ties securing him, keeping the pistol trained on him. Just one sudden movement would be the end of him. I caught his eye. If he was nervous, his body wasn’t giving him away.
“I can tell you she is in the California Institution for Women and not expected to see the outside of the walls in her lifetime. You won’t ever get to her.”
He limped on ahead of me, and as he climbed the steps up from the basement to the main exercise area of the gymnasium, the sun appeared to almost blind him. If I still possessed an inkling of empathy like I did when Helen, Erica and I were together, I would have felt sorry for him. But I let him live, and for that, he should be grateful—and surprised given my history.
Those days of empathy had long passed, and the only thing I looked forward to was revenge. I took a long look at myself in one of the workout mirrors, reminding me of how Erica once looked. It was time to freshen up and prepare for the early morning exercise goers.
“Excuse me, young lady. When do you open?” A deep European voice almost made me jump and hit the ceiling.
I turned and faced the voice’s owner, almost falling to my knees at the sight of his tight muscular body almost bursting the black shorts and white tank top he wore.
“Um…ah…”
He took a few steps and picked me up before I fell on the spot, his biceps bulging as he took my weight in his arms. “You look so much like Emily. Just as beautiful and as delicious as she was,” he said. “I will help you do what you need to do. I will take your pain away, my sweet angel.”
I smiled just before I drifted off and took a long nap.
Coming Soon
7PM Bjorn
Benny Hernandez is a Belgian party animal who does it all—sex, drugs, and travelling from place to place in his pursuit of living life to the fullest.
A drug purchase gone bad leaves two of his friends dead, and a thirst for revenge takes him to the USA in chase of those responsible.
Thinking he has the two men where he wants them, he is nearly killed by a woman from the Praying Mantassassins who is one-half of the pair of killers paid to take him out. A change of heart leads to them turning against those who hired them, and Benny is soon seduced to the Praying Mantassassin lifestyle, trained to clean up any traces of PM missions they deem need to be hidden. But when a mission comes up that requires him to take a more active role, can he be relied upon to make a necessary kill?
Acknowledgments
First, my writing journey wouldn’t be where it is without the love and support of my family. Special thanks to my wife, Glenda, for being there from near the start of my writing endeavours, and to my three beautiful children, Ethan, Krystal, and Siobhan.
My parents, Noel and Barbara Heinicke, have always been supportive, encouraging me to chase my dreams and keeping me grounded to stay responsible in the process. My sister, Rachel Foster and her husband, Troy have always cheered me along, and for that, I thank them, too.
My writing wouldn’t be what it is without the hard work of my editor, Rogena Mitchell-Jones. Not only is she great at her work, but a great friend in helping me get over my self-doubts.
Rebecca Berto from Berto Designs has come through with yet another great cover. Thanks so much again to her for her eye-catching design.
Thanks to my beta readers, Kate Annabel, Tracey Hayer-Roberts, and Kathryn Booker. Your input and the time you took to read a yet to be published work is much appreciated. Special mention to Kate Reedwood for going above and beyond for her work on this volume and helping me to think more about the characters’ motivations.
Over my years on Facebook, I’ve met many fellow writers at different stages of their writing careers. A network of support and friendship has helped me learn not only about the craft of writing but marketing and networking as well. With each book, the list increases, but those who have been there and who have never hesitated in giving advice or helping to promote my work, and I promise to return the favour where possible. Special thanks to Laura Hunter, Lili Saint Germain, Jacinta Maree, Melissa Crowe, Stephen Ormsby, Kim Stevens, Hayley Coates, Earl Chessher, Desley Polmear, Samantha A. Cole, and Baer Charlton, just to name a few. Anyone I’ve forgotten, I’m very sorry.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank a local bookstore owner for not only stocking my books but also for allowing me to use his store to launch my book releases. Thanks to Andy Gasson from Magpie Books for his generosity and friendship.
And most of all, where would a writer be without their fans and readers? Thanks to everyone who has supported me, given me feedback, and read my books. Thanks for the words of encouragement and spreading the word about my books. With your help, I know someday I’ll be a full-time writer and able to devote time to releasing more books. Special mention to those I call my cheerleaders, Christine Dupre, Bianca Lloyd, Tracy Grover, Leesa Barrell, Cooper DMSelector as well as a huge number of my work colleagues with one, in particular, Barb Mawby, following this whole series.
About the Author
Chris was born in the town of Port Pire, South Australia in 1971. Growing up in a family who moved a lot, Chris was able to see a lot of Australia as a child and teenager, meeting a broad range of people and living in four of six of the country’s states and the Northern Territory. Although working as a baker, writing has been a passion for some time, starting in high school and reigniting again in 2006. Since then, he has worked on the first part of a science fiction series, The Man In Black, released in 2015, and a short story, which culminated in a 2014 NaNoWriMo project called 5PM.
Apart from writing, Chris enjoys travelling, reading, and watching movies, as well as all things geeky. He resides in the New South Wales beachside town of Coffs Harbour with his wife and three children and is currently working on projects connected with 5PM and The Man In Black.