Copyright
Returned is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
RETURNED: A NOVEL
Copyright © 2018 by Charlene Johnson
All rights reserved.
Editing by KP Editing
Cover design by KP Designs
Published by Kingston Publishing Company
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Dedication
I would like to dedicate this book to my husband, John, to my two kids, Ty & Danika and to my sister, Robin, who have supported and believed in my writing journey from day one. I love you all very much.
Chapter 1
Broderick Devereaux drove down the highway, glad to be out of the city. He needed a break. For the last four months, he’d worked on a tough criminal case against Gerald Breckinridge, a notorious drug dealer from California, who was trying to break into the Seattle drug scene. Even with a mountain of hard evidence against the defendant and a witness willing to testify, Broderick nearly lost the case. The sole witness, Reynold Smith, whose testimony he relied on to win the case mysteriously disappeared three days before the trial. No one heard from Reynold, not even his longtime girlfriend. There was no evidence of a struggle at his apartment, and his clothes and personal properties were undisturbed.
His private investigators canvased the area for two weeks looking for the missing witness and turned up nothing. To make matters worse, there were a thousand miles of coastline to serve as a dumping ground to dispose of a body no one wanted to be found. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that the Pacific Ocean was Reynold’s final resting place. How many unidentifiable bodies washed up on shore over the years? Broderick knew he’d hit a dead end. Reynold Smith knew too much, and Gerald Breckinridge’s only chance to beat the drug charges was to make sure he never made it on the witness stand.
Broderick filed for a two-month continuance, and his team of investigators began to quickly canvas Seattle in hopes of finding another person associated with Breckinridge’s drug business willing to testify. After three weeks of interviewing known Breckinridge associates, they found a witness willing to testify; Sophia Proctor, an ex-stripper whose lover, Fernando Ruiz, was killed in a drug dispute. Fernando was selling drugs for Breckinridge and was caught using instead of selling. He got into an argument with one of Breckinridge’s men over it and was killed. Sophia heard an argument between Fernando and another man as she was returning from the grocery store. Before she could unlock the door, three gunshots ripped through the air, and she froze. Fearing for her life, she hid around the corner until she heard the apartment door open and footsteps running down the hall. When she could no longer hear them, she entered the apartment and found Fernando, lying in a pool of blood. He had two bullet holes in his chest and one in the middle of his forehead.
Sophia told Broderick she wanted Breckinridge to pay for taking the life of the man she loved and the father of her unborn child. She was put under heavy guard until it was time for her to testify. She turned out to be an outstanding witness. Fernando told Sophia everything he knew about Breckinridge’s organization and the information she recounted was solid enough for Broderick to get a warrant for another search of Breckinridge’s properties. The Seattle Police found a large cache of drugs, illegal firearms, and one-million dollars in cash hidden behind a false wall in his private study. Before Breckinridge’s trial, the Seattle Police made more arrests, and key members of his drug organization agreed to testify against him and his primary drug source for immunity from prosecution. The FBI was brought in on the case, and placed each witness in the witness protection program; including Sophia Proctor.
With Breckenridge sentenced to one-hundred-and-fifty-years in prison, his drug business collapsed. If it hadn't been for Sophia coming forward, Broderick would have lost the case, allowing a major drug dealer back on the streets.
It was an odd feeling for Broderick - facing near defeat. It was something that never happened to him before. He had to admit that lately; he felt a little off his game, and he knew why. He spent a considerable amount of time in Seattle working on the drug case, and he hadn't taken the time to go into the forest to release his jaguar. The large feline fought to emerge day after day, but he ignored him. The case was too important. There were times when his skin crawled, reminding him that his jaguar needed out. It wasn't safe to keep the impatient animal restrained for so long, and he feared the aggravated beast would burst out in some unexpected place and cause a spectacle. How would he explain the jaguar’s existence in a restaurant or god forbid a courtroom of terrified people, screaming and running for their lives? The last thing he needed was a photo of a large black jaguar splashed across the front page of the local newspaper. How by all that was holy would he explain that? Oh, yeah, a few days away from the grind of work was just what he required.
Broderick wasn’t sure where he was heading and had no particular destination in mind. About forty-nine miles east of Seattle, he saw a sign to Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge and Spa. He turned on the road and followed the signs. After a few miles, he pulled onto the circular driveway. He didn’t have reservations, but because it was a weekday, he was able to get a suite at the posh resort.
The Salish Lodge and Spa sat on the edge of a cliff, a massive brown structure with eighty-four luxury suites, many of which overlooked the impressive Snoqualmie Falls. His second-floor suite had a breathtaking view of the powerful two-hundred-sixty-eight-foot natural wonder. The wide, winding river formed an undulating silver and blue curtain of water as it rushed over the edge of jumbled boulders at its precipice. It was a spectacular site.
At the bottom of the falls, two powerhouses processed enough water to power forty-thousand homes and were vital to the residents in the area. He also found out the falls were the sacred site for the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, who had lived in the legendary Snoqualmie Valley for centuries.
Besides the waterfalls, there was an expanse of dense forest that had great hiking trails. Broderick assessed the hiking trail map to know what areas to avoid as he needed to steer his jaguar clear of tourists. It was unlikely he’d come in contact with any hikers after dark but he could when he was returning to the lodge in the early hours of the morning. If he could avoid the early morning hikers, it looked like an ideal place to release his jaguar.
There was something else about this place that peaked his interest. It was the reason he turned onto the road and headed in the direction of the lodge. It pulled him there like a divining rod.
Broderick unpacked his overnight bag and ate a light
dinner in his suite. Afterward, he settled into an Adirondack chair on his private balcony. He thought about calling the office to check in, but wasn’t the purpose of this trip to separate himself from the madness of the city? He sat back and enjoyed the sounds, the earthy scents in the air, and the unparalleled view of the falls, while he waited impatiently for nightfall.
His pent-up tension eased once he entered the thicket far away from the lodge and shifted. The complicated life of being human fell away and gave control to his jaguar. It felt good to be back in the woods, relying on pure animal instincts.
His jaguar ran through the dark, dense forest, familiarizing himself with his surroundings and marking his territory. Before long, he discovered a small herd of Columbian black-tailed deer feeding on a patch of clover and was able to separate one from the rest. He brought down the frightened doe with lightning precision and pulled it to a thick copse of trees to sate his hunger.
After spending the better part of the night exploring the woods, the jaguar found a safe place in the low, thick branch of an enormous tree overlooking a steep, isolated ravine to sleep. He didn't want to take the chance he'd be discovered by tourists out for an early morning hike.
Just before daybreak, Broderick shifted and made his way to the lodge. After a quick shower, wrapped in a thick white terrycloth robe, he sat down to check his emails. No need to hurry. He ate a leisurely breakfast on the balcony before getting dressed for the day.
He found Samuel, the hotel concierge tapping away on his keyboard at his station. He was an older man, dressed in a maroon suit jacket and black pants. His skin was deeply tanned, and his jet-black hair pulled back in a short ponytail.
“Morning, Samuel,” he greeted, as he approached the older man’s desk.
“Morning, sir,” Samuel nodded. “How can I help you?”
“It’s such a fine morning that I’m interested in going for a long, nice walk but would like to avoid tourists’spots if I could. Any suggestions?”
Samuel smiled. “I see, not a fan of the point and shoot crowd?”
Broderick returned his smile. “Not in the least. If I wanted to be around people, I would have stayed in Seattle, if you know what I mean.”
“I do.” Samuel picked up a map. “There are some less-known waterfalls so tucked away that only the locals know where they are. The surrounding areas are untouched and quite beautiful. They are a few miles away from the marked trails, but there are natural landmarks if you know what to look for.”
Broderick nodded. “Sounds good.”
“I can give you a compass, just in case you get lost.”
“I have a very good sense of direction.”
Samuel eyed him, his face serious as if measuring Broderick's words. Finally, he put an ‘X," on the map. “There is a large boulder that goes off to the right past two sequoias standing side-by-side, no more than five-feet apart at the base but crosses each other half way up. Go straight ahead and will you reach the river. The first waterfall is downstream a half a mile.” He marked another spot and handed the map to Broderick. “The other waterfall is here.”
Broderick took the map. “Thank you, Samuel. If I may ask, how do you know so much about this area?”
“I’m a Snoqualmie Indian. My wife, our son, and I live in a village not far from here. I’ve lived in this area my whole life.” He frowned slightly. “Be careful. There’s no cell reception that deep in the forest.”
“I will be fine but thanks for your concern.”
Broderick left the lodge and headed in the direction of the waterfall. To get there; he had to walk partway along one of the marked trails. He prayed like hell he didn’t encounter a group of camera-happy tourists who would ask him–the lone man on the trail, to take their picture. It wouldn’t stop there. Others would ask as well. Definitely not on his agenda.
He started down the path in the direction of the first waterfall. He looked at the map and veered off to the right passed a large boulder to where two redwoods formed an inverted V. Before long; he was deep in the woods, away from the marked path enjoying an exhilarating walk through lush green surroundings. Last night was for his Jaguar; this morning was for him.
He felt more alive and at peace in the majesty of the vast forest than any place on Earth. He could hear the whistling sound of a bald eagle as it glided above the trees and the harsh mewing waah of the red-breasted sapsucker and its slow distinctive tapping on a tree nearby. The multi-layered canopies of the Western hemlocks, giant Douglas Firs, and tall Sequoias soon blocked out much of the sun giving the forest an eerie, otherworldly appearance. Vanilla leaf, foamflower, and wild ginger grew in abundance through the thick blanket of dark green moss covering the forest floor. Pale tiger swallowtails flit from one blooming flower to another. A huge trunk of a fallen redwood lay in his path, and he had to duck underneath its broad expanse to continue.
With Broderick’s superior hearing, he picked up the sound of a waterfall some distance away. It was not on the route he was following but off to his left through another thicket of dense trees. He debated whether he should continue to the first waterfall or follow the sound of the waterfall to his left. There were no footprints in that direction; the forest floor looked undisturbed. Without a second thought, he headed toward the sound.
The average person would not have strayed off into the unknown and risk getting lost. It was easy to get lost in a forest of this magnitude if one didn't have a compass or notable landmark to use as a reference, but he wasn't entirely human, and it gave him an advantage. He didn't fear the forest or its inhabitants and had an innate sense of direction. Finding his way back to the lodge did not concern him. The strange pull he was feeling in the direction of the waterfall was something he could not deny.
Broderick walked for three-quarters of a mile following the increasing roar of the waterfall. As he grew nearer, he could see sprays of mist rising to the sky. The terrain was uneven and rocky, but he maneuvered through it with ease. When he reached the edge of the waterfall, he reveled in its singular beauty. A long winding river flowed into a narrow rocky gorge and cascaded down a hundred feet to a foaming splash pool. He discovered a natural rocky path that led to the bottom of the waterfall and followed it.
When he reached the bottom of the trail, he stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes riveted on the most erotically beautiful vision he'd ever seen. In the middle of the splash pool was a young woman with long mahogany hair that spilled down her back in wet silky waves. Her skin was the color of rich, warm caramel. She was nude from the waist up; her shapely breasts tipped with dark nipples. She moved through the water, her hands making rippling waves. The movement caused her breasts to bob gently above the water. Mist rose from the surface of the water, covering her skin with tiny water droplets that sparkled like diamonds. She was breathtaking.
He groaned inwardly as his jeans grew increasingly restrictive. His sudden arousal caught him off guard. Usually, it took a hot kiss or an intimate touch to arouse him, but the lovely creature before him obliterated that notion. If he reacted to just the sight of her, how much more mind-blowing would it be to touch her skin, kiss her lips, make love to her? He tensed at his unexpected thoughts. Why was he thinking of that? Having sex with a beautiful woman he was attracted to was not out of the realm of possibility, but making love? That is crazy, he thought. But as he looked at her, his body vibrating with heat, he knew if he ever touched her that was what it would be, and he had not yet said one word to her.
He stared at her tantalizing breasts and hard, pebbled nipples, and the erection in his jeans became downright painful. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He wanted to strip naked and dive into the pool until he reached her and licked every water droplet off her lovely tanned skin. He wanted to kiss her full lips and explore the parts of her the water wickedly concealed. He didn't think he ever wanted a woman more than he did her.
Broderick was so caught up in his thoughts; he stepped on a twig and the sound of
it snapping echoed in the air. The woman in the pool started at the sound and turned quickly around to regard him with the greenest eyes he had ever seen. She placed her arms protectively over her bare breasts.
"What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with surprise.
He knew he should turn away, but he couldn't. It was like asking the Greek Gods not to eat ambrosia. "I'm sorry," he said loud enough for her to hear him over the sound of the waterfall. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was walking through the forest and heard the waterfall."
"I thought I was alone," she said as she scanned the area. "Tourists never come here. This waterfall is not on any map. Is anyone else with you?"
"No, I'm alone." He continued to stare at her, convinced she was an illusion that would disappear before his eyes. "Why are you out here by yourself? It's not safe. You never know who or what might stumble upon you."
Amused by his words, she smiled coquettishly. "Are you concerned for my safety?"
He hesitated. "Well, yes, I was thinking of that. It is such a secluded place. If something were to happen, no one would hear you."
"True, but you found your way here," she pointed out.
He smiled, his sapphire eyes sparkling. "I have an astute sense of direction."
"So, do I,” she eyed him up and down. "There's nothing to fear here. The inhabitants of this forest are quite safe," she said matter-of-factly. "I've spent my childhood playing here. My people have lived here for generations."
"Your people?"
She twirled a finger in a circle. "Turn around so that I can get out of the water. Carrying on a conversation with a fully dressed man while naked is a little disturbing."
He chuckled at her words and turned around. In his peripheral vision, he could see a pair of blue jeans, a red blouse, and a large black towel on a low hanging tree branch near the edge of the water. All he had to do was turn his head slightly and see her in all her natural glory, but he fought the temptation. He crossed his arms over his chest and exhaled. If he gave in to his carnal urge to see her naked, it would spook her or more than likely piss her off, and he'd lose his chance to find out more about her. It was an odd impulse since he would be going home tomorrow. Chances were he'd never see her again. He didn't know why the thought of not seeing her again bothered him so much, but it did.
Dawned (Circle of the Red Scorpion Book 3) Page 1