The Commissioner walked to his office window and looked down upon the bustling city. “Over eight million people call New York home, agents,” he continued. “Another sixty million visit us every year. A serial killer who likes to brag to the press about how far ahead of us he is has a tendency to scare the shit out of people. You know what happens then? Shit-scared people stay home. Which means they don’t shop at Saks. Or Bloomingdale’s. Or Macy’s… or a thousand other stores. They don’t go out to restaurants. Since these killings hit the press the city’s economy has sunk to the bottom of the Hudson in Titanic proportions. And politicians, like Mayor Scullia, don’t take too kindly to that.”
Haley walked back to his desk. “I need your help, agents. More to the point, the people of New York need your help. Personally, I don’t go in for this whole psychic thing. But your reputation precedes you, Agent Quest. Same goes for you Agent Hanover.”
Jordan Quest sat in a guest chair beside her partner. Chris Hanover picked up the paper scroll and examined it carefully. The handwritten note had been written in calligraphy. Sweeping, swirling strokes of red ink graced the page. But had the note been penned by the killer?
This paper is unusual, feels old.” Agent Hanover asked, “What do we know about it?
“Our lab says it’s handmade parchment” the Commissioner replied. “Makes it damn near impossible to trace. The ribbon tied around it is at least a hundred years old. Hasn’t been manufactured for decades.”
“Can I see the note?” Jordan asked.
Chris passed his partner the scroll. Contact with the paper brought with it a flood of images.
“Dozens of victims,” Jordan said.
“You can see that?” Commissioner Haley asked, “Just by touching the paper?”
“Yes,” Jordan replied. “He’s been killing for a very long time. Strange that he hasn’t come to the attention of the Bureau until now. This isn’t ink? It’s blood. Human blood. And not from a single contributor. At least fifty... maybe more.”
“I held that information back from you on purpose, Agent Quest,” Commissioner Haley replied. “I wanted to see if you’d catch it or not. I mean, with you being psychic and all.”
Jordan dropped the note and glared at the police commissioner. “Seriously?” she said.
Haley leaned back in his chair, folded his arms. “Let me remind you that you’re here at my invitation.”
Jordan stood. “Not any more, Commissioner. You have a serial killer on your hands. I’ve just confirmed it. That makes this case a federal case now. And let me remind you that I’ve had this gift since I was twelve years old. So if you or any of your people insist on testing me for your personal entertainment or holding back information critical to this case let me know right now and we’ll be on the next plane out of here. Those are my terms, Commissioner. Take them or leave them. It’s your call.”
Haley turned to Chris Hanover. “Is she always such a hard ass?”
Chris smiled, said nothing.
Haley extended his hand to Jordan. “Fair enough, Agent Quest. You’ll get all the cooperation you need from my office and the NYPD.”
Jordan accepted his hand, held it for a few seconds. The Commissioner drew it back quickly.
“What are you doing?” Haley said. “Reading my mind?”
Jordan smiled. “Maybe a little.”
Haley’s face was flushed. “Well, in future … don’t.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chris took the scroll from Jordan. “Mind if we hang on to this, Commissioner?” he asked. “I’d like to send it to Quantico for further analysis.”
“Fine. We’ll transfer chain of custody to you. Keep it as long as you like.”
“Thank you, sir,” Chris said.
Jordan and Chris left the Commissioner’s office. Waiting for the elevator, Jordan said, “Funny, for a non-believer he seemed a little shaken.”
Chris shook his head. “Seriously, Jordan? You just had to do that, didn’t you?”
“Do what?”
“You know what. The whole hold-their-hand-and-freak-‘em-out thing.”
“I needed to assert myself. Haley needed to know I won’t be taken for granted.”
“I get that,” Chris replied. “Now that you’ve done it I have to ask. Did you get anything off Haley?”
“He’s trying hard to not let it show, but he’s scared to death.”
“Of?”
“Losing his city to this maniac.”
Hanover placed the evidence bag containing the paper scroll in his jacket pocket. “Then we better make sure that doesn’t happen.”
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“What a great story and I love Jordan’s character. Every chapter had me on the edge of my seat and rushing to pick this up again and again. Looking forward to reading the next book.”
“Amazing first novel. Intruders absolutely lived up to the promise of the prequel. It was faced-paced with lots of plot twists and turns. It really made me want to keep reading. Jordan is a very likeable main character and I can see great possibilities as the series progresses. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!”
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“I really liked the setting for the series and the main character. The prequel set the stage for the next books to come. It was a real page turner that held my interest and I could tell right away that I would be anticipating each new book in the series. Jordan had many skills and I can see endless possibilities going forward!”
“Incredible read! Would highly recommend! Incredible! Absolutely loved this prequel! Hoping there are more Jordan Quest books! Could not put this one down!”
“Ready to read! I am anxiously awaiting this book to come out in soft or hard copy. I know it's going to be amazing from the description. Gary Winston Brown is an imaginative and talented writer!”
“Really enjoyed this book. Very well written. Lots of mystery and thrilling events. Not my usual reading material but I loved it. Would recommend to anyone looking for suspense reading.”
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ABOUT GARY WINSTON BROWN
Gary is the author of the popular thriller series, JORDAN QUEST. His numerous influences and favorite authors include Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Lee Child, Catherine Coulter, J.D. Robb, Sandra Brown, Kay Hooper and Iris Johansen.
Gary is married and lives outside Toronto, Canada.
Visit the author’s website at GaryWinstonBrown.com for more information.
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The Jordan Quest thrillers are best described as tightly-written, fast-paced, page-turning suspense mixed with witty-dialogue and high-octane action/adventure. If you like reading stories featuring a tough-as-nails female protagonist (and bad guys you’ll love to hate) you’re sure to enjoy all the books in the series.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
As always, for my beautiful wife, Fiona.
ILYBBOBKS
COPYRIGHT & AUTHOR’S NOTE
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2018 Gary Winston Brown. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, cloned, stored in or introduced into any information storage or retrieval system, in any form, or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact the publisher at the website below:
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AUTHOR’S NOTE
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents – and their usage for storytelling purposes – are crafted for the singular purpose of fictional entertainment and no absolute truths shall be derived from the information contained within. Locales, businesses, companies, events, government institutions, law enforcement agencies and private institutions are used for atmospheric, entertainment and fictional purposes only. Furthermore, any resemblance or reference to persons living or dead is used fictitiously for atmospheric, entertainment and fictional purposes.
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