Action/Thriller

400

Following clues provided by a mysterious letter writer detailing a series of gruesome hangings and the theft of a neighbor’s antique yacht from a Biscayne Bay canal, two novelists follow a killing trail as old as time.

Tremors erupted in Dan’s groin, roiled his gut. The shudders spread to his extremities, agitated the rope. The unforgiving noose stroked Dan’s shoulders, his gooseflesh neck.The harsh caress forced thoughts of imminent death to consume Dan’s mind. This can’t be happening! Until he awakened from the depths of a bludgeon-induced black hole—Dan never considered the possibility he might expel his final breath at the end of a rope. It’s not possible!Unable to halt the fear-induced chills sweeping through his body, Dan fought to reduce the damaging effect as the abrasive rope jerked across his exposed skin. He lost the skirmish.The rough-woven manila scraped Dan’s skin raw—drew blood.Dan tried to cry out. He failed. His throat constricted. He bit his tongue. Blood flowed down his throat. Dan gagged. Please! Please help me God!Overcome with fear, the copper taste of his blood failed to penetrate Dan’s screaming mind. Witnessed by none able to assist him—the bizarre character of the macabre scene shifted after Dan heard an unfamiliar man behind him. His scrambled brain attempted to place the voice but failed. It resonated without recognition.“Calm yourself or risk bleeding to death. Ye shall die in your sins—but not by your hands,” the man said. The man’s words added to Dan’s confusion. “I…I…What…?”“Quiet!” The man backhanded Dan, drew additional blood.Dan tried to stand. Two immense hands on his shoulders pressed down. Dan’s rear end slammed onto a three-legged and backless stool he used when working on his pride and joy, a half-restored 1936 flathead Ford pickup. Languid and unmoving—the antique sat to Dan’s right. The unknown man slapped duct tape across Dan’s mouth. He rechecked the knot trussing Dan’s crisscrossed hands positioned behind his back. He did the same for the rope lashed around Dan’s feet and ankles.Satisfied Dan’s bindings restrained his movement, the man grabbed the rope above the noose. The rope’s loose end lay sprawled across the concrete floor. The stranger remained quiet. He tightened the hangman’s noose, positioned the eight-coil knot behind Dan’s right ear.A coarse choking cinch replaced the abrasive caress of the noose. Multiple sensations and emotions battled for control over Dan’s mind and body. Tears welled in his eyes, cascaded down his cheeks. His bowels loosened. He lost control of his bladder. A blinding fear blocking all sensations except terror supplanted any embarrassment.A woman stepped from behind Dan. He recognized her as the woman who enticed him into his current predicament.Their eyes locked.Death stared into Dan’s soul. The woman watched Dan’s struggle. Her eyes blazed with unwavering hatred. Dan interpreted the woman’s loathing manner. I’ll receive no mercy from her.