Beyond the Sample -- Teaser Tuesday for the Legend of CùSithGrim, Book 2 of the Portrait of an Unlikely Affair series

Here is the sample beyond the sample that you will find on Amazon for The Legend of CùSithGrim, book 2 in the Portrait of an Unlikely Affair series.

Tom felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Three weeks ago, while at a football game, Tom overheard the gossip going around. People were afraid for their kids. Every child and teen in the town had a curfew imposed by their parents. They didn’t want to find out if there was a serial killer lurking around. Jan’s gossiping turned their attention to Brian, who was the loner, the unknown. The dependents had surrounded the police chief and were pushing the chief to look into Brian - After all, he had a history of mental illness and being institutionalized….and had already tried to kill four boys and Jan this year alone. The chief’s eyes landed on Tom as he saw Tom was hearing what was being said, and that Tommy heard it all, too.

 “It’s okay, Dad,” the eleven-year-old told Tom with a shrug. “I hear this stuff all the time at school. Jess and I do our best to tell them they’re full of it.”

 “It’s not okay for you to be hearing it, Tommy,” Tom replied. “You shouldn’t ever be put in that position to hear that nasty of gossip about your brother. What they are saying is a result of fear and ignorance. Your brother is your brother. He’s not what your mom tells everyone he is.”

“Yeah. We know that.”

Tom then handed him some money and sent Tommy to get some hot cocoa.

The chief, Major Freeman, told the crowd to disperse and enjoy the football game before he walked over to Tom. “I’m sorry, sir. They’re all on edge and it’s to be expected that they would draw lines and connect dots. I must say, I’ve never met your middle son so I don’t have a lot to go on. Just that I’ve never been called out and reports have never been filed.”

“And there never will be. Brian was not here when Tyler Hastings went missing. He was at Boarding School,” Tom replied, knowing it was a lie and if anyone knew that Brian was a Hell Hound, all eyes would definitely be on him because Brian, and the Hell Hounds, were kenneled at Fort Hope at the time of the Hastings disappearance. “Everything my wife is saying about him is conjecture and pure fiction. He is not a monster. He just has poor health.”

The chief shrugged, “Apparently he has more than poor health. He’d been involved in a traumatic accident at school, which is why he’s here?”

“Yes, there was an accident which nearly killed him, but he is not violent.”

“And your wife’s claims of him trying to kill her this past spring? Why weren’t we notified?”

“It never happened,” Tom replied.

“I’m sorry that I have to ask,” the chief hesitated, “but if your family, and Mrs. Ridley, are all here tonight, where is Brian?”

“At home with his doctor. He is struggling with his health.”

The chief nodded, “My sympathies, sir. However, if Mrs. Ridley ever comes to me with evidence, I’ll have to open a case and investigate, which will undoubtedly bring in Sentinel.”

“I am aware of the protocol, Chief.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I know you are. It’s the last thing I want to do to an ailing teen. But, until I have cause, I’ll try to encourage the dependents to leave their pitchforks and torches at home.”

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Liked this teaser? There’s more. Head over to Amazon to get a sample of the first two chapters. OR, better yet, buy the book! It’s available as both an ebook and a paperback!!

Get the Legend of CùSithGrim on Amazon!