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About The AuthorJohn Wendell Adams is the author of the soon-to-be released novel “Ruthless”, the third book in the Jack Alexander trilogy. This is an exciting and suspenseful story set in Chicago. "Ruthless" has already received
pre-release accolades/reviews: ----"Ruthless" by John Wendell Adams is an engaging page-turner that tells the story of Jack Alexander, president of JPC. I cannot wait to see what John writes next." 4 out of 5 stars Literary Titan ----The writing style is elegant, and the plot uncovers slowly over a period of time. There are various sub plots, and the characters are fleshed out well with their inherent flaws and foibles. Well researched story on the life of Latinos, them coming to and living in America. A thrilling story with many stratagems to confound the reader. Books Go Social D.W.Buffa - Award Winning Author Your writing is good and clear, and the story is compelling. All the best, |
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"Ruthless" - Sample ChapterChapter Nine
There weren’t many cars on the street yet. Jack liked to get his run in while the rest of the world was still asleep or just waking up. As he headed north along his favorite route. He glanced to his right and saw the beginnings of the sun starting to come up. Before the bright sunny globe appeared, he saw shades of orange, apricot, yellow, and red, separated while still together. It was if God was saying, “Wake up, look, and see what I have planned for you today.” He tried to keep his eyes on the road in front of him. Nonetheless, he couldn’t help but look over at the sun’s efforts to reveal itself to the world. He reached his turnaround point and started running even harder. This was his way of challenging himself to finish his run faster than his previous times. He always had a song in his head that matched the cadence of his running steps. He picked up his pace as the song dominated his thoughts. With just a half mile to go, he took his last look at the sun which had now risen above the horizon. The yellow, orange globe seemed to be changing in its intensity every second, much like the intensity of Jack’s last half mile. Page 48 He finished the last 300 yards as fast as he could, as if he were running in the Olympics. He was totally out of breath, huffing and puffing like he was ready to fall over. This was the way he finished every run. It gave him great satisfaction to know he had given it his all. He walked slowly back to his house, trying to recover his normal breathing pattern. As he did, his thoughts led him to the current concerns he was facing. He thought, “It seems there is so much swirling around me, people need my help, so much I am being asked to do. Clarence is in real trouble. I can’t abandon him after all he’s done for me. He saved my life, for goodness’ sake. I pray I have found a great resource in Fred who can help. Then Len asked me to step in and be interim CEO. And if that weren’t enough, now the board wants me to be the permanent guy. Yeah, I’m honored but my allegiance is to Len. Poor guy laid up in the hospital. Now they want to take him out like yesterday’s trash. I still haven’t found out the real cause of his accident. All these people, all these issues. I guess I must plod through this believing I can come up with real solutions. I’ve got to just take them one at a time.” As Jack walked back home, he didn’t notice the black Cadillac sedan parked a block behind him. He also didn’t notice it had been there ever since he had reached his turnaround point and started heading back home. **** Jack walked into his house, went to the kitchen to get some cool water. The house felt empty since Gloria had taken the last few days to spend with her elderly mother. He walked into his study and hit the Enter key to his computer. As he waited for the screen, he picked up his phone, scrolled through his text messages and stopped at one with great interest. You need to call me back as soon as you can. I have an urgent issue. Page 49 Jack reflected on the text for a moment. As he quickly looked through the others, he stopped again at a text that only said, When I thought things couldn’t get any worse, they just go miserably out of control. We need to talk. He decided it would be best to immediately respond to the first text. Got it! I will reach out to you this morning. What’s the topic? A text message came right back. I need you to call me. Make sure you call me on the right phone. Jack’s only reply was, Okay! He went back to the second text and replied, I have one thing I need to address and then I will call you. Is that soon enough? He waited for a reply, which came quickly. Thanks for not leaving me dangling. I’ll be waiting for your call. Jack felt a bit overwhelmed. Nevertheless, he fully realized he didn’t have time to be consumed with his own feelings. He quickly showered, shaved, dressed, and sat down at his desk in his home office. He took a fast pass through his other text and email messages. He then texted his executive assistant, Beth, to reschedule any appointments he had for the next two hours and for her to address any other urgent business. Afterwards, he looked at the first text again for a few seconds before dialing a number. The phone was answered immediately. “Thanks for calling me.” Page 50 He sensed the desperation in Len’s voice. This was an emotion he had never encountered with Len before. He had expressed anxiety or signs of frustration but never desperation. “Len, what’s up?” There was silence on the line momentarily. Then Len spoke. “Did you find out what happened with my car? What caused the accident besides me getting lost in my thoughts? Was there some foul play in anyway?” Jack collected his thoughts before responding. Then he said, “I don’t know the answer. I have someone I trust checking out your car completely.” “Answers, answers…I need answers!” Jack could tell there was nothing he could say that would quell Len’s anxiety. He was as amped up as he was when they first started talking. He started slowly. “Len, what’s going on for you right now? Why so agitated?” Len didn’t speak right away. However, he could tell Len’s breathing over the phone had become more regulated. Then he heard Len say, “I’m freaking out right now. If someone tampered with my car, will they be coming after me and my wife next?” Now Jack’s mind was moving a hundred miles a minute. “Was there some foul play? Why would anyone try and hurt Len? What would be the motivation? What had he done that was so egregious?” He was buried in his thoughts when he heard, “Are you following me?” “I thought by now I would already know. I’ll call you back.” |