January 24, 2023
The Santa Sofia is swept ashore in 1536. Four hundred fifty years later, its precious cargo is ruining souls.
………………………………………………………………..
Ten-foot doors rattled as a gust of wind tested century-old hinges. The clanging of a metal coupling against a flagpole outside mimicked the remote pings of a buoy in Eagle Bay. John grew lightheaded.
Thomas cocked his head and studied the weapon in his hand. Moistening dry lips with his tongue, he moved his gaze to a random depression on the floor.
John peered up. “I’m innocent.”
Thomas’s pistol tilted downward as if it were heavy.
“One day, you’ll accept. . .” John caught his breath, “. . .what I’ve said.” Blood stained his teeth and trickled down the edge of his mouth. “Tell Skye I loved her to the end. Figure out. . . how. . .to do that.”
Anguish covered Thomas’s chiseled face. He stepped forward and fired the second round, grazing John’s heart.
Lying still as his blood pooled, the adrenaline that provided resistance to an execution waned. His lips moved, but no words were released.
Thomas bent forward. “I’m sorry. You’ve always been a better man than me.”
John fought hard to speak. He whispered, “What. . .are you?”
“I’m everything and nothing people think I am.” Seconds passed. “But by tragic design, John. Not by choice.”
John’s vision faded to black.
………………………………………………………
The psychological thriller Eagle Bay launches this spring.
Cheers from the Sonoran Desert,
Author Ken Cruickshank
#thriller #psychologicalthriller #suspense #bookworm #mystery #goodreads #KenCruickshank #InstagramauthorKenCruickshank #goodreads #Kindle #Googlebooks #Applebooks #amreading #bookstagrams #bookish #booklover #currentread #bookworm #bookaholic #readersofinstagram #bookaddict #booksofinstagram