The Art of Safkhet Presents - MAVERICK
TOUCH: THE CAT
Reporter Nadia Maverick takes an
adventure through the underbelly of her town, where she discovers that even the
criminal life she had been reporting on isn't quite like it seemed.
Things turn
bad for Nadia when in the middle of an investigation, the tables are turned and
she becomes the one under the watchful eye of Mr. A. Everyone becomes a suspect
when Nadia turns up missing.
Who will be
there to set her free?
Read and
see.
Available
in Print and E-book formats
ISBN-13:
978-0615785622
ISBN-10:
061578562X
Author Bio
Ashley is
married and lives in Houston with her husband Tony. They have two dogs, Toto
and Doogie. They have been together for over 8 and a 1/2 years and he brings
her more joy than she could ever imagine as a child. She loves to read and has
been hooked on the romance genre ever since her lifelong best friend Laura gave
her "Ashes to Ashes' by Tami Hoag to read when they were younger.
Ashley finds
her strength through her family, especially her parents. They always support
her in life; they push her to strive for greatness. There once was a motto that
Ashley heard in her youth through her Taekwondo life 'Reach for the Stars' and
that is what Ashley has always done. It was through her upbringing that the
values Ashley has and displays come from. With her parents always cheering her
on in life she was able to grow up having faith in herself and her ability to
conquer the world.
CHAPTER FIVE
She pushed open the door and the
bell gave a chime. The man in the back of the restaurant came walking up to the
front. He smiled at them. “Table for two?”
Nadia smiled back and patted
Gabe’s arm. “We’re eating for three. Do you have anything to accommodate us?”
Gabe turned his head to her and
gave a questioning stare. She shook her head and focused her attention back on
the host.
“Why yes we do; I have the
perfect position for you both.”
Gabe leaned over and whispered
into her ear. “Position?”
“Shh, I’ll explain later. Just
roll with it.”
They followed the host to a back
table, and they took a seat on one side of the booth. Gabe slid in first and
then Nadia joined him. She placed her hands on the table and motioned for him
to do the same.
“He’ll be right with you,” the
host said before he turned and walked away.
“He? Who is he, and what did you
get me into?” Gabe knew that Nadia knew people, but he didn’t like the feeling
he was getting from this situation.
“Don’t you wonder how I always
get the heads up on the big crime stories? I have connections. This is one of
them. So don’t embarrass me, okay?”
“Good God woman, I need to put
in for hazard pay.”
“Shh, here he comes.” She sat up
straight and smiled as Mr. Talbot sat in the booth across from her.
“Nadia, such a pleasure, it’s
been too long, almost 6 months since we’ve seen each other. I thought that
judge had scared you straight.”
“You know I was just lying low.
I can never give up my meddling.”
“Who’s this you have with you? I
don’t like new people, you know that.”
“This is my,” she paused for a
moment not sure how to introduce him.
“I’m her lover. She’s kept me a
secret for a while because she didn’t want me to be involved in her stuff,”
Gabe interjected. He reached out his hand across the table for Mr. Talbot to
shake.
The men did their manly stand
off for a moment, then Mr. Talbot focused his attention back to Nadia. “What
did you need my assistance with today, my dear?”
“Have you heard of the pet shop,
Paws Pals?”
Mr. Talbot nodded and looked at
her very carefully. “I have, they’re a pet store in town. What’s it to you, Ms.
Maverick?”
“Well, I’ve been doing a little
digging into them because something seemed off yesterday when I was there
picking up my kitten. And, call it a gut feeling, but I think you know what’s
going on there. I was hoping you could help point me in the right direction.”
“I’ve heard they have an ‘in’
with the locals. Are you sure you want to go down that path?”
Gabe spoke up. “She loves
getting in trouble. I think she might be biting off a bit too much this time
though.”
“Quiet Gabe. Keep talking, Mr.
Talbot.” Nadia sat there with anticipation; she hung on his every word.
“Very well, rumor has it that
the owner, Carlisle, is actually a paid hit man, and the pet shop is his front.
So when I tell you to be careful, I mean it.”
“That would explain why Ramon
had the crime scene photos, and why that other reporter wound up dead after her
news story.” Nadia scanned the room. She felt her heart picking up speed,
beginning to race.
“Nadia, stay away from this.
Leave Carlisle and his people alone. I won’t be able to assist you like I
normally can, not with someone who’s in so deep with the locals. If you have
already started inquires, they probably know about it already. This man leaves
his signature on each of his kill, a chalk mark in the shape of a snake. When I
say he means business Nadia, that’s what I mean.”
“Nadia, listen to him. Maybe we
should reconsider.” Gabe started to plead with her when she cut him off and
stood up.
“Thank you, Mr. Talbot. As
always, I appreciate your time, and I promise I’ll be careful. Come on, Gabe,
we need to get going, stuff to plan.”
Mr. Talbot nodded his head at
her and turned to look at Gabe who was still sitting in the booth. “Good luck
with her.”
“Thanks, I’ll need it.” Gabe
left the booth and followed Nadia out of the restaurant and back to her car.
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