Check out all the episodes here on Amazon.
- PBI Case Files: The Beginning (Kindle or Audiobook)
- Outbreak (Kindle or Audiobook)
- Lost Plane (Kindle or Audiobook)
- Justice Driven (Kindle or Audiobook)
- The first four episodes in Bundle I (Amazon Kindle, Audible Audiobook, Paperback edition, or autographed paperback)
- Remote Paranois (Amazon Kindle, Audible Audiobook, Paperback edition, or autographed paperback)
Excerpt from PBI Case Files: The Beginning (episode one)
Chapter One
Sarah Hollister sauntered through the nightclub with confidence she wasn’t feeling. She understood in that moment the meaning of the saying ‘alcohol makes you feel ten-feet tall and bullet proof’, but she was fairly certain she’d be paying for her indiscretions tonight with a sledge hammer to the head tomorrow. It had been years since she drank alcohol of any kind. James was a recovering alcoholic, and she did her best to support him by avoiding the mind altering drug herself. But that wasn’t necessary anymore. All of that ended when she walked in on him with another woman in their bed! The room was spinning then, and it was spinning now but she didn’t care anymore. Now she was going to live her life for herself, and hopefully find her strength once again. She allowed her sister, Frankie, to weave her through the crowd back toward the VIP area, with no complaints despite the few slips and near misses she made on the journey. Damn high heels!
She was vaguely aware of the eyes following her ass as she swayed her hips back and forth on the trek to the back of the sectioned off area of the club. Tonight, she wanted them to stare. Tonight, she needed the attention and confirmation from the men, even some of the women in the room, that she was still sexy. She’d wasted five years on a good-for-nothing man who took and never gave back.
Just for tonight she was going to be someone else, tomorrow she’d go back to being a manager of a fortune five hundred company, She’d don the navy blue, black, and pin striped business suits that hid her figure. She’d toss her long golden brown waves into a French twist, and hide her blue eyes behind fifties-styled black glasses, and after tonight she’d forget about the pain in her heart from the man she planned her future with. Tomorrow, she’d be Miss Hollister, but tonight she’d be a sexy ten-foot-tall and bullet proof drunk.
Frankie stopped short of the roped off area of the room and examined Sarah. “Tell me you’re not too drunk?” She was so mad at Sarah for starting to drink before she picked her up. Sarah’s logic was that it was cheaper to drink at home. What she didn’t realize was that she was beautiful, and she’d have drinks bought for her all night long. In essence it would’ve been cheaper had she waited until she got to the club. But Sarah had lost all confidence in herself, and it was her job as her little sister to remind her what a knock out she really was.
Sarah offered a lopsided grin, “I’m not too drunk.” She air quoted the last part of that for emphasis.
Frankie’s eyes ping-ponged from side to side as she gave her sister a once over. Worry was written across her face as she bit her lower lip, contemplating whether or not to take her the rest of the way. “Tell me you’re not going to embarrass me?” Usually Frankie wouldn’t care, but she needed this job, and had worked hard to earn her boss’s trust.
“Frankie,” Sarah placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders, more for support than to get her attention. “Between the two of us, who is usually the one that embarrasses the other?” hiccup. She covered her mouth in surprise.
“Good point.”
It was? Sarah tried to remember what she’d just said, but her mind was fuzzy so she just shrugged. “So are we good?”
Frankie eyed her once more and finally relented, “okay.”
“Excuse me.” A tall, dark, handsome man approached them. Sarah squinted to bring his face into focus, but instead of the desired effect she wound up seeing double.
“Twins.” She pointed. “Look, sis, one for you, and one for me.” She grinned suddenly feeling excited at the idea of dancing with twins.
Frankie gave her a concerned look. “I think you’ve had enough for tonight.”
“Francesca, can I be of some help?” The dark stranger asked, his voice ran over Sarah like silk and caused her to shiver inward.
Frankie’s cheek burned red with embarrassment. This was a first for her. Usually, it was her job to embarrass Sarah not the other way around. “No, Mr. Jackson. I think my sister had too much to drink. I’m just going to take…”
“Francesca, darling!” Marcus Jefferson yelled from inside the VIP lounge. He was a football player for some team, the name of which eluded her at the moment, overrun by her concern for her big sis who was now hanging on her in a precarious position, a position of which whiff of wind would send her falling to the floor. Great, now she’s a potential liability. “I’ve been waiting for you all night!” He continued in between swigs of beer.
Frankie glanced nervously at her boss who stood in front of them. His eyes green eyes were turning darker, more emerald in shade and she assumed that meant he was displeased with the situation. One of the primary roles of Frankie’s job as marketing director was to keep the VIP’s happy, and tonight Marcus brought a ton of his team members with him in celebration of their recent win. It was amazing publicity and made Devon Jackson a very happy man, something he was obviously not at the moment.
“Why don’t you let me take your sister to my office so she can sleep it off while you attend to your guests?” Devon suggested. It was worded in the form of a question, but his stern look left little room for argument.
Besides, Frankie was sure she could trust him. If she couldn’t trust her boss then who could she trust? “Okay, thank you. I’ll see to my guests, and then come and extract her, and get her home.” She gave him a grateful smile as Devon pulled Sarah’s wobbly body toward him. “Sarah, honey, this is Devon Jackson, my boss. He’s going to take you someplace more comfortable, okay?”
“I like comfort.” Sarah grinned, her vision starting to focus a little as she stared at the man holding her. He was gorgeous. Dark green eyes, dark hair in soft waves just above his shoulder, and flawless skin. She fought the urge to twirl her fingers in his silky tresses. His body was solid steel, and she allowed herself to sink against him. “You’re very adorable.” She said as she closed her eyes against his chest and breathed in his masculine pine and cinnamon scent. “And you smell like Christmas!”
Devon struggled to keep his emotions in check. The brunette practically fell into his arms, and he enjoyed her softness. When she leaned in and sniffed his scent he worried she’d detect his secret but instead she cuddled closer calling him adorable and saying he reminded her of Christmas? He wasn’t sure he liked those comparisons, but he did like the way she made him feel. Her big blue eyes were like a pool of water he could get lost in. He straightened his body as he felt his arousal at the simple touch. She was the sister of his marketing director, and she was obviously drunk. He was not the kind of man that took advantage of that type of situation. “I’ll leave her in my office, and you can pick her up as soon as you get things settled over there.” He cast a glance at the impatient Marcus.
“Thank you.” Frankie breathed a sigh of relief and ran toward the VIP room and Marcus’ outstretched arms. The things she had to do to keep the public happy.
“Let’s get you upstairs, shall we?” Devon asked as he tried to help the floppy girl to stand up straight.
“Hold on.” She bent down at the waist, positioning her rear end against his zipper, and he worried she was going to throw up all over the main dance floor. Instead, she tossed up a silver sequined high heel which he caught easily, despite the surprise. Then the second one was tossed in the air and he had to reach long for it before it fell into the throng of people gyrating to the beat of music on the wooden floor. He hated techno music, but the crowd loved it, so that’s what played on Friday nights. If it were up to him he’d have a piano player and a lounge singer occupying the countless lost souls in his night club, but that would mean his club would be empty. He had to keep up with the times, despite his age.
Sarah leaned back, and he suddenly felt in a very compromising position. He groaned. It was like she was trying to seduce him with her ridiculous moves. He reached down and pulled her back up into a standing position. “Let’s go.” He said through gritted teeth. He wasn’t mad at her. He was mad at his lack of self-control and the hard on that pressed painfully against his jeans.
Sarah thought the idea of removing her heels was intelligent at the moment. That moment faded quickly as she was herded through the club. Other people were careless with where their shoes landed and after the fourth time she was stepped on she finally let out a yelp of pain.
Devon picked her up around the waist and placed her unceremoniously on a seat close by. He crouched down in front of her and took one foot in his hand. She was bleeding. He could smell the fresh cut before she cried out in pain. It looked like she was the victim of a high heeled woman who probably didn’t even know she’d done any damage. Devon fought back the urge to find the girl and kick her out of the club.
His hand travelled part way up her calf to steady her leg while the other hand secured her foot in her sparkly shoe – he really detested sparkly clothing, but on her shapely tanned legs and feet it looked sexy.
Sarah let a moan escape her lips and quickly slapped her hand over her mouth. Oh my god! She snapped at herself. What is wrong with me? Get a few drinks in and I turn into a… a… she didn’t want to admit what she was doing. It was so strange and out of character she couldn’t believe it.
Devon heard the moan and looked up just in time to see her hand rush up to cover her mouth. He looked down and allowed a grin to spread across his lips. In a way, he was thankful she was as affected by their touch as he seemed to be. It was encouraging, and he decided to let her know his desire a little more directly. He ran his fingers from her knee to the ankle of her bare foot. He felt the goose bumps rise on her skin and continued the assault on her senses by taking her foot in his hand and massaging the balls of her feet.
A squeal broke out from her lips. “You really shouldn’t do that right now?” Her voice was barely above a breathy whisper, but he heard her. His hearing blocked out the loud beats to the music and zeroed in on her voice. It seemed every part of him was zeroed in on her and her desires. She was getting aroused by his touch, he could smell it mixed in with her scent. It only fueled his own need more.
He looked up, mischief in his eyes. “Why is that?”
Because it was intoxicating and very sexy, she wanted to tell him, but his touch was bringing alive feelings within her that had been long since gone, and had a sobering effect on her. People close by were staring at them, and she was getting hot and bothered. Instead, she opted with another answer. “I’m ticklish.” She kicked playfully as he slipped on her other shoe.
“I’ll have to remember that.” He wanted to know if there were other areas on her body where she was ticklish, but would save that conversation for more intimate moments. He stood and held out his hand. Her body, voice, blood, and touch were stimulating feelings inside him he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He needed to get her to his office and leave her there to sober up while he put some space between them. She didn’t need a man like him in her life, and he didn’t need a human like her to mess up the balance he created in his own. Balance was necessary for him to complete his work. She tilted the scales with the barest of touches. It wasn’t good.
She took his hand and allowed him to lead her upstairs to his office.
Frankie watched the entire exchange between Sarah and Devon from the corner of the VIP lounge. She couldn’t help the jealousy demon that poked its ugly head out to play. There was obviously something going on between them. Frankie had tried for a year to get Devon’s attention, but he made it clear he wasn’t interested and now, five minutes with her big sister and he was providing erotic foot massages to her in the middle of a busy nightclub? What did Sarah have that she didn’t have? They were similar in looks, they were both fairly successful. Hell, Frankie was even more fun than Sarah. Why would he find her interesting and not the girl who’d been pining away for him for about a year?
It didn’t matter, she loved her sister and she’d support her, but she knew, the jealousy demon that wanted to play wouldn’t make it easy on either of them.
“Francesca, babe, come here.” Marcus patted his thick thigh inviting her to keep him company. She closed the VIP curtain and sauntered over to him. At least she had the attention of a famous football player.
Get the rest of the adventure here on Amazon
Chapter One
Sarah Hollister sauntered through the nightclub with confidence she wasn’t feeling. She understood in that moment the meaning of the saying ‘alcohol makes you feel ten-feet tall and bullet proof’, but she was fairly certain she’d be paying for her indiscretions tonight with a sledge hammer to the head tomorrow. It had been years since she drank alcohol of any kind. James was a recovering alcoholic, and she did her best to support him by avoiding the mind altering drug herself. But that wasn’t necessary anymore. All of that ended when she walked in on him with another woman in their bed! The room was spinning then, and it was spinning now but she didn’t care anymore. Now she was going to live her life for herself, and hopefully find her strength once again. She allowed her sister, Frankie, to weave her through the crowd back toward the VIP area, with no complaints despite the few slips and near misses she made on the journey. Damn high heels!
She was vaguely aware of the eyes following her ass as she swayed her hips back and forth on the trek to the back of the sectioned off area of the club. Tonight, she wanted them to stare. Tonight, she needed the attention and confirmation from the men, even some of the women in the room, that she was still sexy. She’d wasted five years on a good-for-nothing man who took and never gave back.
Just for tonight she was going to be someone else, tomorrow she’d go back to being a manager of a fortune five hundred company, She’d don the navy blue, black, and pin striped business suits that hid her figure. She’d toss her long golden brown waves into a French twist, and hide her blue eyes behind fifties-styled black glasses, and after tonight she’d forget about the pain in her heart from the man she planned her future with. Tomorrow, she’d be Miss Hollister, but tonight she’d be a sexy ten-foot-tall and bullet proof drunk.
Frankie stopped short of the roped off area of the room and examined Sarah. “Tell me you’re not too drunk?” She was so mad at Sarah for starting to drink before she picked her up. Sarah’s logic was that it was cheaper to drink at home. What she didn’t realize was that she was beautiful, and she’d have drinks bought for her all night long. In essence it would’ve been cheaper had she waited until she got to the club. But Sarah had lost all confidence in herself, and it was her job as her little sister to remind her what a knock out she really was.
Sarah offered a lopsided grin, “I’m not too drunk.” She air quoted the last part of that for emphasis.
Frankie’s eyes ping-ponged from side to side as she gave her sister a once over. Worry was written across her face as she bit her lower lip, contemplating whether or not to take her the rest of the way. “Tell me you’re not going to embarrass me?” Usually Frankie wouldn’t care, but she needed this job, and had worked hard to earn her boss’s trust.
“Frankie,” Sarah placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders, more for support than to get her attention. “Between the two of us, who is usually the one that embarrasses the other?” hiccup. She covered her mouth in surprise.
“Good point.”
It was? Sarah tried to remember what she’d just said, but her mind was fuzzy so she just shrugged. “So are we good?”
Frankie eyed her once more and finally relented, “okay.”
“Excuse me.” A tall, dark, handsome man approached them. Sarah squinted to bring his face into focus, but instead of the desired effect she wound up seeing double.
“Twins.” She pointed. “Look, sis, one for you, and one for me.” She grinned suddenly feeling excited at the idea of dancing with twins.
Frankie gave her a concerned look. “I think you’ve had enough for tonight.”
“Francesca, can I be of some help?” The dark stranger asked, his voice ran over Sarah like silk and caused her to shiver inward.
Frankie’s cheek burned red with embarrassment. This was a first for her. Usually, it was her job to embarrass Sarah not the other way around. “No, Mr. Jackson. I think my sister had too much to drink. I’m just going to take…”
“Francesca, darling!” Marcus Jefferson yelled from inside the VIP lounge. He was a football player for some team, the name of which eluded her at the moment, overrun by her concern for her big sis who was now hanging on her in a precarious position, a position of which whiff of wind would send her falling to the floor. Great, now she’s a potential liability. “I’ve been waiting for you all night!” He continued in between swigs of beer.
Frankie glanced nervously at her boss who stood in front of them. His eyes green eyes were turning darker, more emerald in shade and she assumed that meant he was displeased with the situation. One of the primary roles of Frankie’s job as marketing director was to keep the VIP’s happy, and tonight Marcus brought a ton of his team members with him in celebration of their recent win. It was amazing publicity and made Devon Jackson a very happy man, something he was obviously not at the moment.
“Why don’t you let me take your sister to my office so she can sleep it off while you attend to your guests?” Devon suggested. It was worded in the form of a question, but his stern look left little room for argument.
Besides, Frankie was sure she could trust him. If she couldn’t trust her boss then who could she trust? “Okay, thank you. I’ll see to my guests, and then come and extract her, and get her home.” She gave him a grateful smile as Devon pulled Sarah’s wobbly body toward him. “Sarah, honey, this is Devon Jackson, my boss. He’s going to take you someplace more comfortable, okay?”
“I like comfort.” Sarah grinned, her vision starting to focus a little as she stared at the man holding her. He was gorgeous. Dark green eyes, dark hair in soft waves just above his shoulder, and flawless skin. She fought the urge to twirl her fingers in his silky tresses. His body was solid steel, and she allowed herself to sink against him. “You’re very adorable.” She said as she closed her eyes against his chest and breathed in his masculine pine and cinnamon scent. “And you smell like Christmas!”
Devon struggled to keep his emotions in check. The brunette practically fell into his arms, and he enjoyed her softness. When she leaned in and sniffed his scent he worried she’d detect his secret but instead she cuddled closer calling him adorable and saying he reminded her of Christmas? He wasn’t sure he liked those comparisons, but he did like the way she made him feel. Her big blue eyes were like a pool of water he could get lost in. He straightened his body as he felt his arousal at the simple touch. She was the sister of his marketing director, and she was obviously drunk. He was not the kind of man that took advantage of that type of situation. “I’ll leave her in my office, and you can pick her up as soon as you get things settled over there.” He cast a glance at the impatient Marcus.
“Thank you.” Frankie breathed a sigh of relief and ran toward the VIP room and Marcus’ outstretched arms. The things she had to do to keep the public happy.
“Let’s get you upstairs, shall we?” Devon asked as he tried to help the floppy girl to stand up straight.
“Hold on.” She bent down at the waist, positioning her rear end against his zipper, and he worried she was going to throw up all over the main dance floor. Instead, she tossed up a silver sequined high heel which he caught easily, despite the surprise. Then the second one was tossed in the air and he had to reach long for it before it fell into the throng of people gyrating to the beat of music on the wooden floor. He hated techno music, but the crowd loved it, so that’s what played on Friday nights. If it were up to him he’d have a piano player and a lounge singer occupying the countless lost souls in his night club, but that would mean his club would be empty. He had to keep up with the times, despite his age.
Sarah leaned back, and he suddenly felt in a very compromising position. He groaned. It was like she was trying to seduce him with her ridiculous moves. He reached down and pulled her back up into a standing position. “Let’s go.” He said through gritted teeth. He wasn’t mad at her. He was mad at his lack of self-control and the hard on that pressed painfully against his jeans.
Sarah thought the idea of removing her heels was intelligent at the moment. That moment faded quickly as she was herded through the club. Other people were careless with where their shoes landed and after the fourth time she was stepped on she finally let out a yelp of pain.
Devon picked her up around the waist and placed her unceremoniously on a seat close by. He crouched down in front of her and took one foot in his hand. She was bleeding. He could smell the fresh cut before she cried out in pain. It looked like she was the victim of a high heeled woman who probably didn’t even know she’d done any damage. Devon fought back the urge to find the girl and kick her out of the club.
His hand travelled part way up her calf to steady her leg while the other hand secured her foot in her sparkly shoe – he really detested sparkly clothing, but on her shapely tanned legs and feet it looked sexy.
Sarah let a moan escape her lips and quickly slapped her hand over her mouth. Oh my god! She snapped at herself. What is wrong with me? Get a few drinks in and I turn into a… a… she didn’t want to admit what she was doing. It was so strange and out of character she couldn’t believe it.
Devon heard the moan and looked up just in time to see her hand rush up to cover her mouth. He looked down and allowed a grin to spread across his lips. In a way, he was thankful she was as affected by their touch as he seemed to be. It was encouraging, and he decided to let her know his desire a little more directly. He ran his fingers from her knee to the ankle of her bare foot. He felt the goose bumps rise on her skin and continued the assault on her senses by taking her foot in his hand and massaging the balls of her feet.
A squeal broke out from her lips. “You really shouldn’t do that right now?” Her voice was barely above a breathy whisper, but he heard her. His hearing blocked out the loud beats to the music and zeroed in on her voice. It seemed every part of him was zeroed in on her and her desires. She was getting aroused by his touch, he could smell it mixed in with her scent. It only fueled his own need more.
He looked up, mischief in his eyes. “Why is that?”
Because it was intoxicating and very sexy, she wanted to tell him, but his touch was bringing alive feelings within her that had been long since gone, and had a sobering effect on her. People close by were staring at them, and she was getting hot and bothered. Instead, she opted with another answer. “I’m ticklish.” She kicked playfully as he slipped on her other shoe.
“I’ll have to remember that.” He wanted to know if there were other areas on her body where she was ticklish, but would save that conversation for more intimate moments. He stood and held out his hand. Her body, voice, blood, and touch were stimulating feelings inside him he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He needed to get her to his office and leave her there to sober up while he put some space between them. She didn’t need a man like him in her life, and he didn’t need a human like her to mess up the balance he created in his own. Balance was necessary for him to complete his work. She tilted the scales with the barest of touches. It wasn’t good.
She took his hand and allowed him to lead her upstairs to his office.
Frankie watched the entire exchange between Sarah and Devon from the corner of the VIP lounge. She couldn’t help the jealousy demon that poked its ugly head out to play. There was obviously something going on between them. Frankie had tried for a year to get Devon’s attention, but he made it clear he wasn’t interested and now, five minutes with her big sister and he was providing erotic foot massages to her in the middle of a busy nightclub? What did Sarah have that she didn’t have? They were similar in looks, they were both fairly successful. Hell, Frankie was even more fun than Sarah. Why would he find her interesting and not the girl who’d been pining away for him for about a year?
It didn’t matter, she loved her sister and she’d support her, but she knew, the jealousy demon that wanted to play wouldn’t make it easy on either of them.
“Francesca, babe, come here.” Marcus patted his thick thigh inviting her to keep him company. She closed the VIP curtain and sauntered over to him. At least she had the attention of a famous football player.
Get the rest of the adventure here on Amazon
Excerpt from PBI Case Files: Outbreak (episode two)
Chapter one
Sarah Hollister pushed down the apprehension she felt as she entered the PBI science division in the upstate New York compound. She shook off the rain from outside, and took a deep breath as she pushed open the second set of doors to the building finding herself in a large atrium with no receptionist, just a security guard booth and a metal detector and x-ray machine. She just finished a month of basic forensics training, and was capable of completing simple jobs. Today was the first day she’d be reporting to her new boss. To say she was nervous was an understatement. Officially, until she completed years of training she was only going to be a technician, but even in that role she was in a far better position than as the manager she was two months ago, and better yet, she achieved massive distance from her ex-boyfriend James, although she was a little too close for comfort to a vampire named Devon.
Devon had set his sights on her while she was at his nightclub, drunk out of her mind, inhibitions down, and looking for a one night stand. She reciprocated that interest until she discovered his secret. The biggest obstacle in the way of having a relationship with the man was that he was basically undead. Vampires weren’t known for being extremely monogamous. Hell, vampires weren’t known for much of anything other than great works of fiction. To the ‘real world’ they didn’t exist, but her new world was one of science fiction and fantasy. If anyone had told her a couple of months ago she’d be here now she would’ve laughed and told them they were crazy. It made her wonder if she was now the crazy one.
Now that her intense training was over she was back in close proximity to the sexy vampire, and those passionate feelings were returning. The other obstacle, aside from the fact that she still needed space to get over what her dick ex did, was that he would be working with her at the Paranormal Bureau of Investigations. Working with someone you were dating was a terrible idea, she’d made that mistake with James and wasn’t ready to repeat it again. That made him an unnecessary distraction.
“Miss?” The guard at the welcome desk’s voice broke into her thoughts. He was an attractive man, brown hair and brown eyes. His build was solid like one of those large men who played football. It was a safe bet he was a shifter of some kind, but one never really knows, and she learned in basic training it wasn’t really polite to ask. Just because she knew supernatural creatures existed didn’t mean she had the right to question them.
“Yes?”
“Your badge?” He gave her an impatient glance.
“Oh, sorry.” She pulled the badge from her neck and scanned it. “It’s my first day. I’m a little lost.”
He glanced at the computer screen and then back at her. She felt like she was being scrutinized, and while it made her uneasy, it also made her feel a bit safer, too. Finally, a smile broke across his lips and he nodded. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to everything. Welcome to the team, Sarah Hollister.”
She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and started walking through the metal detector. The African-American female guard stood on the other side of the scanner with a handheld wand and ran it from her head to her toes. “Welcome, Miss. Hollister. I’m Abigail, and my partner over there is Bryce. If you need anything, please let us know.
Abigail was pretty, perky, and her face was sweet, but her build showed she was not someone to mess with. Sarah grinned, and picked her coffee cup and keys up from the conveyor belt, then slipped on her shoes. “Thank you. Nice to meet you both.”
Abigail gave her the slightest of winks and said, “It’s a little intimidating at first, but you wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t the right place for you.”
The female guard did an amazing job of putting her at ease, and Sarah found herself grateful. It was like she knew exactly what she was feeling and how to make her feel better. She had a feeling they were going to become great friends over the years she planned on spending here. “You’re very kind, thank you.”
Bryce handed Sarah a map and highlighted the area of the building that was her destination. While telling her how to get there, he also directed on the map with his hand. “Have a good day, Miss. Hollister.”
“Please, both of you, call me Sarah.” She said as she headed toward the door marked authorized personnel only. She scanned her card in and the automatic lock clicked opening the door. She tossed one final look behind her, swallowed her anxiety, and entered the science area. After three left turns, two rights, and passing multiple laboratories she made it to her destination. Plastering on a smile she wasn’t feeling she entered her designated lab and was taken aback by the number of people in white lab coats working at docking stations in the room which looked larger than a school gymnasium.
“You’re late.” An older oriental man snapped more viciously than was expected from a man his size. “I don’t abide with tardiness in my lab.”
“I’m sorry.” What could she say other than, “I won’t let it happen again.”
“See that it doesn’t.” He grunted with annoyance. “I understand you are still in the process of learning the trade.” He took Sarah’s travel mug and dumped it in the trash by the door. “Please don’t bring food or drink into the lab.”
“It was empty.” She protested, but the words were spoken in a quiet voice. She didn’t want to make a bad first impression, but it seemed like everything she’d done so far had put a bitter taste in his mouth. “I am Doctor Smith, and you’ll get your assignments from me daily. Today, I’ll have you partner with Charlie.” He started walking, and Sarah started following at his silent command. They walked past fourteen stations, two on either side with two people at each bench working in tandem until he stopped in front of a girl with black hair that had green streaks in two side ponytails. She wore a t-shirt from some heavy metal band Sarah didn’t recognize and jeans under her pristine white lab coat.
“Charlie, this is Sarah Hollister, and she’ll be your assistant for the week.”
Charlie examined Sarah through kohl-lined blue eyes and pursed her lips in a look of disgust. “I don’t need a newbie hanging around messing up my findings.”
“She is your trainee and her work is a reflection of you so I would suggest that you teach her what you can.”
Charlie dropped the pair of jeans she was examining under a microscope and twisted her lips in a fake smile. “Hello, Sarah,” she sighed heavily. “I’d shake your hand, but as you can see I’m already gloved up. Why don’t you put on your gear and take a seat there while I teach you the fine art of examining clothes for microfibers.”
Sarah didn’t bother to tell Charlie she’d already learned that in her training. She simply slipped on the blue gloves and hoped things would get better as the day progressed. Silently, she hoped Frankie was having better luck in her training session with Jasmine and Fang.
Frankie spun around, crouched low to the ground, and attempted to knock Fang off balance, only her signature move back fired. His hand jutted out grabbing her ankle and twisting her on her back. She slammed into the mat with so much force she thought she’d broken something. His twist on her ankle left her in pain.
“Again.” Jasmine barked.
‘No pain, no gain,’ Frankie reminded herself as she popped up into a standing defensive position favoring her ankle slightly, and ready to take Fang’s first punch. It never came. Instead he faked a move which put her off guard, and suddenly he was behind her, and his strong arms held her neck in a choke hold.
“You fight like you’re in a classroom. You need to fight dirty to survive on the streets.” He snarled in her ear. His breath was hot against her neck and cooled the sweat which soaked her skin from the last two hours of sparring. It sent a shiver down her spine.
“You. Want. Dirty.” She said as her foot smashed down on his causing enough of a distraction for him to let her go. She said, “I’m sorry” before her foot came up making contact with his groin. As he doubled over from the pain she assumed bloomed from his gut she used the leverage and his imbalance to help her flip him to the ground where she straddled him and pinned his hands above his head. She was tiny compared to him, a good three times smaller, but her trainer had always taught her to use the weight of her opponents against them if they were bigger.
He also taught her how to fight dirty. She just needed permission to do so during this sparring exercise.
“Again.”
‘A congratulations would be nice,’ Frankie thought as she turned to look at her new boss, Jasmine. Not even the simplest of smiles broke across her face. Frankie went to jump up from her position, but Fang had different ideas.
Already recovered from his pain he flipped Frankie onto her back and pinned her arms to her sides. “If you’re going to survive, you need to be alert at all times.” He actually looked angry at her. Seriously! Why did he hate her so much?
Frankie knew she should be angry and humiliated with how easily he threw her down on the mat, but instead she felt stimulated. She’d been fighting off the feelings of attraction she had for the were-bear for weeks now and positions like this, coupled with how angry he made her only compounded her desire. She silently cursed her body’s reaction to the man. His long blond hair which had worked its way free from the pony holder he wore, and his sun-kissed skin was covered in perspiration to prove that at least she was giving him a workout. That was something, anyway.
“You need to be better, Francesca. None of us have time to watch you in the field.” He lowered his voice so only she could hear his words, but it still embarrassed her. She bucked up. The action caused him to loosen his grip just enough so she could spin over onto her stomach. In this position she was able to use the force of her back and behind to push him up and off of her.
He fell backwards from the surprise move which gave her enough time to grab the dagger at her ankle. Before he could recover she placed it against his neck. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t need any protecting.” Her parents made sure of that by putting her and Sarah through self-defense classes from the moment they were walking. They prepared them both for any human attack, but a supernatural was far more powerful than a human and winning against them required inventive methods, thankfully she was the kind of woman that could think outside of the box.
“Again.” Jasmine’s voice broke into Frankie’s triumphant moment.
Frankie sheathed her dagger and got back into fighting stance biting back the bitter words she wanted to spew toward Jasmine, and still favoring her ankle.
“It’s time for a break.” Fang stated.
“Again.” Jasmine stood beside the blue floor mat, hands crossed over her chest, her lips pursed showing she wouldn’t take excuses.
The rest of the day was spent sparring with different weapons. Fang’s attempt to show a little mercy on her actually increased her attraction to the oversized brute of a man. By the time she arrived back at the room she shared with her sister she was exhausted. All she wanted to do was collapse into bed and sleep for twenty-four hours straight. It may have been rough, but she was getting stronger and improving in her fight tactics. The training was tough, too, but it was necessary, and a part deep within her knew that to be the truth.
Sarah was already in the room reviewing their parents’ file. It had been something the two of them spent hours going over the last month. For years, they believed their parents’ deaths were tragic accidents and now they knew differently. Everything about their parents’ lives were lies. They lived as agents, too, only they worked for the CIA. Their deaths were connected to the paranormal, something this agency was dedicated to handling. Something their training never prepared them for, and now it seemed the daughters were the ones that would find justice for them.
Initially, the belief was that they were killed by rabid wolves, but the evidence suggested otherwise, and part of Sarah’s deal with signing on with the agency was the permission to work on this case in her spare time. “Find anything new?”
Sarah slapped the file shut and rubbed her neck, unspoken body language showing she’d been working on it for a while. “No.” Sighing heavily she continued, “I’ve crossed referenced these claw marks with tons of supernatural species and haven’t found any match. It would be so much easier if I could examine the bodies personally.”
Frankie shook her head, “I couldn’t do that. I mean, they were our parents.” She pulled a bottled water out of the mini fridge and offered one to her sister.
Sarah shook her head. “Yes, I know it would be hard, but part of being a good forensic scientist is being able to separate personal feelings from the science.”
“I still think you’d struggle with that one.” Frankie pulled out the pair of shorts and t-shirt that she planned on wearing to bed.
“Where have you been?” Sarah crinkled her nose. Her sister smelled terribly.
“Training. I think they plan to put me on field detail, but I have no idea. Jasmine is a hard one to read.” She downed half the bottled water in one gulp it felt so good to her dehydrated body.
“You need a shower.” Sarah said pointedly.
“I know. How is your job going?” Frankie sat down on her bed. She would make it to the shower and then she’d collapse. She was so done with this day.
“My new boss, and the girl I’m partnered with, are pretty tough, but the job is interesting.” She offered a weak smile. “I’m sure it’ll get better as they get to know me.” She hoped.
Frankie nodded, “so more difficult for both of us than we first thought.”
“I suppose, but all this training is necessary to keep us alive. Believe me, Frankie, I’ve seen some terrifying crime scene photos. The criminal elements in the supernatural world are brutal.”
“So are the human criminals.”
“True.” Sarah placed the file on the nightstand between their beds and yawned. “I’m going to get some sleep.”
Frankie stood up, “same here.” She headed toward the door. “There isn’t another person on this planet that I’d want to do this with, Sar-bear.”
“I feel the same, Frankie.” Sarah smiled as she snuggled into bed.
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Chapter one
Sarah Hollister pushed down the apprehension she felt as she entered the PBI science division in the upstate New York compound. She shook off the rain from outside, and took a deep breath as she pushed open the second set of doors to the building finding herself in a large atrium with no receptionist, just a security guard booth and a metal detector and x-ray machine. She just finished a month of basic forensics training, and was capable of completing simple jobs. Today was the first day she’d be reporting to her new boss. To say she was nervous was an understatement. Officially, until she completed years of training she was only going to be a technician, but even in that role she was in a far better position than as the manager she was two months ago, and better yet, she achieved massive distance from her ex-boyfriend James, although she was a little too close for comfort to a vampire named Devon.
Devon had set his sights on her while she was at his nightclub, drunk out of her mind, inhibitions down, and looking for a one night stand. She reciprocated that interest until she discovered his secret. The biggest obstacle in the way of having a relationship with the man was that he was basically undead. Vampires weren’t known for being extremely monogamous. Hell, vampires weren’t known for much of anything other than great works of fiction. To the ‘real world’ they didn’t exist, but her new world was one of science fiction and fantasy. If anyone had told her a couple of months ago she’d be here now she would’ve laughed and told them they were crazy. It made her wonder if she was now the crazy one.
Now that her intense training was over she was back in close proximity to the sexy vampire, and those passionate feelings were returning. The other obstacle, aside from the fact that she still needed space to get over what her dick ex did, was that he would be working with her at the Paranormal Bureau of Investigations. Working with someone you were dating was a terrible idea, she’d made that mistake with James and wasn’t ready to repeat it again. That made him an unnecessary distraction.
“Miss?” The guard at the welcome desk’s voice broke into her thoughts. He was an attractive man, brown hair and brown eyes. His build was solid like one of those large men who played football. It was a safe bet he was a shifter of some kind, but one never really knows, and she learned in basic training it wasn’t really polite to ask. Just because she knew supernatural creatures existed didn’t mean she had the right to question them.
“Yes?”
“Your badge?” He gave her an impatient glance.
“Oh, sorry.” She pulled the badge from her neck and scanned it. “It’s my first day. I’m a little lost.”
He glanced at the computer screen and then back at her. She felt like she was being scrutinized, and while it made her uneasy, it also made her feel a bit safer, too. Finally, a smile broke across his lips and he nodded. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to everything. Welcome to the team, Sarah Hollister.”
She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and started walking through the metal detector. The African-American female guard stood on the other side of the scanner with a handheld wand and ran it from her head to her toes. “Welcome, Miss. Hollister. I’m Abigail, and my partner over there is Bryce. If you need anything, please let us know.
Abigail was pretty, perky, and her face was sweet, but her build showed she was not someone to mess with. Sarah grinned, and picked her coffee cup and keys up from the conveyor belt, then slipped on her shoes. “Thank you. Nice to meet you both.”
Abigail gave her the slightest of winks and said, “It’s a little intimidating at first, but you wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t the right place for you.”
The female guard did an amazing job of putting her at ease, and Sarah found herself grateful. It was like she knew exactly what she was feeling and how to make her feel better. She had a feeling they were going to become great friends over the years she planned on spending here. “You’re very kind, thank you.”
Bryce handed Sarah a map and highlighted the area of the building that was her destination. While telling her how to get there, he also directed on the map with his hand. “Have a good day, Miss. Hollister.”
“Please, both of you, call me Sarah.” She said as she headed toward the door marked authorized personnel only. She scanned her card in and the automatic lock clicked opening the door. She tossed one final look behind her, swallowed her anxiety, and entered the science area. After three left turns, two rights, and passing multiple laboratories she made it to her destination. Plastering on a smile she wasn’t feeling she entered her designated lab and was taken aback by the number of people in white lab coats working at docking stations in the room which looked larger than a school gymnasium.
“You’re late.” An older oriental man snapped more viciously than was expected from a man his size. “I don’t abide with tardiness in my lab.”
“I’m sorry.” What could she say other than, “I won’t let it happen again.”
“See that it doesn’t.” He grunted with annoyance. “I understand you are still in the process of learning the trade.” He took Sarah’s travel mug and dumped it in the trash by the door. “Please don’t bring food or drink into the lab.”
“It was empty.” She protested, but the words were spoken in a quiet voice. She didn’t want to make a bad first impression, but it seemed like everything she’d done so far had put a bitter taste in his mouth. “I am Doctor Smith, and you’ll get your assignments from me daily. Today, I’ll have you partner with Charlie.” He started walking, and Sarah started following at his silent command. They walked past fourteen stations, two on either side with two people at each bench working in tandem until he stopped in front of a girl with black hair that had green streaks in two side ponytails. She wore a t-shirt from some heavy metal band Sarah didn’t recognize and jeans under her pristine white lab coat.
“Charlie, this is Sarah Hollister, and she’ll be your assistant for the week.”
Charlie examined Sarah through kohl-lined blue eyes and pursed her lips in a look of disgust. “I don’t need a newbie hanging around messing up my findings.”
“She is your trainee and her work is a reflection of you so I would suggest that you teach her what you can.”
Charlie dropped the pair of jeans she was examining under a microscope and twisted her lips in a fake smile. “Hello, Sarah,” she sighed heavily. “I’d shake your hand, but as you can see I’m already gloved up. Why don’t you put on your gear and take a seat there while I teach you the fine art of examining clothes for microfibers.”
Sarah didn’t bother to tell Charlie she’d already learned that in her training. She simply slipped on the blue gloves and hoped things would get better as the day progressed. Silently, she hoped Frankie was having better luck in her training session with Jasmine and Fang.
Frankie spun around, crouched low to the ground, and attempted to knock Fang off balance, only her signature move back fired. His hand jutted out grabbing her ankle and twisting her on her back. She slammed into the mat with so much force she thought she’d broken something. His twist on her ankle left her in pain.
“Again.” Jasmine barked.
‘No pain, no gain,’ Frankie reminded herself as she popped up into a standing defensive position favoring her ankle slightly, and ready to take Fang’s first punch. It never came. Instead he faked a move which put her off guard, and suddenly he was behind her, and his strong arms held her neck in a choke hold.
“You fight like you’re in a classroom. You need to fight dirty to survive on the streets.” He snarled in her ear. His breath was hot against her neck and cooled the sweat which soaked her skin from the last two hours of sparring. It sent a shiver down her spine.
“You. Want. Dirty.” She said as her foot smashed down on his causing enough of a distraction for him to let her go. She said, “I’m sorry” before her foot came up making contact with his groin. As he doubled over from the pain she assumed bloomed from his gut she used the leverage and his imbalance to help her flip him to the ground where she straddled him and pinned his hands above his head. She was tiny compared to him, a good three times smaller, but her trainer had always taught her to use the weight of her opponents against them if they were bigger.
He also taught her how to fight dirty. She just needed permission to do so during this sparring exercise.
“Again.”
‘A congratulations would be nice,’ Frankie thought as she turned to look at her new boss, Jasmine. Not even the simplest of smiles broke across her face. Frankie went to jump up from her position, but Fang had different ideas.
Already recovered from his pain he flipped Frankie onto her back and pinned her arms to her sides. “If you’re going to survive, you need to be alert at all times.” He actually looked angry at her. Seriously! Why did he hate her so much?
Frankie knew she should be angry and humiliated with how easily he threw her down on the mat, but instead she felt stimulated. She’d been fighting off the feelings of attraction she had for the were-bear for weeks now and positions like this, coupled with how angry he made her only compounded her desire. She silently cursed her body’s reaction to the man. His long blond hair which had worked its way free from the pony holder he wore, and his sun-kissed skin was covered in perspiration to prove that at least she was giving him a workout. That was something, anyway.
“You need to be better, Francesca. None of us have time to watch you in the field.” He lowered his voice so only she could hear his words, but it still embarrassed her. She bucked up. The action caused him to loosen his grip just enough so she could spin over onto her stomach. In this position she was able to use the force of her back and behind to push him up and off of her.
He fell backwards from the surprise move which gave her enough time to grab the dagger at her ankle. Before he could recover she placed it against his neck. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t need any protecting.” Her parents made sure of that by putting her and Sarah through self-defense classes from the moment they were walking. They prepared them both for any human attack, but a supernatural was far more powerful than a human and winning against them required inventive methods, thankfully she was the kind of woman that could think outside of the box.
“Again.” Jasmine’s voice broke into Frankie’s triumphant moment.
Frankie sheathed her dagger and got back into fighting stance biting back the bitter words she wanted to spew toward Jasmine, and still favoring her ankle.
“It’s time for a break.” Fang stated.
“Again.” Jasmine stood beside the blue floor mat, hands crossed over her chest, her lips pursed showing she wouldn’t take excuses.
The rest of the day was spent sparring with different weapons. Fang’s attempt to show a little mercy on her actually increased her attraction to the oversized brute of a man. By the time she arrived back at the room she shared with her sister she was exhausted. All she wanted to do was collapse into bed and sleep for twenty-four hours straight. It may have been rough, but she was getting stronger and improving in her fight tactics. The training was tough, too, but it was necessary, and a part deep within her knew that to be the truth.
Sarah was already in the room reviewing their parents’ file. It had been something the two of them spent hours going over the last month. For years, they believed their parents’ deaths were tragic accidents and now they knew differently. Everything about their parents’ lives were lies. They lived as agents, too, only they worked for the CIA. Their deaths were connected to the paranormal, something this agency was dedicated to handling. Something their training never prepared them for, and now it seemed the daughters were the ones that would find justice for them.
Initially, the belief was that they were killed by rabid wolves, but the evidence suggested otherwise, and part of Sarah’s deal with signing on with the agency was the permission to work on this case in her spare time. “Find anything new?”
Sarah slapped the file shut and rubbed her neck, unspoken body language showing she’d been working on it for a while. “No.” Sighing heavily she continued, “I’ve crossed referenced these claw marks with tons of supernatural species and haven’t found any match. It would be so much easier if I could examine the bodies personally.”
Frankie shook her head, “I couldn’t do that. I mean, they were our parents.” She pulled a bottled water out of the mini fridge and offered one to her sister.
Sarah shook her head. “Yes, I know it would be hard, but part of being a good forensic scientist is being able to separate personal feelings from the science.”
“I still think you’d struggle with that one.” Frankie pulled out the pair of shorts and t-shirt that she planned on wearing to bed.
“Where have you been?” Sarah crinkled her nose. Her sister smelled terribly.
“Training. I think they plan to put me on field detail, but I have no idea. Jasmine is a hard one to read.” She downed half the bottled water in one gulp it felt so good to her dehydrated body.
“You need a shower.” Sarah said pointedly.
“I know. How is your job going?” Frankie sat down on her bed. She would make it to the shower and then she’d collapse. She was so done with this day.
“My new boss, and the girl I’m partnered with, are pretty tough, but the job is interesting.” She offered a weak smile. “I’m sure it’ll get better as they get to know me.” She hoped.
Frankie nodded, “so more difficult for both of us than we first thought.”
“I suppose, but all this training is necessary to keep us alive. Believe me, Frankie, I’ve seen some terrifying crime scene photos. The criminal elements in the supernatural world are brutal.”
“So are the human criminals.”
“True.” Sarah placed the file on the nightstand between their beds and yawned. “I’m going to get some sleep.”
Frankie stood up, “same here.” She headed toward the door. “There isn’t another person on this planet that I’d want to do this with, Sar-bear.”
“I feel the same, Frankie.” Sarah smiled as she snuggled into bed.
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Excerpt of Lost Plane (PBI Case Files Adventure #3)
Chapter One
“I’m pulling you off the case.” Karma eased into her chair as a devilish smile spread across her face, reaching her kohl lined eyes; one blue and one green.
“Understood.” Fang agreed gruffly; leaning back in a chair that was three sizes too small for him and attempting to look halfway comfortable as he prepared himself for the coming lecture.
“Isn’t this something we can discuss further?” Devon asked, sitting on the other side of Frankie. He’d cut his black hair closer to his head, eliminating the long locks she was so accustomed to seeing frame his face.
Karma shook her head, her golden curls dancing around her shoulder. “I’m sorry, this isn’t up for debate.”
“You can’t do this.” Frankie’s green eyes were large with shock.
Karma leaned back in her chair, and put her high-heeled feet on her desk. “I can, and I am.”
“But what about Willow?” Frankie asked, trying hard to keep the emotion out of her words. Her emotions were what landed them in this mess in the first place.
Karma glanced at Tucker Jackson and Persephone DeLuca sitting on the opposite side of the room of Frankie, Fang and Devon. “Tucker and DeLuca will stay on as liaisons with the FBI. Besides, I need you three on another case.”
“But we are the ones that have made progress?” Frankie continued her argument.
“Sure you have, if you consider alienating the suspects progress. The FBI, on the other hand, considers what you did harassment.” Karma removed her smile, and narrowed her dual colored eyes on Frankie, “we are a low profile agency, Francesca. We don’t need to draw attention. Our job is to keep the attention on other things.”
“All we did was try and take control of the situation. Willow has been missing for almost two days, and the longer she is gone the less likely we are going to rescue her alive.”
Karma shook her head, dropped her feet to the floor, and leaned dangerously across her desk eyeing Frankie coldly. “You are new to this position so I’m going to chalk this up as a lesson learned. We adhere to rules. People have rights which don’t include harassing a suspect at his place of work unless you have something that supports the interruption. Walking into a room full of clients, accusing him of kidnapping a little girl without any evidence to support your claims is unacceptable.” She turned her attention to Devon and Fang. “And you two know this, which is why I’m surprised we are even here having this discussion.”
“The FBI isn’t doing anything to save that little girl.” Frankie pleaded for some sort of understanding.
“The FBI happens to be the agency the public sees on this case. They take the responsibility of what all the other, non-public agencies do. Your actions put them in a very uncomfortable position, and they are insisting you be removed from the case.” Karma shot back, it was a volley of words, each person attempting to spike the ball in order to finish the discussion.
“Frankie’s actions may have been a little impulsive but…” Fang tried to intervene, but was cutoff, like a casualty of war.
“I don’t need you defending me, Fang.” Frankie shot her verbal assault at him without even turning in his direction. She was extremely unhappy with the man for so many reasons, and the last thing she wanted was the dumbass Neanderthal jumping in and saving her. “We all know Matthew and Rhonda are involved in this kidnapping, and no one is doing anything to put the pressure on them. Perhaps if there was a little pressure applied, one of the two might mess up.”
“But neither one of them did anything to implicate themselves. Instead, they called the FBI, and threatened to take legal action against all the agencies involved in the harassment unless you are removed from the case.” Karma eyed Frankie with a look that dared her to argue.
“So we let it play out and recover a corpse instead of a live child?”
“You don’t get it, do you, Frankie? What you did put Willow’s life in danger, especially if you are correct.” Which Karma was sure she was. Frankie may be impulsive, and often takes crazy risks, but her instincts were generally on point, which, when controlled, made her a good agent.
“That’s not fair, Karma.” Devon came to Frankie’s defense this time. “What Francesca did was put them on notice. Now the FBI can keep an eye on the two, and see if either of them leads the authorities to the girl.”
“Don’t you dare sugar coat the situation, Dev. She needs to understand her actions have consequences.” Karma turned her fury on Devon.
“I understand that.” Frankie defended herself, “which is exactly why I did it and I would do it again. My actions forced their hands. Just wait. They will react.” She was sure of it. She just hoped they didn’t react in a bad way by eliminating the evidence of their crime.
“I know you have a strange knack of understanding human behavior, but you aren’t always right, Francesca.” Karma stood up and walked around the desk, sitting on the other side of the cherry wood ledge in between Fang and Frankie. “Besides, the case is turning out to be as un-supernatural as possible, and in case you didn’t notice, we only investigate paranormal crimes. When they prove to not be part of the supernatural world we remove ourselves from the equation and allow the proper authorities to take over.”
“Willow is a shifter child, how much more supernatural can that be?” Fang argued.
“She has shown no indication the shifter gene has activated or transferred into her genetic makeup, and her suspected kidnappers are very human. Case closed on our end.” Karma examined her perfectly manicured blood red nails. “We’ll leave Tucker and DeLuca in the loop while I send you three on another case.”
“If I’m such a royal screw up why would you send me?” Frankie regretted the words the moment they left her mouth.
“Because Mercy and Harmony requested you specifically. That and, for the most part, you’re a decent operative. As long as you follow orders and stick to procedure.”
“We’ll keep you updated on the case, Francesca.” Tucker offered a look of sincerity from his warm brown eyes. “I know what it’s like to get invested in a case.” A toothy grin lit his mocha colored face when Frankie gave him an appreciative glance.
He was a very handsome man. Strong, lean muscles, and great hair. But his personality made him extremely adorable, if she were to choose a man to date in this agency, not that she’d date a fellow agent, but if she did, he’d be on the top of her list. “Thank you.”
A growl rumbled from Fang’s chest, and when Frankie turned and glanced at the blond giant man that was a mass of muscles his brown eyes were narrowing on Tucker. Frankie couldn’t hold back the eye roll. Fang was beyond irritating with his overly protective and possessive attitude toward her, and she needed to do something about it.
“Quite frankly, I think you get far too much leeway in this agency.” Persephone stood up, straightened her black jacket over her frilly lace skirt, tossed her dyed, jet-black hair over her shoulder and asked, “May we be excused to get back to work?”
Karma nodded, “thank you, DeLuca and Tucker.” Karma straightened her own form and walked back to her position behind the cherry wood desk. “As for you, I’m sending you to Half Moon Bay, California to join the ABI in the investigation of Avalon flight 370.” She pushed the files forward on her desk and each of them picked up the one in front of them.
“The plane that disappeared over the Pacific Ocean?” Devon asked without flipping open the pages of the case file.
Frankie bit her lower lip. She wanted to point out they’d be of little use on this case, to reinforce the fact that they’re better suited for the missing person case, but she knew that argument was over. If the FBI kicked her off the case what more could she do? DeLuca, despite her snotty attitude, and Tucker were good agents and she had a feeling Tucker would keep his promise and keep her posted. Instead, she decided to focus her energy on a different issue.
“That’s a pretty high profile case, don’t you think…” Fang began as he started flipping through the pages more at ease and relaxed now that DeLuca and Tucker were gone.
“As I mentioned earlier, Mercy and Harmony asked for Francesca personally, and there are no other agents I’d rather send with her. If it were up to me, you’d be suspended.” Karma directed that last part at Frankie who shrank back in her seat a little. “The plan was to pull
Tucker and DeLuca from your case and keep you there, however, that all changed when you were removed from the FBI cleared list.”
“Okay! I get it! I messed up.” Frankie held up her hands in surrender. “I’m sorry, but if it helps break the case, which I know it will, I’ll be the one getting the apologies.” She set the file on the desk. “Why did Mercy and Harmony request me?”
“I know Mercy was impressed with how you, Fang and Jasmine handled the case of the Florida outbreak. I also know Harmony is curious as to how you survived the mutated Ebola virus.”
“Well, that makes two of us.” It had been a month since she was bitten by the child carrier of the zombie-like virus which the doctors discovered was a mutated strain of Ebola. According to the newest update last week, the virus mutated because it unlocked a recessive supernatural gene in patient zero. By all accounts, Sarah said it could’ve resulted in the zombie apocalypse, and her team was the one that had closed the case. It was why she was moved into the field as a permanent agent so quickly.
Frankie was bitten by one of the carriers and she was infected. Her life was pretty much over. They all knew it, as her organs failed one after the other. Then, she was on a respirator, on the verge of a coma, and suddenly she made a miraculous recovery. She was the only person out of the twenty-four infected by the virus that survived. Defeating the virus made her stronger, physically, mentally, even spiritually. Her experience on death’s door was hazy, but she was positive there was more after this life. What it was, she had no clue. She couldn’t access the memories, only the feelings. Even the therapist she was seeing had failed to help recover those memories. After three hypnosis sessions and no results she stopped going.
Since the incident, she had the strangest feeling that people were keeping a secret from her. She and Sarah tried to discover the big mystery, but everyone who’d been involved was pretty tight lipped. She was convinced the agency injected her with some experimental drug. Why it worked on her and no one else, she had no clue. Why they wouldn’t tell her was an even more frustrating point. The supernatural strength and enhanced senses did little to ease her mind. Whatever they did to her, she would eventually find out. She needed to know.
“Half Moon Bay is the closest point to the last transmission from the airplane so the teams have set up a temporary military base just outside of town. Harmony reports there is no evidence that aliens were involved, despite the conspiracy theories that assumed this missing flight was a massive abduction. Disproving alien involvement is why they asked for the PBI to join the investigation.” Karma continued the briefing.
“What makes them think this was paranormal?” Devon asked. “I can’t think of any supernatural creature that has the ability to make an entire plane with passengers disappear. The most logical conclusion would be a crash into the ocean. I would think this is a human case.”
“Quite possibly, but this disaster has impacted over fifteen countries. Avalon 370 was an international flight so the president wants every agency at his disposal on the case.” Karma sighed. “There are also some strange facts to the case that have been pieced together so far.”
Fang nodded as he read the file. “Like the communication gaps?”
Karma smiled, “yes, Fang. There were only three communication checkpoints that came from the actual crew. The last one, after two failed attempts, was static and mumbled voices. The remaining communication from the flight came from the airplane communicating with ground and satellite.”
“It’s also strange that there seemed to be no warning from the crew. No distress calls.” Fang continued reading the file.
“And the flight path was not followed. The amount of air traffic over the United States would result in catastrophic events of two or more planes colliding if the plane did not stay its course.” Karma added. “Too many facts in this don’t add up.”
Devon closed his file. He wasn’t convinced this was a PBI case, but he agreed that getting Frankie off the kidnapping would be a good thing, and this case might be a decent distraction. “When do we leave?”
“Candy is working on getting a pilot and flight plan approval now.” Karma answered. “I would expect her to have everything ready within the next couple of hours.”
“Great. I’m going to take a shower and pack.” He stood and headed toward the door.
Fang and Frankie took the hint and both stood. “Karma, can I have a few minutes?” Frankie asked after almost colliding into Fang when they stood.
“Sure.” Karma’s interest was piqued.
Fang grumbled something under his breath, even with Frankie’s enhanced hearing she couldn’t understand the mumble as he left with Devon.
Frankie closed the door after them and sat back down. She had two things to discuss and didn’t know which one to approach first which left her worrying her hands as she sat down. She pushed out a breath and went for her first issue. “I was wondering if Sarah could come along on this case?”
Karma’s forehead creased in confusion. “Why?”
Frankie bit her lower lip, “well, we’ve been looking into the attack on our parents and there are some leads in northern California that I was thinking we could investigate after the case was concluded.”
Karma sat back in her chair and considered Frankie’s request. In truth, she was impressed with the human’s fearlessness. Most people keep their heads down around her. They avoid private conversations, fearing how karma would judge them, but not Francesca. She voiced her opinion. She didn’t back down when she thought she was right. She fought for those she cared for, and as a result, she’d racked up some awesome karma points. In the short time Karma had known the spunky human, she’d gained a soft spot for her, which was a bad thing since it was her job to dole out good or bad karma to everyone whether she liked them or not. It was simply an expectation. It was fine now that Francesca was on the side of good karma, but the moment she fell on the bad side, Karma worried about her ability to deliver the swift hand of justice.
“I’m impressed that you’ve been working on the cold case, but without something tangible to re-open the investigation, I can’t justify agency funding to the investigation. Besides, you have plenty to worry about with this case.”
“None of you think this has a paranormal signature to it. We are just being sent there to reinforce the use of our agency.”
“Sure, there are no signs this is paranormal, but it’s strange, and that is what we investigate. If it turns out to be void of the supernatural, I’ll pull you back.”
“Right, so if we prove it one way or the other what harm would there be in allowing my sister and I an additional day to look in on the leads?”
“Sending your sister will cost the agency, and put her behind in her studies.”
“You don’t think a forensic agent would be helpful in this matter?”
“At this point, this case is a tragedy. There has been no crime committed. Forensics use science to investigate a crime.”
“Or possible crime.” Frankie was a force to be reckoned with when she got an idea in her mind. As she pleaded her case, she realized this request would actually help her with her second request since she was sure Karma would not help her with her other issue. Her own father used to call her the great debater. It was coming in handy in this case.
Karma examined Frankie carefully. She did have a valid point about assigning forensic personnel. It would look like they were putting their best foot forward, and after last month’s debriefing with the president she needed to gain a few good points. The funding had been renewed for a year, but there were stipulations that came with that renewal. “Perhaps you’re right, but the last person I’d send on a case like this is the newest forensic analyst.”
“Okay, if you can’t help with that request, how about another one?” Frankie was disappointed but she could understand why Sarah wasn’t the right choice to go on the mission.
“And that would be?”
“Fang.”
“What about him?”
“I’d like a different partner.”
Without any hesitation. “No.”
“Aren’t you even going to ask why?”
“I don’t care. He will protect you better than most agents, and that is why he is your partner.” Karma didn’t want any more human casualties. She couldn’t afford them with the new stipulations placed on her to keep funding going.
“Yeah, well, he makes me uncomfortable.”
“Fang isn’t known for his social skills, but he grows on you.”
“He kissed me.” Frankie answered quickly before she lost her courage. She felt like a child telling on the boy next door.
Karma couldn’t hold back the smile that crossed her lips. “And did you kiss him back?”
Frankie shook her head, “no, I slapped him.”
Karma laughed, “good for you.”
And he’s barely spoken to me since, she wanted to add, but decided to keep that to herself.
“If you have a problem with your partners you need to find a way to work it out with them.”
Get the rest of the adventure here on Amazon.
Excerpt of Justice Driven (PBI Case Files Adventure #4)
Chapter One
Sarah examined her reflection in the mirrored glass as she battled the first date jitters that danced around in her head and body in the form of anxious feelings and sweaty palms. She hoped she wasn’t overdressed as she smoothed down the sapphire sequined dress, and sprayed her golden locks into the submission. She vaguely remembered the days of Aquanet freezing she did in high school and worried her lower lip, fearful she’d primped too much at this point. Her golden-brown hair cascaded in curls past her shoulders instead of the usual French twist she wore. She even darkened her makeup and tried a new smoky look around her big blue eyes which only made them pop out like those cartoon characters on Saturday morning. By the time she was done foolishly agonizing over her looks she was pretty satisfied with the finished product. She knew he’d be happy if she showed up in ripped jeans and a t-shirt, but she wanted to make a dazzling impression and the almost unrecognizable person staring back at her in the reflective glass did just that.
“Wow!” Frankie grinned as she walked into the room they shared. “You look fantastic! Got plans for tonight?” Frankie knew full well her sister was going on a date with Devon, and believed it was about time. Those two had been dancing around a relationship for months now. If she hadn’t interrupted their one-night stand in Devon’s office at the nightclub things might’ve been different.
“Shut up!” Sarah laughed and expelled a breath she was holding. “So I look okay?” She really hated how James’ infidelity had clobbered her self-esteem.
“Yes, but, sis, he’s infatuated with you. You do realize you could be covered in mud and he’d still be all over you.”
“That’s so not true.” Sarah misted a little perfume on her neck and sat down on her bed across from Frankie’s. “What’s happening between you and Fang?”
Frankie knew this conversation was coming. She’d been doing her best to ignore it since she told Sarah that in order to survive the mutated Ebola virus attack, Fang had to bond with her. Yep, as in binding life forces which led to – ew - mating. “Tonight isn’t about my mess, it’s about your date.”
“Come on, talking about it actually takes my mind off tonight and the nerves that I’m feeling over this whole thing.” Sarah wiped her hands with a Kleenex. Why she was perspiring was beyond her. They’d kissed! Heck, they’d done more than kiss, but this date was a first step to something more serious, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready. “I still feel it’s a mistake. My friendship with Devon means the world to me, and I’m really afraid that this is going to ruin it.”
Frankie snorted, “or make it better. Sis, we both know what you and he have is more than friendship. Those sneaked kisses and the smoldering looks coming from both of you, jeez a person could get scorched coming between you two.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Nice, real nice.” But she couldn’t wipe the goofy grin off her face if she tried.
“I’m just trying to get you to loosen up and enjoy your good fortune. Not everyone has a drop dead – literally dead - man fawning over them.”
“Not everyone, but you do. What is going on between you and the Viking god that is Fang?” She made another attempt at getting information.
Frankie laughed and wagged her finger in front of her face. “This isn’t about me, sis.” Frankie jumped in front of the mirror and started brushing her chocolate-brown curls. “What I don’t get is why you’re not jumping at the opportunity to be with him. I mean, that first night you met you were all over him.”
“Yes, I was also drunk.” Sarah fluffed Frankie’s hair to bring life to it after the brushing had tamed it more. “Wasted is the better word.”
“Okay, but the attraction is obviously there. You’re single, free to mingle, and don’t give me none of this friend crap. I know better.” Frankie frowned at her unruly hair, and started braiding it to the side.
Sarah plopped down on the bed. “Am I single?”
Frankie’s hands stilled, and she turned her attention to her sister. “What do you mean?”
“What about what Felix said before he disappeared?”
Frankie banded her hair and joined her sister on her bed. “He said he loved you, but that could mean a thousand different things.”
“Yes, but if Devon and I are destined to fail, why try?” Sarah’s eyes pleaded with her sister to have an answer.
Frankie hugged her. “You will fail with that outlook. Maybe that future was never meant to be. It’s obvious you don’t have the same feelings for that cyborg as he had for you. We don’t know what happened to bring that future together, but you could change all of that now.”
“Or continue on the same path to get the same result. That’s the definition of insanity.”
There was hopelessness written all over Sarah’s face. Frankie forced her sister to look at her. “I want you to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Give this a chance with Devon.”
“You think we’re good for each other?”
“Yes!”
“On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“Give Fang a chance.”
Frankie shook her head. “Our situation is different.”
“Yes, it is. He gave you a part of him that he can never give to another. He sacrificed his own happiness to make sure you lived. It is different. It’s like a modern day fairy tale.” Sarah’s eyes sparkled.
“Or a nightmare, depending how you look at it.” Frankie muttered. “I get what he did, but it wasn’t consensual. He’s a brutish caveman with terrible social skills. He’s the exact opposite of what I envisioned as my perfect man.”
“Sometimes what we wish for isn’t what is right for us. He’d lay his life down for you. He did it once and will do it again. Who doesn’t want a man like that?”
“Me, Sarah, I don’t want a man who insists on protecting me. I want a man who sees me as an equal. Do you see him ever doing that?”
“Well, he’s an alpha shifter. That may be more difficult than you think.”
“Exactly! Aside from all the other things, including my general dislike for the bear man, he can’t give me what I need in a partner.”
“Have you told him that?”
“How?”
“I don’t know, but you need to find a way to communicate with him. Your lives are forever bound regardless of your choice.” Sarah walked over to the door answering the knock. She expected to see her dark haired devilish man. Instead, she saw Frankie’s blond Adonis. Sarah laughed. “Speak of the devil. It’s for you, Frankie.”
Get the rest of the adventure here on Amazon.
Chapter One
Sarah examined her reflection in the mirrored glass as she battled the first date jitters that danced around in her head and body in the form of anxious feelings and sweaty palms. She hoped she wasn’t overdressed as she smoothed down the sapphire sequined dress, and sprayed her golden locks into the submission. She vaguely remembered the days of Aquanet freezing she did in high school and worried her lower lip, fearful she’d primped too much at this point. Her golden-brown hair cascaded in curls past her shoulders instead of the usual French twist she wore. She even darkened her makeup and tried a new smoky look around her big blue eyes which only made them pop out like those cartoon characters on Saturday morning. By the time she was done foolishly agonizing over her looks she was pretty satisfied with the finished product. She knew he’d be happy if she showed up in ripped jeans and a t-shirt, but she wanted to make a dazzling impression and the almost unrecognizable person staring back at her in the reflective glass did just that.
“Wow!” Frankie grinned as she walked into the room they shared. “You look fantastic! Got plans for tonight?” Frankie knew full well her sister was going on a date with Devon, and believed it was about time. Those two had been dancing around a relationship for months now. If she hadn’t interrupted their one-night stand in Devon’s office at the nightclub things might’ve been different.
“Shut up!” Sarah laughed and expelled a breath she was holding. “So I look okay?” She really hated how James’ infidelity had clobbered her self-esteem.
“Yes, but, sis, he’s infatuated with you. You do realize you could be covered in mud and he’d still be all over you.”
“That’s so not true.” Sarah misted a little perfume on her neck and sat down on her bed across from Frankie’s. “What’s happening between you and Fang?”
Frankie knew this conversation was coming. She’d been doing her best to ignore it since she told Sarah that in order to survive the mutated Ebola virus attack, Fang had to bond with her. Yep, as in binding life forces which led to – ew - mating. “Tonight isn’t about my mess, it’s about your date.”
“Come on, talking about it actually takes my mind off tonight and the nerves that I’m feeling over this whole thing.” Sarah wiped her hands with a Kleenex. Why she was perspiring was beyond her. They’d kissed! Heck, they’d done more than kiss, but this date was a first step to something more serious, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready. “I still feel it’s a mistake. My friendship with Devon means the world to me, and I’m really afraid that this is going to ruin it.”
Frankie snorted, “or make it better. Sis, we both know what you and he have is more than friendship. Those sneaked kisses and the smoldering looks coming from both of you, jeez a person could get scorched coming between you two.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Nice, real nice.” But she couldn’t wipe the goofy grin off her face if she tried.
“I’m just trying to get you to loosen up and enjoy your good fortune. Not everyone has a drop dead – literally dead - man fawning over them.”
“Not everyone, but you do. What is going on between you and the Viking god that is Fang?” She made another attempt at getting information.
Frankie laughed and wagged her finger in front of her face. “This isn’t about me, sis.” Frankie jumped in front of the mirror and started brushing her chocolate-brown curls. “What I don’t get is why you’re not jumping at the opportunity to be with him. I mean, that first night you met you were all over him.”
“Yes, I was also drunk.” Sarah fluffed Frankie’s hair to bring life to it after the brushing had tamed it more. “Wasted is the better word.”
“Okay, but the attraction is obviously there. You’re single, free to mingle, and don’t give me none of this friend crap. I know better.” Frankie frowned at her unruly hair, and started braiding it to the side.
Sarah plopped down on the bed. “Am I single?”
Frankie’s hands stilled, and she turned her attention to her sister. “What do you mean?”
“What about what Felix said before he disappeared?”
Frankie banded her hair and joined her sister on her bed. “He said he loved you, but that could mean a thousand different things.”
“Yes, but if Devon and I are destined to fail, why try?” Sarah’s eyes pleaded with her sister to have an answer.
Frankie hugged her. “You will fail with that outlook. Maybe that future was never meant to be. It’s obvious you don’t have the same feelings for that cyborg as he had for you. We don’t know what happened to bring that future together, but you could change all of that now.”
“Or continue on the same path to get the same result. That’s the definition of insanity.”
There was hopelessness written all over Sarah’s face. Frankie forced her sister to look at her. “I want you to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Give this a chance with Devon.”
“You think we’re good for each other?”
“Yes!”
“On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“Give Fang a chance.”
Frankie shook her head. “Our situation is different.”
“Yes, it is. He gave you a part of him that he can never give to another. He sacrificed his own happiness to make sure you lived. It is different. It’s like a modern day fairy tale.” Sarah’s eyes sparkled.
“Or a nightmare, depending how you look at it.” Frankie muttered. “I get what he did, but it wasn’t consensual. He’s a brutish caveman with terrible social skills. He’s the exact opposite of what I envisioned as my perfect man.”
“Sometimes what we wish for isn’t what is right for us. He’d lay his life down for you. He did it once and will do it again. Who doesn’t want a man like that?”
“Me, Sarah, I don’t want a man who insists on protecting me. I want a man who sees me as an equal. Do you see him ever doing that?”
“Well, he’s an alpha shifter. That may be more difficult than you think.”
“Exactly! Aside from all the other things, including my general dislike for the bear man, he can’t give me what I need in a partner.”
“Have you told him that?”
“How?”
“I don’t know, but you need to find a way to communicate with him. Your lives are forever bound regardless of your choice.” Sarah walked over to the door answering the knock. She expected to see her dark haired devilish man. Instead, she saw Frankie’s blond Adonis. Sarah laughed. “Speak of the devil. It’s for you, Frankie.”
Get the rest of the adventure here on Amazon.
Check out this excerpt from Remote Paranoia here and then check out Jami Brumfield's take on writing from a serial killer's POV here.
The next adventure in this series is underway and will be released later this year. If you love this series check out the Paranormal Dystopian Romance spinoff series from PBI Case Files called Vanished. |
Remote Paranoia was one of the 20 books featured in the Wicked After Dark Box set, which placed # 13 on the New York Times Bestseller's list. This set isn't available for purchase anymore but you can get Remote Paranoia at the following retailers
In this episode of the PBI Case Files, the team is called in to investigate a string of suspicious deaths. It seems a team of retired Order agents are being picked off one by one. The Order is a team of alien and supernatural beings that are called in by the Fates to keep people on the right path. It is a great honor to be called in to serve on this team. It is not a great honor to retire and die under suspicious circumstances. What the Paranormal Bureau agents discover will keep them up at night! No one is safe while these rogue killers are on the loose, especially not while they're sleeping. This is the fifth episode of PBI Case Files. It is not necessary to read the previous episodes to follow the story as there are back story devices used in the body of this book but it can really enhance your understanding of the characters and larger plot that carries through the first season of this series. This book, as well as the rest of the episodes in the PBI Case Files is written like a weekly television show. It is a paranormal mystery serial. |