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Lion in the Path
by J. A. Wheeler
Category: Mystery/Crime
Description: Aubrey Brice knew someone wanted her dead, but why? Was it because of the accident that she had witnessed? Perhaps it had something to do with the mysterious woman in red. She had even come to suspect that her family was somehow entangled in the intrigue. Could she trust anyone? Certainly not the shrewd and disturbing claims adjuster, Gregory Sterling. Able to see no way out of her plight, Aubrey turns amateur detective in an effort to bring a murderer to justice.
eBook Publisher: The Fiction Works, 2004 http://www.fictionworks.com
eBookwise Release Date: May 2004
 
Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [245 KB]
Words: 53519
Reading time: 152-214 min.
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
"Lion in the Path is a well-written, emotional and fast-paced book that pits two seemingly unrelated stories together with one dramatic conclusion."--Dawn R. Reeves, The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Chapter 1Her day could not have started off on a more troubling note. As Aubrey Brice walked the long stretch of pavement leading up to the warehouse where she worked, her thoughts were consumed by what had caused her to be over two hours late. Anxiety had taken a costly toll on her already threadbare state of mind. Be that as it may, Aubrey felt compelled to make a showing at the office. The Talking Book Program, a division of the Texas State Library, was perhaps the most purposeful job that she had ever held. Still, morale had plummeted to an all-time low. For the past four months, an unusually short staff coupled with a total readjustment of operational procedures had caused everyone's workload to balloon to unreachable proportions. Aubrey regretted arriving so late to work. Especially since "Little Hitler" was now one of her fellow senior clerks. Senior clerks were assigned leadership roles, and all were of equal footing, although Arnold did not quite see it that way. Of course, who should be the first person she sees when she entered the building? Arnold (little because, at five foot five, he was a solid two inches shorter than Aubrey, and he outweighed her by less than fifty pounds) approached her and eyed his watch. He frowned and began rubbing a bald spot that was firmly entrenched at the back of his otherwise reddish-brown head. As usual, he carried his white coffee mug, which sported the logos of the Texas State Library and the State of Texas. Below them was printed: Texas State Library Service Award. Aubrey frowned at him. She too had been honored with a service award for five years of faithful service at the State Library, and yet not once did she try to flaunt the honor, as did Arnold. Everyday, all day long, he carries that cup around like it's an appendage. Arnold Hitner glared at her with beady brown eyes. His negligible mustache wrinkled as he said, "You're late! Already 100 patrons have suffered because--" Aubrey gave him a cool glance and said, "I've already called and informed Joel that I would be running late today, so shove off!" Arnold's face flushed, and he raised a brow and took a posture that demanded further explanation. It was unlike Aubrey to lash back at him so readily, and he was all too curious as to her changed demeanor. "What's wrong with you?" he queried. "What's wrong?" What's wrong is that I received a call at three a.m. this morning that Papa had to rush Ma-Mae to the hospital. What's wrong is the fact that I've spent all night at the hospital, scared witless because Ma-Mae fell and hurt herself again. True, she was thankful that her Ma-Mae was doing well, but Aubrey now realized that the family could no longer afford the heavy cost of procrastination. Somehow, she and Mabrey and their Uncle Mitchell would have to raise the money needed to pay for the operation. Somehow, they would find a way.
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