The Vigilante God

The first mystery/thriller story I wrote is, The Vigilante God. At the time I never knew I would expand the story into a series, but I eventually did expand it to three novels. A fourth is in the works now. This part of the first chapter is an example of what you might expect to find in the story. It is a true thriller.

 The Vigilante God

Chapter 1

The deep dark of evening descended on the city less than two hours ago. It was an uncommonly chilly, late October evening. A huge orange harvest moon was hanging low in the southwestern sky, with wisps of cloud cover floating slowly past its face. The horizon basked in the bright glow of the moon. Jess Wilkins quickly glanced up at the bright of the moon as he prepared to light his twentieth Camel of the day. He smiled at his good fortune as he thought of how his day had turned out. He had done well this day. He had had a very good day indeed.

            The light breeze blew the lighter out twice before Jess could shield the flame well enough to successfully light the cigarette. He inhaled deeply on the first drag, pocketed his lighter, and then turned and walked briskly south along the old and crumbling brick building he had exited only a moment before. He bent his head into the now strengthening breeze of the open street as he tried to keep the top of his coat pulled together with one hand to keep the night chill off his neck as he walked and smoked. He did not want to catch another cold like the one he just got over.

            Less than ten seconds later, a car turned the corner and roared toward Jess on the dimly lit and deserted street. Instinctively, Jess turned his head to look toward the source of the approaching noise, carefully holding his hat on his head. Just as he turned his head, the dark-colored Dodge sedan screeched to a sliding stop less than three feet from where he walked, alarming him enough to cause him to jump back in fear. Two men leaped from the car and grabbed Jess before he could comprehend what was happening. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He dropped his cigarette on the concrete walk, sending sparks flying everywhere, and then he lost his hat to the wind in the scuffle as he struggled valiantly—until the lights went out. The two men picked Jess’ limp frame up by his feet and shoulders and roughly shoved him into the rear seat of the car. One of the men quickly entered the rear seat from the opposite side, the side next to Jess’ head, and the other slid himself into the driver’s side of the front and yanked the shift lever into drive. The car screeched its tires and sped off into the moonlit night.

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