Her Only Son Read online

  Her Only Son

  by Shawna Platt

  Copyright 2015 Shawna Platt

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine or journal.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Other Books by Shawna Platt (Angel Shadow)

  Clover Hill (written under pen name Angel Shadow)

  Shattered Sanctuary (written under the pen name Angel Shadow)

  Quota (short story available on Kindle)

  Lessons From the Shadows

  Reflections-A Book of Poetry and Prose

  Shawna Platt also publishes the Shadows & Light yearly anthology.

  For more information, visit her website at:

  www.angelshadowauthor.webs.com

  “A clever, fast paced thriller!” ~Rick Powell (for Quota)

  “This was a thriller suspense read at its best!” ~Amazon Customer (for Quota)

  “Beautiful poetry. A book you will read from cover to cover the first time and then go back to read favorites again.” ~Demme (for Reflections)

  “It kept me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning! I loved it! I can't wait for her next book to come out!” ~Devie (for Clover Hill)

  “Angel Shadow has proven that she has mastered the short story genre.” ~Yvonne Mason (for Shattered Sanctuary)

  “If you read only one poetry book in your life, make it this one.” ~Christina (for Reflections)

  “I loved the diversity of each tale in this book. Very well done! I am a fan.” ~Jynell Hull (for Shattered Sanctuary)

  Dedications

  I’d like to dedicate this book to my family, who put up with countless hours of me sitting at the computer making this book a reality. Thank you for your support.

  Thank you to Shalon Hutchens for being my extra set of eyes. I appreciate the time you spent proofreading this story.

  Thank you to Yvonne Mason for pushing me outside my comfort zone. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today if it wasn’t for your inspiration and push. I’m forever grateful.

  Thank you to Robin Ludwig for the book cover design. I love it! You did a fantastic job!

  Last, but not least, thank you to my readers. You make the process of writing worth it.

  “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” ~Abraham Lincoln

  “Some say you create your own reality by your thoughts and actions, but sometimes life throws you into a series of events that had nothing to do with actions on your part. Sometimes life brings players onto the field you never saw coming. They hit you out of nowhere, blindsiding you with a force so severe you're left broken and disconsolate; your mind operating in fight or flight mode and the only thing you can trust are your instincts. You better pray they're right, these instincts, for they're all you've got to survive.” ~Shawna Platt

  Chapter One

  August, 2020

  Kinsey woke to someone ringing her doorbell. Whoever it was, they apparently weren’t going away until she made an appearance. The ringing continued as she made her way downstairs. She flung the door open, ready to blast the person whose finger was on the button, and saw him standing before her with a large envelope in his hand.

  Her frustration quickly grew to rage. “I told you not to bother me again! What the hell do you want?”

  He pushed the envelope into her hands. “You’ve been selected. It’s in your best interest to read the contents of this envelope carefully. The choices you make will greatly impact your future.” He turned to walk away.

  She looked down at the envelope he’d thrust into her hands, looked up, and yelled at his back as he walked away. “I have no interest in anything you have to offer.”

  Without turning around, he threw a hand in the air and said, “You’d be wise to reconsider.” He reached his car, opened the door, and turned to her. “Like I said, your future depends on the choices you make now.” He got in his car and drove away.

  Kinsey closed the door and walked into her kitchen. She looked at the envelope for a moment and tossed it on the counter. She had no intention of opening it.

  An hour later, she was showered, dressed, and ready for work as a manager at a local bank. She sat at her table sipping coffee and contemplated the envelope. Curiosity got the best of her and she ripped it open. Inside she found a short letter and a large book-type brochure on something called Operation Vala. She put the brochure aside and read the letter.

  Dear Ms. Garrick,

  You have been chosen as a participant in Operation Vala. This is a high honor, as our selection process is exclusive. Read through the brochure at your earliest convenience. I’m sure you’ll come to the conclusion the program will be worth your time. My representative will be in touch soon to make arrangements for your transfer to the facility.

  Sincerely,

  Hakon

  She sneered at the letter. Who the hell does this guy think he is? Make arrangements for my transfer?

  She tossed the letter aside and picked up the brochure. She flipped through it briefly, tossed it on the table, and left for work. It was Friday, and tonight she was attending a retirement party for Ted Stewart, a friend and colleague. She had no time to worry about this Hakon person or Operation Vala.

  She had only been at work for a couple hours when she received a phone call from the doorbell-ringing deliveryman from this morning. He was short and to the point.

  “Did you review the material?”

  “No, I’m busy. Don’t call me again.” She hung up. She’d barely put the receiver down, when her phone rang again.

  His voice was firm. “I’m making arrangements for you to leave on Monday. My advice is to read through the brochure and prepare for departure.”

  “Who the hell…..”

  He hung up before she could finish her sentence.

  “What is going on? Who the hell does this guy think he is?” She pushed away from her desk and grabbed her purse. She had to get to the bottom of this and decided to take the rest of the day off. After talking to Sheila Hannigan, her assistant branch manager, she made her way across the parking lot to her car. She threw her briefcase in the passenger seat and tore out of the parking lot.

  He sat in his car with his hat pulled over his eyes and watched her drive away with a smile on his face. “See you soon, Kinsey.”

  She rushed through the door and went straight to the kitchen. She grabbed the brochure off the table and started reading.

  According to the brochure, Operation Vala was a program set up by the United States government. The program hand-picked women between the ages of twenty-one and twenty-five to produce one child that the military would keep to create a new breed of future soldiers. To ensure the child would be extraordinary, the government used artificial insemination with genetically altered sperm. The procedures were performed at a facility that was located in a remote area of Nevada. The program was voluntary and the women spent approximately ten to twelve months there until the child was born.

  The compound staffed well-trained doctors that handled all procedures and the births of the children. After the birth, the women were compensated for their patriotism and removed from the compound to live their lives, but the children were property of the government and were raised by military officials to become soldiers.

  Kinsey sat back in the chair and shook her head
. They want me to produce a child for them to keep? I don’t think so! She pulled out her laptop and did a search for Operation Vala; she found nothing. According to the Internet, Operation Vala did not exist, and this made her even more apprehensive.

  The brochure showed pictures of the compound where the women lived, along with pictures of the medical facilities. It was very upscale and well cared for, but Kinsey had already decided she would turn down the offer. She had no intention of giving up a child to the military regardless of how much money they offered her. The next time she was contacted by Hakon’s representative she would tell him thank you, but she wasn’t interested. They would have to find someone else.

  At twenty-five years old, Kinsey had worked her way up to manger at the bank and she prided herself in her strength and independence. She was born and raised in Chicago and loved everything about the windy city. Stalker deliveryman had made his first appearance yesterday during her nightly jog. She could feel eyes on her as she ran, but she tried to shake it off. It wasn’t until she returned to find him parked in her driveway, that she became nervous. Something about him didn’t feel right.

  As she approached his car, he rolled down his window to talk to her.

  “Kinsey Garrick.”

  She eyed him and asked, “Who wants to know?”

  He didn’t answer her question, but simply held a large envelope out the window.

  She glanced at the envelope, but didn’t take it. “What is this?”

  He still didn’t reply.

  “Listen, bastard, if your pompous ass is not out of my driveway by the time I get in the house, I’m calling the police.”

  Once she was inside, she went to the kitchen and looked out the window. His car was gone. She tried to shake the rush of adrenaline caused by the short encounter, but something felt off. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but instinct told her to stay on her toes.

  After this morning’s encounter at her door, she now understood why her intuition was trying to warn her. She had no desire to be a participant in Operation Vala. Hopefully, she’d never see him again. He gave her the creeps.

  She’d already planned on taking the rest of the day off, but felt she should check in with her assistant manager to see how things were going. When she got the green light that all was going well, she decided to relax before going to the retirement party tonight.

  She went upstairs to her closet and contemplated her outfit for the evening. She had three solid choices laid out when her cell phone rang. Her eyebrows drew together when she didn’t recognize the number, but answered it anyway. It was Hakon’s representative.

  “So, have you had time to think about the offer?”

  “Yes, I looked through the brochure and I’ve decided to pass on your offer. Thank you for the opportunity, but you’ll have to find someone else.”

  “You should reconsider. Hakon hand-picked you and he’ll be very disappointed if you back out.”

  “I’m sorry, but my answer is no. Please, don’t contact me again regarding this matter. I’ve made up my mind.”

  She heard him sigh. “Hakon’s not going to like this,” and hung up.

  She tossed her phone on the bed and went back to her wardrobe choices for the night. She decided on the black cocktail dress, simple, but elegant. After choosing appropriate shoes, she went downstairs to make herself something to eat.

  The rest of the afternoon was uneventful and she enjoyed a couple hours of television before getting ready for Ted’s party.

  Ted Stewart had been with the bank for over twenty years. He was the manager of another branch and Kinsey had grown to respect him. She was sorry to see him go, but understood his need to retire. After his open heart surgery, he decided it was time to slow down and remove the unnecessary stress from his life. He and his wife, Margaret, had decided to move to New Mexico and he made Kinsey promise to come visit next spring.

  She was putting on her shoes when her cell phone rang. She rolled her eyes, but blew out a breath when she saw it was her assistant manager, Sheila. She sounded bubbly.

  “Are you ready to party?”

  Kinsey smiled. “After the day I’ve had, you have no idea.”

  “Oh, please, you’ve had most of the day off. I wish I had your problems,” she laughed.

  “Just because someone has a day off doesn’t mean it didn’t have its moments.”

  “Well, I’m ready to whoop it up, so wear your dancing shoes.”

  Kinsey glanced at her heels and decided she’d have to ditch them once she was there in order to look somewhat human on the dance floor. “You got it. What time are you getting there?”

  “I’m leaving in a bit, so about 7:15. You?”

  She glanced at the clock on the table next to her bed. 6:30. “7:15 sounds good to me.”

  “Sweet! I’ll see you there!”

  She hung up and glanced at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She turned to admire her backside, and a nice backside it was. All that running is paying off, Kinsey. She smiled, grabbed her purse for the evening, and headed downstairs.

  When she got to her car, she noticed a piece of paper under her windshield wiper. She pulled it out and unfolded it. It said, “Reconsider.” She looked around and saw no signs of Hakon’s stalker representative. She wadded the paper into a ball and tossed it in her purse. She wasn’t going to allow him to ruin her evening. She got in her car and backed out of the driveway.

  He came around the side of her house as she drove down the street. “You’re making a big mistake, Kinsey Garrick. I guess we’ll have to play hard ball with you,” he muttered. “The chosen ones do not walk away from Operation Vala.” He pulled out his cell phone and made a call.

  Chapter Two

  Kinsey pulled into the parking lot of the convention center right behind Sheila and they parked side by side. Sheila waved as she got out of her car.

  “We timed that right.”

  Kinsey smiled. “Yes, we did.”

  “Now we don’t have to walk in alone and feel awkward.”

  “Don’t you hate that?”

  “Totally!”

  Kinsey laughed, wondering how someone who was so professional at work, could talk like a teenager when she was away from the office. It’s one of the things she loved about Sheila; she always kept things real. Sheila wrapped her arm around Kinsey’s.

  “Let’s go party, girl!”

  Kinsey shook her head and let Sheila lead her inside.

  Hakon’s representative watched from across the street. He picked up his phone and made another call.

  “Hey, she’s at the party.” He paused and looked in the direction they went. “Make sure you do it right the first time. No screw-ups. I want her to get the message loud and clear.” He paused again, listening to the response on the other end. “Good. Make it happen.”

  He hung up and smiled. You’ll be packing your bags tomorrow, Kinsey. Hakon always gets what he wants.

  The party was just getting started when they walked in. Dinner was going to be served at 8:00, so until then everyone was enjoying cocktails. They walked to the bar and ordered a drink. Kinsey saw Ted and his wife sitting at a table and turned to Sheila.

  “I’m going to say hi to Ted. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

  Sheila was leaning against the bar flirting with the cute guy making her drink. “Yeah, sounds good. Tell him I said hi and I’ll be over in a jiffy.”

  Kinsey walked toward Ted’s table and wondered how long a jiffy is, anyway? What does that even mean?

  She reached the table and gave Ted and his wife a hug. He pointed to a chair across the table.

  “That one’s for you. The one next to it is Sheila’s.”

  “Thank you. So, how does it feel to know you’re officially retired?”

  “It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m sure it will soon.”

  Margaret leaned forward. “I’m sure he’ll be driving me nuts in no time.”

  Kinsey laughed. “Just make him
a big honey-do list when you get to New Mexico. That’ll keep him busy.”

  Margaret tipped her glass toward Kinsey. “Great idea!”

  As Ted slipped his arm around Margaret’s shoulder, he leaned toward Kinsey, “The house we bought in New Mexico has enough land to keep me busy with projects for a while. It also has a hidden underground cellar behind the house we plan on remodeling into my man cave.”

  Kinsey snickered. “Gotta have a man cave.”

  “Man cave? How awesome!” Sheila said as she dropped into the chair beside Kinsey. “I’ll be checking that out when I visit, so make sure to stock it with some wine.”

  Kinsey nudged her in the ribs. “Hey, they can stick a cot down there and you can have it all to yourself.”

  Sheila smiled and took a sip of her drink. “You know me too well.”

  An hour later, Kinsey’s younger sister, Brianna, was getting off work and walking to her car. She had earbuds in and didn’t hear the squealing tires as they raced up behind her, or the screams of the people nearby trying to get her attention. She never saw it coming.

  As the party raged on, Kinsey collapsed in a chair and tried to catch her breath. Sheila bounced up to her.

  “Come on, party pooper! This is a good song!”

  “Oh, seriously! Where do you get your energy?”

  “It’s all in your head.” She tried to pull Kinsey out of her chair.

  “No, I think it’s all in my feet. I’ll sit this one out. You go tear it up.”