Magical Night

It was pitch black outside, just me and the stars. No flashlights, no headlights, no light from your cell phones were allowed. Not seeing well in the dark, I could only imagine and was terrified of just what I might step on. I could hear the guide talking and since I walked slow I was in the back of the pack. And, trying to watch my steps for heaven knows what was slowing me down. And the most amazing sky full of stars. It looked as though hands full of them had been scattered across the night sky. You could see every star so clearly. No clouds to block your view. No city lights to distract from the beauty. The guide lead us to an area roped off where there was a bit of light shining to show you the wonder you were about to behold. The sand on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world began to move, from underneath. Then another roped off area began to move. Out of the night sand popped a head and then legs. Then another and another. I was witnessing the hatching of the endangered baby loggerhead turtles. The loggerhead turtle has been on the threatened species list since 1978 due to pollution, shrimp trawling and development in their nesting areas. Adults grow to nearly 3 foot in length and weigh on average 300 pounds but they can grow up to 1,000 pounds. They lay only 4 eggs in the period of 2-3 years and have a lifespan of about 45-65 years. These beautiful little creatures are drawn to light when they are born. Thus no lights were allowed to distract them from their journey to the ocean. The moonlight bouncing off the ocean is their beacon. Their long journey to the water imprints on them where to return to lay their own eggs when they become an adult. So it is imperative not to interfere with that journey. The reality is though that most become dinner for the predators lurking in the water beyond or on the shore. Although the loggerheads have many nesting sites throughout the world, I was able to witness the Pacific turtles hatch in Northern Australia along the coast near where the Great Barrier Reef begins. Watching them struggle from the sand then make the trek into the ocean will forever be my most magical night ever experienced.

Excerpt from Chapter 1 - Deadly Feud

“Grandpa! Grandpa!” Mark hollered. No answer and he could see the tractor sitting idle in the field. Knowing his grandfather must be nearby, Mark made his way to the old red rusted tractor. The key wasn’t in the ignition. Nothing. Nowhere to be found. Where could he be thought Mark. Darkness was coming fast as the sunset dipped behind the horizon. He continued to call his grandfather. Still nothing. Well, maybe he went back to the stock shed. Mark strode back across the field towards the stock shed where the feed supplies and tack was kept. Surely, he couldn’t be far away, after all its getting dark. He reached the stock shed. Barely able to see, he ducked through the doorway. The crunch under foot to the stock shed meant the pecan trees were dropping pecans. Something else to add to his list to do. He couldn’t be bothered trying to avoid them, he couldn’t see a thing. The next step proved to be the one that would change his life forever. He tripped and nearly went flying through the back of the shed. He had tripped over something, not sure just what. He grabbed the flash light his grandad kept on the ledge just inside the doorway. As soon as the light came on, his eyes froze on the lifeless body that lie in front of him, his grandfather. He felt as though his breath had been instantly sucked from his chest. He couldn’t really fathom what had happened. Maybe a heart attack, a stroke, some kind of accident. He knelt down to check for a pulse. He was gone. He felt sick and wanted to throw up. The sound that came from his throat wasn’t even a cry, it was much deeper than that. Someone he loved more than life was dead in front of him, his eyes wide open. He was dazed, not sure what to do next. Finally, after what seemed forever, he dialed 911 from his cell phone.

Prologue The killer watched and listened everything transpire from the shadows of the backyard of the Hansen farm. He had snuck in the house earlier when Ms. Hansen had gone to town. He couldn’t find where Old man Hansen had hidden his Will or the bank account number he so desperately wanted. Mostly he needed to find those letters. Letters from the old country, their beloved Germany where the Hansen’s’ were born. Where the killer had lived in a neighboring town. Where he had first killed. Hansen never saw him coming. He was busy grabbing a rope off the hook on the wall and never knew he was hiding in the corner. The light had faded. Darkness would not too far away. He was reaching for the rope when the killer struck. That was easy. The killer’s heart was pumping and he actually became a bit light headed from the rush killing had given him. He had forgotten how that felt. He had finally started his plan in motion after all these years. The plan had to move forward quickly if he was to realize his fortune. He will have to be cautious of their grandson Mark though. Being the only grandson of the Hansen’s, he would stand to inherit quite a bit. He must find those damn letters. Hansen would not have destroyed them, after all, they were the only thing standing between the killer’s downfall and the money that he believes he is entitled to. His thoughts were interrupted by voices. He had to laugh under his breath listening to their conversation inside the house. “Grandma. You in there?” In an apologetic tone, Mark hollered from the front verandah. “I’m here. Sorry I’m late.” He could make out the grandmother making her way to the door dressed in her cotton dress. He had never seen her in anything but print cotton dresses with pockets. “Well, Hi there. Thought you changed your mind.” He heard her respond. “I’m in the middle of dinner. Guess you must have smelled it and come a running.” He heard Mark ask his grandmother where he grandfather was. She replied “In the pasture. He is trying to get the last of the field tilled before dark. Could you go see what’s keeping him? He works till dark and by the time he comes in for dinner its stone cold.” She added with frustration. He must hurry, the killer thought. Mark will go out the back door and be in the chickenyard before he can get out through the neighbor’s field and out of sight. He rushed through the back field and into the neighbors’ property. He had left his motorcycle in the far end of their property. It will be dark before he gets back to it and driving without lights will pose a challenge. He would come back for the papers. Maybe while they were at the funeral, before they start digging through everything themselves.