Into The Wind: The Northwind Chronicles Book 1

9781623090050

CHAPTER ONE

William Trents past relationship with his grandchildren irritated Gloria, she didn't know why, it just did. Most likely it was the fact they alone, stood to inherit the enormous fortune their Grandfather had amassed during his lifetime, leaving her nothing. Or maybe she just hated kids.

She reached down and snatched the small tablet clutched tightly in the old man's hands. She flipped through the pages, found the one she needed and ripped it out, holding it close to her face. Impatient, she grabbed a pencil and ran the lead rapidly back and forth across the surface till writing faintly emerged.

Gloria squinted, Key Wahali Road, Hawaii…what the? Puzzled, she threw the tablet on the bed, stuffed the paper in her pocket and left the room without so much as a backward glance at the body of William Trent, her husband of six years.

Pacific Ocean-'North Wind'

The ship lurched, slamming the young woman, hard against the cabin wall. She leaned back, slipped the strap of the small bag around her neck and held tight to the rail, waiting for the North Wind, already low in the water, to climb the crest of the next wave. It was hard to hear the engines struggle above the roar of the wind. Lena knew as the boat slipped backwards they were in trouble. If the engines quit it would be a matter of minutes before the end.

Pitch black, except for an occasional flash of lightning, Lena opened the door then made her way down the narrow passage, forcing herself to focus on the light at the far end of the hall, as it faded in and out. Finding the door marked twelve Lena entered the small stuffy cabin. Fear shadowed every move and she forced herself to be calm.

Flicking on the dim light, she dropped the bag and staggered towards the two children that had been in her care for the last three years. How they slept was beyond her but sleeping they were. She reached up, shook Sara then pulled back the covers of eight year old Will and shook his shoulder.

Get up… quick! We have to hurry. The children stirred. Rain pelted the small porthole as Lena grabbed the clothes at the foot of Sara's bunk.

Put these on.

She turned, searching for William's pants. The ship lurched sharply to the left and William rolled out of bed and landed with a thump on the floor. Sara, now awake started to complain till she looked into Lena's eye's.

Lena reached down, pulled Will to his feet. Get dressed, NOW! The children scrambled, reaching for articles of clothing, trying to balance and dress. The light crackled and faded to black. The children froze.

Quick, She grabbed them and shoved them towards the door, picked up the small bag and hurried down the now dark passage. William tried to speak but nothing came out.

It's okay, Lena said."

She pushed hard against the heavy door as a blast of rain hit them full force. The wind caught the door and smashed it against the cabin wall. Lena pushed them out onto the deserted deck, and glanced up at the dim light that reappeared from the captains bridge.

Put these on, she screamed handing each of them orange life vests. They struggled as the wind snatched and blew the jackets across the deck. William started to chase it but Lena grabbed his arm and held fast.

Hang on to the rail and follow me, Lena screamed above the roar of the wind. Sara pushed William in front of her then followed Lena and her brother down the empty deck to the rear of the ship. They stopped in front of a small raft. Lena lifted the heavy tarp, threw the bag in then motioned for the two children to climb the steps. She took a small necklace with a key attached and put it quickly around Sara's neck, the loose tarp whipped violently in the wind.

Get in and stay beneath the tarp. Lena yelled into Sara's ear. The children scrambled up the ladder and slid beneath the canvas, waiting for her to follow. Lena grabbed the ladder when suddenly, the ship pitched sharply, throwing her backwards onto the weathered deck. She struggled to her feet then froze as the doomed ship rose to the peak of a mammoth wave. It was at this moment Lena knew she would die. Her life ended somewhere in the Pacific on the deck of this wretched ship. Never to marry, never to hold her own children in her arms, all her dreams taken down with the North Wind, buried in the depths of the sea.

Lena struggled to her feet. Sara, Lena screamed. Sara popped her head from beneath the tarp. Watch out for Glor… the wind tore the words from her lips.

Confused Sara shook her head, waiting for Lena to climb into the raft, bewildered when she instead, fastened the tarp over their heads.

As the ship dropped into another deep trough, Lena braced for its rapid descent, the engines whirred and screeched as they struggled to move the ship forward. Lightning flashed, illuminating a mountainous wall of water rushing towards the ship. She quickly un-tied the rope attached to the bow of the small raft. It was free.

The engines turned to silence as the boat careened sharply to the left. A huge wave crashed over the bow and rushed down the deck towards the raft, lifting it up and over the side. Lena grabbed the rail and watched as it rode a wave to its crest then disappeared down the back.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as the raft disappeared into the night. Dear God, keep them safe…

Before the last words escaped her lips the ship, sideways in the water teetered underneath the crest of an enormous wave, then slowly started to roll.

CHAPTER TWO

San Francisco-January 1946

Leroy Steen pulled up to the gate in his black 1942 Ford sedan and waited for the security guard to wave him through. He ignored the whistle emitted through his pronounced hawk-like nose, the product of a quick temper and fighting at the drop of a hat.

The gate opened, he nodded to the guard then drove down the long drive, turned a corner and parked in front of the largest stone house he'd ever seen.

Now that's some serious money. He slammed the door and climbed the stairs two at a time. Before he could knock the door opened. Leroy stated his business to an older man who directed him down a long hall to a closed door.

Gloria Thorton-Trent sat at her desk, watching the slow procession of mowers, leisurely making their way across the wide expanse of lawn. Startled by a rap on the door she turned, agitated.

Come in. The door opened and she motioned to a tall rough looking man to sit down in the chair opposite her. He walked with the ease of a confident man followed by an over-powering aroma of cheap after shave.

Yes, she asked?

He sat down, reached in his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and slowly lit one, taking a deep draw before answering. Smoke curled around his head in the shape of a halo and Gloria almost laughed.

A woman named Lena Reynolds and two kids hopped a freight, headed for Hawaii. He flicked his cigarette and ashes fell to the Persian rug beneath his feet.

Gloria frowned, her eyes flashed, two black coals set against a background of ivory skin. She stood and walked around the desk, looked Leroy Steen, square in the eyes and slapped him hard across the cheek.

In your entire life you may not learn to appreciate the value of a Persian rug Mr. Steen but while you are in my house you will do so. Do we understand one another?

Steen fought the urge to rub his face, now sporting a bright red hand print across his left cheek. The ragged scar running from the corner of his mouth and almost up to his eye turned bright red. His eyes narrowed and for a moment, Gloria resisted taking a step backward and held her ground. He nodded yes and slouched back in the chair.

Very well then. Proceed.

Steen cleared his throat, watched as she walked back around the desk and sat down.

They left on the 'North Wind' ten days ago.

Gloria straightened and grabbed the newspaper lying in front of her.

The 'North Wind' went down yesterday. Gloria could hardly contain her excitement as she threw it across to Steen and watched as he read the headlines, hating the common thread that drew her to him. From the black greasy hair, dirty fingernails right down to the snaky black shoes with pointed toes. 'Italian maybe,' she thought. No matter how hard Gloria tried; she couldn't help relating to the low-life sitting across from her. Leroy Steen was a constant reminder of the life she'd left behind.

She smiled, her face flushed, Now that IS a fortunate piece of information. Gloria stood up and turned to look out the window.

I guess you could say Lena Reynolds did me a big fat favor. She turned.

I am now the owner of Trent Enterprises. She placed her hands on the desk and leaned towards Steen and whispered so low he had to lean forward. I am rich.

A shiver ran involuntarily down her spine at the mere thought of how rich she actually was.

Steen forgot the sting on his face and smiled, revealing a row of small yellow teeth, decayed from bad hygiene and four packs a day.

How nice for you. He straightened up.

Yes, it is. She smiled. Believe me, I earned every cent marrying that old coot. Not to mention those annoying grandkids he doted on. She smoothed her raven black hair, pulled tight in a bun. I hate children. She picked up a pencil and snapped it like a twig, throwing it on the desk.

I guess you can kiss them goodbye. Steen reached for the ashtray, careful not to spill the ashes mounting on the end. And I guess our little business is finished. He crushed the half-smoked cigarette and stood, waiting.

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. You know those things will kill you. She nodded toward the still burning cigarette.

He grinned. A lot of things can kill you. Now my weapon of choice is this here knife. He pulled a long knife with a notched blade and black handle from behind his back.

I like to shove it under the rib cage and twist. He demonstrated with a brutal jab thrust upward.

She refused to acknowledge his attempt to disturb her, and instead reached into a drawer, pulled out a sealed envelope and tossed it across the desk.

I'll be calling my lawyer to see about the will. If everything goes as planned this will be good-bye.

Steen picked up the envelope, tore it open and thumbed through the hundred dollar bills. Satisfied he nodded and tucked it inside his