Web of Lies

A M Jenner

Copyright 2016, The Electric Scroll

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by The Electric Scroll. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher. For information contact The Electric Scroll, 745 N. Gilbert Rd. Ste 124 PMB 197, Gilbert, Arizona, 85234.

The characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and entirely in the imagination of the reader.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Notice

Chapter One

About the Author

Books by A M Jenner

Connect with me online

1

This camera takes pictures in the dark? Tori Hamilton was impressed.

Yes, plus its telephoto lens automatically adjusts and that's why I'm going to win the contest. Pamela smiled. The camera belonged to her brother, Russ.

Unless your focus is off, teased Amber Richards, grinning.

Pam boasted, My focus is never off; that's why I won last year's regionals' and why this year's prize will gain me the money I need to fund that children's school in Mozambique.

A tinny beep sounded and Amber headed for the microwave. And why we're glad you needed pictures of a sunset and a sunrise for your exhibition. Two nights on the lake in this deliciously stocked luxury houseboat with a video library big enough to support a rental store; I feel as if we've died and gone to heaven. Some of these movies aren't out on DVDs and I've wanted to see them for ages. Dinner is served, she declared. Arranging the chicken alfredo on the table already set with plates, utensils, and a fresh salad at each place, she slipped into her seat next to Tori.

Pam smiled at her friends as she set a pitcher of ice water on the table, the lemon slices floating in it making it festive. Sliding into the remaining place, she said, Eat fast, ladies; there's less than twenty minutes before you see the most spectacular sunset you'll ever lay eyes on and I get my award-winning pictures. With that, she forked a succulent bite of chicken into her mouth, closing her eyes in appreciation of the delicate flavor.

2

The closing credits finished. Pam reached to turn on the light, but she froze as the loud voices came through the window. The girls looked at each other in the dim light from the TV screen.

Angry yelling had them scrambling to the windows on the lake side of the boat to peek between the nearly closed Venetian blind slats covering the houseboat's large windows. Theirs had been the only boat on the lake when they'd arrived in Russ's dinghy. They'd heard nothing over the sound of the video, yet a boat was fairly close now.

They were parked in the shadows of the nearby cliffs, and had been so eager to start the movie they'd forgotten to turn on the night-time lights required by law. It was quite possible the people on the other boat had no idea they were here.

What do you think is happening? Pamela whispered.

What's it sound like? People quarreling, Tori whispered back.

Why are you whispering? Amber asked using her voice at a normal speaking level. That launch is too far away. They can't hear us.

Sshhhh! Sound carries so well at night on the water, it's a miracle they didn't hear our movie already. If they were listening, they could hear us like we can hear them, Pam whispered as she reached for her camera.

What're you doing? Tori whispered. It's too dark to get a picture now.

They can't possibly hear us, Amber argued. We're not yelling like they are.

Shush! Pamela commanded. Listen. She picked up the camera and trained it on the nearby boat. She snapped pictures from time to time as the men moved around to this side of the boat. Their voices became clear; the girls could hear the loud argument boiling between the two.

You've gutted my company and stolen the assets, Victor. What did you think I'd do? Just sit back and watch you drive my company into the ground?

"Listen to me, Mitchell! We get the income from taking the stock of your Burger Boy Sausages public and then we can finish the final steps to buying the art dealership. That means millions to us because the art connection will multiply our investment hand over fist.

The copies coming in from Europe are so good you can't tell them from the originals, and our prices will be on the scale of those same originals. That way, even the price tells the new owner they're getting the real deal. We split the income from that, and you can afford to travel anywhere in the world you want to go or do anything your heart desires. It's a solid investment.

It's not an investment. It's robbing people on a grander scale, that's all. I can't be a party to it, and I won't allow you to use my company image to do it, either. I'm going to stop you.

You can't stop me. It's too good of a deal to miss, and it's already next to done. The money's already been invested on the European side. The best part is you don't have to do anything but sit back and enjoy. The money you'll be getting will be worth keeping quiet over.

I won't quietly sit still over this, Victor. I'm warning you, I'll stop your thieving ways by going to the Federal Trade Commission. The whole thing is against the law and they'll listen as I tell them about your asset stripping of the small companies you take over so you can hide your dirty little tricks behind the clean corporate image of the company you just absorbed.

What can I do to convince you this is an opportunity of a lifetime? Think of it, Mitchell; the income you'll make in the first year will be a high seven-figure income. You can't make that kind of money in twenty years from sausages no matter how good they taste. Think of it, man; you'll make millions of dollars in the first year alone!

"But it's dishonest, and something Burger Boy Sausages is inherently against in principle and any other way you want to look at it. I'd rather have less money and be able to look at myself in the mirror and sleep with a clear conscience.

So just replace the half-million in bearer bonds you've stolen from me and concentrate on making an honest living. Burger Boy Sausages is more than just a hot dog stand; it's a good, solid company with a sterling image.

That's why I bought you out; I need that flawless corporate image.

Well, you can't have it. I'm going to the Feds and expose you for the criminal you are. People like you shouldn't be allowed to rob the rest of us!

Victor swore viciously and Mitchell screamed, You can't! I won't let you!

The girls listened in horror as suddenly the men were crashing into things on the boat as they fought with each other.

What's happening? Tori asked Pamela. It's too dim to see clearly.

More angry shouts came to them across the water as Pam continued to snap a series of pictures with her camera.

Suddenly, Pamela drew in her breath sharply, and then held it, snapping yet another picture.

What's happening now? Amber asked without removing her gaze from the window.

Pamela whispered a strangled NO!

Abrupt silence hung thick over the water and Pamela slowly lowered the camera. She was shocked.

A whir sounded loudly behind them and the girls jumped and spun around. Suddenly the room got brighter. The VCR had reached the end of the tape and automatically flipped to rewind, complete with bright static on the screen.

Amber quickly shut the TV off, plunging the room back into a darkness broken only by what little light from the moon could penetrate the blind's nearly-closed slats.

The girls took a deep breath, looked at each other for a moment and moved back to the window. Amber turned to Pamela and whispered, What happened?

I think the man called Victor just hit Mitchell on the head. Pamela raised the camera, sighting once more.

Is he dead? Tori's question was anxious.

I don't know. He went down, and then I couldn't see any more. She adjusted the angle, her voice a faint whisper as several more clicks from the camera were heard.

Can you see them now? Amber's voice was a mere, breathy sound.

I can't…Oh! A click from the camera sounded and involuntarily Pamela drew back, nearly dropping it. She was filled with horror. A…a body…or something as big as a body…was just pushed off the boat. I…I…think we…we just w-witnessed a…a murder!

The girls looked again, but saw only shadows; the smaller craft's single light and night running lights had been extinguished.

They exchanged looks once again. We have to tell someone, Tori said softly gesturing around her. Does this boat have a phone?

No. Amber, where's your cell phone? Pamela