Web of Silence: New Edition

by Kathleen Dutton

Description Web of Silence takes the reader on a painful, frightening and often times touching journey of a young woman, Elizabeth Rose Brockton, who has relocated under an assumed identity after disappearing from the small town of Aidan, Michigan. The story begins two years later when Beth learns of her mother’s death and must confront her conflicted reasons regarding her return to her hometown. She hopes to attend the funeral, handle the legalities, and slip back into the protection of her fragile charade with her secrets intact. It is a journey of her shattered dreams and how with the help of the fiancé she left behind, Sam Andrews, she is able to rebuild her life in order to trust and love once more. About the Kathleen Dutton has enjoyed the craft of writing since childhood as a way to enter a world of unlimited possibilities. She has retired from the professional world as a clinical engineer, training cardiologists in the US to support products which make a difference in cardiac procedures. She enjoys life in Michigan with her husband, and family, especially in northern Michigan where Hemingway spent time writing his early novels. Book She rushed to her second-floor apartment as uneasiness crept over her when she quickly climbed the stairs. While she reached into her coat pocket for keys, a noise from below startled her. She turned to see if someone climbed the stairway, her heart raced instantly. She wanted to cry out when she heard footsteps that sounded on the metal stairs. Her hands were numb as she fumbled and attempted to fit the key into the lock. Hurry!! The deafening command echoed in her brain. She turned toward the stairs and cried out when a dark figure advanced toward her. She dropped the books and papers as he grabbed her by the arms and spun her around to face him. She hit at him with her fists. “Leave me alone!” she screamed. He attempted to grab her flailing arms. “Beth! Stop it!” She looked at him, but her panicked thoughts didn’t allow her eyes to focus. He ducked when she swung her fisted hand at his chin. “It's me. . .Ouch!” he yelled when she kicked him. Although she missed her intended target, she could tell the impact of her foot on his knee caused just as much damage. Frantically, she pushed him away and retrieved her keys. “Damn it, Beth! It's me. . . Sam!” For an instant his words didn’t penetrate her jumbled thoughts. Sam! Finally, the word registered in the far reaches of her mind. She blinked. It couldn't be Sam. He held her firmly and forced her to look at him, but she struggled to free herself. “I won't hurt you.” His voice was filled with tenderness as he drew her close and gently touched his lips to her forehead. She closed her eyes and wondered if this was another cruel dream. The rugged smell of his leather coat and the spiced scent of after-shave assaulted her senses. It wasn’t a dream. She felt as if she were in a fog and gently brushed his cheek with her leather-gloved fingertips. “Sam!” Her words were barely audible, “How did. . .” Sam held her close and buried his face between her coat and her cheek. “I thought I'd never find you,” he whispered against her, his words choked with emotion. Beth jerked away, searched the street below and expected to find someone else climbing the steps. She covered her mouth with her hand, this was far worse than any nightmare. “Why are you here?” she asked, but turned away before he could answer and unlocked the door. She had to get him inside before someone discovered them together. Her books were scattered on the cement landing and the student’s assignments blew around in the gusting wind while several floated down the steps.

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 10, 2024

Reviews

[Kathleen Dutton · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is fraudulently published. The book is the old version but the publisher will not take it done. Author receives no royalty so it is sold without consent!