Access Denied

by Jim Daddio

Marcus Salisbury is the owner of Micro Ware, a company that distributes personal computers. He is wealthy beyond description but he wants more. He wants to introduce his own personal computer and he would do whatever it took to make that happen including stealing trade secrets and even committing murder.

Tyler McRenoylds owns his own company specializing in mergers and acquisitions. When he works with Marcus on a deal, he meets Marcus’ personal assistant, Lynn Blakely a torrid love affair begins and soon they are married.

After a series of events, Marcus’ empire begins to tumble. At the same time Tyler finds himself in the middle of a feud between Lynn and her daughter, Shelly. When Lynn, is found dead the question remains: Who killed her? Was it Marcus, Tyler or was it her own daughter?

In a dramatic conclusion Marcus is in hiding, Shelly has disappeared and Tyler is hiding out in Mexico. As he tries to make it across the border a wild shootout takes place.

Excerpt

Chapter One

He raised slowly from the uncomfortable thin mattress and slid his tired legs over the small, soiled bed. He slumped over and placed his face in his hands. He began to shake uncontrollably as the tears flowed from his red eyes. His head ached as his mind tried to unscramble all that had happened to him during the past year. It wasn't that long ago he was on top of the world with power and money. Now he was alone. Alone in a small, dark motel room somewhere in Mexico, trying to understand who he was and how he let everything go astray. He rose from the bed and slammed his fist into his hands. “Oh God,” he yelled aloud, “how could I have fallen into the trap? How could I let myself do what I did?”

He walked around the room like a man trapped in a cage. He paid little attention to the heavy rain as it pelted the old building. He knew nothing of the swollen rivers and muddy banks caused by three days of a heavy downpour that had left parts of the Mexican Baja flooded or destroyed. He heard nothing about the roads that were washed away or the homes that literally floated down the raging rivers.

He stumbled around the room, looking for his bottle of tequila. He spotted the bottle lying on the dirty, moldy carpet. He grabbed the half-empty bottle and took a long swig. He made a face and shook his head. He repeated the motion. He took a deep breath, took one last swig, and tossed the empty bottle on the unmade bed. He rubbed his hands through his hair and grabbed the back of his neck.

A plan. I need a plan, he thought. I need money. My broker has it all. All my millions. How can I get him to get it to me? I know the police are watching. Waiting for me to make a move. Who can I trust? I have plenty of money in the bank, but I know they're watching the bank, too. I have to get out of here. I must get across the border. But how? I know they will be checking. My picture has been in every newspaper and TV news show in the country. I got to find a way. I can't be captured.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and closed his eyes. He could feel his mouth trembling. His mind was running wild with thoughts. He began to recall what happened on that cool night. He could see the events that happened so clearly. As if they happened yesterday. He saw himself drive up the deserted street. He had been driving for what seemed like hours. He could see himself stepping calmly out of the car. He ambled up to the front door of the house. He had a key. He opened the door and slipped inside. He knew no one saw him. It was past midnight, and the street was dark and empty.

He saw himself standing at the base of the long, winding stairs that led to the second floor. He hesitated. He could feel his heart pounding. He could almost hear it as it beat rapidly in his aching chest. He knew he had to do this. He knew she had to be silenced. She had gone too far. She had almost ruined his life. He had to destroy hers.

He walked up the steps. He kept thinking of all the things she had done over the past few weeks. It was like a nightmare. She had destroyed or tried to destroy everything he had worked so hard to accomplish.

He saw it again. He saw himself strangling her. He looked down at his hands. They were twisting and turning as the sweat poured down his face. He made strange faces as he pulled and tugged, simulating every motion. His eyes opened wider, and his anger showed through his strained jaw. He was feeling the same feelings. He could see the life drift out of her body. He could see her twisted face. Her bulging eyes. He could see her dead. He could see it happen again.

His body shook for a second, then he collapsed limp on the bed. He lay still, trying to catch his breath. Suddenly, he sprang up. He tried to walk, but his legs were weak and limp. He could hardly move. He knew he could think better when he walked.

He took small steps, staggering aimlessly around the room, asking himself over and talking aloud. “What made me go over the edge and fall into the darkness of insanity? Why was I so easily seduced into the world of the computer game? A game that quickly turned into a nightmare that led to greed, power….and murder. What caused me to go totally out of control?

He sat back down on the edge of the bed and began to recall what had happened to him. His mind drifted back. Back to a year earlier. He closed his eyes. It all came back to him.

Buy

PRINT
Amazon

Genres