Author: | Jackie Ullerich | ISBN: | 9781936587681 |
Publisher: | Brighton Publishing LLC | Publication: | October 13, 2011 |
Imprint: | Smashwords Edition | Language: | English |
Author: | Jackie Ullerich |
ISBN: | 9781936587681 |
Publisher: | Brighton Publishing LLC |
Publication: | October 13, 2011 |
Imprint: | Smashwords Edition |
Language: | English |
At a posh Victorian home in San Francisco’s exclusive Pacific Heights, Kelly Myers attends a political fund-raiser. There, she meets powerful executive Larry Townsend. Back in Los Angeles where Kelly is an aspiring actress and Larry runs a construction business, the couple date, fall in love and make plans for their wedding and a honeymoon in Acapulco.
The wedding ceremony and setting reflect a dream-like perfection. For Larry, however, trouble intrudes in the form of an uninvited wedding guest who, he’s certain, has been stalking him. During the reception Larry confides to his attorney, that he has been the victim of harassment and intimidation in a plot to derail his efforts to break away from a business venture that is outside the law.
Larry begins to suspect that it is more than a coincidence that the stalker turns up everywhere he and Kelly appear. He soon realizes he is a marked man.
During their honeymoon Larry goes scuba diving alone and does not return. A search locates Larry’s boat and equipment but no sign of him, and he is presumed dead.
A devastated Kelly returns to Los Angeles and discovers her apartment and Larry’s home have been broken into and trashed. Nothing appears to be missing except Kelly’s journal.
Kelly buries herself in her stage work but falls apart after a curtain call one evening when she spots the stalker in the audience. Just before Kelly leaves on a trip, Larry's attorney is shocked to learn Larry is still alive. In a letter postmarked from Mexico, Larry explains he faked his death to save his life and protect Kelly when his efforts to end his involvement in a money laundering activity placed their lives in jeopardy. Though Larry ponders returning home to expose those involved, there are signs someone harbors suspicions about his presumed death and is on his trail. Kelly is not to be told he is alive as this would place her in harm’s way.
When Kelly returns home, she learns there is a dark side emerging out of Larry’s past. Though the attorney honors Larry’s request to keep his survival a secret, he does reveal her husband’s participation in an illegal enterprise. He emphasizes Larry’s determination to break with this operation, but Kelly now questions her husband’s integrity and character.
In the meantime, Kelly seeks refuge with her mother and stepfather and tells them about the letter from Larry. While in San Francisco, Kelly receives a phone call advising Larry has returned.
Kelly has reservations about their relationship but agrees to meet with him. He explains that when he was struggling with his construction business, he had an opportunity to make some easy money in what he thought was a corporate stock manipulation scheme. When he learned it was part of a drug money laundering venture, he tried to withdraw, but without success. He also explains the motive for faking his death. He expresses anguish over what he has put Kelly through and professes his love for her.
Although Kelly has not stopped loving Larry, their situation cannot be resolved that simply. Through a series of deceptions, death and betrayal they learn about the lust for greed in the underworld of crime, and fight to keep their love intact.
At a posh Victorian home in San Francisco’s exclusive Pacific Heights, Kelly Myers attends a political fund-raiser. There, she meets powerful executive Larry Townsend. Back in Los Angeles where Kelly is an aspiring actress and Larry runs a construction business, the couple date, fall in love and make plans for their wedding and a honeymoon in Acapulco.
The wedding ceremony and setting reflect a dream-like perfection. For Larry, however, trouble intrudes in the form of an uninvited wedding guest who, he’s certain, has been stalking him. During the reception Larry confides to his attorney, that he has been the victim of harassment and intimidation in a plot to derail his efforts to break away from a business venture that is outside the law.
Larry begins to suspect that it is more than a coincidence that the stalker turns up everywhere he and Kelly appear. He soon realizes he is a marked man.
During their honeymoon Larry goes scuba diving alone and does not return. A search locates Larry’s boat and equipment but no sign of him, and he is presumed dead.
A devastated Kelly returns to Los Angeles and discovers her apartment and Larry’s home have been broken into and trashed. Nothing appears to be missing except Kelly’s journal.
Kelly buries herself in her stage work but falls apart after a curtain call one evening when she spots the stalker in the audience. Just before Kelly leaves on a trip, Larry's attorney is shocked to learn Larry is still alive. In a letter postmarked from Mexico, Larry explains he faked his death to save his life and protect Kelly when his efforts to end his involvement in a money laundering activity placed their lives in jeopardy. Though Larry ponders returning home to expose those involved, there are signs someone harbors suspicions about his presumed death and is on his trail. Kelly is not to be told he is alive as this would place her in harm’s way.
When Kelly returns home, she learns there is a dark side emerging out of Larry’s past. Though the attorney honors Larry’s request to keep his survival a secret, he does reveal her husband’s participation in an illegal enterprise. He emphasizes Larry’s determination to break with this operation, but Kelly now questions her husband’s integrity and character.
In the meantime, Kelly seeks refuge with her mother and stepfather and tells them about the letter from Larry. While in San Francisco, Kelly receives a phone call advising Larry has returned.
Kelly has reservations about their relationship but agrees to meet with him. He explains that when he was struggling with his construction business, he had an opportunity to make some easy money in what he thought was a corporate stock manipulation scheme. When he learned it was part of a drug money laundering venture, he tried to withdraw, but without success. He also explains the motive for faking his death. He expresses anguish over what he has put Kelly through and professes his love for her.
Although Kelly has not stopped loving Larry, their situation cannot be resolved that simply. Through a series of deceptions, death and betrayal they learn about the lust for greed in the underworld of crime, and fight to keep their love intact.