PROLOGUE
Legend says that overcast skies are nature's way of hiding evil, protecting the gods from seeing sinister deeds. So the clouds hovered, suspended by some unseen cosmic force. Even the Chicago winds weren't able to blow the thick clouds away. The sun had tried to make a showing, desperately seeking a flaw in the haze. But it finally gave up as dusk bullied its way in, permitting the sun one brief shining moment before sinking below the horizon.
Like a string of dominos, expressway lights clicked on in succession along the Bishop Ford Freeway. A thunderous crash filled the air. Billows of smoke drifted up, spewing grainy dust in front of headlights, pitting windshields.
In an attempt to avoid another vehicle, a semi had swerved onto the median plowing headlong into the center support pillar of the overpass. The collision had sent the back of the semi fish-tailing into a jackknife. Tires screeched and rubber burned as cars and trucks slammed on their brakes. Loud, shrill horns replaced the sound of the disintegrating column. Chunks of concrete pelted the cab of the semi sending the driver running for cover.
Above the cab wedged under the overpass, the concrete pillar began to change. As if flicking a pesky insect, another piece of concrete dropped away followed by others, pounding out a musical tune on the cab.
A portion of the pillar was taking form, a recognizable shape as it seemed to shrug out of its concrete tomb. Little by little, more of its tomb crumbled away revealing a town's long-kept secret. Fingers clenched tightly, a mouth silently screamed freedom. Eyes wide in terror reflected the victim's last fatal seconds.
Harvey Wilson had a story to tell. And only one person would be able to hear him.
YOU ARE READING
When the Dead Speak
Mystery / ThrillerThe body of a U.S. soldier reported AWOL during the Korean War is found encased in a concrete pillar. What secret did he carry to his grave and why is someone hell-bent on keeping that secret buried? Detective Sergeant Samantha Casey has an advantag...
