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    To Love and Die
    To Love and Die
    To Love and Die
    Ebook129 pages1 hour

    To Love and Die

    By Pro Se Press

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    About this ebook

    Love makes The World Go ‘Round... Until it Kills You. Pro Se Productions, a leader in New Pulp Fiction, presents a Romance collection like no other- TO LOVE AND DIE! Romance has endured for centuries as the most popular genre in entertainment, even in the era of Classic Pulp! Pro Se Productions harkens back to Love with a Razor’s Edge in TO LOVE AND DIE. Three stories that look at the blessed curse that has plagued men and women literally since time began through a Pulp prism. Authors Mark Bousquet, Bonnie J. Sterling, and Phillip Drayer Duncan put their hearts on the line with three tales of Lust, Passion, Love, Hate, and more. Love is hard. Find out just how hard in the first Romance collection from Pro Se Productions- TO LOVE AND DIE. Featuring one of three stunning covers done for this collection by Pulp Artist Adam Shaw!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPro Se Press
    Release dateFeb 6, 2014
    To Love and Die
    Author

    Pro Se Press

    Based in Batesville, Arkansas, Pro Se Productions has become a leader on the cutting edge of New Pulp Fiction in a very short time.Pulp Fiction, known by many names and identified as being action/adventure, fast paced, hero versus villain, over the top characters and tight, yet extravagant plots, is experiencing a resurgence like never before. And Pro Se Press is a major part of the revival, one of the reasons that New Pulp is growing by leaps and bounds.

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      Book preview

      To Love and Die - Pro Se Press

      TO LOVE AND DIE

      Copyright © 2014 Pro Se Productions

      Published by Pro Se Press at Smashwords

      The stories in this publication are fictional. All of the characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing of the publisher.

      Troubled Waters copyright © 2014 Bonnie Sterling

      For the Love of the Serpent copyright © 2014 Phillip Drayer Duncan

      Come Bite the Apple copyright © 2014 Mark Bousquet

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      TROUBLED WATERS

      by Bonnie Sterling

      FOR THE LOVE OF THE SERPENT

      By Phillip Drayer Duncan

      COME BITE THE APPLE

      by Mark Bousquet

      ABOUT THE AUTHORS

      TROUBLED WATERS

      by Bonnie Sterling

      The heat made it impossible to keep a jacket on. If it wasn’t for the shade of the trees, Joe Kannon was sure he’d melt. He leaned his six-foot frame against the oak providing his shade and hung his jacket from one of its branches. It was a convenient spot for keeping an eye on his target. How the locals could stand the heat, he didn’t know. In a few years when the 1936 heatwave wilted the nation, he’d recall this summer fondly, but for now he grimaced and worked hard at not complaining. For the past month, Joe had walked and drove through the little hick town of Hot Springs, Arkansas learning what he could about the people. Last month, he was Joseph Kannon, P.I., one of the best New York had to offer. He put away criminals and uncovered crooked politicians. Politician and criminal alike knew that Kannon could not be bribed or intimidated. He could be relied on to see a job through to the end. Now he’d become Joe Kannon, FBI stooge and mafia investigator. Where’d he go wrong? He liked to pretend, even if only briefly, he didn’t know. It always led back to the dame and his last two cases. Solving the first one earned him a knife scar on his right shoulder and a medal from the mayor. The last one had earned him a broken heart and a night in jail for being drunk and disorderly. It was the disorderly part that botched the FBI sting. They agreed not to prosecute if he did a favor for them.

      Now the FBI wanted information on Owen Owney Madden. So they asked reliable old Joe to leave the seamy streets of New York to swelter in the steamy streets of Hot Springs. He’d been here a few days and already had the lay of the land, and a good fix on Madden’s schedule. The ex-con left Sing Sing prison sixteen months ago and made his way to Arkansas. There were many that expected him back in New York. Madden’s extended stay in Hot Springs had the FBI wondering. It seemed he’d kept his connections to New York to himself and developed an upstanding reputation with the locals. Three o’clock every day for the past two weeks, Madden visited this post office. Today was no exception, and it was time to get to see what the fuss was about. Kannon gave Madden time to get inside, grabbed his jacket from the tree branch, and followed Madden into the post office. For a young man in his early thirties, Madden looked unhealthy. According to rumor, Madden’s health was the reason he was in Hot Springs. The waters might have been miraculous, but Kannon doubted the water was keeping Madden in this rustic town when the latest medical research could be found in New York.

      Oh, Mr. Madden, you’re such a flatterer. A young woman standing about five foot six inches tall was enjoying the attention she was getting from the man. She looked past Madden. Can I help you, Mister?

      I can wait. Just need to get this letter mailed.

      Oh, I can get that. I help my father when I’m not working at the gift-shop. He is in the back getting some things for Mr. Madden and will be a few more minutes.

      Thank you. Just sending this to Winoka, Kansas. It’s to my sister. Joe tilted his hat at the young lady and watched her walk away, giving every appearance of being interested in the shapely legs that walked the other direction.

      Excuse me, but do I know you? Madden was leaned over the counter when Kannon walked in, but stood and turned to face the newcomer.

      Don’t know, do you? Kannon eyed Madden calmly.

      You look like someone I knew once in another life. I can tell by your attire that you aren’t from around here. This is a peaceful town, you know. The water here is healing. It brings people from all over. It’s the reason I’m here. You here to enjoy the baths?

      A friend told me about this place said I should check it out. So I’m here to relax and take it all in. The baths are quite relaxing.

      Here’s your change, Mr.?

      Just call me Joe…Miss? Joe gave her a wink and smile that had worked well for him in the past.

      Agnes, Agnes Demby. Here’s your change, Joe.

      Agnes…girl! Come here. A strong but grizzled with age voice sounded from another room. Seconds later a graying head peered around the corner. The postmaster cap was affixed to his head and he gave Joe a cursory glance. I’ll be with you in just a moment.

      Excuse me, gentlemen. Agnes walked away still talking, but now to her father. I’ve already given Joe his mail, father… Her voice trailed off.

      I’m sure that I’ll remember who you are, Madden spoke softly and moved closer to Kannon, But considering that I may know you, I should probably let you know that this is neutral ground. I’m not sure which family you are with, but a bit of advice, if I may. Leave your business off the streets. I’m sure we can agree that this southern oasis would be better without the stain of anymore northern aggression, can we not? By now Madden was standing nose to nose with Kannon. Steely green eyes bore into calm brown ones, neither willing to be the first to look away. However, Agnes came forward with a box of bottles to hand to Madden. Her arrival pulled the men apart and Kannon took this opportunity to leave.

      The slightly British flavor of Madden’s speech still struck Kannon as funny considering how long he’d been in the states, but the meaning behind the words was anything but humorous. Joe hoped to be able to give the FBI all they wanted before Madden remembered his name and Hot Springs became even hotter.

      ***

      Are you sure you don’t want to come to the baths today, Lilly? Edith Elaine spoke to her only child. The young woman was fidgeting with her watch, her dark shoulder length hair curled in to frame a face that spoke of passion and independence, something her father could not understand.

      No, Mother, I have some errands to run. I want to pick up some presents for our trip back to Georgia. There is a lovely homemade soap at the gift shop Agnes works in that I want to purchase. You enjoy the baths. I know how they relax you.

      Thank you, darling. I’ll be done in about an hour. Then we need to get back. Your grandmother is hosting a tea and expects us to be present. Oh and give Agnes my best.

      With a quick kiss on her mother’s cheek, Lilly headed to the Arlington Hotel. Time alone was a precious commodity. With her father monitoring every potential suitor and everywhere she went, Lilly made the most of opportunities to slip away when her easy-going mother was busily occupied with her treatments or hair appointments. Today was especially exciting as Patrick awaited her for lunch at the Arlington. Anxious to see if the brisk walk and her impetuous run up the steps to the wide wrap around veranda had disheveled her look, Lilly stopped to catch her reflection in the glass just as she was walking to the door. Her yellow dress was bright and cheerful, reminding her of her namesake flower. Her brown locks drooped some from the heat and she took a moment to push them into place. Looking past her reflection into the hotel, she was startled to see a handsome gentleman sitting at a nearby table watching her. Slightly embarrassed from being watched as she primped, she stuck her tongue out at him, a coy smile playing on her lips and dancing in her eyes.

      Walking into the hotel, her thoughts turned to her lunch companion. Patrick Maguire made her heart race. Tall and handsome, Patrick had first caught her attention with his charming Irish accent. He was a well-dressed and smooth talking gentleman from Chicago. They met for the first time at a ball at the Arlington. The hotel had been rebuilt after a fire a few years before and was more beautiful than ever. Dances were one of the few social events her father allowed the family to attend that wasn’t hosted by the family or the church.

      Taking one last peek at her lipstick in her compact, Lilly noticed the gentleman that had seen her from the window was also dining. He winked at her as she passed his table. She snapped her compact closed and put it away, refusing to acknowledge his teasing. Patrick stood as she approached and pulled out her chair. Lovely, Lilly. The air is sweeter now that you’re here.

      "I’m sure you’ve used

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