First Chapter: Fateful Connections by Karen Charles

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Title: Fateful Connections
Author: Karen Charles
Publisher: Bookbaby
Pages: 91
Genre: Thriller

Fateful Connections tells the story of four people brought together by the tragic events of 9/11 in the United States. These four individuals were attending a conference in Seattle, Washington, and found it nearly impossible to make it back to their homes, which were scattered across the country. They decide to rent a car and drive together, as they cannot get any flights home. As rental cars are also impossible to come upon, they find a friend who has access to a repossessed car, which he is willing to rent out. Unbeknownst to the friends, the rightful owner of the car wants his car back, and as they find out, hidden inside the car are drugs and guns. What ensues is a dangerous journey which impacts the four friends’ lives forever. The story follows them on their harrowing journey home, then one and two years later as they meet up for an annual reunion.

The strengths of this story are the easy-to-read narrative and compelling plot. The author introduces four intriguing main characters, as well as a number of antagonists, who hunt down the friends and engage in dangerous and illegal plans to not only recapture their guns and drugs, but also kill the friends so there are no witnesses to their illegal activities. The reader is instantly drawn into the storyline, and moves along with the characters as they experience fear, joy, love, and relief. The plot is compelling, and the reader cannot help but become invested in the lives of these four main characters.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41WDECT

Chapter One

Everyone was stunned. The conference room was hushed except for a gasp here and there. The gigantic screen above the stage had lit up with the news that the North Tower of the New York World Trade Center had been impaled by a massive jet liner. Fire was pouring from the eightieth-story windows. Was this a terrible accident? Eyes were glued to the report as first responders rushed to the horrific scene.

A round-table group of four looked at each other in disbelief. They watched, mesmerized by the enormity of the implications. Only eighteen minutes had gone by when a second Boeing 767 appeared, turning sharply toward the World Trade Center, and slicing into the seventy-fifth through the eighty-fifth floors of the South Tower. The massive explosion rained down burning debris. These were not accidents! America was under attack.

Planned closing conference speeches were immediately canceled. Speakers and participants were all dismissed. Henry, the group’s leader, suggested they all meet in the hotel bar. In quick agreement, they found a table where they could continue to watch the news. No one wanted to hang out in his room alone. They somberly ordered drinks as they listened to President Bush call the events a terrorist attack on our country. Six minutes later, Flight 77 crashed into the western façade of the Pentagon. At 9:37 in the morning, the building would be full of military and civilian personnel.

The traumatized conference group sipped their drinks in shock. The sudden collapse of the South Tower was too much to take in for Harper. Her big, brown eyes filled with tears as she tightly hugged herself. Another hour went by before they heard of another plane crashing into a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

Ethan, sensing how upset everyone was feeling, suggested they head up to his suite. The Bell Harbor International Conference Center on the waterfront in Seattle offered spacious suites where they could continue to watch the news. Rain ran in rivulets down his expansive windows, obscuring his waterfront view. No one was interested in the view anyway. Without asking anyone what they wanted, he ordered lunch and drinks for all.

Owen plopped down in the closest easy chair to the TV. President Bush was announcing that U.S. Navy destroyers had been dispatched to New York and Washington, DC.

“Owen, you have a brother living in New York, don’t you?” asked Henry.

“I do,” Owen answered, with a little catch in his voice. “He shouldn’t have any reason to be near the Trade Center. I’ll give him a call.”

Owen called, leaving a message to return his call as soon as possible.

The foursome munched their way through the afternoon, rarely taking their eyes off the dreadful news. Owen had just stepped out onto the covered balcony for a breath of fresh air when he heard a scream. He rushed back into the sitting room. Harper had her hand over her mouth, sobbing softly. Henry had his strong arm around her shoulders trying to comfort her. The second tower had collapsed after burning for hours. The lower floors had been evacuated. The unspeakable terror seemed nonstop.

President Bush was making another announcement. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued the first national ground stop in US history, prohibiting departures for all civilian aircraft. After the third hijacked plane struck the Pentagon, all aircraft were ordered to land at the nearest airport. Three and a half hours after the first plane hit, all US airspace was clear.

Suddenly, Ethan, who had been unusually quiet, jumped to his feet. “Our flights!” he yelled. “We don’t have any way to get home!”

The room was silent. “Maybe we could rent a car,” Harper suggested.

Henry sprang into action, calling every car rental agency in Seattle. Nothing was available. Dismayed, he sank into his chair. “What are we going to do now?”

After thoughtful silence, Owen spoke up. “I have a friend over on Yesler Way who repossesses cars. Maybe he might have an idea what we could do.”

Everyone agreed, hoping for a solution to their transportation dilemma. Ethan had to get home to San Jose, California; Owen to Santa Clarita, California; Harper to Phoenix, Arizona; and Henry to Austin, Texas. All of them, industry-leading CEOs of No. 1 ranked companies, had flown in to attend this elite executive conference.

Owen interrupted a conversation about the ramifications of air travel being halted. “My friend Jimmy says he has a car we can use. They don’t usually rent them, but in these unusual circumstances, he doesn’t see any problem. It was repossessed a while ago, so the guy has had lots of time to make up his payments. Jimmy said we can pick it up anytime.”

“Wait a minute,” objected Ethan. “Are you sure it’s legal?”

“We don’t have any other options,” confirmed Owen.

“Let’s pack, get some sleep, and leave in the morning,” instructed Henry, always the leader.

Jimmy had the car ready for them early the next day.

“What happens if that guy gets the money and comes back for his car?” asked Ethan, still worried about this being a smart idea.

“He’s probably got another set of wheels by now,” answered Jimmy. “Don’t think we’ll ever see his ugly face again!”

About Karen Charles

Karen Charles is a children’s book author and educator. She lives with her husband on a beautiful bay in Washington State. Her latest book is the thriller, Fateful Connections.

Website: https://karenrabe18.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenra24229683

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