Cruel Lessons (Lessons in Peril Book 1)
by Randy Overbeck
BLURB
On a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a
dangerous new hallucinogen and die in a horrific accident, their deaths
shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks, hoping to redeem
a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the district
investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins,
the cops make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real
pusher is still out there, poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous
threat: if he continues, those close to him will pay. Is Parks willing to risk
those he loves for a chance at redemption?
Four kids dead. Can Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks unmask the drug dealer poisoning his students before more kids die?
EXCERPT
From
the bend, the road descended quickly and Amanda felt the car picking up speed
as gravity and its powerful engine propelled it downhill. As she approached the
next turn, she realized she was coming in a little too fast. She slid her foot
to the brake. Her concentration on steering the twisting road ahead, at first
it didn’t register. She dared to take her gaze off the road and look down at
her feet before she understood. When her right foot depressed the brake, the
pedal glided all the way to the floor. No friction. She pulled her foot back
and slammed on the brake again. The pedal slid all the way down. Unbelieving,
she pumped it, again and again.
There
was nothing there.
She
jerked her eyes back. The hairpin turn hurtled at her. On instinct, she kept
jamming on the pedal. It was supposed to work. She turned the wheel
wildly. The big car shuddered as it tried to negotiate the turn. The two rear
wheels slipped off the pavement, spinning in space. With the front wheel drive,
the front two tires managed enough traction to catch. The car veered around the
curve and headed down the next straight incline. The heavy vehicle rolled
faster again as gravity pulled it down the hill.
Amanda’s
mind reeled. What was she supposed to do?
Struggling desperately to
force her mind to think, Amanda tried to consider her options. It was all
happening too quickly. The next treacherous turn came at her fast. She had no
way to slow down. White knuckles gripped the steering wheel.
The bend ahead showed a hard
curve to the right, not quite as tight as the last one, but steeper. And she
felt the car accelerating, though she hadn’t touched the gas pedal. Right
before the car hit the curve, Amanda spun the steering wheel. The car lurched
around the bend. The driver side of the car lifted up. Halfway through the long
bend, Amanda watched the hood tilt in the turn until it was almost vertical. No
seat belt on, she was catapulted down the leather seat, crashing into the
passenger door.
“Hell!” she cried, reaching
to grab her bruised shoulder.
She froze as the two wheels
still on the ground shuddered in the gravel, sliding off the small road.
Slammed against the side door, she heard the tall weeds and low branches whip
against the body. But the car didn’t slow. Blood streamed from a gash on her
forehead. For an instant she lay there stretched across the passenger door,
holding her breath.
Then she sensed the car teetering.
The front tire bumped something hard. Amanda stared, unbelieving, as the car
began to flip. As the Regal made the first revolution, she screamed.
AUTHOR
More info about his novels, programs and podcast can be
found at his website www.authorrandyoverbeck.com.
randyoverbeck@authorrandyoverbeck.com
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