A Sample from The Adventures of Jon Burrows, Volume 3
Work continues nicely on the final in the three-part series. The final book takes Elvis/Jon through the 1970s as we struggles with foes old and new as well as searches for an exit strategy to get out of his line of work. Here’s a sample from 1972’s story, JUMPSUITS ARE FOREVER, focusing on two characters soon to play a big part in the book’s final pages…
That cover is a definite work in progress.
Armando covered his head and ducked as he turned, but he felt no injury. A moment later he learned why: The third and final intruder was on the ground, smoke rising from the hole in the back of his head. Standing over the corpse was Izan, holstering his weapon.
“Thank you.” Armando replied. His left shoulder was sagging a bit. Now that the adrenaline had simmered, he was feeling the pain. Izan helped him wrap the wound and even promised to set a patrol on the house in case more assassins came by.
“No.” Armando shot down the idea. “I’m leaving this place. I always knew the day would come when shadows of my past sought vengeance. I have killed many men in my work, and some I meant to kill slipped away. That was my carelessness and now this…” he glanced over at the trio of bodies still strewn across the living room floor. “is what I deserve for my carelessness.”
“And what do they deserve?”
“They’ve got it. They’re dead.”
“Yes, but what about the one who sent them.”
He chuckled at that. “So many missions in my time with Primera Defensa. So many possible names they could have been sent by.”
“I don’t think so.”
“No?”
“I’m sorry to say this but…I’m afraid it’s my fault they are here.” He let the words hang for a moment, allowing the giant to process and, perhaps, deduce his meaning.
“Explain yourself.”
“My rival is…a ruthless woman. It was from her that I wrestled away control of SMURF. Naturally she did not take kindly to losing such power. These assassins were not meant for you, my friend. They were meant for me. They were sent here by this woman…” He reached into his pocket and produced the image of Ann-Margaret, looking ravishing in a pink dress. “I suppose the trio we defeated together thought you had agreed to work with me to take her out, so they moved against you before coming for me.”
“I see.”
“Word of my leaving the country will soon find her ears. Hopefully this will be the last you have to see of them…” He smiled self-deprecatingly, “or of me.”
Izan nodded and turned before walking to the door to exit the house for good. “Wait.” Armando called back. Izan smiled in victory, though it went unseen by the giant. “I will help you.”
“Are you sure?”
“You saved my life and this woman who seeks such power…Anyone who would kill to obtain power is too dangerous to have it.”
“I completely agree.” Izan stepped back toward his gullible companion, drawing one last photograph from his breast pocket. “I will provide you will all the information you need on where to find your targets. Take them out and you can ensure a new order of peace will spread across the world.”
“Targets?” Armando repeated. “Who else is the target?”
Izan handed him the second picture, bearing the image of a man who looked the spitting image of Elvis Presley. “She will have a bodyguard near her. You’ll need to dispose of him, too.”
Armando stared at the duo of pictures, boring the images into his mind. “I will find this woman, I will kill the man who guards her, and then I will kill her, too.”
“Excellent.” Izan replied. “I believe she’s scheduled for an appearance this summer in New York City…”
The book will be done next month, Lord willing.