Chapter One:
Talcott, West Virginia:
The night was so cold he could see his breath as he slammed down the trunk on his car. He'd stayed late at the office trying to talk the health and safety officer down. Not just them but the lawyer firm as well.
No one else complained about the work situation it was just this one woman. Complaining about this, that and the other so he had her fired. He couldn't have someone like that causing problems for him.
The bank was already calling for the loan to be repaid and the last few houses hadn't been put up without a load of hitches.
Running a hand through his hair he wished desperately for a cigarette and cursed his wife for making him stop. Patting his coat he realised he'd left his phone on his desk. Cursing again he headed back inside.
His office door closed behind him and the soft lock clicked.
Pushing aside some papers his phone fell onto the floor. Cursing again he knelt down to retrieve it feeling it touch his finger tips and not fully into his hand.
Hearing a noise behind him he turned slightly and a pain beyond any other connected with his head. He felt his body sink to the ground and a low moan emitted from his mouth. He could feel a line of something run down his forehead and the world began to darken.
A low whistle and then another explosion and all he could feel was the pulse throbbing slowly and sluggishly and that was all he felt.