McGann returns in a geo-political thriller involving nemesis Stephan Kholos, and a Washington,D.C. cabal bent on replacing the world's G-8 leaders and orchestrting a global financial meltdown. Join McGann in this edge-of-your-seat thriller that will take you on a fast paced journey from Amsterdam to the Southewestern Pacific and a final showdown in the nation's capital
The inexplicable disappearance of two honeymooners in the Pacific, the surprise unearthing of an ancient Viking ship and mysterious copper ingot in Vermont, the discovery of the incredible Oduru diamond - seemingly unrelated events - lead Bryson McGann into a tangled plot that, if allowed to succeed, will have disastrous consequences for the entire civilized world. His efforts to connect the dots place him on the front lines of a deadly gun battle in the streets of Amsterdam. Fighting for his life, he is shocked by the recognition of a disturbing face from his past.
Stephan "The Greek" Kholos, an archnemesis of McGann, is hell-bent on retribution through a cabal whose actions are centered around a plot hatched by the treasonous Washington, D.C. based Carlton Trust. Their plans include total distruption of the world's economies through destruction of global fiancial markets and replacement of the world's G-8 leaders with duplicitous impostors. Their goal is nothing less than world domination.
In this action-packed sequel to H.A.A.R.P.'S FURY, Bryson McGann faces nearly impossible odds in his efforts to thwart "The Greek" and Carlton Trust in their sinister gamble for unlimited power. Not only his life, but the lives of millions of others hinge on his ability to solve the riddles. For the world, time is running out...
Excerpt
The serene, tropical fabric was shattered by a pulse-ripping
explosion precariously reverberating across the face of the shoreline’s
steep pinnacles. Their pleasurable moment was erased. Instantly alert,
McGann searched the ocean for any indication of danger. He could
find nothing to indicate they were in immediate peril. Yet, the fact
that an explosion occurred, coupled with their inadvertent dance with
death in Amsterdam, brought to life a very serious potential. The blue
waters of the Pacific, seemingly immune to the trouble, took little
notice of their predicament.
“What was that?” Tori cried out, confounded, a specter of
uncertainty rising up in disquieting alarm.
“I’m not sure, but I have an idea,” her companion returned, “and it
isn’t good.” McGann surmised the situation, fully realizing the
possibilities. His mouth tightened. “Tori, whatever happens, do
exactly as I tell you.” Bryson McGann’s voice possessed a calmness,
yet his words left no doubt to the meaning of his command. “No
questions, okay?”
The beautiful woman sitting in the kayak next to McGann wore a
mask of trepidation. The implications of what occurred brought back
buried memories of the deadly gun battle. She had just begun to close
the envelope on those painful visions, and now, a maelstrom of
uncertainty encircled the volcanologist. Her pupils dilated. She felt a
tightness of apprehension filling her chest. Tori fought the raspy
dryness coming to life in her throat, swallowing hard against it.
Silently, she nodded in recognition of McGann’s directive.
Bryson McGann weighed the options before them. The steep,
insurmountable cliffs above offered no protection, but were also an
unlikely spot for anyone peering down on the couple through the
powerful lens of a rifle scope. Staying put was not even worth
consideration. No protection. Deeper water offered the same
impracticality. Paddling back to the spot where they had landed might
offer hope. At some point, someone would come looking, if they
survived. It could also bring them face to face with the perpetrator of
the explosion. McGann winced at the thought, certain of what awaited
them on the once peaceful beach. “I’ve got a plan.”
A ridge of concern grew between Haroldson’s brow. She felt her
pulse shift gears with the unknown.
“Look. We don’t have a lot of choices. An attack could come
from the air, but I suspect it’ll be from a boat. Problem is, the tide’s
coming in. Wind’s picking up. It’ll get rough close to shore.” Mc
Gann stopped in mid-sentence, scanning the water before continuing.
“We’ll have to be out beyond the breakers. That leaves two choices.
Try and go in the opposite direction and hope someone picks us up.
However, that’s doubtful. This part of the coast is pretty barren. Or,
we can take the offensive. Not a real great choice either.”
“Do you think…” She attempted to digest everything McGann
said, while wrestling with the fear. “How about walking back?”
“We’d stand out like sitting ducks on the beach.”
Tori brightened momentarily. “What about your satellite phone?”
she asked, hopeful.
“Sorry. Forgot to bring it. It was in the helicopter.” McGann
replied, chewing at the corner of his lip.
“We can call when...” Haroldson stopped in mid-sentence,
puzzlement replacing her soft features. “Was?”
“Tori, that explosion was the helicopter.” McGann let it sink in.
He realized she might have guessed that, but was unable to accept the
fact without hearing it from him. He had seen similar things occur in
combat. The sudden shock of being thrust into the unknown was a
recipe that had devoured soldiers, particularly those whose fears
overwhelmed them at critical junctures. An inability to comprehend
impending danger was something that many times got people killed.
McGann quickly pulled the strings, closing the circle on their only
choice. “Follow my lead. If you can’t keep up, say so.” He observed
her carefully, confident in her abilities. McGann knew Haroldson
possessed a strong will - she was a woman of great determination -
when she put her mind to it. “Let’s go.”
The duo dug their paddles deeply into the clear blue waters,
quickly gaining speed. She kept the pace, resolute in her actions.
McGann’s powerful shoulders worked in machine-like fashion, as
they moved along without speaking, conserving their energy. The
sound of their heavy breathing was swept away on the increasing
breeze. In unison, they followed an outline of a small headland. Faced
with no other choice, they pushed farther from land when the winds
grew and the seas rose up. Being swept up by crashing breakers and tossed against the towering cliffs was not an option. Consigning
themselves to fate, they continued the grueling pace.
From a distance the muffled sound of a boat’s engine caught their
attention. McGann spotted it, acutely aware of the impending danger.
The sleek-hulled craft rode a course straight in their direction.
Together, they bobbed on the swelling seas, concern etching
McGann’s face, while the boat rapidly closed the gap between them.
“Tori,” McGann said calmly. He turned to look at her. “I don’t
think that boat’s here to help.”
“What?” Tori Haroldson licked the dryness from her lips. The hot
sun was beginning to burn her shoulders, but she barely noticed. Her
eyes took in the scene playing out like another bad Hollywood drama.
It all seemed surreal. “Oh, God, no. Why…”
“Tori. Stop. You know the plan. It’s our only chance.” McGann
added as an after thought, returning his attention on the speeding boat.
His entire focus was on playing the angles, hoping their slim chance
of surviving would become a reality.
Stephan Kholos bore down on the two kayaks with murderous
vengeance. A meaty, left fist held the wheel in check, as he stood at
the helm, confident in his objective. The other held the binoculars to
his eyes, their image stabilization allowing his gaze to be riveted on
his nearing target. At top speed, he knew Solange’s boat would filet
the kayaks, bringing a permanent end to McGann’s meddling.
Revenge was a plate he relished, one he enjoyed serving cold and
deadly. Instinctively, his hand relinquished its tight grasp, permitting
a slight course adjustment. Within seconds he would be upon them,
and then quickly carry out his escape. The blue-shirted tourist would
disappear, forgotten, and few would notice. Solange’s boat would
burn to the waterline, leaving no trace of its pilot.
The two kayaks moved straight towards the oncoming vessel,
offering a weak challenge against a much stronger opponent. Sweat
inched out from under McGann’s cap, trickling along his chin. Tori
Haroldson was his responsibility. His idea of a fun filled jaunt had
disintegrated into a life threatening tale. McGann had wasted little
time parsing his decision. He only hoped their assailant would decide
not to linger after completing his task. They were out of time. The
boat was on them. “Now,” McGann shouted.
In unison, both kayaks moved at an angle away from the deadly
water craft. At the last moment, McGann looked up, catching a
glimpse of the murderer in the boat’s cockpit. A wicked grin filled the
man’s face, the same face McGann saw in the back seat of the Lexus
sedan in Amsterdam. He reacted automatically, praying it would be
enough.
Kholos heard and felt the kayaks strike the hull of his boat. The
bow tore through them, sending shards of fiberglass in all directions.
“The Greek” kept the boat’s throttle pushed to the limits, holding the
rpm’s near the redline. Kholos threw a long, hard defiant stare into the
wake of his boat. Pieces of debris floated on the surface. There were
no signs of life. Confident his actions ended as planned, Kholos spun
the wheel, turning the craft into the direction from which he had
come. The craft’s wake only briefly marked the man and woman’s
watery grave. Sated by the death of McGann and the blonde woman,
“The Greek” was now able to fully concentrate on the next aspect of his elaborate scheme.
Part mystery, part fantasy with a twist of science fiction, Clues of Chaos is brimming with suspense and adventure that will have you racing to the end yourself.
Winner 2016 Pacific Rim Book Festival in Science Fiction category. Honored as
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