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JoAnn Smith Ainsworth
a book bubble about
Expect Trouble
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Author Insight
Rooms, rooms, everywhere and not a chair to sit on
First day of the new assignment for the naval commander and first day for the top secret facility, an uninhabited Philadelphia mansion. Furniture and most of the staff have yet to arrive, but these inconveniences aren't the greatest challenge the commander will be facing...as he has yet to find out.
Book Excerpt
Expect Trouble
Walt got his driver to assist and before long the men maneuvered Livvy out of the back seat. The driver shut the Ford’s door and carried the blankets. Walt carried the thermos and pointed out icy hazards along the way. As Trey was crossing the driveway with Livvy safely in his arms, he became aware his lieutenant wasn’t as plump as she once was. She still wore those huge glasses, though.He safely maneuvered the slippery steps and gave Walt the key to open the front door.On entering, Trey realized there was no sign of his security staff having been to Hamilton House. What an unfortunate start to his first official day. All his staff were late and an explosion marred his first assignment.Trey deposited Livvy into one of the two office chairs and Walt’s driver arranged the blankets around her. With no heat in the mansion, he didn’t even offer to take the men’s coats, even though, ironically, there were two oak coat racks standing near the building’s only other furnishings: two scarred oak office desks and two chairs.Trey turned to Walt. “What are these orders you have for me?”Walt looked around. “We’ll need a place to talk where we won’t be overheard.”Trey harrumphed. “We’ve got twenty rooms in this place. Pick one.”“A place with a table.”“Now that’s more difficult. As you can see, we’re not set up yet.” The opened doors revealed the bare parlor and dining room.“We’ll improvise,” Walt said.“I’m not even sure if the electricity is turned on. It wasn’t when I left this morning.” Trey walked to the wall socket and flicked the switch. The crystal chandelier centered at the foot of the grand staircase flared on. “Progress.” Having grown up in impressive homes, he could appreciate the quality of the thick crystals.“I need to show you some documents,” Walt said. “Let’s take one of these desks into a room.”Trey pointed left toward a door near the back hallway. That office was an interior room with no windows. He preferred a window but thought it more important to safeguard the secret documents he’d have to read, rather than have a view. “I plan to use that room as my office. We can carry a desk in there.”Livvy was struggling to rise as if to give up her office chair to the two men. “Stay put, Lieutenant.” She slumped back down with a relieved expression on her face.The three men carried an oak desk into the back office. The driver then rolled the second oak office chair into the room while carrying a coat rack in his other hand. The men hung their hats on the rack but kept their coats buttoned. Walt put his briefcase on the desk.“I’d appreciate it if your driver would see if he can get the furnace going.”Walt gave the order and the driver left for the basement, closing the office door behind himself.Trey turned to his friend. “Let’s see what these orders are that you have for me.”
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