Shattered Order: A Psychological Crime Thriller (Shattered Survival Thrillers Book 3) Read online

  Shattered Order

  Shattered Survival Thrillers Book 3

  S.J. Braden

  Shattered Order: Shattered Survival Thrillers Book 3

  ©2020 Scarlett J Braden

  All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations em- bodied in critical articles or reviews.

  NOTE: Previously published as Terror on the Bluff: Providence in Ecuador Book 3 Copyright © 2016 by Scarlett Braden and Eclipsing the Eagle ©2018 Scarlett Braden

  For information contact :

  Scarlett Braden

  http://www.scarlettbraden.com

  Cover design by Elizabeth Mackey Graphics

  ISBN:

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Thank you!

  About the Author:

  This book is dedicated to Mary and Ed, the inspiration for Colleen and Court. They are an inspiring couple, friends extraordinaire, fantastic pet parents, all around humanitarians and loved by many. Thanks for being my friends. I hope you can make it to Ecuador soon.

  Chapter 1

  “I heard she lost a case once and cut off her arm. That's why she only has one.”

  “You know they call her Stilleto-mageddon, right? I've heard she can remove one of those stilettos and hurl it with pin-point accuracy with her one arm.”

  “I also heard she has super hearing. I might get to see that stiletto action as she hurls one at you two for talking about her. I wonder if she can hit both of you with one heel.”

  Colleen McAllister did indeed have good hearing, although she wouldn’t call it a superpower. It was good enough to hear the law students in the rear of the small courtroom, though. Colleen always had a hard time stifling her laughter when she heard the stories about herself. Let them wonder, was her motto. The law student’s banter at the rear of the room was a welcome distraction as she waited. She gazed around the familiar courtroom. The gleaming dark wood paneling and benches, the state and U.S. flags, the traditional black and white tile all felt like a comfortable chair before a warm fireplace while at the same time stirring the ladybugs that tickled her stomach in anticipation while she waited. The room smelled of lemons from the layers of furniture polish used on the walls, the railings, and the tables. The only sounds in the room, besides the law student’s hushed whispers, were an occasional cough. The Maden family all sat stoically on the defense side of the court behind the patriarch of the family seated at the defense table, hands cuffed and ankles shackled. Colleen stared at the wall clock, above the door to the judge’s chamber as she waited impatiently for the door to open and the black robe clad judge to enter the room. Her breath caught as the door opened and the bailiff stood.

  “All rise. The United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee is now in session. The Honorable Justice Mackey, presiding.”

  Outside the Federal Courthouse in Memphis, a throng of reporters covered the sidewalk waiting for the news of the verdict. It was late Friday afternoon and all the station managers hoped for the verdict to break while the weekday anchors were still on duty. The trial, billed as the trial of the century, the first RICO case tried in Memphis of a local man, and prosecuted by legal guru U.S. Attorney Colleen McAllister. McAllister was regarded affectionately throughout the legal community as Stiletto-mageddon. She was fierce and no one could recall her losing a case. Her illustrious career and unique style provided plenty of fodder to entertain the listening and viewing public during the breaking news coverage waiting for the verdict.

  “We are outside the federal courthouse awaiting the verdict in the trial of Rodney ‘The Snake’ Maden. Maden is a Memphis native who was indicted by the grand jury on two counts of bribery, six counts of money laundering, forty-seven counts of drug trafficking, thirty-two counts of pimping and promoting and four counts of conspiracy to commit murder. U.S. Attorney Colleen McAllister is prosecuting the case. McAllister, known for her finesse of the courtroom, her tough as nails approach to prosecution, an impeccable record for winning cases and her trademark style, her collection of stiletto heels. We are getting news now, the verdict has been read. Guilty on all counts. Repeating Rodney Maden is now convicted of all counts. We will bring you interviews live as soon as the attorneys leave the courthouse. For now, this is Sheffield Davis reporting, WBCT, TV6 Bluff City News.”

  As the bailiff led Rodney Maden from the courtroom, his gaze drilled into Colleen McAllister. His face was a perfect portrait of frustration and disbelief, the throbbing in the veins of his forehead visible across the room. His voice, however, was strong and clear as he stated, “You haven’t heard the last of me.”

  Though Colleen felt the words travel up her spine like a centipede and raise the thin tiny hairs along her neck, she stared back making strong unblinking eye contact, standing firmly erect even though her knees felt like they were quivering. She didn’t say a word.

  The bailiff jerked him from the room as Court McAllister approached his wife of twenty plus years and wrapped his arms around her tightly. He felt the tiniest of shivers perceptible only to him as her gaze left Maden and she looked at him.

  “Baby Girl, I’m so proud of you.”

  “Oh Bear, you know it’s just my job.”

  “You’ve done a good job today, that’s a whole lot of crime off the streets. Let’s get some dinner and celebrate.”

  “I’m all for that. I’m famished.” Court picked up her briefcase and carried it for her, so he could hold her right hand as they exited the courtroom and made their way to leave the courthouse.

  Colleen leaned ever so slightly into Court’s shoulder and softly asked, “You know there are a hundred reporters out there. Do you want to meet me at the car?”

  “No. I would like to walk beside you and bask in your star power.”

  As they exited the building, reporters i
n every direction were shouting her name. She held her hand indicating she would give a statement, took a deep breath and felt strong and stable again. The crowd grew silent. To everyone watching she appeared fresh and completely unstressed in her silver gray suit, turquoise silk shell and her trademark stilletos, also turquoise. The late afternoon sunshine bounced off her blond hair and she radiated for the cameras.

  “Today was a good day for the City of Memphis, and for the United States Justice system. One person responsible for terrorizing many in the city will remain behind bars for a very long time. But our job is not done. There are more criminals and we won’t stop until we unearth the last tentacle of the Maden organization and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

  One reporter shouted, “Counselor, a witness in the courtroom reported to us that Maden threatened you as he was led from the courtroom. Can you expound on the threat?”

  Court felt the almost imperceivable tightening of Colleen’s hand around his.

  “No, I can’t. I didn’t hear any threat, and if you will excuse me, I’m on my way to dinner with my husband. Good night.”

  Chapter 2

  In the car, Court asked, “Any place in particular you would like to go for dinner?”

  “Surprise me. I’m so relieved the trial is over and all I have to do is wait for the sentencing. The sentencing phase won’t happen for another two to three months,” Colleen said as she tilted her head back on the head rest and closed her eyes releasing all the tension from the day. She was cool under pressure, no one ever saw her appear tense or nervous because she had control and composure. She also knew when to let it out and relax. She took several cleansing breathes as she felt the tension in her shoulders release, and the ladybugs in her stomach disappeared.

  “Have you got another hot case brewing?”

  “No, there’s nothing on my desk. This case has had my full attention for the last nine months. I haven’t taken on any new cases since I didn’t know how long the trial would last.”

  “Good, I have something to run past you over dinner.”

  “I’m famished, where are we going?” She sat up, opened her eyes and looked to see where they were. They were crossing the bridge to access Mud Island, a tourist attraction with a scale model of the Mississippi River and the Riverboat Museum, and home of the Memphis Yacht Club. It was also home to The Mari, the McAllister’s yacht. The boat as Court and Colleen called her was aptly named for the Celtic Goddess of Justice.

  “Oh Court, what a lovely idea. We haven’t been on the boat for months. I’m sorry my schedule has been so crazy.”

  “No problem, I’ve been planning this since the trial started. You said surprise you, so it worked out perfectly.” Court stopped at the security entrance where the guard checked his parking sticker, Court flashed his yacht club membership card and the security gate lifted. Court drove to his assigned parking spot, and shuffled around to open Colleen’s door.

  “What’s for dinner?”

  “We’re eating on the boat, Brett is bringing our regular order from the Rendezvous.” Court explained as he guided Colleen to their slip.

  “And what would you have done if I hadn’t said surprise me?”

  “My beautiful lass, I would have gently steered you toward dinner at the Rendezvous and Brett would have known not to deliver it.”

  “A clever man you are. Maybe that’s why I married you. Damn, I was pretty smart for a co-ed.”

  As they approached their slip, Colleen heard the barking and her face lit up when she looked and saw their dogs Lucy and Jake standing expectantly on the yacht’s deck. She ran to them, astonishingly steady on her stilettos, knelt and hugged them both. Lucy, a retired K-9 cop was Colleen’s service dog and Jake was Court’s working companion and an explosives dog. But in reality, Lucy and Jake were Court and Colleen’s children.

  “Nothing is better at the end of a trying day than to come home to my fur babies. Thank you, Bear, for bringing them out here.”

  “You’re welcome. Nothing but the best for my Baby Girl, let’s go in and get ready for our dinner delivery.”

  They approached and boarded the seventy-two- foot Princess Viking yacht Court purchased at an evidence auction. He often joked he got it for a steal, referencing the fact it belonged to a criminal first, and it was their haven away from home.

  “I have a question for you, Colleen. Since you don’t have a new case brewing, why don’t we spend the weekend on the boat?”

  “Sir, that sounds like a splendid idea.”

  “Perfect! I packed a bag for us and brought it when I brought Lucy and Jake just in case you agreed. It’s in the stateroom. I also stocked the Galley. Would you like a drink while we wait for dinner?”

  “Yes, please,” Colleen responded as she sat on the large sofa, alternately rubbing the ears of a dog on each side of her.

  “Thank you sweetheart. You are the best man in my world.”

  “Wine or Jamison’s?”

  “Jamison’s. This is a great evening, and a lovely way to celebrate.”

  With the drinks poured and each of the dogs attended to, Court and Colleen moved to the deck to enjoy the last of the evening sun. Colleen loved the gentle waves rocking and tapping the side of the yacht and the sun’s rays bouncing off the water’s surface. The late April evening was beginning to cool and Colleen knew shortly there would be that late spring nip in the evening air that was her favorite time of day.

  While they ate their ribs, potato salad and coleslaw on the outside deck with Jake and Lucy patiently hoping for a world famous rib bone, Colleen noticed a familiar tune drifting across the water and mixing with the gentle lapping of the waves on the side of the yacht.

  “Is there a concert at the amphitheater tonight?” she asked.

  “Yes, my love. I was going to surprise you with tickets, but I didn’t know if the trial would be over. This morning when you were only waiting for a verdict I called, but the tickets were sold out. I called Brett and arranged dinner here since I was hoping to steal you away for the weekend anyway. I knew we would be able to hear the concert from here.”

  “Oh Bear, these are the best seats in the house. A perfect evening —- time with you, Jake and Lucy, fine food, and Tony Bennett while feeling the gentle waves. It just doesn’t get any better than this,” she said as she gave each of their fur babies a bone. “I think I’ll run down to the stateroom and change into something a little more comfortable and meet you back here. I want to listen to Tony and gaze at the stars. Have I told you lately that I love you?”

  “Not since this morning, lass.”

  “Well I’m telling you now.”

  “I’m glad I never received the mute button for you then darling. I love you too. Scoot, I’ll clean up dinner while you change, we should be ready and situated by the time the warm-up act is over if you hurry.”

  Chapter 3

  Rodney Maden was the godfather of vices in Memphis. He was in control of the drug and prostitution scenes in Memphis and had been the main player since the ‘80s. He guided Memphis from the early cocaine days, through crack and meth and the new designer drugs like Ecstasy. He maintained all the gentlemen’s clubs in town and the women who walked the night streets from Summer Avenue to the Riverfront. By the early 2000’s he maintained elite escort services for the professionals in the suburbs of Germantown, Collierville, and Cordova. If it was illicit, Rodney and his crew of enforcers and coercers were behind the scenes.

  Many others tried to move into Memphis or at the least into the fringe outer areas. A few had survived with small territories that Rodney didn’t feel were worth fighting over. Gang activity had also grown in Memphis, just like in every other major city and metropolitan area of the country but not nearly to the same extent. The flip side of Rodney’s felonious activities was he kept gang activity down. Refusing to allow them the traction they needed to infringe on his territories, their only option was to work for him. Since all the gangs worked for him and he det
ermined their territories, the only motivation for gang wars was to increase membership thus hoping for a bigger area and praise from the big man himself.

  Pharaohs of the Night ruled the North side of Memphis, West Warriors, Red Cobras, and Bluff Bandits covered the rest of the city, with smaller want-to-be type gangs in smaller pocket neighborhoods. They all wanted a piece of the action and felt Memphis was big enough for more than just one seller. Maden allowed them each a small section of town to control. He didn’t want to spend all his time fighting the little guys who popped up from time to time, but his organization was big enough with fingers and tendrils in every neighborhood. Little happened in Memphis that Rodney wasn’t aware of, often times even before it happened.

  But now Rodney was behind bars. And he would likely be behind those bars for a very long time. The question became how loyal were his minions? Who would step up and run the enterprise? What did it mean for the other floundering groups? Who would rise to the top of the pile and gain control? Would one person control the majority of the city again, or was it likely to split among the many groups? These were questions that needed answering and they needed answering now from the perspectives of both users and suppliers.