Sliver sliver series, p.1
Sliver (Sliver series), page 1
Sliver
Pat James
Sliver© Copyright 2025 Pat James
Copyright notice: All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any formor by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from publisher.
This is awork of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
For more information, email patjames@outlook.com
This book is dedicated to my mom and dad.
Patrica Lee (Hayden) and James Franklin Pennifield Without their love and support I don't know where I would be today. I Love and miss you both.
Contents
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Chapter 26
27. Chapter 27
28. Chapter 28
29. Chapter 29
About the author
Also by
30. Chapter 2-1
31. Chapter 2-2
32. Chapter 2-3
Chapter 1
The buck raised its head, its nostrils flaring as it looked towards the noise. After a few moments had passed, he returned to the patch of clover he had been chewing on. Then, with a snap of a twig, his muscles tensed, and before he could jump, he was on his side. The pressure on his neck was intense. Kicking, he tried to escape, and with the taste of salt, the blackness overcame him.
As the stillness of the water reflected the moon's silver glow, the beast ran along the bank. The gentle breeze felt invigorating as he came to a stop and yelled at the sliver in the sky. He heard the barking of the dogs. They were close but not moving towards him, so he turned without giving them another thought, enjoying the coolness of the night.
This was his third night out. He will like it here as he ran into the tree line and towards home.
John and Pam Randle bought their home when he left the State Police, which now seems like a lifetime ago. It was a quiet five-acre lot that sat on the edge of town. It was close to the schools where their children went, and where she teaches. A nice split-level home that sat on a corner lot. Three bedrooms and 2.5 baths had a nice walkout deck on the back side, right off the kitchen.
They had two outbuildings, one of which was the barn that was converted into a garage. Large enough to accommodate all their vehicles, but like most, it was full of old boxes and forgotten treasures. The other was a tool shed.
John Randle was sitting at the desk in his home office, going through his email and setting up his day. In his late forties, he was still in good shape, even with the touches of gray that outlined his brown hairline. Standing just under six feet tall with square shoulders all in all not a bad looking man. At least that is what Pam tells him.
He had gotten up early this morning, knowing Mondays were busy, and he really did not want to go by the station today. Hearing his wife and son in the kitchen, he prepared to start his day. Hitting the close tab and picking up his cup of coffee, got up and headed towards the kitchen.
Dressed in a pant suit that showed her curves yet was conservative, Pam walked up to the counter. “Well…” she asked her soon-to-be graduating son, Brad.
“Well, what?” Spreading strawberry jam on hot buttered toast.
“What do you plan on doing this summer?”
Brad was watching his mother grab the creamer. “I don’t know. I was thinking about opening a brothel in the old barn. You want in?” He said, before taking a bite.
Pouring coffee in her oversized mug, Pam rolled her eyes. “I don’t think you know enough people to do anything of that grandeur.” Noticing her husband out of the corner of her eye.
“Do what?” John Randle asked as he came into the room and buckled on his sidearm.
“Turning the barn into a den of ill repute,” Pam said as she kissed John on the cheek, heading out the door. “See y’all after school.”
” Bye, Hun,” John said as he poured another cup of coffee.
Wincing as he took a sip. “Don’t forget to mow the front lawn when you get home from school, Brad. And. Before you say anything, you should have done it Saturday.” He walked out the back door, securing the lid on his mug, and headed towards his patrol car.
John watched as his wife pulled out of the driveway. His mind drifted back to the conversation, wondering if he should apologize to her about last night. He didn’t feel the argument was his fault. They can’t afford new living room furniture right now.
Dani, Brad’s younger sister, walked into the kitchen, grabbed a bowl for her cereal, and set it down on the counter as she opened the refrigerator.
“Want to make a few bucks, D?”
“Doing what?” She filled her bowl with those little round pellets of fruit that she loved.
“Cut the front yard and I’ll give you five bucks.” Brad wanted to see if he could work a few extra hours at the grocery store this week. Prom was coming up, and he might have a date.
Holding the spoon midway to her mouth, she thought it over. “Make it ten and do the dishes tonight, and it’s a deal.”
“You’re cutting my profits, but it’s a deal.” Shaking his head, Brad walked out the back door. He always had a hard time saying no to his sister.
She took a bite of cereal as milk dripped out of the side of her mouth. Sucker. Dani thought she would have done it for five, wiping her sleeve across her chin.
A white Yukon cut her off as Pam entered the teacher’s parking lot. She slammed on the brakes. Her half-finished cup of coffee crashed into her car's passenger side floor. What an ass she thought. Checking her pant leg to see if it had been stained.
Scott Henderson parked in the first open spot he found, grabbed his bag, and jumped out. As he turned, he was eye to eye with a lovely blonde.
Pam pushed the door open, and it bounced back as it reached its limits and pinched her leg as he got out of her vehicle. This only added to her annoyance as she confronted the other driver, “And who the hell are you?” she demanded, trying to contain the anger as well as the pain she was feeling in her calf.
Holding out his hand with a shiny white smile, he said, “Scott Henderson, and you are?”
Not in the mood for small talk or introductions. “The owner of the vehicle you just missed. Did you even see me as you whipped into the parking lot? Do you always drive like a high school student? Or do you think you are the only person who uses this lot?
“No. and no! Ms.…?” Scott replied as he lowered his arm. He had not realized what he had done until up to this point.
She did not recognize the man and wondered if he was a parent. “Pamala Randle. I teach at this school, and you still have not answered my question.” With a little less anger in her voice.
“Well, I was turning off the radio and just turned into the first spot I saw. I apologize, and no, I did not see you. Does that answer your questions?” He felt embarrassed for not paying attention.
Cooling down, Pam extended her hand and said, “close enough. Can I help you?” She took a closer look at this man. Tall. Clean-shaven and…She glanced at her phone, feeling a little flushed.
“Well. Yes, you can. Where is the primary office in this school?” He realized he was still holding her hand and let go when she looked at her phone.
Limping slightly, she went to her car, “Let me park and I’ll show you the way. I need to check my mail anyway.”
Watching her walk away, he noticed the limp. Keeping it to himself, as it may be a touchy subject.
While escorting Scott to the office, Pam learned he had applied and received an offer for the principal’s position that would be available after graduation. Principal Greely was retiring after 48 years as an educational specialist. Scott was moving to Spotsylvania County from Origan, where he taught history. He stated he just needed a break and wanted to try something different.
After exchanging a few good mornings and catching up on weekend updates with the office girls, Pam picked up her mail and headed towards her first class, eleventh-grade math. Her leg felt better after the walk. Just before the first bell rang, her cell phone rang. It was John.
“Hey, you, what’s up?” she said while glancing back at Scott shaking hands with Mr. Greely. Looking up, he saw her and smiled, making Pam turn her head to avoid his stare.
“Pam, just wanted t
“Okay, you want me to keep your dinner warm?” He hasn’t been home for dinner two nights in a row for weeks, but might as well ask.
“Naw, I’ll grab something at Sam’s Market.”
Knowing the store’s location sparked her curiosity. “That’s way out on the other side of the county. What’s up?”
“Some folks at the lake said they heard a strange noise last night. You know how it is. Well, got to get going. Love you.”
“Maybe it’s Bigfoot? Love you too. Bye.”
He hasn’t said that in a while, but it was nice to hear. Maybe it was because of the argument they had had last night. Pam turned down the hallway towards her classroom, thinking about Scott.
Getting off the phone, John called the dispatcher, saying he was going to Aaron Rodger’s farm. John was a good police officer and had been on the job as a sheriff going on for 16 years. Pam and he met in college while he was studying criminal law. He started his career with the state police, and after going to the detective division, had a falling out with his boss and left. Taking this job was the best thing he had done.
It took forty-five minutes to get to Lake Anna and another thirty or more to get to the farm. Once he got there, John knocked on the front door, and Mrs. Rodger’s, Becky answered and told John that Aaron was out in the west pasture checking on the cows. She told him that if he wanted, he could take the farm road if he did not mind a few ruts. The county road would take about fifteen minutes longer.
John got Aaron’s cell number and took the county road. He had been on a few farm roads before, and some of those “ruts” could bury his cruiser. It took longer but saved him the wear and tear on the car and his backside.
When John met up with Aaron, he was in the middle of a pasture, returning to his truck. He did not look thrilled.
Getting out of his patrol car, John walked up and introduced himself. “Good day, Mr. Rogers. My name is Officer John Randle. I’m here to follow up on your complaint about the weird howl-like sound you heard yesterday evening.” The grass was turning a nice shade of green about knee high. John took a deep breath and lifted his chin. The smell of spring always reminded him of his youth.
Aaron Rogers was in his mid-to-late fifties and was born and raised on this farm. He and his wife have been married for 31 years and raised three children. Not much gets him upset other than a cow getting loose, or not enough or too much rain.
“Pleasure to meet you, Officer Randle,” as they shook hands, “but I’m madder than a hen being chased off her clutch. If you don’t mind, jump onto my track and let me show you something up over that hill there.” Aaron pointed towards the west. John knew the farmer wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Holding up a finger, he went back to his car.
John called into dispatch and let them know he would be away from his cruiser for a bit. He then climbed into the passenger side of the truck. Mr. Rodgers drove him over the hill and then about 10 minutes further. Once there, Aaron showed him two cows that were eviscerated about half a mile from each other. Aaron explained that at this time of year, he just let the herd roam the pasture and would check up on them a few times a week unless they were calving. He was just up here on Saturday morning, and all was fine.
The two of them walked over to the dead cow. John crooked his elbow over his nose as the stench of the rotting flesh was a bit strong. Scavengers had already picked over the carcasses. John explained to Mr. Rodgers that he would call this into Fish and Wildlife once he got back to his vehicle, but wanted to know more about the noise he had heard last night.
Rubbing his whiskered chin. “Well, it’s kind of hard to explain.” Mr. Rogers started, while looking up, trying to think of something that sounded like the sound he had heard.
Pointing to the truck and starting to walk away from the dead cow because the smell was making him nauseous, “Did it sound like a dog, or maybe a coyote?” John asked.
Shaking his head, Aaron said, “It was throatier. like coming from the chest. Whatever it was, it sounded happy.”
While jotting down notes, John asked him if he had seen anything unusual and if he believed it could be connected to the dead cows. Shrugging his shoulders, Mr. Rogers just shook his head.
He closed the notepad and placed it in his shirt pocket. “Well, thank you for the information. I will follow up with you once I have answers.” John was thinking that this was just going to be a case of two cows getting into something they should not have gotten into. What does a happy howl sound like?
Heading back to the truck, he asked if he knew the Johnsons and, if so, how far they lived from where we are here.
Aaron pointed towards the northeast. “Lives on the lake about 20 minutes that way. Damn birds.” John glanced the way he was pointing and saw the buzzards returning.
Getting out of the truck, John handed a business card to Mr. Rogers and asked him to contact him if he remembered anything else or if there were any other disturbances.
Sitting down in his vehicle, John called in to report what he had seen and asked them to call Fish and Wildlife to contact Mr. Rogers about the dead livestock. Thinking, maybe they could at least find out what happened to the animals.
Two dead bloated cows with their intestines hurled all over the place and tongues hanging out. Black holes where the eyes used to be, and the smell. Great way to start a Monday. Maybe I’ll send a text pic to the sheriff, John grinned as he started the car.
Placing the cruiser in gear, he shook his head and thought that steak was off the menu today. He waved and took off to Johnson’s place. Cursing as he backed into a rut, the muffler hit the undercarriage with a bang.
The Johnsons had a nice little cabin sitting on the shore of Lake Anna. They were retired and, by the look of the landscaping, enjoying their lives away from the hustle of the nine-to-five work week. Julie and Jim were sitting on the front porch enjoying a late afternoon refreshment when their two Jack Russell terriers stood up as they heard the noise of tires pulling up on the gravel driveway. The dogs jumped off the porch, missing the two steps as they sped headlong towards the patrol car.
“Stick, Stone, get your butts back over here,” Jim stated.
John was startled when both dogs stopped and ran back to the porch. The call was barely audible to him. Exiting the vehicle, he waved and said, “Wish my kids listened that well.”
” Didn’t work on ours.” Julie said with a laugh as she waved him up. Julie and Jim stood up as he approached the house and met John at the steps. The two dogs were already back on the porch beside Julie’s chair.
“Good day, I’m John Randle with the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s office,” extending his hand. “Following up on the disturbance you called in about last evening.” While shaking their hands.
Nodding his head. “Talk to the misses. I heard nothing last night.” Jim said as he sat back down in the rocking chair with a slight grunt.
John turned to Julie while taking out his notepad, who motioned to the seats on the porch and offered him sweet tea. Declining, he sat down, pulled out his notebook, and asked her to describe what had transpired. Wondering if sweet tea was the only thing in their glasses. They seemed a bit too happy this early in the morning,
Sitting down herself she picked up her glass and took a sip. “Well, last night around 10/10:30, Stone jumped up and started barking and, of course, Stick had to join in. I opened the door to the back deck facing the lake, and both ran out. That is when I heard the howl.”
After finishing his notes, John looked up. “Can you describe this ‘howl’?”
“I have heard nothing like it. Kind of like a wolf or a large dog, but…” She was thinking back to last night, shaking her head side to side.
“But?”
“More primitive, I guess. Sent shivers down my back.” She crossed her arms and shivered, remembering the sound.
“I didn’t hear a damn thing.” Jim broke in laughing. “She heard a large fish jump in the lake once and thought it was a monster.”
Mrs. Johnson punched Jim in the arm, and they both started laughing. John put away his notebook and handed them a business card. Reached down and patted both dogs, then asked if they would contact him if anything strange happened. Then he asked if they would consider a trade, his two kids for the jacks.
