Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Planet of Doom in Science Fiction Freedom!
Planet of Doom
Is published in Science Fiction Freedom
Science Fiction Freedom: Planet of Doom
Space Ship: The Spirit Illustrations done by Lee Crystal
Thursday, July 22, 2010
The Case of the Death Dealer Parts 1,2,3
The Case of the Death Dealer
The Alexander Steele Investigations
(Free!)
July 15th //Part One:
July 15th //Part Two:
July 22nd //Part Three:
July 29th//Part Four:
Conclusion:
The Death Dealer
Preview of Part Three
Glass Houses
Glass Houses
After the usual greetings Stan the tallest of the three men decided to get right to it. “So Steele, I see you’re back in the game, huh?”
Steele nodded, “Not by choice brother.”
The usual jovial Philosopher nodded at Stan, adjusted his glasses and gave Steele a serious look. “Well you know how it is, you called and here we are. I know you couldn’t say much on the phone so what’s the deal and how can we help?”
Steele ordered drinks for his friends and a Pepsi for himself. He explained the entire situation to the guys and waited for their response. While the Philosopher sipped his grey goose Steele slid the picture of Doctor D across the table.
When the Philosopher saw the photo he nearly spilled his drink. “Hey, I know that guy; we went to Morehouse together in Atlanta.”
Steele smiled, “I figured you would, that’s why I asked you to come. Dig up anything you can on him, no matter how small.”
The Philosopher shook his head, “That was ages ago and we really didn’t hang that much. Back then he was a pill freak, I see he’s graduated from more than just college.”
Stan briefly looked at the picture then tossed it on to the table as he spoke. “Yeah, he graduated alright, from popping pills to mass murder, what’s the world coming to? Steele, you want me to check this dude out?”
“Not him,” said Steele, “I want you to work your computer magic on the king pin Fat Daddy.” Steele gave Stan a small piece of paper with Fat Daddy’s real name on it.
Stan nodded, “I’m on it, by this time tomorrow I’ll be able to tell you what kind of toothpaste this guy uses.”
As Stan and Steele discussed his plan the Philosopher took out his pen and pulled out a small pad then began writing. He had heard about Sugar Bear’s lack of sympathy concerning the looming mass murder of hundreds. On his way out of the door he handed Sugar Bear the paper and simply walked out. It read, ‘Glass Houses - Life is like a finger print, each one is unique. Until you can duplicate my life's experiences, until you have felt my joy and pain, my victories, and failures you are not qualified to judge me, my decisions, or my lifestyle.’
Sugar Bear thought for a moment smiled then tucked the paper inside his shirt pocket. At the back of the club Stan noticed that something was not quite right with his friend. “Hey man, I know you’re supposed to be retired and all but it’s time to embrace who you really are.” Stan stood with outstretched arms as he looked around the club, “This is Alexander Steele’s playground he proclaimed, it’s a beautiful place,” he sat down across from his friend and continued, “but it’s not who your really are.” Stan opened his hand and put it on his chest, “Deep down inside you are a private detective, a damn good one, that’s what you were born to do.”
Stan spotted a familiar face near the front of the club and waived him over. Kenny was a tall dark haired man with a deep dark tan wearing an expensive beige suit. He made his way over with his beautiful girlfriend in tow.
Stan made the introductions; afterwards Kenny said “It’s a real pleasure to meet you Mr. Steele.”
After a bit of small talk the happy couple went over to the dance floor. Stan immediately turned to Steele and asked, “What do you think of Kenny?”
Steele was dumfounded by the question, “What do I think?” he repeated. “He’s not my type,” joked Steele. “Okay, I get it, you want me to read this guy. I see a happy couple out having a good time.”
“No,” Stan shook his head, “that’s what everyone else sees but what can you tell me about Kenny?”
Steele decided to humor his friend. “Okay, fine, let’s start with the easy part, judging from the white ring around his tanned finger it’s obvious that he has recently taken off his wedding ring and the fact that he has a deep tan and his girlfriend doesn’t probably means that he probably took the wife on vacation instead of the hot girlfriend.”
Stan was not easily impressed, “How do you know he didn’t get the tan from working outside in the sun? Maybe in construction?”
Steele burst out into laughter, “With those soft hands” he replied, “He’s more likely to be holding a doctor’s scalpel all day than a jack hammer and you don’t buy suits like that on a construction worker’s salary. That’s a custom made suit, it didn’t come off the rack.”
Stan had little choice than to concede that Steel’s observations were right. “So is that it Steele? Is that all you got?”
Steele laughed again, “Man, what do you expect? I only talked to the guy for five minutes. Okay, he’s not originally from Philly, if you listen closely you could hear a slight Boston accent, he’s left handed and Jewish, how’s that?”
Stan slapped his hand on the table in amazement, “Damn, how do you do it?”
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The Case of the Death Dealer – Part One: Pusherman
Alexander Steele
The Case of the Death Dealer
By Lawrence Johnson Sr.
The cool evening breeze didn't seem to faze the crowd of music lovers as they tapped their feet and bobbed their heads to the Latin rhythms of music legend Carlos Santana. The open air venue on the west side in Philly's Fairmount Park was the perfect night out for Alexander Steele and his longtime girlfriend Shakia.
Shakia ignored the occasional pungent scent of marijuana wafting past her nose, feeling the chill in the air as she tugged on her powder blue shawl and snuggled up closer to Steele. An interior designer by trade Shakia, dressed in royal blue pants and a white top she could have easily been mistaken for a model. When the concert came to a close Steele, the six foot browned skin ex-detective looked around as he stroked the corners of his mustache wondering if getting front row seats was worth the hassle of dealing with the crowds after the show.
As the two made their way through the crowd to the parking lot Shakia gently held on to his arm while the couple discussed the concert. Steele made a habit of parking close to the brightly lit parking lot lights in case an old enemy or two should be lurking about. It didn't take long for him to notice the small white piece of paper tucked under the driver's windshield of his midnight blue Jag.
He unfolded the paper and read the note.
'Steele meet me on the corner of 57th and Master at 11:00 tonight. It's a matter of life or death,' signed Trench.
Shakia folded her arms and looked toward the stars in the night sky, it was clear that Steele's usually calm girlfriend was upset by the note. "Oh hell no, what does that low life bastard want now?" Shakia was known for her kindness, she shared a mutual respect with just about everyone she knew but when it came to Trench respect went out the window and Shakia never held back. "He's bad news baby. Everything he touches turns to …"
Steele placed his index over her lips. When she noticed that more than a few people in the parking lot were watching she dropped her arms to her side and let out a sigh. Early on in their relationship she learned that Steele was a confident man who always made his own decisions. Not only did she respect him for that she admired his confidence.
Steele read the letter again aloud, "A matter of life and death," he said.
Shakia pranced around in a small circle, you could hear her heels clicking against the parking lot's asphalt, "Life or death alright," she muttered, "yeah probably his."
Steele checked his watch, 10:45. 'How did he know I was here?' he wondered. He explained to his Shakia that lives may be at stake; he didn't want that to be on his conscience.
It was exactly 11:00 p.m. when Steele rounded the corner and parked his car in front of the corner lot on Master Street. A few seconds later a black Escalade pulled up behind him.
Steele patted Shakia on the hand, "I won't be long baby."
Shakia watched silently as he got out of the car. She always joked with her girlfriends about his looks. She would say, he's like Denzel and Billy Dee combined, but she was always quick to add Billy Dee when he was in his prime.
Steele stood face to face with the man he had grown up with and had learned to despise. The stocky built man wore a dark blue jogging suite, his hair was cut close. His mustache seemed to grow wider when he smiled at Steele.
When Trench reached out to shake hands the small diamond studded earring in his left ear glistened through the darkness. "Alexander Steele in the flesh, man I wasn't sure if you were gonna show."
Steele pretended not to see Trench's outstretched hand, "Okay Trench, what's up? Why am I here?"
Trench stretched out his arms and looked around. "I got people around here, people who look out for me. I got wind of something the other day. There's a shit storm headed this way." Trench looked around again. "You sure you want to do this out here. I mean you got a reputation to protect and all, I didn't think you wanted to be seen with me that's why I left you the note."
The men sat inside the Escalade to continue their conversation while Trench explained. "There's a guy, a big time drug dealer named Fat Daddy. Him and some chemist got into a thing in Florida about six months ago about manufacturing a large quantity of pills, probably Ecstasy. Anyway it ended badly and Fat Daddy had his sister offed," he motioned as if he were using a knife to cut his throat. Trench nodded, "That's right; they found her floating in one of the back bays in Miami. According to what I've been told this chemist swore that he would get revenge for his sister's murder. Well it took a while but he is about to get even. He's created this odorless, poison to spray on Fat Daddy's next coke cocaine shipment. If it's true, and if it works, folks from Philly to Maryland are gonna start dropping dead within 48 hours after using the drug. Not only will it put the fat man out of business. The friends and family of those dead junkies will hunt him down and kill him like a rabid dog."
Steele reached for the door handle, "You don't need me, you need to go to the cops with this."
Trench grabbed Steele by the arm but when Steele gave him a nasty look Trench quickly let go. "Come on Steele, just here me out. I can't go to the cops. They'll ask me where I got my info from and besides you know how I feel about cops."
Steele took his hand off of the handle and eased back into the seat. "Okay, where did you get this hot news flash from?"
Trench gripped the steering wheel with both hands and stared out of the window before answering. "I got it from my cousin. Remember I told you I got out of the drug business, well, somebody once sad that 'Nature abhors a vacuum.' My cousin stepped into that vacuum; if I go to the cops they will bring him in, that's why I need you. What's your fee?"
Steele looked out of the window then back at Trench, "Man you know that I am retired."
Trench threw his hands in the air. "Okay, fine, who cares if a couple of hundred junkies die?"
Steele got out of the car and slammed the door. "Oh don't give me that crap. For years you ruined thousands of people's lives selling them drugs and all of a sudden you decided to grow a conscience?"
Trench got out of the car and walked around to the sidewalk to face Steele. "I'm doing it for my cousin, he's blood. If all of those people die Fat Daddy will be dead, out of business and when the heat dies down John will take over his turf giving him control of half of the city. I want him out of the drug business not further in."
Steele held up his hand, "Wait, do you mean Little John? Little John is your cousin?"
Trench nodded and waived his hand, "Yeah but don't call him that. He's got a big rep now and a bad temper to go with it and besides he ain't so little anymore."
Trench walked around to the back of his SUV, when he opened it Steele saw that it was loaded with all kinds of knock offs. LeBron James, Nikes, Aviator sunglasses, Prada, Sean John clothes, even a couple of pairs of Manolo Blahnik shoes. Trench fished through the sea of merchandise before pulling out a yellow folder.
"Here," he handed it to Steele. "I printed this out from the internet."
Steele held it to the light and thumbed through the dozen or so pages of stories about missing drug addicts whose deaths were of an undetermined nature.
Trench pointed to one of the papers, "You see that? From the Bronx in New York to North Philly it's always the same, unknown causes. It's odorless, colorless, and tasteless. He's been experimenting on those dudes and now he's ready." Trench held up both hands as if he were surrendering, "I tell you what, why don't you sleep on it and give me an answer in the morning?" He reached inside the SUV and picked up two pairs of the sunglasses, "Here, for you and your lady, no charge." Steele reluctantly accepted the glasses and agreed to give Trench an answer tomorrow.
After dropping Shakia off Steele went home and tried to get some sleep but his conscience wouldn't cooperate. His thoughts drifted back to grade school and how the kids used to joke about how God forgot to give Trench a heart. How do you do business with a guy who robbed a nun at age fourteen?
Two hours later Steele found himself driving through the roughest neighborhood in the city. No one in their right mind would come down here alone in the daytime and most cops wouldn't risk traveling through this part of town late at night but somehow on this dark and quiet night Alexander Steele seemed to be drawn to it. There was movement in shadows of the blocks and blocks of abandon buildings where it was commonplace to see hundreds of crack vials strewn about the sidewalk. The movement came from the remnants of lives that once had promising futures until somehow it all went wrong, somehow dreams were shattered and goals were forgotten. This was a microcosm of the millions who chose unwisely at life's fork in the road. These were the forgotten whose primary concern was not what to wear to work tomorrow morning but how to survive another day.
Up until now Steele had never given it much thought. Every now and then a homeless drug addict would be bold or desperate enough to step out of the shadows and approach his car asking for money. At that moment the cold stark reality had set in, Steele thought to himself that could have been me, or one of my friends. Deep down inside he knew that he could not just sit idly by and let them all perish.
Find out what happens next in Part Two: The Inner Sanctum Crew
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Anthologies of the Spiral Galaxy
Anthologies of the Spiral Galaxy
by Lawrence Johnson Sr. and Lauren A. Johnson
Product Description
The Anthologies of the Spiral Galaxy is a collection of adventures that take place in the Escape 2 Earth Universe. Some events take place before and others after the heroes of Escape 2 Earth take center stage. This Universe will always have stories to tell. The mysterious adventures of the intergalactic detective Da’Quan, the dangerous missions of the Deltorian Warriors and the clandestine beginnings of Earth’s Guardians are laced with intrigue and conspiracies that even the common people of the Spiral Galaxy are not aware of.
Includes
Short Stories
Planet of Doom
Terror on Telderan
Danger on Deltor
Novelettes
Assault of the Telda
Murder on the Eros Star
Novella: The Visions of Koto-Ryin
Vision I: Battle at the Revkar Portal
Vision II: Attack of the Skyro
Vision III: The Vadarian Nightmare
Vision IV: The Return of the Skyro
Vision V: Double Crossed on Kitnar
About the Author
My name is Lauren Johnson, when I was a student in college I helped my father promote his science fiction novel and his collection of motivational quotes. Since I have obtained my diploma in Communications and Technology I've continued my pursuit into the publishing industry. My writing interests fall primarily within the science fiction realm but I also write paranormal and romance stories.
Hello, my name is Lawrence Johnson Sr., I am a science fiction and fantasy author. After writing the 2012 novel Escape 2 Earth, I continued on to write Return 2 Earth, I'm currently working on the sequel Earth 2. Earlier on in my life I've worked in many capacities, when I was nineteen I was Manager of the Community Center for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, there I opened the Wilson Park Library. I am also the founder and director of Let's Go Productions, where my wife, Renea and I ran vacations between 1977-1987. I've since been a travel agent (before the internet), and I'm currently writing science fiction novels.
Want to know more about Lauren and the book fairs he attends and her other novels?
Want to know more about Lauren and the book fairs she attends and her other novels?
The Visions of Koto-Ryin
The Visions of Koto-Ryin
Product Description
The Visions of Koto-Ryin is a spin-off series of five short stories that take place in the Escape 2 Earth Universe.
The assistant to the religious leader, Koto-Ryin doesn't know who to turn to when she receives dreams and images of Deltor's hidden history. She reaches out to an upcoming Oracle, Nolan on the neigboring planet of Xanar to share her visions with in case something happens to her.
Koto-Ryin tells Nolan that the myths taught to them as children are true. She tells him of the Deltorian Warriors, fighters with one primary mission -- to protect the Queen of Deltor. Koto-Ryin shares with Nolan five key missions that explain the fate of the warriors Lovo, Mallobo, Trystan, and Dajus.
What happened to the Deltorian Warriors? What did Deltor lose and gain when the planet joined the Planetary Alliance? What does Koto-Ryin fear will happen after her meeting with Nolan. Find out in The Visions of Koto-Ryin.
Vision I: Battle at the Revkar Portal
Vision II: Attack of the Skyro
Vision III: The Vadarian Nightmare
Vision IV: Return of the Skyro
Vision V: Betrayal on Kitnar
About the Author
My name is Lauren Johnson, when I was a student in college I helped my father promote his science fiction novel and his collection of motivational quotes. Since I have obtained my diploma in Communications and Technology I've continued my pursuit into the publishing industry. My writing interests fall primarily within the science fiction realm but I also write paranormal and romance stories.
Want to know more about Lauren and the book fairs she attends and her other novels?
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