The Eight Sentences:
In the darkness of her bedroom, Miriam Gold felt a hand over her mouth and then heard a whisper in her ear, “Crawl into the bathroom and call 9-1-1.”
It was a pre-arranged course of action she and Ron had planned years ago and had never had to use it — until now.
A digital clock showed 2:30 A.M. and the house was pitch black dark — you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. Ron had always felt darker was safer.
Ron rolled back away from Miriam as she began to slip out of the bed onto the floor. While he still lay on his back, he reached down and felt his .45 caliber pistol in its holster attached to the side of the bed, a bullet already chambered. It felt as comfortable in his hand now as it had for over thirty years. His thumb found the safety with ease and flicked it down — he was ready to shoot.
Ron Gold's .45 |
The Back Story:
Ron Gold is a member of The Presidents Club. In this scene, he and his wife,Miriam respond to the unwelcomed visit of an intruder.
Ron is retired from the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of a special forces group (similar to the Navy's SEALS).
From the book: "The Golds had celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary two years before, when Ron was eighty. They were both in good health despite their genes — remarkable for their age. They both had high blood pressure and Ron had battled diabetes for years. With the exception of Ron’s obsession with television documentaries, they enjoyed good mental health as well."
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I wonder why they prepared to be attacked, if it had never happened before. Was Ron expecting some ghosts from the past?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Linda.
ReplyDeleteIn Ron's case, it's entirely possible that his military experience could have left him with enemies.
In real life, I know quite a few people who are prepared to defend their homes and they have no reason whatsoever to believe that such an attack is imminent.
One example is a guy whose family has had the same house for generations. Unfortunately, and beyond their control, a nest of crack houses has sprung up within two miles of the family homestead. This family is armed to the teeth and ready for anything. They also have close friends in the law enforcement community.
America is very different.
DeleteYes, it is, Linda. No doubt many Americans would say that other cultures are different as well.
DeleteCk out this aritcle about a city in Georgia, USA.
http://rense.com/general9/gunlaw.htm
Nice intensity.
ReplyDelete(The timing on this is perfect, btw -- my mother is trying to get me to take a conceal carry class for a Utah license.)
Thanks, PT.
DeleteGood luck with your class -- if you decide to take it. There are lots of considerations on both sides of the issue.
Providing personal and home defense carries a lot of weight for many when they finally choose.
PT, when I logged in just now to check comments, I noticed an ad at the bottom for concealed carry classes! Those folks at Google sure catch on fast...
DeleteIt appears they are expecting their intruder. I wonder shy?
ReplyDeleteI like the way Ron knows Miriam will understand without explanation and that she doesn't ask questions but just carries out the plan. This says a lot about the trust in their relationship.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate the details of his preparations---clearly Ron is a guy who knows what he's doing!
Nice tension in the snippet Chip. I would think ex-military would have the mind set to be prepared for anything. Ingrained thinking. Good scene.
ReplyDeleteThe Murders of Polly Frisch
Wow, he was prepared. I had a feeling he was a SEAL or similar Special Forces (which you then confirmed). Very tense, can't wait to read more. Great excerpt!
ReplyDeleteWow, indeed! Intense scene! Excellent job of infusing tension, Chip!
ReplyDeleteMy inner voice whispered as I read this. Great tension, Chip!
ReplyDelete~Charley
My inner voice whispered as I read this. Nice tension, Chip!
ReplyDelete~Charley
Well, all sorts of questions are running around in my noggin...who's intruding in this older couples home, how is it they are so exceptionally healthy, is the intruder just a random burglar or is there someone from their past...if from the past, why did they wait this many years...oh boy...so much to wonder about!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Millie.
DeleteI hope there are enough points to ponder that you'll be inspired to read my book! LOL
Doing work like he did, I expect he made some enemies, or maybe it was just someone who thinks old people are easy marks. I guess that gun will come as a surprise to the intruder. Nice 8.
DeleteMilitary training pays off! This snippet is fraught with suspense. Good read. :)
ReplyDeleteNice tension and scary moment, even if they are prepared for it. Nice snippet!
ReplyDelete