Shoot: A Crime Thriller (CJ Sheridan Thrillers Book 1)

by M. P. McDonald

  Shoot: Book One

  CJ Sheridan Thrillers

  M.P. McDonald

  MPMcD Publishing

  Contents

  Copyright

  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

  From the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

  Cover Art by M.P. McDonald

  Copyright © 2015 M.P. McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

  Chapter One

  “So, you don’t use the camera anymore?” CJ glanced at Mark as the other man crossed the loft and retrieved his shoes from a mat beside the door. He’d posed the question because he was curious, but it was also a desperate attempt to distract himself from the overwhelming urge to touch the camera. Its energy beckoned him with the urgency that meth called to an addict. He jammed his hands in his front pockets, hooking his thumbs on the edge of the denim. Was he just imagining it, or could he actually feel the energy coiling through his body even from a few feet away?

  Mark sat on the sofa and put his foot on the edge of the coffee table as he tied his shoe. “I use it sometimes, but I don’t really need to anymore. After my stay at the CIA spa,” Mark threw CJ a rueful grin, “I get the visions even without using the camera, but sometimes I use it anyway. I’m curious to know if the photos are different from what I …see….” He tapped a finger to his temple, “…in my visions.” Mark dropped his foot from the table. “So far, no surprises, plus I get a lot extra info now.” He shrugged. “I don’t have to mess around with developing the film. Of course, the downside is that I can’t print out my visions.”

  “True, but that’s cool that you get complete visions.” CJ sidled closer to the bookshelf that held the camera. As he edged beside it, the hair on his arms rose as if he’d just removed a sweater in dry winter air. He swiped a hand down his arm but the charge of energy remained. He just knew if he touched something metal he’d get a hell of a shock from the static. His skin tingled as goose bumps marched up his arms. Despite the discomfort, he remained close to the shelf as though his feet were nailed to the floor.

  The hum of the air conditioner caught his attention. Had it just cycled on? That had to be the reason for the sudden chill. It would explain the dry air, too. He rubbed his arms, but couldn’t ignore the overwhelming urge to hold the camera. It was as if he was made of iron and the camera a powerful magnet drawing him closer and closer. The power seemed to lift his arm and suck it towards the camera. Straightening his finger, he touched it. A surge of energy-along with the shock he’d anticipated-charged up his arm and he jerked his hand back.

  “You want to try it out again?” Mark stood and circled the coffee table, stopping beside him. “Here. It’s okay.” He plucked the camera off the shelf and offered it to CJ.

  Swallowing hard, he nodded. “Yeah, but…I wasn’t sure if you wanted anyone else to touch it.”

  Mark laughed. “And yet, you touched it anyway.” He gave CJ a wide smile.

  Returning the grin, CJ shrugged. “I couldn’t stop myself.”

  “Don’t worry-I get it.”

  The camera felt just as CJ remembered; warm and thrumming with energy he couldn’t explain. Ever since he’d used it a few months ago when Mark needed help in D.C., he hadn’t been able to put the incredible device out of his mind. Every day, he wondered if it was showing Mark an image of some future horror that needed to be prevented. He imagined all kinds of scenarios fueled by the real life exploits he’d wheedled out of Mark back in D.C. The poor guy had been taking a few days to recover before flying back to Chicago, and CJ knew he should have let him rest, but his curiosity got the better of him.

  He still felt a little guilty for making a complete pest of himself those two days. His dad had been busy with tons of reports and paperwork and hadn’t been around to tell CJ to knock it off. Even when Mark had slept, which he’d done a lot of the first day, CJ had pried more stories out of Jessie.

  His cheeks heated in embarrassment at how obnoxious he’d been and he tore his gaze from the camera long enough to shoot a look at Mark. “Hey man, I’ve been meaning to apologize for how I acted when you stayed at my place.”

  Mark’s brow knit in confusion. “How you acted?”

  “I was like a little kid the way I was pestering you about this.” He lifted the camera slightly. “I’m pretty sure I made a fool of myself.”

  Mark clapped him on the shoulder. “No worries. You were fine. I know firsthand it’s a lot to take in. I just wish I’d have had more time to discuss it with you while I was at your place, but honestly, my memory of that time is a fuzzy mess.” He waved a hand. “I haven’t given a second thought to your questions.”

  The guilt melted away but his doubt about using the camera grew and he thrust the camera back at Mark, shaking his head. “I don’t think I can use it. It’s not something I should play around with as if it’s a freaking toy.”

  Mark didn’t take it immediately. He gave CJ a long look, his head cocked and his mouth open as if he was about to say something, but instead, his lips compressed into a faint smile and he took the camera. After returning it to the shelf, he stepped back and crossed his arms. “CJ, one thing you have to realize is it’s still just a camera. It’s not alive and it doesn’t judge your intentions.”

  “I suppose, but I feel like if I took it, I’d be…I don’t know….” CJ shifted and shoved his hands in front pockets up to his knuckles. “It’s as if I’d be using it on a lark because I’m here on vacation. It’s too important to be treated lightly.”

  Mark nodded. “I see.” He raised an eyebrow at CJ and snapped his fingers, pointing at him. “You know, now that I don’t need to use it, you could just take it back to D.C. with you. Who knows what kind of events you could alter?”

  Temptation beckoned but CJ ignored it. “I want to use it…believe me. It’s the most awesome, fantastical thing ever, but, I can’t do what you do. I can’t take the responsibility of changing the future.” CJ backed away from the bookshelf, putting as much distance between himself and the camera as possible.

  Mark raised one shoulder. “I don’t know about that. You handled yourself like a pro out in D.C. from what I recall and from what Jessie told me.”

  Pleasure at the compliment heated his cheeks, but CJ shook it off as undeserved. It was easy to be calm when his dad and Jessie did the most of the work and took the risks. Besides, he probably wasn’t ready for taking on the camera and its responsibilities.

  He plopped onto the couch and wondered how soon Jessie would arrive. They were just waiting for her before they went out for dinner. His dad would meet them at the restaurant. CJ leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees as he scrubbed his hands down his face. “I mean, that’s crazy to think I could deal with the camera. I’m barely out of college and I don’t even have a job yet.”

  Mark dug in a basket on his breakfast bar for something. “About that…Jim told me that you had an offer from the CIA-that you had already interned with them and had planned to work there after graduation.” He pulled a set of keys out of the basket and twirled the ring around his finger as he leaned a shoulder against a brick c
olumn between the kitchen and the living room. “I hope nothing that’s happened to me made you change your mind. You could do a lot of good there.”

  CJ shrugged. “It has something to do with it, but not everything. I need to be able to trust the agency I work with. How can I trust them after what happened to you?”

  Shaking his head, Mark pushed off the column. “It was just one rogue officer and a desperate scientist. It wasn’t a sanctioned operation.”

  “Are you sure about that? What about that other guy who was involved?” CJ knew from personal experience that the CIA had layers upon layers of secrecy and one hand didn’t know what the other was doing half the time. It had to be that way for the safety of the people involved and he understood why. He got that. What bothered him was that the officer took advantage of the secrecy code to go rogue and conduct his own experiment.

  Mark waved a hand dismissively. “He didn’t do much besides give Callahan my name and that I was coming out to D.C. Jim says the investigation is still ongoing, but he doesn’t think anything will come of it.”

  CJ jumped to his feet. “See? That’s what I’m talking about. It’ll all be covered up. Can you imagine what the press would do with this story?” He didn’t mean for it to come out as though he was contemplating telling the media, but Mark must have taken it that way. His eyes hardened and he jabbed a finger at CJ.

  “The press can’t ever know of this, understand? The last time reporters got wind of anything, it nearly killed me.”

  CJ hadn’t heard that story, but he didn’t doubt Mark’s statement. “I’m sorry, Mark. That came out wrong. I’d never tell anyone about what you do.” CJ tried to lighten the sudden tension and quipped, “That would be like revealing Batman’s identity or something.”

  Mark’s shoulders lowered and the corner of his mouth turned up. “Batman? I was thinking more along the lines of the Greatest American Hero.”

  CJ chuckled because he knew Mark was making some kind of joke, but he felt like he was missing something. “Uh, yeah.”

  “Oh jeez. Now you’re making me feel old. Come on. Jessie sent me a text to meet her at the restaurant.”

  * * *

  As Mark drove to the restaurant, he asked CJ what he planned to do while in town. “Well, I didn’t really make many plans. The Cubs are on the road, so no games to watch. I’m more of an Orioles fan anyway, but don’t tell my dad.”

  Mark laughed. “If you really want to piss him off, become a White Sox fan.”

  “I should.” CJ grinned. “I’m just gonna kind of wing it. I might even take a look at the help wanted ads. Maybe I can find a job here.” The idea had just hit him and he wasn’t sure why he said it out-loud, but the moment he did, excitement swirled in his stomach. He had always liked Chicago, and his dad was here. Since his mom had re-married last year, he never quite felt like he fit in anymore. He used to be able to just walk in the house, but now his step-dad got bent out of shape when he did that. It felt like the house had never been CJ’s home.

  It would be hard to leave his friends in D.C., but most of them were also finishing college or had already. Some were finding jobs in other states or taking graduate classes at other universities. He could sense change on the horizon and now seemed like the perfect time to make some of his own changes.

  “Here? Really?” Mark glanced at him, his eyes wide.

  “Maybe. I’m not certain, but it seems like a good time. Of course, it would depend on finding a job-one that would pay enough to get an apartment in the city.”

  “What kind of job?”

  “That’s the thing. I was all set to have a career in intelligence, but now, I have no idea what I want to do.” CJ slid down in the seat a little as the uncertainty of his future pressed upon him.

  He wasn’t broke exactly. Between what his parents had saved up for his education, and jobs he’d worked while going to school, along with a few scholarships, he’d managed to finish school without a lot of debt. He knew he was fortunate in that regard, but his bank account was getting low and his part-time job at the mall was one he’d taken because it worked with his class schedule. He hadn’t planned on making a career out of it.

  Last year at this time, he’d known exactly what he was going to do with his life. He’d had a goal and a plan. Now, he had achieved his goal of completing his degree, but his plan to work for the CIA was in the toilet. Despite Mark’s assurance that what he had been put through by a rogue officer had been an aberration, the dream had already been tarnished.

  “I’ll be glad to help any way I can.” Mark steered through Chicago traffic, and at a stoplight, turned to CJ. “Didn’t you used to act and stuff?”

  CJ smiled and straightened. “Yep. That was my original ‘piss off my dad’ scheme.”

  Mark chuckled but shook his head. “I guess you just have to figure out what you really love to do, and go from there.”

  “Easier said than done. I suppose you’ve always wanted to be a photographer?”

  “Yeah, but I took pre-med in college because my dad wanted me to be a doctor like him.”

  “Wow, that’s a big change. Was your dad okay with it?”

  “Let’s just say it took awhile before he came to terms with it.” Mark grimaced as he pulled into a parking lot. “Short version-he got over it. Eventually.”

  CJ took the hint and dropped the subject as they entered the restaurant. Jessie was already there, and greeted him with a warm hug and kiss on the cheek.

  “CJ! I’m so glad you’re joining us.” Immediately, she put him at ease.

  “Hi, Jessie.” He returned the hug. They sat and caught up on news, then CJ’s dad texted that he wasn’t going to make it after all. CJ felt a stab of disappointment. After all, he’d come all the way from D.C. to visit his dad, but he’d barely seen him so far. Mark and Jessie were a couple and he felt like a third wheel, but they included him in the conversation and soon, it felt like they had known each other forever.

  Jessie took a sip of her wine, and turned to CJ. “So, now that you’re done with school, what are your plans?”

  “I was telling Mark that I might move here. I don’t have too much keeping me in D.C.”

  “No girlfriends?” Jessie asked, her eyes dancing.

  CJ laughed. “Not at the moment. See, since you left, I’m comparing everyone to you and finding them lacking.” He gave a mock sigh. “Do you happen to have a younger sister?” He threw a look at Mark, relieved to find the other man grinning.

  Jessie laughed. “Well, actually, I do have a sister, but she’s married.”

  “Figures. Even my dad has a hot girlfriend, or so I was told. I hope I get to meet her this time.”

  Mark exchanged a look with Jessie, and then signaled the waiter for the check. Turning back to CJ, he continued, “Maybe you will. She works with me, although not for very much longer. She’s moving to New York to do fashion photography.”

  Jessie’s eyes opened wide. “She’s moving?”

  Did that mean his dad was moving to New York, too? Confused, CJ wondered if and when his dad was planning on telling him.

  Mark nodded as he pulled out his wallet. CJ moved to get his own wallet but Mark waved him off. “My treat. It’s the least I can do after what you did for me in D. C. But, yeah, Lily’s been flying out there to do some shoots and it pays well. I can’t blame her for jumping at the opportunity. It’s probably more than she can ever earn here.”

  “What are you going to do about your,” Jessie paused and glanced around before leaning over the table and whispering, “visions? Without her to keep the studio operating smoothly, you’re going to be running yourself ragged or lose your clientele.”

  Mark looked pensive as he found a credit card and closed it up in the folder for the waiter. “I haven’t figured that out yet.”

  CJ glanced between the two of them and had a glimmer of an idea, but felt kind of silly offering. What did he know about photography? “I don’t know if this would help you out or not, but
I’d be happy to take on any non-photography tasks. Scheduling, answering phones, whatever. At least while I’m here. I have another month left on my lease in D.C., but I can stay here and look for a job until the lease expires.”

  Jessie and Mark exchanged a look. He knew they communicated something, but he wasn’t sure what.

  “I can handle most of the phones and scheduling since they call my cellphone, but sometimes can't answer when I'm taking care of my visions. Maybe…” Mark slanted another look at Jessie, who nodded. “If I have a shoot scheduled at the same time I need to be somewhere else, maybe you could handle that problem, too?”

  CJ blew out a deep breath. The idea appealed to him, but could he handle it?

  As if reading his mind, Mark said, “It wouldn’t be like you’d be on your own. Between me, Jessie and even your dad on occasion, you’d have plenty of help on anything complicated.”

  It didn’t sound so daunting when Mark worded it that way. Besides, CJ had some experience already. Like Mark had said, he’d done a kick-ass job of handling himself in D.C. when Mark needed help. With Jessie, his dad, and of course, Mark, around to assist if he needed it, his confidence soared.

  “And obviously, this is only until you get a job. I wouldn’t expect you to deal with any of it once you’re working.” Mark hesitated. “I could pay you something. I’m not sure how much, but-”

  When he realized where Mark was going, CJ cut him off. “No, that’s crazy. I wouldn’t expect you to pay me for filling in when you need me. It’s not like you profit from what you do.”

  Excited at the prospect of helping Mark, he shifted in his seat, barely able to contain the urge to jump up from his chair and pump a fist. He’d start right now, if needed.

  Mark gave a firm nod. “Okay, but I’ll pay any expenses you incur like parking fees, or whatever.”

  CJ was even reluctant to accept that much, but he didn’t want Mark to think he was looking for excuses, so he agreed.