Gunning For Trouble, Jo Gunning Thrillers: Book 1

Sample Chapter

CHAPTER ONE

She wasn’t like all the other teenagers who lounged nearby. The others had the look of runaways with time on the streets—disheveled and worn clothes, uncombed hair, dirt on their faces and under their fingernails. They tried to look cool, with forced laughs and nonchalant nods at each other as they smoked. But their eyes betrayed them, hollow and haunting, speaking to their lives on the run.

The girl who hung on the periphery was different, though. Her shoulder-length, wavy brown hair was neatly styled, her heart-print V-neck blouse unwrinkled, her white shorts clean. This girl hadn’t been a runaway for long, and her innocent gaze spoke volumes. It wouldn’t be long before someone took advantage of her.

A teen boy with tattooed arms held out a cigarette to the girl, who shook her head. He pressed her to take it, and she finally did. Once he lit it for her, she took a drag, then coughed. He laughed, showing a toothless grin. She shrugged and tried to act cool as she took another drag. This time, she didn’t choke on the smoke as much.

The other kids mostly ignored her as she looked off into the distance.

Jo Gunning watched it all, at first mildly disinterested, but her gaze kept going back to the girl. There was something of herself in this one. Not the girl’s naïveté; Jo had always been able to read people, and she had street smarts. However, she knew what it was like to be a fish out of water, to not fit in.

It was a pleasant Monday, and people walked about Rawlins Park. A few mothers pushed babies in strollers. The gaggle of teenagers loitered by the fountain, too high to do much. The afternoon sun beat down, and Jo wiped sweat off her brow. A skinny girl with stringy black hair approached the girl in the V-neck blouse, and they began talking.

Jo edged her way nearer. Trouble was brewing. None of them seemed to notice her, even as she got close enough that she could hear them talking.

“I’m Sammy,” the skinny girl smiled. “You gotta trust me, okay?” She was obviously trying to convince the other girl of something.

The brown-haired girl shrugged and shook her head. Sammy pointed toward the far end of the park. Jo’s gaze followed her finger to a man in jeans and a blue T-shirt. He lounged on a park bench, one leg crossed over the other, smoking a cigarette. But he was eyeing the group of teenagers. The brown-haired girl looked toward the man.

“I don’t know,” she said.

Sammy smiled and offered a joint. The girl shook her head, and the others laughed. Sammy motioned with her head, and the man on the bench stood up. He smoothed his blond hair as he sauntered toward the teenagers. Sammy began talking faster.

“Leroy will be able to help you.” Her jeans hung a bit too loose, and she fiddled with an earring as she talked. “And you’re gonna need it, you know? You don’t got a place to stay tonight.”

The brown-haired girl shook her head. “No, but I’ll be all right.”

“Yeah, I said the same thing. But Leroy’s okay. He can help you, you know? Get you something to eat, that kind of thing.”

“I guess I could talk to him,” the brown-haired girl replied.

Leroy closed in, but before he could talk to the brown-haired girl, Jo stepped up and blocked his way. The man’s eyes were so cold and dark, she felt a chill run down her spine.

“Why don’t you move along,” he said with a hint of a Southern accent.

Jo glanced over her shoulder at the girl, who was watching them cautiously.

“I could say the same thing to you,” Jo said as she turned back to the man.

Leroy stiffened, and his brow furrowed. She smelled cigarette smoke on his clothes, saw the danger in his eyes. He gestured toward the teen girls.

“I’m just going to talk to them.” His tone was smarmy.

Jo slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“Hey lady,” Sammy said. “Leroy’s okay.”

Leroy smiled. “See? Sammy thinks I’m okay.” He licked his lips as he stared at the brown-haired girl.

“Leroy’s just gonna talk to her.” Sammy nodded at the other girl. “Tell him your name.”

Before the brown-haired girl could say anything, Jo held up a hand. “Don’t tell them.”

The brown-haired girl looked at her. “Why?”

“Because knowledge is power,” Jo said. She glared at Leroy. “And he doesn’t need it.”

Leroy swore softly. “You trying to interfere in my business?”

“Nope.”

“You know her?” he asked the brown-haired girl as he jerked a thumb at Jo.

The girl shook her head. “No,” she said softly.

“Then there’s no problem with you and me.” Leroy grabbed the girl by the arm. “Come on.”

Jo shook her head as she took a step toward him. She was five-nine and in shape. Leroy wasn’t much taller, and he hesitated, clearly feeling the threat of her presence. He had a threat of his own, though. With his other hand, he inched his shirt up to reveal a small pistol tucked into his waistband. The brown-haired girl gulped, and the teens stepped back.

“Don’t mess with Leroy,” Sammy said.

Jo met Leroy’s gaze carefully. Then she leaned toward him and whispered in his ear. “Let her go.”

Leroy shook his head. Jo never underestimated an opponent, but Leroy had made two critical mistakes. His right hand was occupied with the girl’s arm, and his left was holding up his shirt. He could do nothing as Jo struck out with a fist and punched him in the gut. Leroy sputtered as he let go of the girl and doubled over. A heavy blow to the solar plexus caused instant pain and a desperate struggle to breath. The other teens stepped back and murmured in astonishment as Leroy gasped for air. He tried to swear, but no words came out.

Jo stepped back and looked at the brown-haired girl. “May I have a moment of your time? I think I can help you.”

The brown-haired girl hesitated, then looked at the other teenagers around her. Finally her gaze rested on Leroy. He glanced up with a leer, and that made her decision for her.

“Sure,” the girl said.

Jo backpedaled a few steps and gestured for the teen to follow her. They walked away from Leroy and the others, who muttered among themselves.

 

Gunning for Trouble is an excellent political thriller; great storytelling with no explicit language or violence. I love this new series and am looking forward to many more adventures with Jo Gunning! ~Reader review