Keith Hughes [Hughes - Borrowed Time

Table of Contents

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Timehunt: Borrowed Time

Second Edition

Copyright 2018 by Keith Hughes

ISBN: 978-0-9799918-1-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including information storage and/or retrieval systems, or dissemination of any electronic version, without prior written consent of the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review, and except where permitted by law.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to real people, or events, is purely coincidental.

Cover art by Starla Hutchton (http://www.designedbystarla.com)

Editing services provided by Red Adept Editing (http://redadeptediting.com)

For an up-to-date list of Keiths titles, visit Keiths Amazon Author Page.

The Timehunt Series

Timehunt: Borrowed Time

Timehunt: Stolen Time (Coming 2019)

Timehunt: Wayward Time (Coming 2019/2020)

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Only yesterday can save tomorrow...

After a particularly unsettling day at work, forensic photographer Ness Relevont finds a strange package in his mailbox. Unraveling the mystery takes him on an action-packed ride into the past, where he confronts himself, his would-be killers, and his own regrets.

Stefanie B., Line Editor, Red Adept Editing

Ness Relevont was used to the eyes of the dead. The glassy orbs of the departed seemed to stare out from beyond the confines of time. Though observant, they lacked the immediacy needed to contribute in the flow of life around them. If the eyes were the windows to the soul, Ness contemplated what watched when the spirit of the living departed. The faces final expression might be anger, fear, or sadness, but the eyes always appeared inviting to him, holding nothing to be feared or pitied.

The corpse before him was different, with irises so dark that they appeared to be absolute black. They produced a chilling effect, and even in death, the eyes projected a feral aura. Ness could only imagine their effect when the person had been living. They gave him a strange sensation, a kind of reverse dj vu, and he had an odd premonition that he would see those eyes again. Raising his camera, Ness photographed the face of the deceased, but he couldnt suppress a shudder at the sense of timelessness.

The corpses other features of note were the two holes in the forehead, no doubt caused by a pair of bullets drilling into the mans cranium. The holes had been made with almost surgical precision from the front, but Ness knew from experience that the back of the head would be a different story.

Ness stood, taking in the wider scenery of the water park where the body had been unceremoniously dumped. He gestured at the two men from the coroners office and stepped back to give them room to flip the body over. He wiped his forehead as they completed the gruesome task. The relentless sun shone intensely, as if it held some personal grudge against the earth. The concrete beneath his feet absorbed the increasing heat as if unconcerned by the stars ire. Bright bursts of light stabbed his eyes where the sun reflected from fluctuating ripples of disturbed water.

Every erg of that radiation poured into Ness as it reflected from the nearby pool and the surface surrounding it. He looked at the water, the antidote to the unyielding heat. The ripples caused by the bodys extraction were fading as the waters surface returned to the placid state it had been in before. If he could ignore the blood and brains darkening areas of the liquid, the scene looked inviting.

The water would soon be as still as glass. Not even a wisp of wind caused the slightest disturbance. What little movement existed in the water was an after-effect of removing the floating corpse. The calm was unusual for such a hot day, as the wave mechanism, along with a hundred or so swimmers, typically kept the water in constant motion. Even at the shallow shore, the liquids manic industry continued, as the remains of mighty swells would lap contentedly against the ankles of delighted toddlers.

Even without its usual visitors, the water park buzzed with activity. The men and women who had arrived to handle the unexpected corpse had sweat rolling along their faces and soaking into their clothing. None would partake of the relief the pool would have offered under other circumstances.

When those black eyes were staring at the uncaring concrete, Ness was surprised to discover how much he preferred the view of the shattered head to the dark gaze. Trying to ignore his irrational relief, Ness photographed the back of the corpse. The mans muscle definition was remarkable, a clear sign his strength met the full potential of his large frame. Ness would have expected him to live a long lifeif it were not for the absolute ruin of the skull. Wielding his camera, he recorded the carnage from various distances and angles.

As he squatted to take some close-ups, a sigh from behind drew his attention. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Oakland County homicide detective Frank Sullivan. The cops short-sleeved shirt strained over his belly. He wore his collar open, without a tie. He held a Styrofoam cup of coffee in his hand, as if defiant of the weather.

Looks like a simple case to me. Ness winked. Suicide, right?

Frank guffawed. Only if the victim arrived naked, shot himself in the head without leaving a powder burn, and did it again before hiding the gun and falling into the pool.

I admit it would take some planning, Ness quipped, rising to his feet.

Frank chuckled again as they shook hands.

How have you been, Frank?

The detective grunted. I havent had a cigarette in two weeks, its hotter than the devils butt crack, and I have a new murder case with no suspects and no leads.

So about normal, then?

Yeah. Frank gave Ness a grin before taking a sip from his cup.

Its almost ninety degrees out here. Ness shook his head. I dont see how you can drink coffee.

Im giving my jaw a break from the chewing gum. Besides, its plentiful and free.

Well, you can have my portion. Ness motioned to the coroners assistants they could take the body. I cant stand the stuff. Its really been two weeks since you had a smoke?

Frank took another long pull at his coffee before answering. Yeah, so, almost forever. Its driving me batty.

Hang in there. Itll be worth it. Ness gave him a light slap on the shoulder. Ill have the pics for you first thing tomorrow.

You know Babbage has gone digital. Frank grinned slyly. Freelance forensic photographer Eric Babbage was a bit of a gadget head and always had the latest tech.

Yeah, Babbage would. Digital cameras are not sophisticated enough and are still horribly expensive.

Someday youll have to switch, Frank said.

Ness stowed his camera in the bag hanging from his shoulder. Someday, but not today.

They traded goodbyes before Ness headed for the gate. Waterford Oaks offered several pools besides the wave pool the body had been floating in, as well as a convoluted series of water slides. Given the high temperatures on what could very well have been the last hot day of a typically short Michigan summer, many people were waiting outside the park, but a pair of officers standing at the entrance prevented them from entering.