Code Breakers: Beta (30 page)

“I’m just happy is all. I got all the people I want right here.”

He gave her an awkward smile, indicating there was more to it than she was letting on, but she didn’t say too much about Gerry. She didn’t understand much of it herself yet. All she knew was that she felt complete again, safe. Both within herself with Gerry’s calming influence, and without, with Gabe by her side, and now Ezra, who looked on from his seat, with an expression of warmth-tainted pain. Petal could tell he was missing Miriam. Petal and Gabe’s closeness was probably a stark reminder of their estrangement.

– Well, do something about it
, a voice in the back of her mind said. She didn’t know if it was hers, Gerry’s, or a combination. But it was right.

“Come on, Gabe,” she said. “Let’s plot a search route. I believe we have someone important to find.”

“Thanks,” Gabe said. “Really, for everything.”

“What else we going to do, eh? Retire?”

He flashed her a grin before kissing her on the cheek.

“Once more, dear friend, unto the breach.” Petal kissed him back and took her seat at the front of the shuttle. She twisted her head round to look at Ezra. “Okay, pops, where’re we starting?”

Ezra gave her a set of coordinates to start from. He placed a hand on her shoulder but said nothing else, his gratitude clear. While the shuttle turned back inland and moved on to the first destination, Ezra leaned over her shoulder.

“Here, for the journey. I think you’ll enjoy it.” He handed her the book from the bunker.

Gabe slipped into the seat next to hers and opened his palm. “Want me to read it to ya?”

She shrugged and smiled, putting her feet up on the shuttle’s dashboard. “Sure, why not? Tell me a story, Gabe.”

As Gabe narrated from the book and the images grew in her mind, Petal relaxed into the chair and felt a calm descend upon her. She had Gabe and Ezra on the outside, and Gerry on the inside. Despite all the loss and tragedy, she knew she’d get through it—with her family.

Click here to read the next book in the series

Join The Newsletter

Want to get the early scoop on my books and other material? Sign up to the newsletter and get exclusive content only available to newsletter fans. Join and receive:

* Previews of upcoming material

* Exclusive sample chapters and excerpts

* Free short stories

* Links to discounts and promotions before anyone else

* A chance to be a beta reader

* Access to early advanced reader copies in exchange for a fair review

* No spam. I only email you when there’s something good to share.

Join Today!

http://eepurl.com/rFAtL

About The Author

Colin F. Barnes is a full-time writer of science fiction and thrillers. He’s a member of both the British Fantasy Society and the British Science Fiction Association. He honed his craft with the London School of Journalism and the Open University (BA, English).

Colin has run a number of tech-based businesses, worked in rat-infested workshops, and scoured the back streets of London looking for characters and stories—which he found in abundance.

You can connect with Colin at the following places:

Website:
www.colinfbarnes.com

Newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/rFAtL

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ColinFBarnes

Goodreads:
http://bit.ly/13uTiEx

Facebook:
http://on.fb.me/16QW0lR