The Transamerica Cell: A fast paced, gripping, action adventure, conspiracy thriller, with a superb, breath-taking ending (Hedge & Cole Book 3) Read online

  About the Book

  A police officer has murdered an innocent man. A young woman is the only witness. Now she must run for her life.

  A trip across America turns into a nightmare, with survival being the only objective.

  Maddie Millar is desperately trying to keep ahead of her pursuers. But who exactly are they? And who is doing all the killing?

  A young man may be able to help, but has he told them enough before he dies in a horrific accident.

  This is edge of the seat stuff, and the plot twists and turns as the story unfolds.

  This is the 3rd instalment in the Hedge & Cole thriller series.

  Cole is a tough ex-military man. He’s the sort of person that danger and violence seem to follow, wherever he goes. He can be ruthless when he needs to be. And he often finds the need.

  Hedge is a reluctant hero. He is a victim of circumstance, troubled with anxieties and plagued by flashbacks.

  You are invited along for the ride, but only if you have the stomach for it!

  Kevin Bradley once again shows how to mix fast paced action, with suspense and intrigue. This book will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

  This book would sit well alongside your Lee Child and Jack Higgins favourites!

  The Transamerica Cell story concludes in this book, but the main characters are set to return in future adventures.

  What people are saying about The Transamerica Cell

  “This is a really great book with many interesting characters. I was gripped right from the beginning.”

  “What a great read, one I couldn't put down. The author, Kevin Bradley, is up there with the likes of Scott Mariani, Mark Dawson and Stephen Leather. There’s plenty of drama, suspense, twists and turns.”

  “It’s riveting, with great characters and a great story. Excellent use of facts and geographic backdrop. The author makes you feel like you are actually living the story.”

  “I loved this story. I like the fast pace and the interaction between the two main characters. The Hedge & Cole books keep getting better and better!”

  “I can definitely recommend this book. It has a fantastic ending. I’ll be amazed if this book isn’t made into a film at some point.”

  “There’s a touch of Lee Child about this.”

  About the Author

  This is the 3rd book in the Hedge & Cole series by this compelling writer.

  The author has lived and travelled all over the world, and he brings many of his own personal observations into his novels.

  He is passionate about storytelling, and does not shy away from occasionally tackling difficult, real-life issues. His ultimate focus is to deliver an exciting and unforgettable experience to his readers.

  When not writing, Kevin enjoys running, cycling and hiking, although eating cake is probably his favourite activity!

  He is a husband, father of two boys, and lives in Suffolk, England.

  The author is happy to receive correspondence and feedback from his readers, and he can be emailed at [email protected]

  Books by Kevin Bradley

  The Palindrome Cult

  (Hedge & Cole / Book 1)

  “A cracking good read, fast and furious, unputdownable”

  The Terminate Code

  (Hedge & Cole / Book 2)

  “A fantastic story, breathtaking and full of intrigue, unforgettable”

  The Transamerica Cell

  (Hedge & Cole / Book 3)

  “A gripping, tense thriller, you’ll be on the edge of your seat”

  The Cuba Cage

  (Hedge & Cole / Book 4)

  Due December 2017

  A Poem!

  I hope that you loved this story

  And you have a great day too

  If you can find a little time

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  Thank you

  Free Book!

  If you would like a Free copy of the eBook –

  The Palindrome Cult

  (Hedge & Cole / Book 1)

  Then please email me at - [email protected]

  Special eBook Offer!

  The following are available at $1.33 (£0.99)

  The Palindrome Cult

  (Hedge & Cole / Book 1)

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  The Terminate Code

  (Hedge & Cole / Book 2)

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  The Transamerica Cell

  Kevin Bradley

  Table of Contents

  About the Book

  About the Author

  Books by Kevin Bradley

  Special Offer!

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty One

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Chapter Twenty Three

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty One

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Chapter Thirty Four

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Chapter Thirty Six

  Chapter Thirty Seven

  Chapter Thirty Eight

  Chapter Thirty Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty One

  Chapter Forty Two

  Chapter Forty Three

  Epilogue

  THE END

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  Chapter One

  Seth Harper saw the three men walking towards him.

  He knew they were coming for him, he had been expecting it. One of the men had the fingers of his right hand extended out in front of him. He was pulling on a set of brass knuckles. These were also often referred to as knuckledusters. This simple type of weapon is used in hand to hand combat, and is usually made of a heavy metal. The idea being that when used effectively, the victim would sustain maximum tissue damage, with the increased likelihood of bone fracture occurring.

  Seth reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He looked at the display. The first contact on his list read simply ‘Brother Joe.’ He touched his finger on the phone next to that name and held the phone to his ear.

  The call was answered on the second ring.

  ‘Hi Seth, I can’t talk now,
I’m out on patrol.’

  ‘Joe, I need help. They’re coming for me.’ There was panic in his voice.

  ‘Seth. Who is coming for you? Where are you?’

  ‘I’m down in the Pacific Beach area, just off Grand Avenue. I need help, quick ...’

  The call went dead.

  ‘Seth. Seth. Hello. Hello. Shit, he’s gone.’

  Joe Harper turned the steering wheel hard left. The patrol car lurched and spun round.

  ‘We need to head over to Pacific Beach. My brother is in some kind of trouble.’

  Joe’s partner looked across at him. ‘Are you going to call it in?’

  ‘No. No need for that. Let’s see what he’s up to first. Knowing Seth, it will all be about nothing,’ replied Joe.

  His partner nodded. ‘Fine, let’s go.’

  Joe stamped his foot on the accelerator pedal and the car jumped forward. At the same time, he flicked a button on the side of the steering wheel. The blue light on the top of the patrol car began flashing. That should be enough, he thought. No need for the siren just yet.

  The first of the three men to reach Seth was a tall guy, with a crooked looking face. His left eye had a long-healed scar just underneath it, and his nose looked like it had been broken several times.

  The man grabbed the cell phone off Seth, and threw it to the floor. He had heavy boots on his feet, and so when he stamped on the handset, the front screen shattered instantly.

  The other two had now arrived, and all three of them grabbed hold of Seth. Together they dragged him into a nearby alley. As he was being pulled along, Seth stumbled and fell to the ground. His three assailants gathered around him, and began kicking at his body. The man wearing the brass knuckles leaned down and directed a strong punch at the base of Seth’s ribcage, on his left side. There was a loud cracking noise as one of his ribs broke.

  ‘Did you hear that,’ the man shouted. ‘What a beautiful sound.’

  Seth screamed. A sharp pain ran down his side. He was lying on his front, with his back exposed, desperately trying to protect his head with his hands.’

  ‘Enough. That’s enough for now,’ the tall man shouted.

  His two accomplices stood back. Seth lay motionless on the ground.

  ‘So where is my money?’ the tall man said.

  ‘I don’t have it, but I’ll get it soon. I promise.’ Seth said softly. He wiped his hand across his face, and cleared some of the blood away. It was dribbling out of his nose, and running down his face.

  ‘Not good enough,’ said the tall man. ‘I need it today.’

  ‘I can’t get it today. Give me a week. I promise I’ll have it in a week.’

  ‘I need it today.’

  ‘Please. One week. Please.’

  The tall man swore as he stood up. He looked quickly up and down the alley. There was no one else about. He reached inside his black, leather jacket and pulled something out. He held the weapon in his outstretched right hand, and turned it so that the sunlight glistened off the eight inch blade.

  He nodded towards his two colleagues. One of them smiled as he dropped his knees onto the back of the man lying on the floor. Seth was now pinned down and couldn’t move. The other attacker walked over and kicked Seth’s ankles outwards, so that his legs ended up splayed apart.

  ‘This is your last chance. I need what you owe me now, today. Hopefully this will get your brain working out how you are going to achieve that.’

  The tall man swung the knife at Seth’s backside. The blade of the weapon sank into his left buttock, penetrating to around five inches. The tall man felt his hand vibrate as the blade bounced off a piece of bone somewhere deep inside the soft flesh.

  Seth screamed aloud. The pain inside his buttock was intense, even more so when he felt the steel of the blade scraping along one of his bones. He couldn’t stop crying out. The steel was still in his flesh, and it felt like a thousand sharp needles had been pushed into his body.

  One of the men took off his woollen hat, and held it over Seth’s mouth to try and lessen the noise he was making.

  The tall man stood up. He left the blade buried in Seth’s backside. He pushed his heavy boot against the handle of the knife, making it move back and forth.

  Seth screamed even louder. Dark red blood was seeping out from the wound.

  ‘Do you have any fresh ideas yet on getting me my money?’

  ‘Please, give me some time. Just a few days, please.’ Seth spoke slowly, and quietly, with the words coming out in between deep, painful breaths.

  The tall man shook his head in resignation.

  He leaned down, and with one swift action he pulled the knife out of Seth’s buttock. There was a brief sucking noise as the blade came free. Seth’s body convulsed and a long, piercing howl came from his throat.

  The tall man looked at the blood coated blade. He pulled his arm back slightly.

  ‘You leave me no choice then,’ he said.

  Chapter Two

  ‘Hey, what are you up to? Leave him alone.’

  Robin Taylor didn’t consider himself to be a particularly brave man, but when he saw the three guys standing over someone lying on the ground, he decided to try and intervene.

  ‘I’ve called the police,’ Robin lied.

  He was hoping that the three attackers would turn and run, but they didn’t. Instead they just looked directly at him as he approached them. The man on the floor was moaning softly. Other than that, he lay still and inert.

  The tallest man in the group was nearest to Robin. He turned to face the approaching stranger. As he did so, Robin caught sight of the menacing looking weapon he was holding in his hand. The blade looked long, and was covered in a sticky, red liquid.

  Robin stopped walking. He stood motionless, his eyes unblinking, as he stared at the knife.

  ‘And who exactly are you?’ said the tall man. His voice was quiet, but his throat sounded hoarse, almost like he had a bad cold, or the flu. He was still gripping the weapon in his right hand.

  ‘I’ve called the police. They told me that they are on their way.’ Robin felt very vulnerable now, so close to the three men. He couldn’t stop staring at the knife.

  ‘I’m sure you have,’ said the tall man. He was sneering, but the look that he gave Robin was chilling.

  It was a hot day, almost ninety degrees Robin estimated. As it was lunch time, the streets in this part of San Diego were quiet. Most people had headed off to get something to eat, or to find somewhere cooler to pass the next couple of hours.

  Robin didn’t know what he should do next. With hindsight, he was now wishing that he hadn’t got involved in this situation. He should have just walked on by. His wife and two young daughters would be waiting for him in the department store just around the next block. That was where they had planned to meet up for something to eat.

  His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the tall man let out a loud cry. Robin was startled, and automatically took a step back. The man had raised his right hand, the one holding the knife, high up in the air. He brought it down rapidly, catching those watching by surprise. As the weapon came down, the man turned slightly, leaned down lower, and plunged the eight inch blade into the back of the head of the man lying on the ground.

  The knife was sharp, and it was forced right through the victim’s head. The handle of the weapon was pushed up against the soft, fleshy part at the back of the skull, just above the man’s neck. The point of the blade ended up coming out of the front of the head, so that it was just visible between the top of the man’s nose and his left eyeball.

  The body on the floor wriggled and shook for a few moments, and then it was still.

  The tall man threw his head back and laughed. ‘Has anyone got any headache tablets? This guy has a terrible need for some.’

  The other two men also started to laugh. One of them kicked out and aimed his foot straight at the face of the body on the ground. His boot caught the man in the mouth, snapping off several of his front
teeth. There was no reaction. The body on the ground was beyond any kind of response now.

  Robin couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. He was horrified, and in a state of shock. He took a few paces backwards, trying to get himself away from the murder scene. The three men moved towards him, the tall man at the front, smiling.

  Suddenly, the smile had gone. It was replaced with a look of panic. The alley they were in was reasonably well lit, certainly not dark. Even so, the blue light bouncing off the alley walls was clearly visible, just for a split second, as the patrol car slowly drove past.

  The three men turned and ran. They headed off down the alley, away from where Robin was standing. After some thirty yards, they turned right into an adjoining passage, and completely disappeared from sight.

  Robin was still terrified, but his first thought was to try and help the man lying on the ground. He ran over and knelt next to the body. There was no movement. Blood was pouring from the man’s head. Robin tried to pull the knife out, but it was stuck fast. He tried to wipe the sticky, red liquid off his fingers, but all he succeeded in doing was staining his clothes.

  It was hopeless. The man lay completely still. He must be dead, Robin thought.