Dead and Gone by Jack Patterson (universal ebook reader .TXT) 📕

What Others Are Saying

About Jack Patterson

“Jack’s storytelling feels as natural as James Patterson’s, and the short-chapter setup is the literary answer to Lay’s potato chips: you just want one more and before you know it, you’ve gone through the whole thing.

- David Bashore, The Times-News, Twin Falls, ID

“Jack Patterson does a fantastic job at keeping you engaged and interested. I look forward to more from this talented author.”

- Aaron Patterson, bestselling author of SWEET DREAMS

“Patterson has a mean streak about a mile wide and puts his two main characters through quite a horrible ride, which makes for good reading.”

- Richard D., reader

“Like a John Grisham novel, from the very start I was pulled right into the story and couldn’t put the book down. It was as if I personally knew and cared about what happened to each of the main characters. Every chapter ended with so much excitement and suspense I had to continue to read until I learned how it ended, even though it kept me up until 3:00 A.M.

- Ray F., reader

DEAD SHOT

“Small town life in southern Idaho might seem quaint and idyllic to some. But when local newspaper reporter Cal Murphy begins to uncover a series of strange deaths that are linked to a sticky spider web of deception, the lid on the peaceful town is blown wide open. Told with all the energy and bravado of an old pro, first-timer Jack Patterson hits one out of the park his first time at bat with Dead Shot. It’s that good.”

- Vincent Zandri, bestselling author of THE REMAINS

“You can tell Jack knows what it’s like to live in the newspaper world, but with Dead Shot, he’s proven that he also can write one heck of a murder mystery. With a clever plot and characters you badly want to succeed, he is on his way to becoming a new era James Patterson.”

- Josh Katzowitz,

NFL writer for CBSSports.com

& author of Sid Gillman: Father of the Passing Game

DEAD LINE

“This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I didn’t really want to put it down. Jack Patterson has hooked me. I’ll be back for more.”

- Bob Behler

3-time Idaho broadcaster of the year

and play-by-play voice for Boise State football

DEAD IN THE WATER

“In Dead in the Water, Jack Patterson accurately captures the action-packed saga of a what could be a real-life college football scandal. The sordid details will leave readers flipping through the pages as fast as a hurry-up offense.”

- Mark Schlabach,

ESPN college sports columnist and

co-author of Called to Coach

Heisman: The Man Behind the Trophy

Other titles by Jack Patterson

Cal Murphy Thriller series

Dead Shot

Dead Line

Better off Dead

Dead in the Water

Dead Man's Curve

Dead and Gone

Dead Wrong

James Flynn Thriller series

The Warren Omissions

To Chris Beckham, a great friend and a man who helped me understand the importance of NASCAR while living in South Georgia

DEAD AND GONE

A Cal Murphy Thriller

JACK PATTERSON

CHAPTER 1

THE MAN YANKED THE BILL of his cap just above his eyes and hustled across the garage area teeming with cars prepped for today’s race. He’d never killed anyone before nor did he have the stomach for it. However, he had no problem doing what it took to ensure his target ended up dead.

He fired up the blowtorch and looked over his shoulder. The locked garage ensured he could do his deed in peace. He slid the helmet visor down and began heating the part.

Endorphins coursed through his body while he watched the metal begin to glow. He’d waited long enough for this moment, one that required precision and a steady hand. Heat the part too much and he’d either have plenty of explaining to do or worse—utter failure. Heat it too little and he’d fail in a way that he couldn’t accept.

Once he finished, he stopped and admired his handiwork.

Perfect.

He twirled the part with his gloved hand and then looked around the garage area just to make sure no one was around.

With the type of efficiency that would make the pit crew team swell with pride, he put the part in place and tidied up the equipment.

He put his cap back on, jammed his hands in his jacket pockets, and stole across the grounds toward the garage exit. For good measure, he looked behind him for peace of mind. If he saw no one, he’d know if his work was true; he’d get away with it.

He didn’t see anyone—but someone saw him.

***

CARSON TANNER PEERED at the inner workings of his Chevy SS racecar. In forty-five minutes, he’d zoom around the track at just under 200 miles per hour behind the thunder of a 750-horsepower engine. And while he had one of the best crews on the racing circuit, Tanner always preferred to poke his head under the hood one last time before driver introductions.

Pat “Dirt” Walter slid out from underneath the car. “What’s the matter, Tanner? You don’t trust us?”

Tanner shook his head. “I trust you with my life, Dirt, every weekend. Nothing wrong with takin’ a peek, is there?”

Dirt grunted and slid back underneath the car.

Tanner stroked the car as he walked toward the backend. Lost in thought, he nearly tripped over another crew member, Russ Ross, who was running through his last-minute checklist.

“I hope your head’s in the game today,” Ross said. “We need this one.”

Tanner nodded. “I’m ready. Don’t you worry.”

He circled the car once again before Sylvia Yates placed her hand on his back.

“Ready to meet little Ella?” she asked.

Tanner nodded and followed the spunky brunette who served as the media relations director for the Davis Motorsports team.

“She’s not feeling well today, but I think you’re gonna love her,” Sylvia said over her shoulder as they walked toward the team’s hauler.

Tanner wiped his brow with his sleeve. “Gotta love Texas in October,” he said.

“Yeah, and that’s why