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For the next couple weeks, the paperback version of The Tunnels 2: Secrets will be available on Amazon! After that, the paperback version will only be available at book signings and other author-appearance events. The e-book version will remain available indefinitely. For my Paul and Phyllis fans, here is a glimpse into the continuation of their story.

*****

In 1930, as the war of rage that was actually a raid carried on inside the underground speakeasy known as Club Manitou, Paul remained standing inside the tunnel with Phyllis.  She had agreed to run away with him, leaving her husband and world of privilege behind, and they waited for the noise inside to subside.  As the gunshots gave way to loud voices, she had confessed that she had something she wanted to discuss with him.  Paul had glazed over her comment as his close proximity to the heiress, his body pressed against hers, had easily distracted him.  He had readily dismissed her plea with “Tell me later.  I’m going to have forever with you.”

                As his mouth lingered at her bejeweled earlobe, he hesitated, wanting to take her right then and there, against the wall in the damp tunnel, but his survival instinct overrode his carnal desires.  “I need to stop and get something, and then we’ll,” he hesitated to say the word, concerned it would frighten her, “disappear.”

                She used her hand to pull his mouth from her ear and look into his eyes.  “I’ve never really been close to anyone in my life, but” fear of scaring him off causing her to hesitate before pressing forward, “it’s different with you.”  Her eyes studied his, awaiting a reaction.  When no reaction came, she whispered, “I’ll follow you anywhere, even if it’s into Hell.”

                He smirked.  “Hopefully, it won’t come to that,” he brushed a loose strand of hair admiringly from her face, “but you know we can’t stay in Michigan.”

                “Why not?”

                He hesitated to answer because he knew there was a very good chance that the truth would scare her away, hell or no hell.  No longer was he going to let her make incorrect assumptions about him.  He was going to be the man he was and tell her the truth.  He was going to give her the opportunity to make an informed decision before she left with him.

                Gathering all his courage, he spoke softly as the raid inside the club raged on.  Screams followed a lone gunshot that had probably ended a life as he chose this moment to fully disclose his true self to the only woman he had ever really loved.  “Phyllis, I’m not who you think I am.”

                Phyllis’s only response was to search his eyes for answers before he continued.

                “I’m not a waiter.”

                “Of course you’re not just a waiter,” she said in a tone that let him know she was trying to be supportive of someone beneath her.

                He knew what she assumed, and it hurt him knowing she was incorrect.  He was a terrible person.  He was not some innocent person who waited tables or seated patrons in a speakeasy owned by The Purple Gang of Detroit.  “Have you ever heard of The Purple Gang?” he asked the question, working slowly into his confession.

                “Yes,” she answered.  “Everyone knows who they are.  They own this place.”

                Paul nodded to let her know that her understanding was indeed correct.  “I’m a member of the gang, Phyllis.”

                Not looking away, Phyllis’s eyes still searched his for unspoken answers.  When no additional information came forth, she whispered, “I see.”

                “I’m not a good person.”  When she didn’t respond, he continued, “Phyllis, I’ve killed people.”  He was caught off guard as Phyllis didn’t recoil but instead silently took in the information he gave her.  “A lot of people,” he added.  She still didn’t so much as flinch.  “If we leave tonight, the Purple Gang will look for me.  We’d be living our life on the run and in hiding.”

                “I understand.”

                “We’d have to leave Michigan,” he said again, wanting her full understanding.

                Now comprehending, she repeated, “I understand.”

                “You deserve so much more, such a better life, but that’s all I can offer you,” he continued to confess.  “I want you to be clear about that before we leave.”

                “I understand,” she again confirmed before adding, “but I have something to tell you as well.”

                He put a finger over her lips as they heard authorities on the other side of the wall that separated them.  They had found the secret room.  “Tell me later,” he whispered to her.  “I just needed you to know who I really am.  I need you to make an informed decision if you choose to leave with me.”  He waited for a disgusted look to wash over her face.  He waited for her to push him away from her.  He waited for her to break his cold heart into a million pieces.  Instead, her answer astounded him.

                “I don’t think I’ve ever been more attracted to you,” she said as she pushed her body against his and kissed him.

                One of his hands that had lifted her skirt and now rested on her thigh moved to her buttocks and pulled her to him.

                “There’s gotta be an exit around here somewhere,” they heard a voice inside the secret room announce.  “Tear these shelves off the wall, fellas.”

                The realization that the Sheriff’s Department may be interrupting their intimate moment caused Paul to halt the consummation of their newly-understood relationship.  “So you’re in?”

                “Yes,” she said.

                His grip leaving her buttock with a final squeeze, he grabbed her hand in his and led her down the tunnel.  “This way.”

                The two turned and darted down the dark tunnel as shelves on the opposite wall were thrown to the floor.  Running hand in hand, Paul heard the secret door push open.  Light streamed into the underground cavern, and a voice yelled to the two shadows that disappeared into the darkness.  “Hey!  Stop!”

                Not obeying the command, the couple dashed ahead into the darkness as a gunshot ricocheted off the cobblestone walls and small amounts of dirt dropped from the ceiling.

                “Straight ahead will take us to the airport,” Paul said as they sprinted away from their predators.  “We keep a pilot on standby there so we can take off in an emergency.”

                As their unprepared would-be captors fumbled in the darkness behind them, Paul pulled back on Phyllis’s hand.  Her eyes adjusting to the dim light, Phyllis could see they were at an intersection in the underground world.  “Why are you stopping?” she asked in a winded voice.

                “I have to get something,” he said, pulling her into a different tunnel that would lead away from the airport tunnel.

                “Who’s got a lighter?” they heard someone behind them ask.

                “Paul, can’t we come back for it?” she asked, frightened.

                Paul hesitated.  “Phyllis, it’s everything.  It will give us a comfortable life.  It will get us out of Michigan.”

                “I’ve got one,” a voice behind them announced as a small light illuminated the tunnel, not quite reaching the runaway lovers.

                “Paul, they’ll catch us.”

                “But we need this,” he told her.  “I have all of $50 in my pocket.”

                Her eyes were large with terror as she urged him to give up his plan.  “I have money.  We can stop by the house.”

                He shook his head.  “No time.  The cops will seize our plane.  We’ll be caught.”

                As the small light neared, Phyllis’s mind searched for an appropriate answer before saying, “We’ll fly to Detroit.  I’ll get money there.”

                “Is it safe?” he asked, reluctant to leave behind a fortune that would guarantee them a life of amenities while on the run.

                In the darkness, Phyllis squeezed his hand.  “It’s your turn to trust me.”

                “I see them!” someone called out behind them.  “Freeze, or I’ll shoot!”                

As the light hit Paul and Phyllis’s eyes, similar to deer in headlights, they momentarily froze before looking at each other.  Paul gave a nod and then hesitated, giving her a final chance to go back to her life of comfort with her husband.  Without looking away, Phyllis nodded in return.  One gripping the hand of the other, the two turned and disappeared into the dark tunnel that would lead not only to the airport but also to a new life far from the lives they knew.  It would be a life together.

*****

Below is the direct link to purchase the paperback book. Thank you to all the readers who have now read all five books in the Harbor Secret Series! Your support is greatly appreciated.