VENGEANCE:
Book 2 of The Orphan's Tale
VENGEANCE is set in 1834 Paris, a city where rioting occurs regularly, and a revolution is attempted every other year. Paul Malet, a man born in a prison, raised as the protégé and heir of a Master Criminal, turned his back on the power awaiting him and chose to join the Police, using his knowledge and skills to uphold the law and protect his charges. As the orphan of this tale, he is now commanding the Police of Paris in the absence of the Prefect. A firebombing in a quiet neighborhood brings echoes of past revolutions and the rioting of the previous summer to roaring life. The Police Commander of the precinct is killed in a hail of gunfire. As a young officer holds the dying man, he is assailed by confusing impressions: Running feet and the words, "Death to the Oppressors of the Masses," are all he can recall. |
Chief Inspector Paul Malet finds the attack disturbing; everything from the killers' words to the apparent randomness of the bombing. His forebodings increase as other Police strongholds are attacked, and the slogan repeated. Anarchists, perhaps, or something more malevolent.
There are many insurgents in Paris and the words shouted at the first attack are not unique. Malet, working with the Sureté, casts a wide net that catches little more than hints, including revolutionary students, ambitious prostitutes, and a young man whose bearing and appearance awaken uncanny memories of Napoleon's empire for Malet.
The clues taper off like rivers running into the sand. With no firm leads, Malet's hands are tied. Fighting shadows and seeking a pattern as the attacks increase, he is losing time. A close subordinate is nearly killed when one of Malet's precincts is stormed. Even his fiancée, Elise, is being threatened as their wedding date approaches.
An informant reports whispers of more dire plans against the Police, and Malet in particular. Fearing for the safety of those he loves, unable to fight shadows, Malet remembers the lessons he learned in prison from his mentor.
Tempted by the influence of the criminal underworld, he seeks the place where power waits for him to enter and seize it.
There are many insurgents in Paris and the words shouted at the first attack are not unique. Malet, working with the Sureté, casts a wide net that catches little more than hints, including revolutionary students, ambitious prostitutes, and a young man whose bearing and appearance awaken uncanny memories of Napoleon's empire for Malet.
The clues taper off like rivers running into the sand. With no firm leads, Malet's hands are tied. Fighting shadows and seeking a pattern as the attacks increase, he is losing time. A close subordinate is nearly killed when one of Malet's precincts is stormed. Even his fiancée, Elise, is being threatened as their wedding date approaches.
An informant reports whispers of more dire plans against the Police, and Malet in particular. Fearing for the safety of those he loves, unable to fight shadows, Malet remembers the lessons he learned in prison from his mentor.
Tempted by the influence of the criminal underworld, he seeks the place where power waits for him to enter and seize it.
Enjoy the first three chapters of Vengeance, Book 2 of The Orpan's Tale