E K Stokes

Thank you for the compliment. I hope so, but I think all those, if they could, left the country.

For @drsawzall

Thank you @Summerabbacat for the compliment, Roland does have several enemies as @VBlew also mentioned.

Three days earlier. The morning light streamed through the large windows of Arnold Henderson's hotel suite, casting a warm glow on the sumptuous furniture. Arnold, a seasoned veteran of the modelling industry, sat behind the desk, his eyes scanning a stack of paperwork. His wife, Beverley, a woman of quiet strength and sharp intelligence, stood beside him, her gaze fixed on a framed photo of their younger days. "Another beautiful morning in paradise, isn't it, darling?" Beverley remark

We will have to see, divine retribution, jealousy, personal interest, destiny... we don't yet know how Roland died let alone if anyone of a number of people was responsible! Still, I love the speculation.

My question is: until my latest story got posted the procedure was like this - 1. Create story and save it - site requests first chapter 2. Paste in first chapter and save it - story and first chapter go to moderation 3. Receive message that story and chapter have been approved 4. Use publish now button to publish story and first chapter Then each new chapter goes to moderation, gets approved, receive message, and I publish the chapter. Only with my latest story it didn't happen like that. I created the story, added the first chapter, it went to moderation, next time I logged in I had the approval message, but the story and chapter were already published. I did not have the choice as to when to publish the story and first chapter. A little embarrassing because the story isn't ready. I hoped to upload several chapters, get them approved, and publish when I was ready, but it's too late, the story went live. Will the next chapter go instantly live after moderation and without my input hitting the publish now button?

The sun beat down mercilessly on the pristine beach, casting long shadows across the golden sands. Alex Mason, a young, talented model, squinted against the glare, his dark skin glistening with sweat. He was in a mythical location in South America, a paradise that seemed to have sprung from the pages of a dream. Yet, beneath the idyllic surface, a storm was brewing. Roland Fairbanks, the new partner in the family business, had secured a lucrative contract with Ardmani and this photo shoot w

Alex Mason and Jack Langdon have more in common then they might acknowledge. They, along with Niomi Asouta, find themselves in a paradisical location on a very important photo shoot for Ardmani. This could make or brake their careers, earn them and the company they work for lots of money. But behind the facade there are darker movements embroiling them all in a murderous whirlwind with dramatic consequences.

Thanks to you all @Summerabbacat, @VBlew, @centexhairysub, sorry if Russia comes off looking almost like the good guys, but glad you all liked it and wouldn't mind some more. On which note, I have started another story, Murder in Paradise, it's got a little more steamy dark romance in it and it's a work in progress, but I'll try to get it published although with longer waits between chapters because it's hard to find the time this writing business needs devoted to it!

Ivan Volkov's reach extended far deeper than anyone had imagined. He had cultivated a network of informants within the Russian secret service, giving him access to sensitive information and enabling him to move freely without fear of detection. Using this network, he orchestrated the kidnapping of Rodion Kovalenko, believing that the renowned historian held the key to the whereabouts of the precious white diamond. Volkov's plan was almost flawless. His men intercepted Kovalenko as he was le

Very astute point, who are the goodies and who the baddies? Love that you asked this, roughly it's set within the late 90s, the USSR has been dissolved, Yeltsin has succeeded Gorbachev as President of the Russian Federation. Clinton and Yeltsin have agreed to seek further reductions in strategic nuclear weapons. The NATO-Russia Founding Act, NATO and Russia stated that they no longer considered each other as adversaries. Within this context the US State Department has every interest in maintaining good diplomatic relations.

The news broke like a bolt of lightning across the global art world. Russia had issued an international arrest warrant for Ethan Blake, the protege of the renowned art dealer, Damien Moreau and Maxim Turev, his accomplice. The two: one an American citizen, the other Russian, were involved in illegal activities. The charges were grave; smuggling priceless artifacts out of the country. The specific items in question were a wooden box and an ancient scroll, believed to date back to the time of the

Or then again, maybe not?

Well, we don't know if Damien Moreau made a will, but assuming he did and everything went smoothly, then Ethan might reasonably be in the apartment for a month or longer, the time it takes to resolve who gets what. He might get given notice to vacate anytime soon, we will have to wait and see, but he has some other problems to deal with.

The Amber Room would certainly be an amazing find, the story takes some big twists in the next chapter and I cannot spoil how things turn out...

Alexi Dumarov wasted no time in getting straight to the point. "I have been following you through Russia and to here," he frowned as he looked first at Ethan and then Maxim. Ethan attempted a half-smile. "Please," he gestered, "sit down. Alexi moved through the hall and into the large lounge. The paintings and sculptures which filled the apartment did not escape his attention. "Would you like something to drink?" Ethan asked and the professor nodded whilst taking a seat in on

Things are moving, but to where and not without danger, but the real villain is about to be revealed.

The icy wind whipped at Ethan's face as he stepped out of the train. He could feel the chill seeping through his thick coat, a stark contrast to the warm, sunny streets back home. Beside him, Maxim shivered, his breath fogging in the air. They were about to cross the border into Finland, a safe haven, if they could just get through the Russian border control. As they approached the official, Ethan couldn't shake that same feeling of someone in the shadows or lost in the crowd of passengers,

Ethan doesn't necessarily think too deeply about consequences, he jumps into things and does things on a whim without careful planning.

Good question, but Anya is a very good organiser even if Ethan is more emotional than practical. Indiana Jones does get a mention!

Yes, it is not the most sane thing to do, rather like a desperate leap into the dark, or the dragons jaws!

You should write crime novels because that is a very astute observation. Thank you for you comment and your praise for this opening chapter.

"Ethan has left the country," Eliott informed Max Hainaught, his voice filled with a mix of resignation and urgency. "We can't follow him to Russia." Max paced around the office. "I gave you the job," he emphasised YOU. "Get it done! Even if you have to take a holiday." The implication was clear, although Eliott even if he was willing to follow him, had no idea where Ethan had gone. As Ethan boarded the plane, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. A man in the corner seemed partic

@VBlew you are right, the safest move would be to inform Eliott Carter and the police, but as @drsawzall says Ethan is "like a babe in toyland" (great description). He's scared, a little paranoid, overwhelmed by events, yet desperate to get answers to his mentor and lover's horrific murder. And as you say @Mancunian the police cannot easily follow him to Russia.

Ethan Blake, a young artist with a raw talent that mirrored the chaotic beauty of his city, was still reeling from the devastating news of his mentor's death. Damien Moreau, a renowned art collector and gallery owner, had been more than just a teacher; he was a father figure, a guiding light in Ethan's tumultuous life, and his lover. The police had ruled his death a gruesome homicide, the victim of an abduction and brutal torture session. Detective Eliott Carter, a seasoned investigator ha