The Secrets That We Keep

Liam Blunt, Amae Dechavez, I.P. Lanz, Buñag Manlapaz, Celestine Trinidad,

J. Guibone, Mark Manalang, Irene Recio, Yeyet Soriano

Genre: Crime

Release date: March 24, 2018

Compiled and edited by Georgette Gonzales & Yeyet Soriano

Cover design and interior layout by Porcupine Strongwill

SYNOPSIS

Oh, we weave such a tangled dark web. Is it possible to disentangle oneself without inflicting damage, permanent damage, to one’s person?

When a person goes missing, how do you find her? Where do you find her? Does she even want to be found?

A vigilante targets neighborhood nuisances. But without any evidence, how will he be apprehended?

Don’t do unto others, lest they do to you what you did to them. In a manner more gruesome than you can ever imagine. Can you survive the retribution?

Dead bodies can’t go anywhere on their own, right? Or can they?

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Read about the individual stories…

 

“Security is an illusion.”

 

After a satisfying click, the door opened into a messy dining area with a lone white light bulb flickering on the ceiling. Robert moved to the left, past a small living room where a brown sofa and a television divider stood, and up a short flight of stairs behind the latter.

A creaking sound pierced the silence of the night air as Robert planted his boot on the floorboards. The blood in his veins froze as he stood next to the stairs, not moving even a single inch of his being. He closed his eyes as he recalled the spots on the floor that did not groan. Eventually, he made it to the door at the end of the hallway and picked its lock. He opened it a few inches and peeked through the narrow slit.

An old couple slept on a queen-sized bed, surrounded by pillows and half-covered by a thick white sheet. The ceiling fan revolved furiously above them. A row of waist-high drawers stood on the left, next to an open square window.

Robert sighed. He already met the elderly pair months ago. They were very nice to him, offering him snacks and cold drinks while he repaired their floorboards. Now, his chest ached as he stood by the door, the other half of his body still in the hallway.

Business is business.

In this kind of business, being emotional is a no-no.

 

The Author:

Liam began telling stories in fifth grade by drawing crude stick-figure comics on the back of his school notebooks. Now in his late twenties, he’s still weaving characters and worlds together through writing.  Some of his inspirations include Frank Herbert, Michael Crichton, James Rollins, and Steve Berry.

Contact Liam at https://www.facebook.com/lbluntwrites/

 

“I just wanted her to stop hurting you. I never expected her to fall off the roof.”

“Nobody wanted what happened to her.” Sandra glanced at him. “The same goes for me, Zanj.

 

Zanjo observed Sandra’s bedroom again that night. From the lenses of his black binoculars, he saw that she had already closed the curtains and turned off the lights. Sandra…Two years ago, she had broken up with him. She was fourteen, he was sixteen. While all she wanted was fun, he was serious and tried to nudge her to become better. Just like him. It must have suffocated her, leading her to break up with him.

He had always been a good son, at least at home, and a straight-A student. In fact, he was so studious it weirded everyone out. Too clever, most people thought. Many of his acquaintances joked that if he were a criminal, he’d get away with the crime clean. It bugged his classmates, even his teachers, how he was able to solve the School Reading Mystery Game on one Foundation Day with just a few jumbled clues in just a few seconds. Seconds.

Rumor had it that he tried to control Sandra, which was why she had wanted out of their relationship quick. Zanjo often engaged in fistfights in his temper bouts with the bullies at school too, so it didn’t surprise anyone that he’d become single again so soon.

Just before closing his eyes to sleep, he took one last look at Sandra’s window, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her shadow…

 

The Author:

Amae Dechavez was born in Quezon City, Philippines to a mother from Baguio and father from Quezon Province. She works as a V.A. and social media marketing associate-slash-SEO content writer by day, and currently resides with her dog within the suburbs of Metro Manila.

Stay updated on the release of the sequel to “All About Sandra” Cozy Crime Mysteries: Who Can Find Sandra?

Follow Amae:

Facebook.com/amaeauthor

Twitter: @amaeauthor

Goodreads.com/amaeauthor

Email: amaeauthor@gmail.com

For orders: bit.ly/amaebooks

 

“Tuning [motorcycle mufflers] is not a crime.”

 

Nick began feeling dizzy again. The reality of what he just did hit him. It was both scary and liberating.

Relax, Nick told himself. It’s done.

His arms shook from hatred and excitement. Nick wiped the rifle to remove any fingerprints and left it in the kitchen. He would just need to come back for it sometime within the week or the next before Karla returned.

He walked out of Karla’s apartment and slowly went back home. He entered his room, changed back to his house clothes, and went to see his grandmother.

Lola Teresa removed the earplugs as soon as she saw him.

“I’m afraid this won’t do.” She handed them over, showing her appreciation with a smile. “But thank you.”

Nick smiled back. The loud motorcycle won’t be making loud noises anymore. Not tonight at least.

After bidding his grandmother good night, he went to his room and lay on his bed. He looked at his hands and realized they were still shaking. Ending the life of an arrogant useless son of a bitch felt liberating.

It was better than sex.

The whole world had just become his playground.

 

The Author:

Ivan is an avid reader and a daydreamer. Writing is his way of putting both to good use.

Contact Ivan at  https://ivansnotebook.wordpress.com

 

“No one can get away anywhere anymore. No one will be safe. You now know things the public shouldn’t. You are now. . .among us”.

           -Os Magnum

 

My headache has grown worse. I take a pain reliever.

When I switch on the television, every channel is devoted to the (Hercules Trail) crime scene which just makes my head throb even more.

The dead talks and we can only listen.

           I put the TV on mute and let the images dance before my eyes. I take out my notes and start writing on my small whiteboard in the living room. The smell of the white board pen’s ink keeps me company.

Victim’s name…

Method of Death…

Suspect…

Missing on Crime Scene…

Evidence Left…

           Three cases of unconventional murders, each one happening one year after the other, almost to the day.

Who are these people? Why do they seem familiar?

My headache returns in full force. Didn’t I just take a pain reliever?

I close my eyes, breathing deeply. Am I getting sick again? What is wrong with me?

I open my eyes and try to focus.

Why these particular people?  What is the common denominator?

What connects them?

I study my notes. They are all male.  They are all of the same age range, mid to late twenties.

Same as me.

They went to the same high school.

I stare at the school name.

Something is tickling the base of my skull.

I’ve seen that name before.

A wave of nausea comes over me. With it, something clicks in my head. Suddenly, the pain is gone.

What is their common denominator?

Now, I remember.

Me.

 

The Author:

Buñag Manlapaz spends most of his time trying to attain immortality. And through writing, he found the key. AMONG US is the first of many crime fiction stories he intends to release, where he weaves together the fabric of criminality [villainy] and justice.

Contact Buñag:

https://www.facebook.com/author.bmanlapaz

b.manlapaz3@gmail.com

https://www.wattpad.com/user/BunagManlapaz

https://cosmicchronicle.wordpress.com

 

“If there was anything that Inspector Eva Andrada knew she was really good at, it was keeping surveillance on a target. This time, her target was not a criminal, but a fellow police officer.”

 

The tension in the air was almost palpable, weighing down on her chest, making it hard for her to breathe. It didn’t help that Torres didn’t turn the radio on, and he didn’t say a single word either. He was exactly what the others said he was: taciturn, standoffish, and it was no wonder no one liked being his partner on cases.

But she didn’t really care how friendly he was. What she only cared about was if he could be trusted to work with her on this case.

“Okay.” She rifled through the folders he had given her and began talking as the awkwardness of his silence began to get to her. “Nicolas Santos, 43 year-old male, and Joel de Vera, 27 year-old male. Found dead more than a week apart in June last year, one in an abandoned lot and the other at a construction site near his home. Both known drug users, with de Vera even arrested once for selling them, but was eventually released on bail.” She scanned more papers. “There was something missing in their files and that was how I made the connection between our cases. The autopsy reports were missing.” She frowned. “Or rather, the autopsies were never performed in the first place. The bodies disappeared before anyone could.”

Torres nodded, ever so slightly.

She brought out her own folder. “Henry Banal, 18 year-old male, resident of Poblacion. Is that the only connection between our cases, Sir? Do you have any new leads? Says here you haven’t had any new leads since July of last year.”

He glanced briefly at her. “Your case is my new lead.”

 

The Author:

Celestine Trinidad is a physician by profession, particularly, a pathologist. In her spare time, she writes fiction of several genres, including romance, speculative fiction, crime fiction, and children’s stories. Her stories have been published in other print and online venues, such as Philippines Free Press, Philippines Graphic, The Digest of Philippine Genre Stories, Philippine Speculative Fiction, and Insignia.

Email: cmgtrinidad@gmail.com

Website: celestinetrinidad.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CelestineTrinidadAuthor/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/luckychan

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/luckychanmd/

 

BONUS MATERIAL

Short stories by:

J. Guibone has an appetite for crime and horror fiction even though she’s a real-life scaredy-cat. Anything mysterious and creepy intrigues her, and she’ll gladly fork out a few bills for an almanac of strange phenomena (but will forget to replace her ancient sneakers).

She juggles working as a freelance writer, penning fiction, and entertaining her dogs. When not typing away at her laptop, she can usually be found with her nose buried in a book—either reading or sniffing it.

You can connect with J. Guibone through her blog at www.jguibonewrites.com

 

 

 

Mark Manalang describes himself as an “armchair journalist by day, novelist by night, foodie on call, writer by calling, author by choice.”

He is doing his best to make time for his manuscripts and poems while resuming his career in journalism. His next project, aside from the “Sampaguita” series, supposedly involves romance (or maybe not).

Throughout his exile (read: hiatus), he developed an appetite for mapo tofu, and he now also craves the beef and beer chili bowl at the Oarhouse Pub of Manila. He is also currently rewatching his old anime.

Follow Mark on:

Website: http://unlimitedgrubgrabs.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MTJManalang

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Tenkouken

Twitter: @mtjmanalang

Instagram: @unlimitedgrubgrabs

 

Irene Recio is a ninja masquerading as a stay-at-home mom with a double degree in BS Applied Economics and Business Management.  She found her happiness teaching pre-nursery children and was taking her Masters in Education when she had to put her career on pause to focus on her amazing daughter. Just recently, she received the greatest (and cutest!) surprise of her life – a bouncing (literally) baby girl! Her children are the heart and her husband is the soul of her happiness. Together they inspire her to be better and to do better always.

She used to do freelance writing for a parenting website and various magazines. She has always been fascinated with mystery and crime fiction, and her love for the genre started with Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys.

When not writing crime, she is writing new adult novellas and children’s books.

Find her on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/irene.nicolasrecio and on Twitter and Instagram:  @inrecio

 

Yeyet Soriano is a multi-genre author who writes speculative fiction, crime fiction and contemporary romance.Based in Manila, Philippines, her day job is that of an Asia-Pacific regional senior IT manager for a multinational corporation. She is married to a man who has never read of any of her works (he only reads to fall asleep), and they have three wonderful kids—a teen-aged daughter who just entered college and who is pursuing her passion for street dance, a sweet daughter in fourth grade who is a budding poet and writer in her own right, and a son in first grade who hasn’t taken up reading for fun yet, but is unbelievably smart and charming.

Email: yeyetms@gmail.com

Author Website and Blog: www.yeyetsoriano.com

Blog: www.ysrealm.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Yeyetsorianowrites/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ysrealm

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ysrealm/

 

Excerpts from future #HeistClub releases:

The Fall of the Filipino Romance Scammer by Racquel Sarah A. Castro

The Catalys by Georgette S. Gonzales

The Flame Squad: Shadow Prince by Jessica Larsen

Sampaguita: Stray Lamb by Mark Manalang

Sins of the Past by Arlene Manocot

A Higher Level by Chris Nava

The Sound of Silence by Irene Recio

Come With Me Vol. 2 by Michael Recto

The Crime Circle by Yeyet Soriano

 

PLEASE CHECK OUT THESE NEW RELEASES BY #HEISTCLUB: CASE NUMBER 2

 

Sins of the Past by Arlene Manocot

She sheds tears for the loss of the man she thought would never leave her hanging in the wilderness. Once he pulls the trigger, he is banished in her life forever.

Book link: bit.ly/BooksbyArleneManocot

 

Sampaguita: Stray Lamb by Mark Manalang

Japanese tycoon Kenichi Daimon is now a cold and bitter shadow of his former self. In between maintaining his public image as the CEO of the Diamond Group of Companies, and privately mourning for his murdered fiancée, he has become a seething predator, ever scouring Manila’s underworld for the man who took what was most precious for him.

A chance encounter with a petty thief gives Kenichi a chance to make a difference in someone’s life. But a beggar syndicate is after the child, hoping to silence him. Can Kenichi make his first step towards redemption, or will his rage lead him astray once more?

Buy on Amazon

 

The Flame Squad: Shadow Prince by Jessica Larsen

Efrain has one reason why he agrees to be Blaze’s shadow, and that is to hunt down those responsible for ruining his life. Falling in love is not a part of the plan, but the heart is the hardest thing to fight.

Book links:

Amazon Kindle

Smashwords

iBooks

Barnes&Noble

Goodreads

 

The Crime Circle by Yeyet Soriano

Four stories/arcs make up a circle, where the lines are blurred between victim and perpetrator, between innocent bystander and involved participant, and between right and wrong.

Print: bitly.com/TCC-print

 

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