The Run Begins by J. Frank James
The Run Begins, by J. Frank James, is the prequel to the Lou Malloy Crime Series. It was published in August 2013 and is available for sale on Amazon.
Synopsis:
Lou Malloy is 18 years old and ready for the world… but is the world ready for him? His brother Sam has left and his sister wants to move to Florida with the family. Malloy is having none of it and on a wild moment decides to hop on a rail car, unsure of where he is going. The important thing is that he will no longer be in Kansas, but the problem is that he doesn’t have any money. Henry Lowe, who is in the same rail car, offers Malloy the deal of a lifetime… All he has to do is help Lowe rob a casino in Georgia. With the promise of a big payday, Malloy takes part in a scheme that will seal his fate forever.
What starts off as a quick way for Malloy to get a share of $15 million turns into a run for his life. Malloy learns the hard way that nothing comes easy when you’re alone and your life is about change forever…
Excerpt from The Run Begins:
Chapter 1
“What are you thinking about, Louie?” asked Sam.
“Don’t call me Louie. That’s a name for a duck,” I said. “You know I don’t like it.”
“How do you think I feel when you call me Sammy?”
“Never thought about it,” I said.
“So, what are you thinking about, L-o-o-o?”
“I’m thinking about flattening your nose.”
“When are you going to quit fighting with everyone?” Sam asked.
“Can’t help it if I like to fight. Besides, makes me feel good when I win,” I said.
“Fighting doesn’t solve anything. You need to find something else to occupy your time,” said Sam.
Sam was older than me by four years, but I was bigger, faster, and tougher, and because I was, I caught all the action. Sam’s idea of a fight was something you did with gloves, a ring, and rules.
“Lou, you need to be thinking of your future.”
“Been thinking about it,” I said.
“You going to tell me?”
“I might like to be a boxer,” I said.
“I give up,” said Sam. “Are you ever going to take things seriously?”
“What about you, Sam?” I said. “What do you want to be?”
“I’m going to Hollywood and make pictures,” said Sam.
I gave out a horse’s laugh when I heard that.
“Dad wouldn’t even let us go to a movie, unless it was Brown’s, much less make them,” I said. “You’re crazy. Dad would never allow it.”
“In about four months I’ll be twenty-one. Besides, there’s nothing he can do about it after I leave.”
“Not me,” I said. “I’m staying right here until something really good comes along.”
“Like what, wise guy?” Sam said. “We’re in the Middle of Nowhere, Kansas and nothing good ever stays here long enough to matter.”
“Maybe I’ll surprise you,” I said.