Ice Rift (33 page)

One week after Richard had left Antarctica.

Richard studied the steadily increasing expressions of amazement that appeared on the publicity consultant's face as he flicked through the photographs of the alien spaceship and its ferocious inhabitants. Richard had done his homework. Clinton Henson was the best in the business and would ensure he received the rich rewards he wanted for his story.

Stunned by what he had just seen, Clinton placed the last photo on his expansive desk and looked at the man who had presented them. “This is incredible. I can hardly believe it's real.”

“It's real. I lived through the nightmare.”

Clinton glanced at the photographs spread out before him, calculating their worth and their validity. “But what happened to the spaceship?”

“It still stuck in the iceberg. As we speak NASA and the United States Army and Navy are attempting to salvage as much as its technology as they can before it slips beneath the sea.”

“As I said, Richard, it's an incredible story. Our problem is, even with these astounding photos, it's getting people to believe it. If you'd managed to get some physical evidence, there would've been no problem and no limit to the amount you could have made from this fantastical tale.”

Richard smiled, slipped a hand into his pocket and pulled something out. “Is this evidence enough?”

Clinton's eyebrows rose at the sight of the tiny creature covered in green velvet fur cupped in Richard's hand. He moved in closer for a better look. It had two small horns on its head, a black nose and large eyes that currently stared at him. He sorted through the photographs and selected the one of Haax holding Lucifer and compared the two. “Is this the same one, as it looks bigger in the photo?”

Richard shook his head. “Not exactly. The one in the photo is the creature I rescued from the spaceship. It saved my life, but this one is its offspring, which I've temporarily named Little Lucifer. When I handed its mother back, if indeed there is a male and female of this species, I later found this one in my pocket, much smaller then. I believe this species might be Asexual. I did some research and we have quite a few Earth life-forms with this ability, sometimes triggered during a decrease in its species resulting in a lack of males. But, of course, I could be totally wrong. What's important is that in my hand I have absolute evidence that alien life-forms exists and have visited earth. What I want you to do is market this alien, my photos and story, and me, in a way that will make me millions before the government and scientists take it from me, as they surely will when they learn of its existence. I want a book deal. I want to sell the movie rights and I want anything else you can think of to make money out of this. Can you do that, Clinton, or do I need to look elsewhere for someone who can?”

Clinton dragged his eyes away from the cute creature and looked at Richard. He smiled and held out his hand. “I assure you, Richard, I'll make you so much money you'll have trouble spending it.”

Richard shook the offered hand. “That's exactly what I wanted to hear.” He stroked Little Lucifer while Clinton pressed a button on the intercom to speak to his secretary.

“Kim, cancel all my appointments for the next month…yes, you heard correctly, the whole month…I don't care, tell her to find someone else, and send Matt in, I need a contract drawn up.” He released the button and smiled at Richard and the little alien. “You, Richard, have just become my most important client, and I believe, will soon prove to be my most profitable.”

Richard grinned. He tickled Little Lucifer under the chin. It purred in delight from the attention. “The kids are going to love you.”

Two days later, Richard's money-making machine was set in motion and the news of what had been discovered in Antarctica swept around the world.

Jane sat up in bed when Jack entered with a breakfast tray. He placed it on the side, picked up the newspaper and handed it to Jane. “You're not going to believe the headlines.”

Jane looked at the front page. In large bold letters the headline read:

ALIEN SPACESHIP DISCOVERED IN ANTARCTICA

READ RICHARD WHORLEY'S INCREDIBLE EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY ON HOW HE BATTLED WITH ALIENS TO SAVE HIS FRIENDS AND THE PLANET

Jane shook her head in dismay. “So much for keeping the story under wraps as NASA directed. That man would make money out of misery if he could. ‘
Battled with aliens to save his friends and the planet,
’ I've a good mind to tell my version of what really happened.”

“What's the point? Richard's not my favorite person, but we all played our part. Let him have his five minutes as, now the genie's been let out of the bottle, I'm sure your time will come. Also Theo, Scott and Pike will get to tell their story now.” Jack leaned forward and kissed her.

Jane placed the newspaper on the bedside table. “You're right. We have more important and pleasurable things to occupy our time.” She glanced at the tray. “How about you come to bed and help me work up an appetite for breakfast.”

“Your wish is my command.” Jack slipped into bed.

Coming soon
-
ICE RIFT - SALVAGE

Coming soon
-
THE 13TH TREASURE SHIP

If you would like to be added to my mailing list to receive notifications of Ice Rift - Salvage, or my new books, receive limited free advance review copies, occasional free books, send feedback or just to drop me a line, please contact me at:
[email protected]

Thank you for purchasing and reading my book. I hope you found it an enjoyable experience. If so, could you please spread the word and perhaps consider posting a review on Amazon or your place of purchase, it is the single most powerful thing you can do for me. It raises my visibility and many more people will learn about my book.

The Search for Colonel Fawcett's Lost City

THE LOST CITY
- Book 1 - An Unexpected Adventure

THE LOST CITY
- Book 2- Secrets and Treasure

Included in Aztec and Mayan legends, Conquistadors had heard rumours of its existence when exploring the New World, but never found it.

During World War II, Nazi inspired archaeologists were convinced they had pinpointed its location. They packed a U-Boat with supplies and set a course for the Amazon Jungle. They disappeared!
Many adventurers eager to claim the legendary gold as their own entered one of the most inhospitable places on earth, the Amazon Jungle. Most were never seen again!

And yet the exact location of this fantastic hoard so many have dreamed of finding remains a mystery. Any who might have stumbled upon it, never returned to tell the tale. It was as if someone, or something, was protecting it.

SOLOMON'S TREASURE 1

BEGINNINGS: A Hunt for Treasure

and

SOLOMON'S TREASURE 2

THE PRIEST'S SECRET

(The Tomb, the Temple, the Treasure Book 1 and 2)

An ancient mystery, a lost treasure and the search for the most sought after relics in all antiquity
.

The Tomb, the Temple, the Treasure series, has become an international best seller.

An exciting archaeological thriller spanning more than 2000 years.
Beginning with the construction of Solomon's Temple, the Fall of Jerusalem, the creation of the Copper Scrolls and the forming of the Knights Templar and their mysterious tunnelling under the Temple Mount. The story then takes us into the trap-riddled catacombs beneath Rosslyn Chapel, on to Rennes-le-Chateau, into the Tomb, Jerusalem and its secret tunnels and beyond.

"This is one of the most exciting novels I've read in years."
"Hammott's writing is solid and the premise intriguing. An entertaining quest filled action adventure.”
"...a terrific book with a likable protagonist, skilled plotting and interesting characters. This gripping quest for lost artifacts mystery had me hooked from the first chapter."

*****

An Insatiable Thirst for Murder
Serial Killer Henry Holmes

STORY OF AMERICA’S FIRST DOCUMENTED SERIAL KILLER. (Fiction)

This book contains the shocking dramatization of real events carried out by the serial killer, Henry Howard Holme
s
.

America's first documented serial killer, Henry Howard Holmes, holds a dubious and ghastly record that few serial killers in history have surpassed. The 19th century killer is thought to have committed over 200 murders, but, for unexplained reasons, appears to have been overlooked by many true crime enthusiasts. Set partly in the era when "Jack the Ripper" was terrorizing the foggy streets of London with his gruesome slayings in the 19th century, Holmes was committing his nefarious crimes in America, undetecte
d
.

*****

Also available is the best non-fiction account of Holmes Crimes, frauds, capture and trial:

The Hunt for H. H. Holmes and Trial of America's First Serial Killer

Holmes Pitezel Case - History of the Greatest Crime of the Century and the Search for the Missing Pitezel Children
by Frank P. Geyer 1896.

(Illustrated - complete and unabridged) 4 Books in 1 Edition

Detective Frank Geyer, the author of the above book, was the man responsible for bringing H. H. Holmes to justice and revealing some of his atrocious crimes.

*****

The Lost Inheritance Mystery

(The Butler Chronicles Book 1)

A Victorian mystery adventure revolving around the search for a lost inheritance worth millions.

The two rival miserly Drooge brothers, a butler, a murderous hunchback, a shadowy assassin, a fashion senseless burglar, a beast named Diablo, strange henchmen, an actor who once had a standing ovation, and many more oddball characters, all conspire in ways you couldn't possibly imagine to steal two paintings that contain clues to the long lost inheritance of Jacobus Drooge.
This is a complete stand-alone adventure.

*****

Dead Dragons Gold - Book 1

A Gathering of Dwarfs

Not every Fairy Tale ends happily for all...

A dauntless young hero.

An impossible quest.

A Hunt for Dead Dragons Gold.

"A dark fantasy tale interjected with humour interwoven in an original plot that will change your view of Snow White's seven dwarfs."
"If you like your fantasy stories full of originality and humour, this is the book for you and one for Pratchett fans of all ages. Highly recommended."

-

Ben Hammott's books are available from your Amazon store.

Information about Ben Hammott’s books can be found at
Ben Hammott’s website