Joel S. Johnson
THRILLER / CONSPIRACY / TECHNOTHRILLER
THE STORY
Environmental consultant Luke Graham is hired to clean up a contaminated chemical site in Southern California—but what he uncovers is far more dangerous than decades-old pollution.
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As the EPA pushes for drastic action and furious residents face losing their homes, Luke is caught between corporate pressure, public outrage, and a growing threat he can’t control.
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Then a shocking discovery reveals a hidden history of chemical dumping—and sparks a chain of events that turns deadly.
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Now, with his life under threat and enemies closing in from every direction, Luke must rely on a relentless former military ally and a man who knows the plant’s darkest secrets.
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Because the deeper he digs…
…the more someone wants the truth buried for good.
Contaminant of Concern
A "Luke Graham" Series
Published by: Bay Meadows Press
Paperback ISBN: 979-xxx
Paperback Trim: 5.5" x 8.5" - 320 pages
BUY CONTAMINANT OF CONCERN NOW AT THESE RETAILERS
EXCERPT
[CHAPTER 18]
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Luke heard a metallic click at the hotel room door behind him while answering the next email. It sounded like the door opening. Were the walls really that thin in this hotel? He turned. A man stood a few feet from him, wearing nice slacks and a long-sleeved dress shirt. He had a ski mask over his face and pointed a 9mm Smith & Wesson at Luke's face.
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It took Luke a few seconds before he realized that a man was actually in his room pointing a pistol at his head. The memory of his ten-year-old childhood friend aiming his dad's loaded pistol at him, just for fun, flashed into his mind.
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Luke raised his hands slowly, staring at the pistol and spoke in a loud voice. "Hey, it's cool. What do you want from me? Are you sure you're in the right room?"
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"Listen to me, Luke. You need to get the hell out of town and quit ruining our lives. This dirt removal and all this talk about DDT causing cancer is bullshit, and you know it. You can put an end to this, so go do it."
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Luke wasn't sure if the man was finished or if there was more to come, but he was encouraged that the man spoke of the future. His voice was unfamiliar, with no particular accent or distinguishing inflections. His eyes were brown and glaring.
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Out of the corner of his eye, Luke saw Van at the connecting room door.
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"I hear what you're saying, man. I'm just a working stiff trying to do my job," Luke said, hoping to keep the masked man's attention, but the man caught sight of Van in the big wall mirror. He started turning around when Van hit him with a right hook to the lower jaw…
ABOUT JOEL S. JOHNSON
Joel S. Johnson works by day as a small business executive in the environmental and energy profession and by night as a creator of historical and modern mystery/suspense novels.
Contaminant of Concern is his debut novel in a series and is an attempt to share the often complex and divisive realities of the environmental industry. Interesting stories emanate from the numerous stakeholders with changing and opposing views including regulators subject to political winds, corporate interests, lawyers, activists, scientists, and consultants.