Synopsis

Who sent the black panther guide, and where will it lead her? A young woman, Jennifer, receives a visit from a spirit panther which takes her into an amazing adventure. Thrust into a relationship with Vijay, a technician in the Mercury Theatre, she must overcome her past to learn to love him. Meanwhile, the message of the panther is not clear, and an Artificial Intelligence named Gabriel claims to be the one who can help her solve the puzzle. This speculative, romantic fantasy is the first novel of the Jennifer Trilogy, which begins the series of Gaia’s Daughters.

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Excerpt

Chapter 14 – MEETING WITH WENDELL

Wendell was sitting at his desk surrounded by a cloud of sweet-smelling pipe tobacco smoke when Jennifer arrived at work the following morning. She knocked on his open door, and he waved her in.

“Come in, come in, child, and close the door, why don’t you.”

Jennifer didn’t like being called a child. ‘But it’s not the worst thing I’ve been called,’ she thought.

“Hi Wendell, I came to give you a progress report.” Wendell put down his pipe and leaned forward, seeming intent on hearing what she had to say.

“I’ve connected with Vijay, and we’re living in the same apartment now. I believe that was the first objective.”

“Yes, go on.”

“We’ve been to the Green Dragon together, and Vijay is caught up in the revolutionary spirit there. We also found Marjorie and watched her play in the park. Vijay said it gave him insight into the kind of resistance movement he needs to create.”

“And how was Marjorie? We’ve known each other for a long time, but it’s been a while since I last saw her.”

“She said she knew you and seemed delighted that you sent us to her, but she didn’t tell us about your past.”

“No, I don’t suppose she would. So, what are you planning next?”

“Vijay is going to recruit Sally and Greg into his resistance movement. Vijay believes they’d be a great asset.”

“Yes, very good. I believe Vijay’s instinct is right.”

“I’m also working on inspiring Vijay. And I’ll be talking with Marjorie again. She seems like an interesting person to know better.”

“Very good. I can see how that makes sense. Now, what do you need from me? I assume you didn’t just drop by to tell me that you’ve done what I asked. I already knew that.”

“I need you to set us some tasks to give Vijay the sense that we’re moving forward. Tell us what you need us to do next while he’s getting started. The people paying for all this, what do they want to see happen?”

“Don’t concern yourself with them. I’ll have some more tasks in a few days. Meanwhile, keep working on your handwriting. It’s getting much better, but there’s still room for improvement.”

“Don’t worry, I’m still doing my cover job. But if you’re going to be our secret boss, we need you to do your job as well.”

Wendell sat back, raising one eyebrow. “It’s always so refreshing talking with you, Ms. Dupont. I’ll let you know when I’ve spoken with our sponsors. Please leave the door open as you leave.”

He picked up his pipe in his left hand and a half-read script in his right.

Jennifer went out into the hall feeling pleased with herself. ‘The next tasks should tell us a lot.’

She went to the control room to tell Vijay about her conversation, but as she climbed the short flight of stairs, she heard voices above her.

“That’s great,” Vijay was saying. “Why not come by our place for dinner tonight, and we can talk more about how you might contribute.”

Jennifer reached the top of the stairs and found Sally and Greg sitting with Vijay.

“Hi Sally, Greg. Sounds like you’re thinking of joining us. That’s wonderful! What time did you want to come over?”

Greg looked at Sally, who answered, “Would 7pm work for you?”

“Perfect,” said Jennifer. “I’m looking forward to spending some time together.”

Sally and Greg made their way back down the stairs. Jennifer heard the control room door open, and then close behind them.

“Vijay, what are you thinking of? Why invite them to our apartment?”

“Because, Jennifer, I have no other tangible proof that any of this is real. That apartment is proof that someone is funding this, funding us, and that we’re engaged in something serious. I want to leverage it as we get started. Besides, I trust Sally and Greg.”

“Why do you trust them?”

“Jenn, what do you know about their relationship? Are they just good friends? Do they sleep together? Do they even live together?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows, really. Noone ever talks about them, or if they do, it’s only to say they’re a mystery because no one knows.”

“Exactly. So, they’ll be able to keep our secrets as well. They’re already used to keeping private things private.”

“Okay, just don’t expect me to cook dinner.”

“No? I was planning for a feast of toast and coffee!” Jennifer did her best to look hurt. “You should be planning to sleep on the couch tonight.”

Vijay laughed, stood up to kiss her, then went back to his work as she went down into the lobby, where there were always more ticket requests waiting.

About the Author

Kevin Coleman is a well-regarded Canadian author. Prior to his journey as a writer, Kevin spent a significant portion of his career as a consultant to large corporations and governments around the world, applying his expertise in technology and management. The insights and experiences gleaned from this role have enriched his understanding of human dynamics, a quality vividly apparent in his writing.

With his wide-ranging life experiences and global adventures, Kevin crafts characters of depth and realism, set in authentic locales. He adeptly weaves themes of personal growth, love, and redemption throughout his narratives, which have garnered him a devoted readership. Kevin’s prowess in contemporary fiction is particularly evident in his captivating ‘Jennifer’ series.

Presently, Kevin calls the northern shore of Lake Ontario home, where he savors the serenity and picturesque views that Oakville offers. In his downtime, Kevin engages in making kites and indulges his passion for sailing when the opportunity arises. He is also a proud father to two adult children and grandfather to two grandsons.

With every new narrative, Kevin invites his readers to reflect deeply on their own experiences and emotions. He is committed to continuing his journey of crafting engaging, thought-provoking stories that resonate and inspire.

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