Kira Chase

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Saturday's Excerpt – Partners: Deception

"I can't believe how obnoxious that man is. How long has this been going on?" Johanna demanded.

Trey lowered his eyes. "Almost from the start. When I first met Kyle, he seemed okay and was polite. But it didn't take him long to change." He sighed wearily. "He doesn't care what he says or who he says it to. I've had some problems with some of my crew because of him. I've warned him to stay away from them, but for some odd reason he seems to think he can talk to them any way he wants."

Johanna's eyes narrowed. "What does Will say?" she asked. "You would think he would have thrown Kyle out."

"That's just it." He raised his eyes and met Johanna's. "He doesn't say anything no matter what Kyle says or does. I can't understand it," he said bitterly.

She hated the look of defeat in his eyes. "Let me help get dinner on the table." She hugged him. "Don't worry. Frankie and I will find out what Kyle's game is. We'll figure
it out."

He frowned. "I just wish I knew what Will's game is. He's a stranger, like I never knew him at all."

Johanna picked up a large salad bowl. "Is it really that bad between you and Will, Trey?"

Trey's shoulders slumped. "Everything was perfect between us before Kyle arrived." He slowly shook his head. "Will is a different person around Kyle…someone I don't know. And frankly, someone I wouldn't care to know. It makes me question how much I really know about him."

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Saturday's Excerpt – Partners: Winds Of Fire

Frankie pulled the car over to let two fire trucks with sirens blaring, roar past.

"Another fire," Johanna said. "Too early for the elusive arsonist."

Frankie grunted. "I hope they catch the bastard soon. Who knows where he'll strike next?"

"No leads last I heard, but then I haven't really been keeping up with the news lately."

Frankie glanced at her. "From what I've heard it's been only trash cans outside of commercial businesses that have closed for the night. No major damage except to the trash receptacles."

"It doesn't make sense. People are still around the area shopping at some of the other merchants who are open later, but no one ever sees anything or anyone acting suspicious."

"How many people are out back where the bins are usually located? Only an employee putting trash into a bin. So we can rule out an employee." Frankie speculated. "It's either a pyromaniac or someone looking for revenge."

"It could be an employee who is a pyromaniac. If it's someone looking for revenge, then it's odd that he would have that many businesses to settle a score with. But then, who knows? Nothing about any crime is ever logical," Johanna said. "And neither are the criminals."

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Saturday's Excerpt – Partners: Beyond The Shadows

"So, this Carson Fellows knows that now he'll be going back to prison for violating his parole once they catch him. Probably for life." She drew a shaky breath. "You want us to keep an eye open if he comes around this area? Is there any reason to think he would?"

George rubbed his head again. It looked like the color was draining from his face right before her eyes. An eerie feeling crept up her spine. She sought to keep her composure, but it was quickly slipping away. Her palms began sweating. She glanced at Johanna. Johanna's eyes were frozen on George's face.

"George," Johanna said weakly. "You didn't answer Frankie's question. Is there a reason Fellows would come to Charlestown?"

George cast an uneasy look at Frankie. "Yes." He hesitated. "For you, Frankie."

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Saturday's Excerpt – Partners: Blinded By The Trees

"Oh, Frankie," Selma moaned, clutching her chest as Frankie walked her to the front of the tree. "How can a human being do that to another human being? What would possess someone to do something so horrifying?"

"I don’t know, Mom," Frankie answered quietly. "I just don’t know."

"If this is like some of the crimes you and Johanna had to respond to on the police force I don’t know how you stayed sane." She peered at Frankie. "How did you stomach it?"

Frankie saw the tears glistening in her mother’s eyes. Her tender heart could never bear some of what they had witnessed. "Sometimes I don’t know how we did either, Mom." She looked toward the group. She never thought she’d see such a brutal murder in Charlestown.