CASTLE INVESTIGATIONS
D E E B RI D G N O R TH
Copyright © 2019
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Book One
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Epilogue
Book Two
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
Book Three
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
Book Four
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Book Five
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Epilogue
Book One
Chapter 1
Emery Ferguson took in the graffiti-stained walls of the buildings that graced her neighborhood. At almost five o'clock during the winter in D.C., the sun had already set. Their one bedroom apartment in D-town was a far cry from the two-story Tudor home she and her older sister Scarlett had sold five years ago. That house was filled with wonderful memories. Memories of when she was carefree. Memories of when her mom and dad were alive. Memories of when they didn't live in this rundown neighborhood.
Emery passed an alley without looking down it. She had learned a long time ago that things happened in alleys that she didn't want to know about. The less she saw, the less she knew. And if she didn't know anything, that might keep her safe.
A hand reached out from the dark alley and grabbed her sleeve. Emery's scream echoed down the empty streets. She relaxed only a little when she realized it was a woman.
"Gotta light, sugar?"
"N-n-no. Sorry."
The woman, whom Emery assumed was a prostitute, looked her over, rubbing her hand over the fake leather jacket Scarlett had gotten her for Christmas last year, her glazed-over eyes eerily observant.
"You know, you could get some good money on the streets with a body like that. I can hook you up with my pimp, if you want."
"Oh, um, thanks. But no thanks. I'm not interested." Emery took off at almost a jog.
"Suit yourself," she heard the prostitute call out after her, cackling like the wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz.
Shaking off the disgust and horror of meeting someone so desperate as to sell her body to get money, Emery reached her apartment building. Parker Street Luxury Apartments consisted of a two-story building that might once have been painted white. It was now a sort of dingy gray, the paint peeling back in places to reveal the concrete walls underneath. With each apartment having an outdoor entry, it was exactly the kind of place you saw in movies where the bad guy kicks in the flimsy door and shoots up the occupants inside. The luxury part of the name was definitely a misnomer.
She unlocked the door and pushed inside, dropping her book bag and gym bag on the floor near the bar area in the kitchen. She went straight to the refrigerator to see what they had to eat before her sister came home from her shift at the diner. She scoured the inside, waiting for something delicious and filling to magically appear. When it didn't, she grabbed the half-empty carton of milk and took out a box of cereal from the pantry. They were almost out of that, too.
Emery took out her phone and punched in a message to her sister:
Em: We're almost out of food. I'm eating the last bit of cereal and milk now. Sorry. Can you stop and get some on the way home?
Scar: Yeah, I guess. I'll use the tip money I get from tonight. Anything else?
Emery paused, considering asking her sister to bring home a chocolate cake and a twelve-pack of Diet Coke, but she knew their budget wouldn't allow for such frivolities.
Em: Nope, I think we're good. Thanks, Scar.
She put her phone down and dug into the bowl of cereal. After an afternoon of intense indoor track practice, she was exhausted and needed the fuel. She never really felt full these days. She came close at school since she got free lunch, but for dinner, their meals of tomato soup with one sli
ce of toast just didn't cut it. She knew her sister was doing all she could to provide for them. Working two jobs and saving every penny she could for Emery's college fund.
But Emery thought the saving was unnecessary. She was going to get that full ride to college. She'd already had scouts watching her race during the cross country season, and it would pick up even more during the spring track season. She smiled to herself as she thought about a carefree existence again. One where she could run and go to school and not have to worry about whether they'd have enough food for the night. Then maybe Scarlett would use some of that savings to go back to college and finish her own degree.
Emery wasn't a spoiled kid. She knew how much her sister had sacrificed for her. But some days, she just couldn't help but wish their life wasn't so hard. It could be worse, though. Her sister could be just like the woman she'd met on the street earlier. A chill ran up her spine, and Emery pushed away the bad thoughts.
Picking up her phone again, she saw she had a message from Damon Smith. He was friends with several kids from school, but she didn't really know him. He'd started following her on Instagram a couple of weeks ago and had sent her a message to say hi. They had started a conversation from there.
Damon had to be in college, maybe even out of college. But he was extremely handsome. His profile was filled with pictures of him with beautiful women and equally attractive men. She was mesmerized by his lifestyle and had fallen into a routine of chatting with him online every evening.
Damon: Whatcha doing, gorgeous?
He always complimented her looks, which was extremely flattering. All the guys at school were so immature. It was nice to talk with a real man every day.
Em: Just hanging out at home. How bout u?
Damon: Getting ready to go to that club I was telling you about. You want to come with me?
She did. She really did. But her sister would kill her, and she had way too much respect for Scarlett to make her worry about her. She already had plenty of that on her plate.
Em: Not tonight. Maybe another time.
Damon: Come on, Em. You always say that, and you never come.
Em: My sister will be home soon, and she'll expect me to be here.
Damon: Why does it matter that your sister will be there? Aren't your parents there too?
Em: It's just me and my sister. My sister is too young to be a mom, but she's been forced into it. I won't make things harder on her.
Damon: How old is your sister?
Em: 25
Damon: Oh wow, that is young. Is she the one with you in your profile pic?
Em: Yes. We're really close.
Damon: Good, I'm glad you have someone like that in your life. Ok, well if I can't convince you to come out with me tonight, what about Thursday night?
Em: My sister gets off work early on Thursday because she's filling in for her friend Maggie tonight. So, I'd have to ask her.
Damon: I can come pick you up—meet your sister. That way she'll feel more comfortable after meeting me. What's your address?
Em paused, knowing she shouldn't give her address to a stranger. But was Damon really a stranger? They had mutual friends, and he seemed to really like her. What was the harm in letting him meet Scarlett? And then, if she didn't like him, Emery just wouldn't be able to see him. The thought saddened her, but she wouldn't put more stress on Scarlett.
Em: Ok I live in the Parker Street Apartments. Unit 205. She'll be home at seven so you can pick me up around then.
Damon: Can't wait to see you in person, Emery.
Em: Me too.
She squealed and danced around her apartment, falling backwards onto the threadbare, pink and blue plaid couch. She relaxed a moment, dreaming about the date with Damon on Thursday. Just two more nights before she'd meet him.
* * * *
Scarlett Ferguson placed the enormous platter of food in front of the gorgeous man who ate at the restaurant twice a week. Every Tuesday and Thursday night at six-thirty sharp, he walked into the diner looking as if he'd lost his best friend. There was always the same sad and withdrawn expression on his face. Lately, though, that look didn't stay quite as long. She hoped it had something to do with the teasing and flirting that went on between them when he was here.
Lucas Falco always sat in her section. He was tall, with soulful brown eyes and brown hair, left a little longer on top, that always looked like he'd run his fingers through it. She was flattered and secretly loved that he would wait just to be served by her. He was also a very generous tipper. She didn't have time for men when just keeping up with the bills and taking care of Emery was the focus of her life, but she could enjoy the banter and maybe even look forward to it.
"Thanks," Lucas said.
"You're welcome. Anything else I can get you?"
"I'm good, Scarlett." Her name rolled off his tongue and sent shivers down her spine.
She turned to leave, and he grabbed her hand. She glanced at his large hand on her tiny one and looked into his eyes—his deep, chocolate brown eyes that made her think of hot cocoa by a warm fire.
"That's an interesting name for a redhead…"
She rolled her eyes—not the first time she'd heard that. "Yeah, well, my parents were interesting people. They got a kick out of it. Said as soon as they saw my head full of red hair, they knew no other name would fit. I guess they never thought about all the jokes I'd hear growing up." Growing up a pale-skinned, freckled redhead had been hard enough. But the jokes about her name had just made it all worse. She loved her red hair now. It wasn't orange at all, but more a deep, rich shade of brilliant red. Emery always commented on how much she wished her hair were red. When they were younger, though, Scarlett had always been jealous of Emery's normal, brown hair.
"Were?"
"What?"
"You said your parents were interesting people. Past tense. What happened to them?"
"They died five years ago. Car accident."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, me too." She glanced down at the apron in her hands, not realizing she'd been twisting it the whole time they were talking. Lucas followed her gaze and looked back up at her with compassion in his eyes.
"Anyway, I need to get back to work."
She turned to go but stopped when he said, "My mom died, too. I never knew my dad." She caught his gaze, and saw that the sadness from before seemed to envelop him. He blinked and shook his head as if shaking away the depressing thoughts and dug into his food as if he were a starving man and hadn't eaten in weeks.
She started walking away, calling back over her shoulder, "Let me know if I can get you anything else."
"Your phone number?" He smiled, his eyes twinkling and his cheeks dimpling. Damn, that smile was disconcerting. If his smile could do that to her insides, what could his lips do to her? She shook her head, feeling her telltale blush spread to her cheeks.
"Ms. Scarlett, is that a blush I see on your pretty face? What were you thinking just now?" Damn pale skin revealed all her hidden thoughts.
"Wouldn't you like to know," she quipped and turned her back to him. She might have put a little more swing in her hips as she walked away. Her skin prickled, knowing his eyes were watching her. As she pushed through the kitchen doors, she thought she heard a murmured curse. Her blush disappeared, replaced with a smug smile. Round one—Scarlett.
Chapter 2
"Emery! I'm home!" It was well past midnight. Her stint at the diner had ended late tonight. Usually she was off at ten, but Maggie had had an appointment and was late for her shift. Scarlett felt lucky that she didn't have to work into the wee hours of the night. It was bad enough working an office job all day and then a shift at the diner several days a week, but she wanted her sister to have money for college, and the only way she would be certain of that is if they didn't touch the money from the sale of her house. Making minimum wage just wasn't enough to cover all the bills. And with Emery on the track team, new shoes were needed every three months or so. Those things
weren't cheap. But Emery's dreams of college and the Olympics were worth the sacrifice.
"Em!" Scarlett rounded the corner into the room they shared in the one bedroom apartment. Emery was asleep on her bed, lying on her stomach, her arms crossed over a textbook and her head resting on top. Earbuds were in her ears, and it was amazing she could sleep since Scarlett could hear the low rumble of the bass coming from them. She picked up Emery's phone, a miraculous find on Craigslist last Christmas, to switch the music off, when her eyes caught the message on the screen. Damon? Who was Damon?
She felt a little bad about invading her privacy, but since Scarlett paid the bill for said phone, she didn't feel that bad. Isn't this what parents did to ensure their children were safe? She was no parent, but she was responsible for Em's safety. She opened the app and read:
Damon: You should totally join us. This place is amazing.
Emery: I really wish I could. But my sister should be home soon, and she'd flip.
Damn right she would flip. Who was this Damon guy?
Damon: The drinks are awesome too. Not watered down like other places. I could buy them for you of course, since you're under age. I can't wait until Thursday.
Emery: I can't wait either.
Scarlett's heart froze. What was Thursday? She scrolled through Damon's profile and found a very handsome man, nearer to Scarlett's age than Em's. In every picture, he was partying. Not exactly the kind of influence Em needed in her life. Scarlett closed the app and turned the music down.
The change in noise roused Emery, and her groggy eyes met Scarlett's. "Hey, what are you doing with my phone?"
"I was turning the music down. I could hear it from across the room. That's not good for your ears, you know?"
Em rolled her eyes. "I know. Thanks, mom." She blanched, realizing her error. "Sorry. I know you're just trying to take care of me."
"Speaking of taking care of you, who's Damon?"
Em shot up out of bed. "You read my messages! How could you?" She snatched the phone from Scarlett's hand.
"I didn't mean to. I picked up your phone, and it was just there. Em, you're not planning to meet a strange guy who's my age, are you? Thursday night?"
Em looked down at her hands folded in her lap. "Well, kind of. He keeps asking, and I knew you wouldn't like it. He said he would meet you first. I was going to tell you. It's just nice having someone like me, you know?"
Castle Investigations Box Set Page 1
