by Max Winters
DEADLY WOMEN
THE DANGEROUS ENCOUNTER
A CONTEMPORARY MYSTERY THRILLER ROMANCE
MAX WINTERS
Copyright©2016 by SKYWRATH PUBLISHING
A MYSTERY THRILLER ROMANCE
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including emailing, photocopying, recording or by any storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or locals or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My mom, dad, and siblings, who encouraged me to indulge in my writing, career, and educational. I spent many long hours thinking about how I can be use my writing to help inform the world! Thanks!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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 1
The shimmering blaze of the early morning sun peered over the semi clear skies that graced California City. Crime had become the order of the day and the cops were preoccupied with every unfortunate incident that claimed the lives of innocent citizens. A huge mob gathered around the junction that divided the town into several areas. Someone had been killed and the body was smeared in a pool of blood. A beautiful woman in her mid twenties with a pair of rare eyes that popped open was the unfortunate victim. She may have been brutally killed as her tongue was out of her mouth. Her long coffee hair walled her cheeks exposing a scary image of the belle that might have been a beauty to behold when she was alive.
A couple of journalists flooded the area probably with the desire to cover the story but the police advised them to step back as they were trying to ascertain the cause of the death. Robert Copper seemed to have particular interests in the case as he circled the body in calculated steps. He wrote down some points and his eyes formed tears that almost leaked over his immaculate white shirt underneath a pair of Grey suit. The police dismissed the onlookers who watched the body in bewildered expressions even as they made their way out of the crime scene.
“Make sure you don’t displace anything.” Graham emerged from the police car, inspecting the body with hands sealed by white gloves as he ushered the order men to carry the body into the police car.
“Jesus Christ, this is crazy.” Elizabeth stemmed from behind. Her eyes expressed her shock as she stood dazed. She was a woman in the prime of life and she walked in frantic steps that exposed her furry masked in sorrow. She was dressed in a pair of black trousers tucking a blue shirt while her jacket hung on the front seat of her car.
“Poor soul, she may have gone through so much pain.” She sighed. Her eyes formed films of tears. She had been on the job long enough to know that such cruelty existed in the world but every time it came as a big blow. She was a mother and her empathy knew no bounds.
“Agent Steele this is not the time for lamentations and sentiments, it’s the time to get to work.” Graham told Elizabeth in a gruff tone. His eyes were red probably from a pain far greater than the loss of the beautiful belle. He was a man of steel and this wasn’t his first murder case and of course his hysteria was uncalled for.
“I am fully aware of my job partner; as such I need no reminder.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes in and moved closer to the body with a pen fixed in place over a small leaflet. Graham shot an angry gaze at her in manner of retaliation but she ignored him completely.
“Chris, get the other men to their stations. I and agent Elizabeth will dig out evidence as soon as possible. Let me know if there are any new developments.” Graham said in an authoritative tone that induced the feeling he had expected to inspire in Chris –intimidation. His black eyes were sparkling and daring and his complete need for control could be easily read by just about anybody as his crouching eyes on his subordinates said it all. The black and white van vanished into the heavy jammed street with loud sirens that aroused public attention. Elizabeth made some notes about the crime scene and almost instantly she shoved the notepad into her cloak pocket and with one vivid glance she hopped into the car with Graham on the driver’s seat. They rolled silently in the silent car at top speed while they held their breaths as each one resisted to mutter a word.
“For a woman of our caliber I find it hard to believe you would be so uncivilized.” Graham managed holding tightly to the steering wheel and looking straight on the road avoiding Elizabeth’s gaze.
“Agent Wild, I take it that you are badly hurt by the murder of the young lady. You of all people know that I take exceptions to everything except insults.” Agent Elizabeth responded, pinning her gaze on Graham while he managed under a stiff neck, ignoring her hoping to make her feel bad.
“I am merely stating a fact. Only uncivilized and closed up women will propose a date to a well intended gentleman like myself and not show up.” Graham Wild continued, with a silly smile lingering on his face. Somewhere in his mind he thought he had some victory based on the words he spouted to the beautiful police woman.
“What fact may that be my dear partner and gentleman?” Elizabeth mocked, reading the smile that pushed his mouth to the side. He always flared into a rage at the slightest opportunity yet he always hoped to gain his pound of flesh by making utterances that made no sense to her.
“Don’t act smart with me Miss Steele. The least I deserve from you is an apology but I don’t think the likes of you will find anyone worthy of an apology.” Graham continued, increasing the car speed while Elisabeth’s curious eyes warned him per his speed. They were officers of the law and it was unbecoming of them to storm the road like mad people just because of whatever silly thing was making Graham mad. He managed to put on a false facade that his mood swing was due to the ongoing investigation but he couldn’t fool Elizabeth who knew he was hurting because she hadn’t showed up for their date the previous night-Quite unprofessional on his part.
“A well intended gentleman should have bothered to know what happened and why a woman will want to stand him up on a date and stop making lousy insinuations.” Elizabeth reprimanded. Her gaze went serious all of a sudden. Her daughter had fallen ill and she had rushed her to the hospital that night after dressing up to meet him. Attempts to call him hours later had failed as Graham had refused to take the call and there he was lecturing her on civilization and gentility. He sure was full of himself but she would rather stay alone than welcome and overbearing cops into her world.
“Why didn’t you show up for our date last night Miss Elizabeth Steele?” He mustered courage after reading the sarcasm in her eyes. He waited for some minutes but no words came forth from Elizabeth. “Why…” Impatience possessed him as he tried to ask once more.
“We are on the job in case you have forgotten Agent Wild…There is a suspect we need to identify…Don’t lose your focus.” She jested, knowing how much it will irritate him. Men like him were a complete match for her as she knew exactly how to crush his ego.
“Whatever.” He hissed. A smile brushed Elizabeth’s cheeks while she rolled her eyes satisfied that she had put the man in his place. He was a good cop but he was completely bizarre when it came to issues in the social cycl
e.
Graham parked his Mercedes and peered silently in the dark to avoid being noticed. His steps lashed the lawn that led into the famous La Salsa club. The beautiful chandelier lights sparkled from the interior to the exterior. The gothic building imposed itself on the surrounding and noise buzzed from inside as the melodic tone of the jazz caressed the hall.
Several cars were parked in the garage section of the lawn and from all indications it was where the big boys of the town came to spoil themselves. Graham marched towards the entrance and he was immediately welcomed by two beautiful ladies dressed in miniskirts and tiger bras. The two ladies were slender and tall with short hair that intensified their beauty. They decorated their faces in expensive make up that gave them an exquisite sense of appeal.
Graham nestled at a dark corner while the two girls emitted licentious tendencies that elated him. He had had a recorder inserted in his jacket and Elizabeth was somewhere out in the streets listening to everything that was happening in the club.
“Gush! You are so hot.” One of the girls sat on his lap, dotting a kiss on his cheeks; he let out a soft moan, probably in his frustration to resist the belle. Her kisses were clouding his senses. Elizabeth heard his groans from the other end and her eyes widened probably in some sort of mini jealousy.
“You think so?” His eyes scanned the room, settling on the large podium flooded by beautiful and partly nude girls. Three girls danced simultaneously around silvery poles, tossing their legs in a manner that exposed their attractive ties. The grand audience which comprised of wealthy lords with a few women who were overwhelmed by the poker game, cheered especially as the girls danced, exposing their silver pants.
Graham restrained himself from dancing to the sensual rhythm the young prostitute was inducing. He pinned his gaze on one of the young men who sat somewhere in the center of the semi dark hall burying himself in a bottle of whisky. He looked like someone in his late twenties but his overbearing beard made him look older than his age. His grey eyes graced his appearance and he drank directly from the bottle with the speed of light.
“Who’s that guy over there?” Graham asked the prostitute. She dashed a vivid glance at Malcolm who was drinking, with a stick of cigarette that he smoked, puffing out thick mass of fumes.
“He is one of the workers here.” She muttered, moving her lips towards his ears. He had dismissed the other prostitute immediately he entered the club and he wanted to dismiss the other one in a manner that wasn’t going to sound effusive. He played a forged smile and then in an apologetic bow he dashed to meet Malcolm who was almost drunk. He seemed depressed and he was lost in the liquor. Graham tried talking to Malcolm but he was fussy and violent and in a split second Graham vanished out of the hall.
A tall and handsome gentleman with broad shoulders marched into the upper compartment of the building. His white Italians suite was a perfect blend of beauty and class. His shimmering gaze was angelic and he seemed to have run the club for as long as possible. He addressed the audience in an aristocracy that was eminent and he probably was the admiration of all. Damon was one of the richest men in California and his club was the best and its reputation was untainted except for the fact that he had a collection of sterilized girls that were professional in satisfying the men who came there. His involvement in humanitarian works in the city had made him one of the most famous businessmen.
Elizabeth marched into the hall with Graham on her trail and as though she knew her target, she walked straight up to Damon. After speaking with him, he pointed to Malcolm who sat lost and drenched in agony. Elizabeth approached Malcolm and in his semi drunken state he didn’t look her way even when she blocked his gaze.
“Are you Malcolm Smith? Elizabeth inspected him with piercing eyes, probably in a manner to see the monster in him.
“Yes I am.” Malcolm responded, with eyes that inspected the female cop in disdain.
“Hands where I can see them.” Elizabeth pulled out her short pistol towards Malcolm, who stood dazed shocked at the sight of a gun pointed at him. Was drinking now a crime?” His eyes widened as he managed to get a hold of himself. He seemed drunk and he staggered in frustration.
“What did I do?” Malcolm’s eyes searched Elizabeth as she held the gun tightly.
“You are under arrest for the murder of Keisha Williams.” Elizabeth announced while Graham pulled out handcuffs from his back pocket and clenched both Malcolm’s hands.
“What? Keisha’s dead? I …didn’t kill anyone.” He stuttered with eyes that formed tears as the thought of Keisha possessed him instantly.
“You of all people are the first one to know she is dead because you killed her.” Graham remarked knotting his hands together forcefully.
“I didn’t kill anyone.” Malcolm fought with both hands behind his back.
“I urge you to remain silent as every word that you say could be used against you in a competent court of law.” Elizabeth advised while Graham dragged him forcefully out of the club with a few people watching pitiably while a majority drowned themselves to the melodic rhythm that buzzed the hall.
“Gentlemen, what the hell is going on here?” Damon’s voice stemmed from behind. Two muscular boys stood astride him and with a strike to kill look.
“He is a delinquent and must pay for his crime. He is going in for murder.” Graham continued stiffening his grip on the alleged criminal.
“I am a noble man and I don’t entertain outlaws in my club.” Damon continued fixing a gaze on Malcolm and back to the cops. He wanted to know who the gentleman whom was arrested was. Damon and Malcolm shared a momentary glance and Damon nodded his head in comprehension and left immediately Graham explained everything to him. Malcolm begged his gaze but it seemed he barely knew him.
Chapter 2
“Mr. Smith, from my findings the deceased was your girlfriend and on the night of her murder you had a heated argument with her.” Elizabeth marched around the room in calculated steps. Malcolm sat on one of the matching chairs that surrounded the metallic table burying his gaze on the floor. The room was a small box with little or no decoration and the cops wore serious expressions that indicated their desires to get the truth out of the miscreant.
“Keisha was my girlfriend. We had an argument but I loved her so much.” Malcolm argued. His eyes were sore from lack of sleep and the interrogation session had eradicated the effect of the alcohol on his system.
“What do you do for a living Mr. Smith?” Elizabeth continued, deviating from the subject matter.
“That’s not our point of focus agent Steele.” Graham cut in, impatience lingering over his forehead as he had his violent manner of forcing the truth out of culprits. He stamped his feet in frustration by the fact that Elizabeth was being too gentle on the criminal.
“I am trying to establish a link agent Wild, do not interrupt me. Do we have an understanding?” She spun to face him with eyes that secretly warned his while Malcolm let his gaze maintained his gaze on floor.
“I am a sales man at club La Salsa.” He lied after a brief hesitation. It was true that he was a worker at La Salsa but he wasn’t a salesman.
How long have you been working in the club? Elizabeth continued with the brain arching questions.
“A couple of months.” Malcolm responded, taking his gaze off Elizabeth’s scrutiny.
“Be precise damn it.” Graham cut in. “How many months have you been working at the club?” He shouted.
“Two months…” Malcolm responded like a slave under his master’s skirt.
“Have you noticed any illegal dealings in the club since you started working there?” Elizabeth continued. This time she grabbed one of the buggies and sat opposite Malcolm, gazing intently into his eyeballs. She had been a crime investigator for over ten years and her study of psychology gave her an edge in investigations of such magnitude. There was something Malcolm was hiding and that only ascertained his guilt with regards to Keisha’s murder even though he continually pleaded not g
uilty.
“None that I can remember.” Malcolm responded without flapping an eyelid. He was determined to guard his secret without letting his actions betray him.
“Is that so Mr. Smith?” Elizabeth twisted her mouth in sheer anticipation as she was about to announce his involvement in another crime. “We are led to believe that you are a secret drug smuggler for an underground organization here in California. I was under the impression that Damon had some involvement in the drug business. For someone operating a club he seems too rich. Don’t you think so?” Elizabeth ascertained with complete confidence that could send a criminal confessing but Malcolm had been long in the game to know when someone was trying to patronize him.
“My boss is a good man. His club provides excellent services and that’s how he makes a fortune. As for his personal life… I don’t have any idea…It’s none of my business.” Malcolm remarked in a stern countenance that Graham noted with keen suspicion.
“For someone who has worked with Damon for just two months, it seems to me that you know too much but what I don’t understand is why you will want to go down alone for a crime as lethal as drug trafficking.” Elizabeth admonished, pity possessing her voice.
“What’s this about? First you accuse me of murder and now you accuse me of smuggling drugs? Why are you guys harassing me?” Malcolm demanded almost perplexed.
“Are you a drug dealer?” Graham asked settling on the seat next to Elizabeth facing Malcolm.
“No.” Malcolm answered.
“Are you working for an underground drug trafficking organization?” Graham continued with big eyes that searched Malcolm’s.
“No.” Malcolm responded once again.
“We found 500kg of cocaine in your apartment. How do you explain that?” Graham continued.
“I was framed.” Malcolm argued firmly. His eyes went watery all of a sudden. How was it possible that they had found that dose of cocaine in his apartment? He always made sure he hid it properly. How could he have been so careless? His heart raced while he tried hard to maintain his composure.
