Vern came to. He was on the bed. God, did his head hurt. He moved it slowly from side to side. He was alone. She got away. Thank God he hadn’t tried anything. Even if she went to the police, there was nothing they could do. He never touched her. He was innocent. This had happened before, missed attempts. None this close though. Usually something spooked them before he closed, and they ran. I wonder what time it is? He tried to read his watch but his arm wouldn’t turn. Vern tried harder and realized he was cuffed to the bed. He tried the other arm. Trapped! He turned his head from side to side even though his head exploded each time.
Garnet came out of the bathroom. She sat on the bed and pulled her bag into her lap. The TV was still on. She took the remote control and searched for the late news.
“Police outside of Weldon found the body of local automobile racer George Reynolds in the woods near his car today. He is the latest victim of the serial killer working the North Carolina back roads.”
Vern strained to turn his head toward the TV. “What are you gonna do? What are you gonna do?” His voice rose.
Garnet pinched his nostrils shut and then stuffed George Reynolds’s underpants into his mouth.
“What am I going to do?” she said dreamily, and looked around for the little body she had once again managed to escape. “Let me show you.” She opened her purse and spread out her answer on the nightstand.
About the Author
Benjamin M. Schutz was an Edgar and Shamus Award–winning author, and was best known for his stories about PI Leo Haggerty. Based out of the Washington, DC, area, Schutz was also a practicing forensic and clinical psychologist, which influenced his writing a great deal. In his lifetime, he authored seven novels and a short story collection. Schutz passed away in 2008.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2005 by Benjamin M. Schutz
Introduction © 2005 by Benjamin M. Schutz
All stories are reprinted by permission of the author. The following short stories first appeared in these publications:
“The Black Eyed Blonde,” copyright © 1988 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe: A Centennial Celebration, Alred A. Knopf, NY, 1988.
“The State versus Adam Shelley,” copyright © 1991 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in The Ultimate Frankenstein, Dell Publishing, NY, 1991.
“Mary, Mary, Shut the Door,” copyright © 1992 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Deadly Allies, Doubleday, NY, 1992.
“What Goes Around,” copyright © 1994 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Deadly Allies II, Doubleday, NY, 1994.
“Christmas in Dodge City,” copyright © 1996 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Unusual Suspects, Vintage Books, NY, 1996.
“Meeting of the Minds,” copyright © 1996 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Dell Magazines, NY, April 1996.
“Not Enough Monkeys,” copyright © 1998 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Dell Magazines, NY, Sept./Oct. 1998.
“Lost and Found,” copyright © 1999 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Death Cruise, Cumberland House, Nashville, TN, 1999.
“Expert Opinion,” copyright © 1999 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Diagnosis Dead, Pocket Books, NY, 1999.
“Whatever It Takes,” copyright © 2000 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Dell Magazines, NY, Sept./Oct. 2000.
“Open and Shut,” copyright © 2001 by Benjamin M. Schutz. First published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Dell Magazines, NY, Aug. 2001.
“Til Death Do Us Part,” copyright © 2005 by Benjamin M. Schutz. An original story published by arrangement with the author.
Cover design by Rebecca Lown
ISBN: 978-1-4804-9330-8
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