by Christina OW
FATAL JEALOUSY
She’s the number one suspect when all the men she’s ever dated begin to die... one by one...
By CHRISTINA OW
This is a fictional work. The names, characters, incidents, places, and locations are solely the concepts and products of the author’s imagination or are used to create a fictitious story and should not be construed as real.
5 PRINCE PUBLISHING AND BOOKS, LLC
PO Box 16507
Denver, CO 80216
www.5PrinceBooks.com
Fatal Jealousy
Christina OW
Copyright Christina OW 2013
Published by 5 Prince Publishing
Cover: Ermisenda Alvarez
ISBN 13:978-1-939217-23-3 ISBN 10: 1939217237
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations, reviews, and articles. For any other permission please contact 5 Prince Publishing and Books, LLC.
Second Edition August 2014 Printed U.S.A.
5 PRINCE PUBLISHING AND BOOKS, LLC.
Acknowledgement
Thank you to my editor Connie Kline for believing in me and my work and always encouraging me to be a better writer.
Also, I’d like to thank my friend William Standler for all his help with this book.
Dedication
I dedicate my second book to my sisters.
I’m glad we always have each other’s backs.
Chapter One
As they looked into the interrogation room through a one-way mirror. “I’m glad this is over.” Richard said to Carson, a sad tone in his voice. Carson turned and looked at his boss with a poignant look on his face. The distress in his voice was hard to miss, he felt the same way; he always did after cases like this, which was practically every case. They never came out as winners, just satisfied to have put a stop to it.
The Behavioral Science Unit was an arm of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that dealt with serial killers and psychopathic behavior. They knew nightmares came true, the boogie man did exist, Halloween tricks or treats could be the death of the partier, and they lived realities that others wouldn’t be able to bear.
“It never gets easier.” Carson turned back to the serial killer, wishing he had the power to do more than just arrest the shit head. “If only there was a way to stop them before the act.” He had killed six families in the most gruesome of ways, leaving their bodies bloody and in pieces.
It’s the kids that hit Carson hard; he hated it when the victims were children. “You know, they put you through all this training. Telling you what to expect and training you to expect the unexpected, how to read people and how to think like psychopaths, but they never teach you how to handle how bad it screws you up.”
“It’s like throwing a child in the deep end of the pool and watching him struggle to swim,” Doran said as he joined the duo, “but the parents aren’t too far away just in case the child hasn’t found his fins yet.”
Carson chuckled, stepping back to give the old man some room, “So you and Richard are the parents?”
Running his hands over the sides of his jet black hair Richard protested, “Hey! I’m not that old!”
Carson knew he wasn’t, but the job had aged him beyond his years.
Richard was taller than Doran but a few inches shorter than Carson. His light pink skin was the contrast color to his everyday dark suits. His dressing was ill influenced by the James Bond movies, the complete opposite of who he was, unlike Carson, who stayed true to himself. He was always in jeans, a tee and a leather jacket. He believed in being comfortable if he was going to chase a suspect down, and a suit wasn’t comfortable. He kept his kinky hair cut short and had a finely cut beard and moustache to frame his ‘lady killer’ smile like a perfect portrait. Carson laughed at his insecurity. “I didn’t say that! I just said you’ve been in this business longer than the rest of us.” He turned and walked out of the room with a swagger in his step, the other two following close behind him. Once in the bright case room, he gave the room a quick sweep, out of habit. He smiled and bit his lower lip when his eyes came to a quick stop on Gwen’s ass. His hands hadn’t touched that for over a week. He had to fix that.
She turned to him, with a knowing smile, pushed her chest out slightly and widened her cleavage.
Carson’s eyebrows popped up. Taking a moment to appreciate the effort, he went on with the sweep and ended on Audrey’s furrowed brows and pressed lips. He chuckled and winked at her.
Doran punched him in the shoulder, “Don’t let the white hair fool you kid, I can beat you in a boxing match any day.”
Carson rolled his eyes. One-win and the guy thought he was Muhammad Ali, “I’d never boxed in my life. I didn’t know what I was doing.”
Doran’s smile deepened, “For the first thrashing, maybe, but not the second.”
He groaned. He was supposed to be the muscle of the team, and an old man beat him, twice. “I want a rematch.”
“You are on!”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Kevin asked, with true concern in his voice. With a quick jerk of his head, he tossed his mop hair to the side.
Carson sighed, The genius of the group had an opinion on everything.
“Carson has been practicing and his sparring partners are twice your size... and younger. You can’t afford to break a bone Doran.” He said with a-matter-of-fact voice.
Carson flexing his muscles in exhibition laughed.
“Thanks for your support kid. Then Gwen will be my champion.” Doran said, walking out of the room with Gwen. She was tall, skinny, with a fire red bob cut that completely matched her personality.
“Oh no. Carson is my partner, we back each other up,” she said, giving him a wink and a teasing smile.
Carson tried to escape the short round girl, with a wild imagination, mirrored by the different hair color she had every week, but he’d barely made it two steps when she pinched his ear and pulled him down.
“Please tell me you are not still sleeping with her?” she scolded, in a low, harsh tone, “You know what will happen if Richard finds out?”
He kissed her forehead and looped her arm with his, “That’s why he won’t find out sweet cheeks.”
“You are asking for trouble Carson, what, this job isn’t exciting enough for you?”
“She’s my distraction and I’m her distraction. She and I don’t have families. The rest of you do. Speaking of, did Paloma go home already?”
Audrey’s face collapsed in sadness, “After a case like this, if you had children where would you be?”
Carson pulled her under his arm and held her tight, “That’s why I don’t have kids, but I do enjoy the practice, so, so very much.”
Audrey punched him in his side playfully, with a laugh, “You are so full of yourself! You do know you’re not that hot?”
He cocked an eyebrow at the statement. “Oh, is that why you’re here with me instead of your computer geek boyfriend?” he asked, in a soft tone and a sweet titillating smile.
“I’m immune to that, lover boy, how else would our friendship work. Amin and I have a lot in common, we are both computer geeks and we love each other.” She pulled away from him when they got to the car park, “You know love, a word that is still very foreign to you.”
Truth was she just wasn’t his type. Maybe if she shed a few pounds... but even then he just wouldn’t go there with her. She was his person.
“Very funny,” he said, before he turned to the rest of the group, “So who’s going home and who’s coming out with me?”
Richard was getting into his
car, “My wife and son are waiting for me.”
“I’m too old to go clubbing. I’m just going to have my glass of milk and go to bed early.” Doran joked, as he walked away.
Audrey gave him a hug, “It's boyfriend time, sorry babe.”
Carson couldn’t believe he was asking this but, there was no one left to ask, “Kevin, what about you?”
“I have an online date with the internet gaming community. Thank you for asking though, I figured I’d be the last person you’d ask.” Carson looked at him with a raised eyebrow and his smile shrunk, “And apparently I am.”
Carson’s lips rose in half a smile as he stared at Gwen lustfully, “Gwen, you got plans tonight?” Audrey looked at him with disapproval, but he didn’t care. He didn’t feel like being alone tonight and Gwen was the best distraction he could think of.
“Sorry partner,” she said the word softly, “I have other plans.”
Carson was a little disappointed, but he knew what she meant. Someone else was occupying her bed tonight, which was good. This way, it would be easier to end their arrangement once he got bored.
“Why don’t you go out tonight on your own, maybe meet someone?” Audrey hinted.
“Good night, guys.” Carson said, laughing at Audrey and her moral compass. He was glad she always looked out for him, and sometimes kept him out of trouble, but Gwen was one subject they’d just have to agree to disagree on, at least until he got bored of her.
Chapter Two
Ellie spoke into the phone impatiently, “Ellsa, are you sure he’s coming?” She hated being stood up, as much as she hated blind dates.
“I’m sure he’ll be there. Have you been watching out for him? He’s pretty hard to miss.”
Ellie stood up from the table to leave, “Your definition of a hot guy is very different from mine.” She wasn’t going to wait any longer; she’d just tell Ellsa she did meet the guy. It’s not like she’d interrogate her for details- wait she would. She loved her twin sister for worrying about her, but when it came to her love life, she just wished she’d keep her nose out of it.
“Artists are tortured souls,” Ellsa said with revulsion, “So your taste in men and how you get them is horrible. So, for once, do us both a favor and do as I say.”
Ellie went quiet for a moment, her grip tightening around the phone. She felt guilty for ruining another one of her sister’s relationships. It’s not like she did it on purpose, but for some reason they just tend to like her better than Ellsa once she’d met and spent time with them. Once, they went speed dating just for the hell of it, and the two guys Ellsa liked seemed to want Ellie more, which was a little surprising.
Ellsa and Ellie shared the same features; dark skin, tall, skinny and with curves in all the right places. They both had average long hair- Ellie wore hers in loose curls and Ellsa wore hers depending on what was in fashion. Ellsa was sophisticated with very expensive taste, but Ellie, on the other hand, was simple and loved the rock- chic style.
“Okay...” Ellie conceded.
“If you hadn’t noticed, I can’t lip read through the receiver! Speak up or text... or better yet, go buy a phone made in this decade!”
“There is nothing...” Ellie yelled. Then she held her phone over her head like she was about to throw it. Arrgh! Ellsa was getting on her last nerve!
“Ellie? Ellie! I bet that contraption is dead! Stupid dial up...” Ellsa’s loud voice came through the receiver.
Ellie brought the phone back to her ear and patiently interrupted her sister’s rants, “Ellsa...”
“What did you do to get it to work? Knock it on the table?”
Ellie bit back a hiss. I need a drink!
She walked to the bar, sat down and took out a piece of paper with the guy’s name on it, “Okay I’ll wait five more minutes if he doesn’t get here Ellsa....”
“He’ll be there,” she said, sounding very sure of herself before she hung up.
Ellie had put her cell back in her purse before she ordered a shot of vodka. She pulled down her dress when it rode a few inches higher up her thigh. She hated the dress, it wasn’t her style.
She ordered another shot and a beer. Ellsa would disapprove of the butch drink, but with every minute that passed Ellie was sure the guy wouldn’t turnup so, screw it! She had tossed back her shot before she took a swig of the beer right out of the bottle.
“Something doesn’t quite fit in this picture,” A man’s voice said next to her. His tone was low and very seductive.
Taking another swig of beer without looking at the guy, “Oh yeah, what?”
She liked his voice, but she was worried his face wouldn’t match it. In most cases, they never do.... maybe after a few more shots she thought to herself as she signaled the bartender for another shot.
“You have an expensive dress on, with equally expensive and high taste in shoes and jewelry. Your hairdo must have cost as much as my rent and your make-up is like most rich celebrities. God forbid they have a bad picture taken by the annoying paparazzi.”
Ellie laughed as she turned to look at the man who was boldly taking her facade apart, “Wait, what?” She was gobsmacked by the man’s smile. She bit her lip to hide her relief as she looked him over. His face and body did match his voice. Ellie sucked in a breath. He was a tequila fire bomb!
“Don’t get me wrong, you are easy on the eyes in that getup, but it doesn’t look anything like you,” Carson signaled the bartender for a shot.
She turned to look at him, one leg crossed over the other. She didn’t mind that the dress rode up a few more inches. She prayed her blind date didn’t turnup! “Considering you’ve just met me, how would you know what I’m like?” She asked with a smile, lifting her knee more over the other and accidentally grazing his leg.
Carson swallowed hard and smiled. “Well, no one with such expensive taste would be hitting back a beer and shots.”
Ellie laughed, taking another swig of her beer, “She’d probably sip on wine and nurse the glass for an hour. She would not want to be perceived as one who loves her liquor,” describing her sister’s drinking manner.
“Let me guess, your friend dressed you up for a blind date with someone more her type?”
“My sister and yes, I think she did. The only problem is I don’t think he’s going to turn up. I hate blind dates.”
“Well,” Carson raised his bottle to hers, “his loss, and my gain. I’m Carson, by the way, Dale Carson.” extending his hand to her.
Taking his hand, “Ellie Jabari.” They had lingered quietly with their hands in warm contact before she broke the silence, “Wait. Did you say Dale Carson?”
“Yeah,” he chuckled, “it doesn’t sound like a black guy’s name huh?”
Feeling a little embarrassed, “Well, not exactly...”
“I can explain that. My dad is Scottish and my mom is black, she’s from Boston.”
“Good to know, but that wasn’t what I meant. My blind date’s name is Dale Carson,” she laughed, more at the awkward situation that was bound to follow after her confession than at herself.
She shook her head looking him over again “You are the guy my sister set me up with... which doesn’t make any sense.”
Carson looked at her with a mix of confusion and intrigue. He knew a lot of women and none of them would set him up on a blind date, let alone with their own sister. “What’s her name?”
“Ellsa. You don’t look like the type she’d hang out with. Well, you do, just not for the right reasons.” Her eyes shrunk in confusion. She could see her sister sleeping with this guy. Who wouldn’t? But she couldn’t believe her sister actually wanted her to date her leftovers. Weren’t we trying to avoid these kinds of situations, she thought to herself. But she and her sister looked alike, the way she was dressed, he could have mistaken her for Ellsa easily, but he didn’t. “How do you know my sister?”
“I don’t, how does your sister know me?”
“My sister and I don’t exactly move
in the same circles. Maybe someone told her about you... or you might be lying to me?”
“Trust me, I don’t know your sister, I don’t date the stiff type.” He answered with a charming smile.
Ellie laughed, “She’s not exactly that stiff, just set in her ways. Either way, I’m glad I met you, you’ve made my pitiful boring night very interesting.”
He signaled to the bartender to get them more drinks. “The night isn’t over yet, it could get even more interesting,” reaching down under her legs to get to the frame of the stool, he pulled it and her towards him, trapping her crossed legs between his. There was no way she could move from that position without falling flat on her back.
Ellie felt a little sweaty, the sound of her racing heartbeat loud in her ears. She felt claustrophobic, and she could feel her throat dry out under Carson’s penetrating gaze. Even if she wanted to move, she couldn’t. She wasn’t going to risk embarrassing herself in front of this guy, not if she could help it.
Carson smiled, he felt like a predator taunting his prey. He had her bagged. It was a good thing it was the weekend because tonight was going to be a very exhausting night. He put his hand on her knee and slowly began tracing his fingers up her leg to her thigh.
She caught his hand once it reached the edge of her dress at her thigh, “It’s not going to get that interesting,” shifting his hand onto his own knee. She was very attracted to him, but she also knew he was the type to hit and run. She wasn’t going to make it that easy for him; he’d have to work hard for it. “How about we crawl before we start running?”
He shifted his hand back to her knee, intrigued and amused by the game she’d presented. Chasing only made things even more interesting for him, “Okay. We’ll call this date number one then.”
Ellie laughed at the tip-off, “Dale Carson, I’m not your ordinary kind of girl. I live by my own rules.”
“I have a feeling this is going to be very interesting,” with a smile, tucking his fingers in the crook of her knee as he drew circles lightly with his thumb on her knee.
