As he continued his navigation of the neighborhood, he suddenly spotted movement in the park. A woman was sat at the picnic table, the picnic table that had once been the domain of those petty old ladies. This time he put the car in park and, sure that he could not be seen, tried to get a better view of the solitary figure, just staring at the large white house opposite.
It was Cindy. As he stared over towards her, he could see that she was crying. He could see that she seemed disheveled. He noticed movement and saw that she was not alone; her dog, Paddy, the Irish setter was off his leash and exploring the nocturnal delights of the park, followed closely by Walter. Five minutes passed and she eventually stood, called for her dogs, who immediately yielded to their mistress’ voice and together they exited the park. Once he was sure she had left the park, he shifted his car into drive and headed in an anti-clockwise direction, turning left on Goebel Avenue, then left again on Park Avenue before taking another left and eventually parking his car outside the large white house. All was quiet; no one stirred within the house, and he was satisfied that no one had seen his arrival or heard his vehicle. He glanced into his review mirror and stared at his reflection. His hair was long, over his shoulders, and his beard covered most of his face. Lately, when looking at his reflection, he did not recognize himself, and he was sure no one else would. It was hard to believe that at one time he had been Doug Partridge, father, husband, and neighbor — and not wanted for two murders. Doug Partridge was gone, but the memories of Doug Partridge still lived in his mind. His wife, his murdered wife, his daughter, his perfect daughter, now living with his parents, living with a new name, a new identity and, as far as he was concerned, and of course most importantly, safe.
He had vowed that this would be his last job. He didn’t need the money, he didn’t want it. His greed had already cost the life of his wife and very nearly his daughter. There had been enough killing. He more than anyone else knew that, but Elliott Miller had something to do with Veronica’s death, he was sure of it. Why, of the four files he had seen on the Director’s desk, was Elliott Miller the last man standing? Had he done a deal with the ‘Organization’? Was it possible he had been the one who had killed Veronica and not Derepaska?
He would wait though, lie low in Savannah, and assume a new identity, until it was time. He could afford no slip up, afford no mistakes, he needed to find out what Elliott Miller knew about Veronica’s death, and he would kill him, if he had to, if he didn’t get the answers he wanted.
The man once known as Doug Partridge stared at the white house, and delved into his pocket and retrieved a packet of menthol cigarettes. He lit one and sucked in the menthol flavored smoke before switching on his car’s ignition and slowly driving away, the park to his left, the park that once had been the stomping ground of The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club.
About the Author
The life of Duncan Whitehead, winner of the 2013 and 2014 Reader’s Favorite International Book Award for Humor and Gold Medalist, is as quirky as his works. Born in 1967, he served in the Royal Navy in embassies across South America and was an amateur boxer. He worked as a purser on some of the world’s largest super yachts and visited many exotic places. He’s also an instructor of English as a foreign language, fluent in Spanish, and a children’s soccer coach.
Duncan retired to Savannah, Georgia, to pursue his passion—writing. Mindful that we all harbor secrets and inspired by the locale’s odd characters, he wrote The Gordonston Ladies Walking Club, a dark comedic mystery.
In 2011, Duncan spent six months in Brazil before settling in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His interests include cooking, the Israeli self-defense art of Krav Maga, and Dim-Mak, a pressure-point martial art.
He has written over two thousand comedy news articles for US and UK websites, and The Reluctant Jesus, an award winning comedic novel set in Manhattan.
His latest novel, Unleashed, the highly anticipated sequel to The Gordonston Ladies Walking Club is his fourth book.
Unleashed - The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club Part 2 Page 21
