by Greg Herren
“Did you try to call for help?”
“I did yell, once, but the studio is so far away from the house, and even if it wasn’t raining so hard I knew no one at the house would hear me…but I was terrified, so terrified, especially after—” I stopped.
“After he what?”
I looked him right in the eye. “After he admitted killing Timothy.”
Carlo inhaled in a sharp gasp, but other than that silence fell over the room.
The sheriff cleared his throat. “You’re saying he confessed to you that he killed Timothy Burke?”
I nodded and kept my eyes locked on his. “Yes, Sheriff, he did. I was so terrified. He told me he was going to kill me, just like he had killed Timothy. He was unhinged…the look in his eyes—he meant every word of it.” And I proceeded to tell the story Carlo had told me about Timothy’s death—only as if Taylor had told it to me.
When I worked for her, Valerie had once told me the best way to lie and make it believable was to keep it as close to the truth as possible. She was right, as it turned out. All I had to do was tell the truth—the story Carlo had told me—only tell Sheriff Tate that it had been Taylor who’d told me the story.
“And I was scared, I kept backing away as he came closer and closer—and he tried to force himself on me.” I held out my arms and showed the bruises on my upper arms where he’d grabbed me. “And I reached for the knife and stabbed him.” I covered my face with my hands and let go of the rigid self-control I’d been practicing. I started to cry, and once I gave way, my entire body shook as I sobbed.
The sheriff stood up, and closed his notebook. “Thank you for your time. There will be an inquest, but I really don’t see any reason for charges.” He stood up. “Mr. Pennington, of course he’ll need to come down to the station to make a formal statement, but the evidence seems to back up his story.”
“Of course,” Seth replied and walked him out of the room.
Once the door closed behind them, Carlo sat down next to me on the sofa. He took my hands. “I love you so much, Mouse,” he said wonderingly. “You’re unbelievable.”
I looked at him. “And now we’re free of Timothy, Carlo. We’re free at last.”
He pulled me into his arms. “You’re absolutely amazing.”
I closed my eyes and relaxed into his embrace.
The inquest was held a few days later, and I had to get up and tell the story again. I told it plainly and simply, apologizing to the court at the beginning and letting them know I was on anti-anxiety medication. I saw Maureen Drury out in the spectator’s gallery as the district attorney asked me questions. I had refused to speak to her, and I knew that Nell never would. She’d have a story for Street Talk—and probably a good one. She was a good writer, after all.
I couldn’t help but wonder if she believed me.
The grand jury determined that I had acted in self-defense.
The investigation into Timothy’s death was also officially closed.
Once the grand jury was dismissed, Carlo and I pushed our way out of the courtroom through the throngs of reporters and cameramen, and got into the back of the town car.
“We’re going to go away for a while,” Carlo told me as the car pulled away from the curb. “Get away from Spindrift and all the incredibly bad memories here. Would you like that, Mouse?” He put his arm around me.
I rested my head against his chest. “I would like that very much, Carlo.”
And the next morning we went into our voluntary exile.
I doubt that we shall ever return.
About the Author
Greg Herren is the award-winning author of fourteen novels, and has edited eight anthologies, including the award-winning Love Bourbon Street: Reflections On New Orleans. He currently lives in New Orleans. He has published over fifty short stories, and is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, Private Eye Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. He has worked as a personal trainer, and published over fifty articles on health and fitness. He began his career as a book reviewer, and has published over a thousand reviews and interviews with authors as varied as Margaret Cho, Dorothy Allison, and Laura Lippman. A long time resident of New Orleans, the flavor and culture of his beloved adopted city colors all of his work.
Reviewers Love Greg Herren’s Mysteries
“Herren, a loyal New Orleans resident, paints a brilliant portrait of the recovering city, including insights into its tight-knit gay community. This latest installment in a powerful series is sure to delight old fans and attract new ones.”—Publishers Weekly
“Fast-moving and entertaining, evoking the Quarter and its gay scene in a sweet, funny, action-packed way.”—New Orleans Times-Picayune
“Herren does a fine job of moving the story along, deftly juggling the murder investigation and the intricate relationships while maintaining several running subjects.”—Echo Magazine
“An entertaining read.”—OutSmart Magazine
“A pleasant addition to your beach bag.”—Bay Windows
“Greg Herren gives readers a tantalizing glimpse of New Orleans.” —Midwest Book Review
“Herren’s characters, dialogue and setting make the book seem absolutely real.”—The Houston Voice
“So much fun it should be thrown from Mardi Gras floats!” —New Orleans Times-Picayune
“Greg Herren just keeps getting better.”—Lambda Book Report
Praise for Sleeping Angel
“Greg Herren is a master storyteller, and his latest book is no exception. It’s a beautifully crafted mystery, geared to a young adult audience, with a focus on family and peer relationships and a valuable lesson about tolerance. It’s strongly recommended reading for teens…5 stars out of 5 stars”—Bob Lind, Echo Magazine
Sleeping Angel “will probably be put on the young adult (YA) shelf, but the fact is that it’s a cracking good mystery that general readers will enjoy as well. It just happens to be about teens…A unique viewpoint, a solid mystery and good characterization all conspire to make Sleeping Angel a welcome addition to any shelf, no matter where the bookstores stock it.”—Jerry Wheeler, Out in Print
“This fast-paced mystery is skillfully crafted. Red herrings abound and will keep readers on their toes until the very end. Before the accident, few readers would care about Eric, but his loss of memory gives him a chance to experience dramatic growth, and the end result is a sympathetic character embroiled in a dangerous quest for truth.”—VOYA
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
Timothy by Greg Herren. Timothy is a romantic suspense thriller from award-winning mystery writer Greg Herren set in the fabulous Hamptons. (978-1-60282-760-8)
In Stone by Jeremy Jordan King. A young New Yorker is rescued from a hate crime by a mysterious someone who turns out to be more of a something. (978-1-60282-761-5)
The Secret of Othello by Sam Cameron. Florida teen detectives Steven and Denny risk their lives to search for a sunken NASA satellite—but under the waves, no one can hear you scream… (978-1-60282-742-4)
Andy Squared by Jennifer Lavoie. Andrew never thought anyone could come between him and his twin sister, Andrea… until Ryder rode into town. (978-1-60282-743-1)
Sara by Greg Herren. A mysterious and beautiful new student at Southern Heights High School stirs things up when students start dying. (978-1-60282-674-8)
Boys of Summer, edited by Steve Berman. Stories of young love and adventure, when the sky’s ceiling is a bright blue marvel, when another boy’s laughter at the beach can distract from dull summer jobs. (978-1-60282-663-2)
Street Dreams by Tama Wise. Tyson Rua has more than his fair share of problems growing up in New Zealand—he’s gay, he’s falling in love, and he’s run afoul of the local hip-hop crew leader just as he’s trying to make it as a graffiti artist. (978-1-60282-650-2)
[email protected] by K.E. Payne. Is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never met? Imogen Summers thinks
so because it’s happened to her. (978-1-60282-592-5)
Swimming to Chicago by David-Matthew Barnes. As the lives of the adults around them unravel, high school students Alex and Robby form an unbreakable bond, vowing to do anything to stay together—even if it means leaving everything behind. (978-1-60282-572-7)
Speaking Out edited by Steve Berman. Inspiring stories written for and about LGBT and Q teens of overcoming adversity (against intolerance and homophobia) and experiencing life after “coming out.” (978-1-60282-566-6)
365 Days by K.E. Payne. Life sucks when you’re seventeen years old and confused about your sexuality, and the girl of your dreams doesn’t even know you exist. Then in walks sexy new emo girl, Hannah Harrison. Clemmie Atkins has exactly 365 days to discover herself, and she’s going to have a blast doing it! (978-1-60282-540-6)
Cursebusters! by Julie Smith. Budding psychic Reeno is the most accomplished teenage burglar in California, but one tiny screw-up and poof!—she’s sentenced to Bad Girl School. And that isn’t even her worst problem. Her sister Haley’s dying of an illness no one can diagnose, and now she can’t even help. (978-1-60282-559-8)
Who I Am by M.L. Rice. Devin Kelly’s senior year is a disaster. She’s in a new school in a new town, and the school bully is making her life miserable—but then she meets his sister Melanie and realizes her feelings for her are more than platonic. (978-1-60282-231-3)
Sleeping Angel by Greg Herren. Eric Matthews survives a terrible car accident only to find out everyone in town thinks he’s a murderer—and he has to clear his name even though he has no memories of what happened. (978-1-60282-214-6)
Mesmerized by David-Matthew Barnes. Through her close friendship with Brodie and Lance, Serena Albright learns about the many forms of love and finds comfort for the grief and guilt she feels over the brutal death of her older brother, the victim of a hate crime. (978-1-60282-191-0)
The Perfect Family by Kathryn Shay. A mother and her gay son stand hand in hand as the storms of change engulf their perfect family and the life they knew. (978-1-60282-181-1)
Father Knows Best by Lynda Sandoval. High school juniors and best friends Lila Moreno, Meryl Morganstern, and Caressa Thibodoux plan to make the most of the summer before senior year. What they discover that amazing summer about girl power, growing up, and trusting friends and family more than prepares them to tackle that all-important senior year! (978-1-60282-147-7)
