by Laurèn Lee
“You ever seen a murder, son?” Earl asked Ricky.
“No, sir.” Ricky trembled slightly.
“Well, don’t touch nothing. And, prepare yourself. This Janice sounds pretty broken up and rightfully so. We’ll need to get her statement as soon as possible, but keep in mind trying to be sensitive and all that bullshit,” Earl cautioned.
“How many murders have you worked, sir?”
Earl scrunched his forehead and used his fingers to try and recall all the cases he’d seen during his twenty-five plus years on the force.
“Well, if this turns out to be an actual murder case, I’d say it’ll be about my twentieth or so.”
“Damn,” Ricky said. “You think maybe it’s not a murder, though?”
“You never know these days,” Earl said. “Could be a suicide.”
Ricky nodded.
“Still, I’m lucky,” Earl began. “I have some friends in other districts and counties who handle that many murders in a year.”
“Closer to Chicago?”
“You betcha. Hell of a crime rate closer to the city. We’re lucky to live on the outskirts. You don’t forget it neither.”
Earl and Ricky parked outside the house, and both could hear and see Janice whimpering on the porch. Her buttoned-up white blouse was doused with blood. One could safely assume she held her sister or tried to resuscitate her. However, a smart officer never ruled out anyone until the evidence had been thoroughly examined.
“Ready?” Earl asked as he stepped out of his patrol car and limped toward the front porch.
Ricky nodded and followed his boss as they approached Janice, the primary witness in the alleged murder. What a way to start a Monday.
Acknowledgments
When Houses Burn wouldn’t be possible without many people and even a few groups.
Firstly, I would like to thank the love of my life, Mike. He’s my best friend and soul mate and he’s always there for me no matter what.
I’d also like to thank my incredible Beta Readers. Kirstie, Sal, Anne, and Sylva, I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read the earliest version of my book. I couldn’t have finished it without you!
Thank you, Julie for creating my cover. You truly brought my vision to life and my book cover is on fire, pun intended.
Thank you, Sue from SJS Services for kindly editing my book and not tearing it apart.
Thank you to the Indie Author groups I belong to online. I also wouldn’t be where I am without you.
And, last but not least, thank you to all my readers who took the time to read When Houses Burn. You are supporting my passion and dreams. You’re amazing!
About the Author
Laurèn Lee was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. She loves hockey, chicken wings and spending time with family, friends and her boyfriend.
Reading and writing are her life’s passions and becoming an author is her ultimate dream. Charlotte’s Pact was her debut novel and the first book in the series, “Demons in New York.”
As a child, Laurèn became enamored with the Harry Potter series. As an adult, she loves psychological thrillers and mysteries with a twist.
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For more information…
www.laurenleeauthor.com
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Also by Laurèn Lee
Charlotte’s Pact (Demons in New York #1)
Cranberry Lane
Running in Circles
