by Paris Morgan
More from Paris Morgan
Murders of the Zodiac
Aquarius Book 1
Pisces Book 2
Aries Book 3
Taurus Book 4
Gemini Book 5
Cancer Book 6
Leo Book 7
Virgo Book 8
Libra Book 9
Scorpio Book 10
Sagittarius Book 11
Capricorn Book 12
Surviving Death
Witness Protection Book 1
Writing as Alathia Morgan
Against Zombies Series
Moms Against Zombies Book 1
Military Against Zombies Book 2
Co-Eds Against Zombies Book 3
Churches Against Zombies Book 4
Geeks Against Zombies Book 5
Governments Against Zombies Book 6
Infected History Series
Infected Waters: A Titanic Disaster
Infected Poppy Fields: A WWI Disaster
Infected Storm Troopers: A WWII Disaster
Writing Romance as Pepper Paris:
Summer of Love
Carter: Summers of Love 1
Kelly: Summers of Love 2
Wade: Summers of Love 3
Jay: Summers of Love 4
Chapter 1
Birmingham, Alabama
Today was my birthday. Not that it made any difference in how I did things, though. Everything would be the exact same as any other day. Growing up, my parents hadn’t treated it any differently, so I didn’t know it was supposed to be something special.
Over the years, I hadn’t changed much in the way of celebrating, except I always ordered myself a nice dinner, something special just for me. I didn’t spend money on frivolous things, but I made an exception to observing the passing of another year of my birth.
Work had been exceptionally hard today, and I wasn’t about to spend the evening recapping all the things that had gone wrong. It was time for me to put my feet up and relax.
Since I rarely ordered out for food, I had to dig through the drawer for the take-out menu for Garden Royal, the one restaurant that made meals I highly enjoyed.
After I ordered, my mouth began to water just thinking about the flavors that would soon be bursting over my tongue. I was going to need to pair my chicken salad with a flavorful wine.
I had a nice collection of wines that I rarely indulged in, but today was the perfect occasion.
The cork released with a pop as I set it out on the counter to breathe while I went to slip into something a little more comfortable.
Slipping off my black wingtip shoes, I changed into my khakis, polo shirt, and comfortable loafers. Some men slouched around in sweatpants and house shoes, but that wouldn’t do tonight. Not with the amazing meal I was about to partake in.
Maybe my obsessive habits for being well-dressed, even when at home, was part of the reason I was about to hit my mid-thirties without a woman by my side. Although having one in my life would make keeping the place spotless almost impossible. Then there were the massive amounts of money she would spend…
I shook my head. I was single for a reason.
The doorbell rang, and I moved quickly to grab my money clip as I answered the door.
“I have a delivery for Reginald?” The woman pulled on her hat as she eyed me.
With a nod of acknowledgment, I slipped out a fifty-dollar bill.
“There’s no charge. It’s on the house,” she mumbled.
“Keep it as a tip, then.” I smiled as I took the handle of the bag, proclaiming fast food with an amazing taste.
“Thanks. Hope you enjoy your evening,” she added before she turned and walked toward the street.
I carried the bag to the table, barely able to contain my excitement.
After plating the food and pouring myself a glass of wine, I sat at the table and breathed in the wonderful aromas.
Trying to take small, measured bites was difficult because of the need to inhale my food. I’d been overweight as a child, and this was one way to make sure that I didn’t overeat anymore.
Scraping the last bite of chicken and lettuce onto my fork, I noticed a piece of paper on the plate. I must have lifted it out of the pan when I moved the food over.
Turning it over with my fork, I was shocked to find a handwritten message on it.
Hope you enjoyed the meal. I made it special just for you. Now, you’re dead
“What on earth?” I mumbled aloud as I stared at the paper. I rose from the table to reach for the phone on the kitchen counter because I didn’t believe in eating dinner with a phone screen glued to my face.
My hand shook as I grabbed at the phone, and then my knees collapsed underneath me.
I tried to dial 9-1-1, but couldn’t tell if I connected, because everything sounded fuzzy.
“Hello, 9-1-1, what is your emergency?” a voice asked, but received no response.
***
Montgomery, Alabama
It had been a long morning, and I couldn’t wait to get outside for a breath of fresh air. This job had gotten harder to come to every day. So much so, I was about ready to tell them to shove it. You couldn’t do what you were supposed to for fear you’d get in trouble, but then you’d get in trouble for not doing it in the first place.
I rubbed the back of my neck, hoping to release some of the tension that had been lingering all through the meeting this morning. It was still beyond my comprehension as to why they’d put such a young idiot in charge of our division. He was related to someone higher-up, and that would get you all sorts of privileges. If only he would just sit in his office and let the rest of us be, we’d manage to survive and get things done the way they were supposed to.
If upper management didn’t figure it out pretty soon, our whole department was going to stage a walkout one day in the near future.
Anyway, I wasn’t going to spend the precious few minutes I had on my lunch break worrying over a stupid company that didn’t even care about us. It was my birthday for goodness’ sake, and I was going to make it a good one.
The hunched-over figure of a woman caught my attention as she fought to make her way across the street. A large bus was heading toward her, and I did the only thing anyone with a heart would do. I jumped into the street and pushed her out of the way. There wasn’t enough time for the bus to stop, or even swerve before it hit me.
I swore the last thing I heard was someone whispering to me…
“Another one, killed with kindness.”
***
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The doorbell rang as the sun started to set, and I groaned in frustration.
Why was it that every time I’d tried to get some sleep today, because I was homesick, someone or something interrupted me? Was the entire world against me? I wondered as I slid on a pair of comfy house shoes and shuffled slowly to the door as the doorbell rang out with another shrill noise.
“Hold on, I’m coming!” I yelled, but it came out as more of squeak because of my sore throat.
I yanked the door open, not even caring that I didn’t have a shirt on.
“Yes?” I growled at the delivery person.
“I have a delivery for Timothy Smith.” She gave me a toothy smile.
“Who on earth would send me flowers?” I shielded my eyes from the light streaming in through the open door.
“You’ll have to check the card, sir. We’re just supposed to deliver it.” She shoved the pot of flowers into my empty hands.
“Thanks for nothing,” I grumbled, backing into the house and slamming the door behind me.
I placed the flowers on the counter and pulled out the card.
“Happy Birthday!” It read, causing me to scratch my head. No one in my family would send me flowers. I mean, I was a guy, and cool with the whole everything was equal thing, but most guys didn’t want flowers for their birthday or even knew what to do with them.
I flipped it over and saw that it said, “Killed with Ki
ndness.”
“What kind of a business name is that?” As the words left my mouth, a buzzing noise registered. Looking again at the flowers, I watched a bee fly out, followed by two, three…
I swatted at them, but they just kept coming. I had an EpiPen somewhere, but with the medications I’d been taking, my reaction time was slower than normal. One landed on me, and then another.
I clutched my throat as it started to close, realizing this was going to be the worst birthday ever. And my last.
Maybe someone had done me a kindness by putting me out of my misery.
***
Zodiac Master
I sat in my living room and watched as the news reported the heroic acts of a man who’d died while saving a woman on his birthday. By tomorrow, when the other bodies were discovered, the FBI Task Force would be running all over, chasing their tails.
A cackle escaped my lips as I pictured Leslie and Ryan’s faces as they tried to put together the method for the murders this month. I wasn’t going to let them win. I still had a few cards up my sleeve of things they hadn’t even considered yet.
It was time for the news crews to start reporting on all the past murders and stirring up the country. Nothing like a million phone calls to keep a task force from getting any work done.
I hit the autodial on my phone. “It’s time to release it to the press. Make sure they air the first segment on the early-morning news.”
“Yes, sir,” she acknowledged quickly before disconnecting.
She wasn’t like those other secretaries that had to be told every little thing to do. She had a brain, and wasn’t afraid to use it. In fact, she was probably the only person who could anticipate my wants and needs better than anyone else on the planet.
It was a shame she was a liability, and would eventually have to take her place among the other victims before it was all over with. I’d actually grown quite fond of her.
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t known anyone as long as I’d known her. Maybe there was a way to keep her around. After twenty years and all the things she’d seen, there was no way she’d ever talk to the feds. She knew the consequences of those actions.
She’d never married, or had kids that I knew of. Was she waiting on me to make a move in her direction?
My thoughts veered off, distracted over all the probable reasons she’d never married. Maybe we needed to have a conversation so that I knew where I stood with her.
***
Breaking News
We have just received word that the current threats from last week were part of an ongoing problem that the local police, in coordination with the FBI, have carefully kept out of the spotlight.
Now, while there have been no accusations of purposefully keeping this information from the public, we are looking into the reason as to why we’re just now hearing about this.
According to our anonymous source’s information, this has been going on since last January. It all began with what local sources termed the “Aquarius Killer.” A man who was killing women in the Metroplex area on their birthdays by leaving their zodiac sign at the crime scene.
Local police from the Dallas and Ft. Worth Police Departments were placed together in a joint task force. They were able to apprehend the killer, making everyone breathe a sigh of relief—or so we thought.
With information that has recently surfaced, this was just the first in a series of killers focused on taking out victims in accordance to their zodiac signs. Each month, a killer has been on the loose, and while the FBI has made what they call “progress” on these cases, it’s only after the month is almost over, leaving multiple people dead.
In some cases, the killer of the month has committed suicide, or has been taken out by the powers controlling this group of killers. Our question is: why is it taking so long to determine who the mastermind behind these horrible tragedies is?
When the spotlight was turned in their direction, the FBI was able to come up with a plan to stop the murders before they were able to kill all month. These are the questions we must ask as we begin a new month: where will the zodiac and his team of killers strike next? Can we do anything to stop them? What are the dangers being faced this month?
Since there isn’t a specific method or weapon that this team of killers has used, all those with a birthday this month need to be cautious of people who come to their doors bearing gifts, or trying to get into their homes.
If something seems suspicious, please call the police and let them take care of the issue. Do not take matters into your own hands, as it might just be a neighbor coming home at a different time.
We will be monitoring the situation, and to see if and when a new killer is uncovered.
Chapter 2
Leslie
We’d been having a debriefing on this last case, when from the back of the room, Noah Preston held up his hand and requested an office.
The nerve of that man to come back to FBI Headquarters after being arrested, I fumed. How dare he!
Rationally, I knew he couldn’t be here in our conference room unless he was cleared, and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he annoyed me. I’d just let Adam throw him out on his rear.
Once Adam dismissed everyone, he made a beeline for Noah, but instead of immediately showing him the door, he gave him a hug.
My jaw dropped open, and all I could do was stare as they both clapped each other on the back and smiled.
“What the hell?” The words flew out of my mouth and settled over the few remaining stragglers who shot me a strange look.
Adam turned toward me with a huge grin. “Leslie, meet Noah Preston. Oh, wait, you have met. Let me rephrase. Leslie, this is Undercover Agent Noah Preston from our Unusual Crimes Division.”
I shook my head and stormed out of the room. I was headed toward the front door when I saw the camera crews still hanging around, hoping to get a statement. With a quick turn of my heel, I was headed in the other direction and straight into a firmly chiseled chest.
“Hey, watch it—” I started to say as I looked up and into the eyes of Noah Preston. “Seriously?” I huffed, unnerved by his closeness. “Are you determined to follow me everywhere? If I go to the restroom, will you follow me there too?”
He reached out to steady me, and when his hands landed on my shoulders, I shrugged them off and started moving down the hall.
“Hey!” He raced in front of me, causing me to halt in my tracks. “Listen, I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to blindside you like this. Let me explain, please.”
“I’m not sure there’s an explanation that will make sense.” I crossed my arms and glared at him, wishing I could burn a hole through him, or at least expose a weakness. “There is. Let’s get you a cup of coffee and I’ll explain everything,” he pleaded.
I considered ignoring him, but getting the story from him might be the best thing. Plus, I’d get a free coffee from the cafeteria.
“All right, but only if you’re sure Adam has given you the go-ahead to share information with us lowly detectives.” My voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Great.” The smile that lit up his face made a puppy about to get a bone look tame.
He trotted toward the cafeteria, and it was all I could do not to laugh at his eagerness. I was going to make this guy pay for months to make it up to me for all he’d done back in January.
I placed my order and walked over to a table where I could watch the room. Even though we were in the center of the FBI building, it was a habit that was going to be with me until my dying day. Well, more than likely.
Noah joined me with the largest cup of coffee I’d had in days, and a smaller one for himself.
“I’m gonna have to adjust to drinking coffee again. Working at the Urban Energy Corporation, they expected you to drink tea or water.” He gave a slight shudder. “After years of coffee, it took a long time to switch over to that crap.”
“Right. I feel really sorry for you,” I sco
ffed at his supposed discomfort.
“To really get into character, you have to drink the Kool-Aid, as they say.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”
“That’s really unfair. I knew you would be pissed, but why are you this mad? Surely you’ve known undercover agents who’ve concluded their cases when the bad guys got caught, right?”
“Yes, but they weren’t working with someone so completely evil that it oozed off of him. We were able to get all the information needed to bring down John Reed and his organization without you. So what were you doing all this time while women were being trafficked and people were dying?” I again folded my arms over my chest, knowing I was acting like a child.
He simply raised an eyebrow at my outburst. “To be honest, you and the team certainly helped speed things up. I might have been there a lot longer than we’d originally thought. And you’re right, John Reed is without a doubt evil. Which is why Adam had assigned me to use my resources at home and get a job within the company.”
My curiosity was starting to get the better of me, because I trusted Adam completely, and he obviously trusted Noah.
“How long have you been with the UCD?”
“Five years,” he sighed loudly. “Listen, I know it seems like I was just going along with whatever John Reed said to do, but I was in the innermost part of his organization, which was why when you brought me in back in the day, I was able to provide a solid alibi. Unfortunately, my friend is just a creep which is one of the reasons I wasn’t hanging around my childhood friends anymore.
“A few incidents in high school alerted the Unusual Crimes Division to me, who then took an immediate interest in training me. I went to college, where I could spend weekends, holidays, and summers getting official training. I’m not sure Adam knew about this assignment before I graduated from the Academy, but they were keeping my involvement under wraps so I would be able to move freely for a placement like this.
