“Admiral McPhearson put his arms around Anderson and hugged him. At that moment, admiral and lieutenant became father and son.” LiesMurderSecretsThrillTruthsNavalInvestigations Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“In the quiet of his cell, Anderson began to relive moments from his past, hoping in vain to find answers. He remembered many of the events in detail.” SufferingMysteryCrimeAdventureMurderSecrets Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“He cringed each morning as the newspapers were brought to him. The media was eating the story up. His anger grew as he read the suppositions and the innuendos; the fact that his life was being laid bare for the entire world to see.” DeathSufferingCrimeFast PacedMystery Thriller Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“Before I could answer, there was a soft knock on the door. I turned to see an auburn-haired, green-eyed, freckle-faced young woman walk in. Her hair was a mass of soft curls and she wore no makeup. My first impression was to describe her as a plain-Jane. On closer inspection, hers was a strong and unique face. She dressed in slacks, silk blouse, and no visible jewelry. All of which, to me, indicated serene confidence. Her green eyes were piercing with almost a wild look to them. She handed the contract copies to the lawyer.” NovelDramaMurderPrivate Investigator Book:Appellate Judge Source: Appellate Judge
“Mr. Ludefance? This is Barnett Hooks. We’re a law firm over here in Tallahassee. I’ve been trying to reach you for over a week as I’m representing a client who is interested in hiring you.” “I’m currently out of the country, Mr. Hooks. Why don’t you tell me about the nature of the problem? Mind you, I don’t take infidelity cases anymore.” “No, it’s not that type of case. This is about the late Judge Russell Hastings. He was an appellate judge with the First District Court of Appeals here in Tallahassee who unfortunately was murdered about a year ago.” DeathCrimeMurderCrime Thriller Book:Appellate Judge Source: Appellate Judge
“The events unfolded with such speed and efficiency that Anderson found himself in a state of shock. His anger with Bevin and McPhearson was quickly replaced with a sense of impending doom. An unbelievable stream of events had taken place since his training exercises in the Pacific.” DeathMurderIntrigueCrime Thriller Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“Anderson’s soul was turbulent. Sick at heart and restless, the two-bedroom apartment he shared with his wife had become too small, too cramped, too closed in. He could no longer endure its restraint.” ActionCrimeDramaThrillerSuspense Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“Counselor Bingham and I looked inside, then looked at each other. He counted. Then I counted. There were thirteen mobile phones in the box, two of them were Android. The rest were all iPhones.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTenseIphone Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“Swamp.” “Yeah, Hiker?” “What’s bothering you besides this new case?” I looked at him. How did he know? My recollections of my days at the naval academy came flooding back. “Bothering me?” “Yeah. Don’t make me repeat myself.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“I hardly think so. If I was ashamed, I wouldn’t have testified on your behalf, admitting the truth that I was your father in front of the United States Naval Court. But, I don’t think now is the time to discuss these matters.” ActionCrimeMurderThrillerSuspenseInvestigate Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“I opened my eyes to the sound of my phone ringing. The bedside clock read 10:05 PM. Rudy’s name displayed on my phone. “Rudy? Where are you?” “Boss, I’m okay, really. It’s just that my car broke down. I’m near a city called…hold on a sec, a city called Beaumont, Texas.” “But you’re alright? Where’s your car right now? What’s wrong with it?” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“He kept hearing his mother calling out, Anderson dear, you must go hide now. Mommy needs to entertain this nice gentleman.” ActionCrimeMurderThriller Novels Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“With complete calmness, the murderer turned and walked out of the dining room; out of the heavy double doors.” ActionMysteryCrimeMurderer Author:Behcet Kaya
“Excuse me, Mr. Ludefance. Just so you are aware, we are a tightknit group here. We all had knowledge of what happened prior to midnight. You can speak to all of us if you want, but you’ll be hearing the same story. It’s what happened between midnight and eight AM that’s very much in question. Not one officer on that shift saw or heard anything unusual. But if you wish to speak to any of the officers from that shift, we can arrange for you to do so. Now, I suppose you can start with Officer Harrington here. When you finish with her, I’ll call Rhodes. He doesn’t live that far away. The other officers are here on campus.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“As soon as the first ring finished, I heard his voice, “Hello, Boss! Do we have a case?” I had to laugh. Rudy was, to say the least, a strange young man for many reasons, but he’d become invaluable to me in helping solve my last three cases. “Your presumption is correct, Rudy. Yes, we have a case. It’s just your kind of job and I need you here ASAP.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“I’m not listening? Okay. Let’s back up a minute. Why don’t you live with your friends? Did they kick you out of the apartment? I thought they didn’t mind you staying there.” “Well, it’s sorta complicated, Boss. I can explain when I get there.” “Okay. I’ll accept that answer for now. But, it’s not safe for you to be living out of a car. This isn’t good, Rudy.” “It’s been okay, Boss. Lots of people out here live in their cars. And I’m real careful where I park for the night.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“As we passed the 10th floor, we found ourselves staring down at the city of Atlanta as we moved ever faster towards the 72nd floor. Rudy’s color changed dramatically. His face turned deathly white, which scared the hell out of me. But that was only the beginning. He began screaming, then slid down to the floor and covered his head with both of his arms.” ActionFictionMysteryThrillerSuspenseDramaticInvestigationTenseFast PacedFiction Novel Book:Murder in Buckhead Source: Murder in Buckhead
“Boss? While I have the drone up, can I go further out and see what’s there?” “Yeah, sure. Go ahead.” I turned off the tablet and started packing up when Rudy yelled, “Boss! Boss!” “Why are you shouting? I’m right here. I can hear you, Rudy.” “Boss! You gotta see this!” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“Something woke me up. My hand instinctively reached for my gun, and I sat up. It sounded like someone was trying to push the door open. But how could that be? There was a secure lock and chain hook which all hotel room doors have. My breathing slowed while my heart raced.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureGunMurderThrillerDramaticTenseSuspense Thriller Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“Quite a memory, Mr. Ludefance. I’m impressed. Did you at any time during this encounter think about the fact that the now dead person was there to steal the iPhones with the four billion in cryptocurrency?” “It occurred to me.” “And you still took aim and shot him?” “Detective, there was a gun pointed at me. Yes, I shot first. And I’d do the same thing again.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“But what about her funeral?” “Funeral? There won’t be one! At least not anything we can arrange or attend. Jack, please, take care of yourself. Please, don’t get sick. I have to go now. I can’t talk anymore.” ActionMysteryAdventureDramaThrillerDramaticFast PacedIction Novel Book:Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel Source: Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel
“At this point, General Sutherland tried in vain to hide his emotions. His eyes were brimming with tears, and his voice began to break as he uttered, “The love and respect I hold for this man will never end.” ActionMysteryDangerAdventureProfoundDramaticTenseFast PacedClimatic Book:Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel Source: Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel
“Wow. Girlfriend? Baby? Didn’t see that one coming. How are you going to interview her? There’s…” “I know. I know. Planes and buses are few and far between. I’m considering driving.” “Driving? But Boss! Most everything’s shut down! We’re not even supposed to travel!” ActionDangerAdventureInsightThrillerSuspenseUnpredictableFiction Novel Book:Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel Source: Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel
“My bad, Colonel. What do you need?” “I want to report a homicide.” I raised an eyebrow. “Homicide? Did you kill someone?” His eyes narrowed at my poor attempt at levity. “Me. I’m the one who was killed.” “Colonel, Sir, with all due respect, I really don’t have time for this kind of humor.”” ActionMysteryAdventureDramaThrillerDramaticInvestigationFast Paced Book:Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel Source: Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel
“Rudy? You can’t take the stairs. We’re having dinner on the 71st floor.” “It’s okay, Boss. I can walk up.” ActionFictionMysteryCrimeDramaThrillerFiction NovelSleuth Book:Murder in Buckhead Source: Murder in Buckhead
“Just a moment Mrs. Olmsted, Ma’am. I haven’t finished yet. I need to ask you a couple more questions.” She turned back to face the detective, her tears subsiding. “Could you tell me where you’ve been for the last several hours?” “Where I’ve been?” “Yes, Ma’am.” “My husband is lying here dead, and you have the audacity to ask me where I’ve been?” ActionMysteryAdventureDramaThrillerDramaticInvestigationFast Paced Book:Murder in Buckhead Source: Murder in Buckhead
“Now look. I didn’t mean the senator killed the old man himself, but he makes things happen. The old man wouldn’t sell his property to Senator Olmsted. Two weeks later, the old man’s body was found down by the town creek. According to the autopsy, he died from a Copperhead snake bite.” ActionMysteryDangerAdventureInsightDramaticUnpredictableFast PacedNoir Mystery Book:Murder in Buckhead Source: Murder in Buckhead
“Jack. You called? What’s up, buddy?” When he calls me Jack, I know he is worried or anxious about something. Otherwise, it’s either Ludicrous or Swamp. Not sure where the ‘buddy’ came from. That was a new one.” ActionDangerAdventureInsightThrillerSuspenseUnpredictableFast PacedFiction Novel Book:Murder in Buckhead Source: Murder in Buckhead
“Kowkosvki? You handling this?” “I am.” The suit turned and stared at me with his dark eyes. “Detective Hayden. I take it you’re the shooter?” “I am.” “And you are?” “Jack Ludefance. I’m a PI hired by Mr. Kingsley to investigate the murder of Professor Zambear.” “Oh, yeah, I heard about you. Who’s in the bedroom?” “Rudy Orkut. My computer tech.” “Computer tech, huh? Any idea who this dead body is?” “Not a clue.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureComputerMurderThrillerDramaticTenseSuspense Novel Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“Why was bail denied?” “This is a very small town. The professor was a very popular man, despite some of the reasons why. Besides that, Stella is, at this moment, the most hated women around these parts. It’s far safer for her to be in jail.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticJailTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“No, Rhodes. Everything is not okay. You know the lake just north of the university?” “Yeah, it’s all dried up now. Does that every summer.” “Well, there’s a dead body in the middle of it. You need to call the police and tell them to get out here, now.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“How was he murdered?” “Asphyxiated.” “Can you elaborate?” “I can, but it’s rather gruesome.” “I’m a private investigator, Mr. Kingsley. I’ve seen plenty of gruesome.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTenseGruesome Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“Counselor, you can come along, but I prefer to interview Stella alone.” “Let’s just say I’ll think about that.” “Is there a legal precedence that you feel you need to be there?” “No, no legal precedence. Just looking out for my client.” “Stella is now my client, as well. I don’t take any of my cases lightly. I’ve been hired to find the murderer and that’s what I intend to do. Stella is the starting point, and her interview is pivotal. If you are in the interview room with us, she may not divulge information that could be crucial to my going further. I hope you can understand my position in this.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“I will probably be repeating some of the facts, but no matter. Stella Kingsley Zambear’s husband, Professor Pachua Zambear, was found by one of his students on May 8 at 9 AM when she arrived for her appointment with him. I won’t go into the details of how she found him, as I’m sure Mr. Kingsley filled you in on those details.” “Yes, he did. And I understand that Mrs. Zambear was arrested because her DNA was identified?” “Correct. Positive DNA and motive. Theirs was not the happiest of marriages for many reasons. And as you are well aware, the spouse is always the first to be suspected.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“So, you are telling me that 918 million in cryptocurrency was transferred from these two Android phones to somewhere in Brazil. Can you find out where in Brazil and to whom it was sent?” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTenseCryptocurrency Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“The eleven iPhones are set up identical to the Androids. But it’s a whole different scenario as far as the Bitcoin wallets. They all have currency in them, and none has been sent out. I labeled each one with the amount in each of the wallets. It comes to a total of more than four billion.” “Four billion? Are you sure it’s not million?” “I’m sure, Boss. Four billion in available cryptocurrency.” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureMurderThrillerSuspenseTenseBitcoinIphone Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“I’m going to ask you to take me through exactly what happened the night your husband was murdered. Let’s start with the beginning of the evening.” “Wait a minute. Surely you don’t want me to detail our sex that night?” ActionMysteryCrimeAdventureExcitingMurderThrillerSuspenseDramaticTense Book:Uncanny Alliance Source: Uncanny Alliance
“Look. I’m very sorry to hear about your predicament, but let’s get a few things clear. I’m a PI. I solve crimes after there’s foul play. You’re saying your father-in-law is trying to kill you. That’s police business. I don’t provide bodyguard service. Really, this is not a job for me. Sorry.” FictionMysteryBetrayalThrillerSuspenseInvestigationIntrigueFiction NovelNoir Mystery Book:Murder in Buckhead Source: Murder in Buckhead
“But, Colonel, Sir, you’re sitting right here on the sofa, in what you describe as my hacker’s condo, and you certainly appear to be very much alive. I’ll ask again, is this some kind of joke?” FictionMysteryBetrayalSuspenseInvestigationIntrigueFiction NovelMurder MysteryNoir Mystery Book:Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel Source: Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel
“But before I could pull back onto the highway, the blue and red flashing lights of a police cruiser lit up behind me. I watched as the officer, wearing a mask, approached. He motioned for me to put on a mask and open my window. How could I put on a mask? I didn’t have one. I mouthed, no mask. He pulled one out of his uniform jacket pocket. One of those despicable thin blue paper masks. Now what the hell good was that going to do either of us?” FictionBetrayalThrillerSuspenseInvestigationIntrigueFiction NovelNoir Mystery Book:Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel Source: Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel
“Margeaux? Everything okay?” All I could hear was her crying on the other end. “Margeaux? Talk to me. What’s going on?” “It’s…It’s Deloris! Jack, she came down with the virus several days ago. It turned serious very quickly. I called for an ambulance, but they wouldn’t even let me go to the hospital with her.” FictionMysteryDramaCuriosityThrillerDramaticExhilaratingInvestigatorProfound MysteryAst Paced Book:Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel Source: Deception: A Jack Ludefance Novel
“I think this is a good start.” Alpine started collecting his notes and placing them into his briefcase. “I’ll meet with you again tomorrow morning and we’ll start plotting strategy. This is out of your hands, so just try to relax and let me do my job.” MysteryMurderSuspensePrivate Investigator Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“My initial impression of her had been totally wrong. The impression that she was this sweet and stunningly beautiful Vietnamese girl who had survived a difficult time in her life, and was, perhaps, still vulnerable. But, now it was different. She was nothing but a paid whore. It took me a moment to analyze it. Totally against my character, but I realized, if only for a fleeting instant, I wanted to take this whore to bed, even though there would be no spice of pursuit, and it would generate no particular tension between us.” Murder MysteryCrime FictionPrivate Investigator Book:Treacherous Estate Source: Treacherous Estate
“It was a Sunday morning, a perfect day for fishing. I had asked several other guys, but knew they all had their own plans. To everyone else, it was just another day of fishing.” CrimePrivate InvestigatorNoir Fiction Book:Murder on the Naval Base Source: Murder on the Naval Base
“Not to change the subject, but…you do realize you’ve been going over the speed limit for quite a few miles? Never mind. And thank you Professor Ludefance. Somehow, I think this lecture is meant for me, but I have a lot more interchange of material and energy with my environment than most.” “In a physical sense, you’re not decaying at all, you’re a very vibrant young woman. The decay I’m speaking about for you is emotional. As for the professorship, that very lecture was given to me from a Turkish friend who had inherited a great deal of wealth and didn’t know what to do with himself. I learned this from him. As for you, you interact with your environment, but you are predatory, fearless, irritable, and listless. You’re getting no emotional feedback.” “And just where do you suggest I go to look for ‘emotional feedback,’ Mr. Professor?” “Aha. That’s the catch. You can’t. It’s not that mechanical. You merely have to be receptive and hope it comes along.” “Meanwhile, I’m being ground down by the second law of thermodynamics.” “In a sense, yes.” “Thank you so much, Professor. I never would have known.” CrimeDramaThrillerSuspensePrivate InvestigatorInvestigateMurdr Book:Appellate Judge Source: Appellate Judge
“Mr. Hooks?” “Mr. Ludefance? Pleasure to meet you and thank you for coming in.” As he extended his hand to me, I noticed the girl at the desk staring at my face. Hooks looked back at her staring and must have given her a look of some kind. “Mr. Ludefance, this is my secretary, Cholia.” She stood up and continued to stare at my scar. Black hair, cute face, maybe five-foot-four at the most, and a little on the plump side with rosy cheeks. Young. Very young. Looked like a teenager to me. Or was I just getting ‘older?” CrimeMurderThrillerSuspensePrivate Investigator Book:Appellate Judge Source: Appellate Judge
“It was easy to make the obvious leap that the money was supposed to be my fee for whatever Lillian Holler wanted to expose. Sometimes my clients come with prepayment. I still questioned why she had picked me and how she had found me. But she was a wealthy woman and wealthy women have ways of finding out whatever it is they want to know.” CrimeMurder MysteryNoir Fiction Book:Treacherous Estate Source: Treacherous Estate
“A long walk. A very long walk. Sand between my toes. The rough surf at times reaching and washing away my footprints. About a mile down the beach, I sat down and started thinking back through everything Vance had told me so far. Thought about what my next moves would be. Seeing the Asian guy tomorrow and having him snoop would settle one thing in my mind. Did Vance do it or not? Crucial. Until I knew that, I didn’t want to go any further.” Murder MysteryFiction WritingNoir FictionNoir Mystery Book:Body In The Woods Source: Body In The Woods
“And he never asked you about it?” “No, he never asked. If he had, I’m still not sure I would have told him.” “Told him what?” “That is was his baby.” Fiction NovelMystery SuspenseNoir Fiction Book:Body In The Woods Source: Body In The Woods
“What the hell, Jack? What the hell were you doing back there? Cool the hell off. You’re used to people staring. Get a grip, man. Too early to let things get to you.” Murder MysteryNoir FictionSuspen Book:Body In The Woods Source: Body In The Woods