A KILLER'S KILLER

SYNOPSIS

In this second book, A Killer’s Killer, of the trilogy, Waverly Place Mysteries, we follow Robert, first introduced in Book One, Murder Times Three. Robert has developed a deep hatred for Asher who has now become the lover of the retired fraud investigator and amateur sleuth, Riley Dice. Robert is out to murder Asher. Asher is in the hospital, and Robert has surreptitiously entered his hospital room. While Robert is in the act of strangling a helpless Asher in his bed, Robert himself is stabbed to death.

EXCERPT FROM A KILLER'S KILLER

 After Robert swiftly shut the door, he approached the bed anticipating a confused look on Garrett’s face since they did not know each other. Garrett was sleeping; another sign that the stars were aligned in Robert’s favor. His first agenda item was to encase his hands in plastic hospital gloves.

            His eyes scanned the room for an extra pillow and smiled when he grabbed the pillow on the cot by Garrett’s bed. Simultaneously, Robert smashed the pillow against Garrett’s face and sat on his chest. He knew that Garrett’s lungs would be unable to inflate because of Robert’s weight, and the pillow would block any incidental air. This technique was far more effective than the typical smothering approach repeated in movies ad infinitum. In reality, the victim would struggle violently and only succumb after ten minutes. Robert thought he would relish the sound of Garrett hopelessly trying to suck in air, but he felt strangely nauseated. Through all his nastiness and illegal and criminal actions during his fifty years, he had never killed anyone. He discounted letting Millie die by withholding help. With Garrett, he felt this was his only option; patience was never part of his makeup. Robert did not want to have any regrets regarding his accomplishments. He expected the condominiums he would build once Waverly Place was decimated to be his crowning achievement. An architectural masterpiece that would bring the city of Ashton into the twenty-first century.

            Just as Robert was listening to the quietness of a possibly dead Garrett, he felt a pressure on his back. But he fretted about screaming and being caught in the act. He wondered if somebody else was in the room. After the pressure subsided, another force whipped across his back. Robert could no longer continue overpowering Garrett, and he let go of the pillow. It felt like a cold flame burning his spine followed by a grating sensation against his bones. Why did he feel like he was being punctured? As he dropped to the floor, his mouth began filling up like he was drowning, unable to breathe. With his senses shutting down, only his hearing remained. He wondered where the rattling sound was coming from. Because he felt no pain, Robert believed he had survived the attack until he realized the gurgling sound was his own. And the world, gratefully, lost an evil man.