My new book "The Stark Reality" ISBN #9781386582618
https://www.books2read.com/u/3k0V1g
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-stark-reality-melody-martin
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1335770108 << for apple users
It was a cool day in November when I got a call, a woman wanted to meet me after she got off work. I told her I normally close at 4:00 PM but I would wait for her. I gave her the address and directions to get to my office. She said it would not be later than 4:30 then she hung up. I had some book work to close up so I decided to get on with that and just wait for her. I made a pot of coffee to keep my head straight I had been working a case that kept me up late for the last week. The end result of the case was simple her husband was not cheating on her he took on a part-time job so he could get her something special for Christmas. I like cases with happy endings and this one was great. It did rather spoil the surprise but the happy couple kissed and it all ended happily. I get lots of cases of woman looking for cheating husbands. It’s challenging sometimes but it keeps the money flowing in the door. It was 5:00 and I poured myself a final cup of coffee. There was one more cup left in case my visitor would like some. The phone rang I answered it with the Melody’s detective agency. It was a friend Mike who I work with occasionally, he wanted to meet up after I get out of work. I told him I have a late customer coming in soon but I should be out of here by 5:30 if that was good with him. He said he would meet me then. I was just hanging up when the lady I spoke with on the phone walked in. I stood up and shook her hand, Good evening, I am Melody. She said I am Julie, I asked her to sit. Would you like a cup of coffee I have a little left? She declined but asked if I had some water. I keep bottle water in the small fridge in the office. I got one for her and set it on the desk. She opened it and drank a swallow or two. She looked nervous and I asked what can I do for you Julie? She said in a trembling voice, I am worried about my sister, she is always showing bruises and aches and pains. She says she is just accident prone and always is falling. The other day when I saw her she had marks around her neck she said she walked into the clothes line outside. I said well has she always been clumsy? She said no, she used to be a cheerleader very athletic I am just beginning to doubt her excuses on how she is getting hurt. I said well my normal fee is 150 dollars a day, if you will give me her name and address I assume she is married. Julie said Oh wow, I don’t know how I will afford that. She continued yes I am married to a cop. I was taken back a bit but I asked how much you can afford to get the answers you’re seeking. She said she had five-hundred in a Christmas account. I said okay, I will see what I can find out what I can and I will not charge you more than the five-hundred, if that’s good with you. She smiled and said agreed.
This is now published it will be available to down load in a few days. I always allow 5 to 7 days for it to be ready at most sites.
Here is a teaser to read in the meanwhile
It was a very cold winter business was slow but then it’s commonly that way in the winter. Jim and I had more time to spend together because I volunteered at the hospital. It was fun but there is lots of sadness there also. Okay, so I am a private investigator I have been shot at someone tried to blow me off the planet with a bomb. But unlike some in my trade, I am not a hardened tough sort of a person. I think that is why I am successful in what I do, I have a heart. Today is a beautiful spring day in April the temperature is 75 degrees. Jim is off to work already so I head to the office for my morning routine. Check the answering, machine read my mail, do any reports that must be done. The phone rang I answered “Melody’s Investigations.” A weak voice came back to me as if she was hiding so no one could hear. I asked what I may do for you. In a weak squeaky voice she said: “My mommy is hurting again can you help her?” “Why is she hurting?” The little voice came back “She and daddy had another fight last night” “How old are you, my dear?” I was getting the idea now that she may be a very young girl. “I am ten years old” “can you tell me where you live?” ‘It’s the first house on Bridges Street off Spencer Street” “is that in Lewisville or Denton?” In Denton, she said then the line went dead. I called it back and a man answered in a very gruff voice. “What ta fuck do you want?” I said “sorry wrong number.” and I hung up. I could tell there was trouble there but I did not have enough information to go forward. This sounded like a charity case anyway. That don’t mean I don’t wish to pursue it. I would wait and see if the child will call back. I was not on the list today to volunteer so I will stick around here in case she calls back. It was getting near noon I set up the office phone to forward to my cell. I locked up and drove to the hospital to have lunch with my husband. That little girl’s voice was still ringing in my ears. Jim was just sitting down when I got there. I grabbed a tray and got a salad and a bagel and my coffee. I sat beside Jim after kissing his cheek. He asked me how my day was going and I shared the call I got from this ten-year-old girl. “You are going to help her aren’t you?” ”Yes Jim, I have my cell on forwarded from the office. I hope she calls back I feel there is a lot of trouble going on at her house.”
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I hope you will enjoy my new book. ISBN: 9781386448488