A SIMPLE PLAN
By Sharon A. Austin
This short book is not a complete story. It is a free sample of my mystery novel, Killing Summer, a gritty tale where one partner in crime concocts a plan to extricate himself from murder.
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 by Sharon A. Austin
http://sharonaustin.blogspot.com
Chapter 1
July 4, Point Jove
Stripped down to their underwear and socks, the two men walked into the chilly, snake infested waters of White River swatting mosquitoes every step of the way. Moving slowly through a shallow, rocky area with only their head and shoulders above the surface, they stayed close to the bank using their hands to feel around under submerged boulders. A half a mile or so upstream from where they had slung the rest of their clothing over a tree branch, the man in the lead, twenty-seven-year-old Kevin Rayland, took a deep breath, and dove under the water.
More than happy to play the role of spotter, Jasper Monroe kept a watchful eye out for game wardens who don't care the practice of noodling has been legal in Missouri for quite a while. Since most flathead catfish are on the nest when they're noodled, wildlife fanatics continue to argue that too many eggs are being destroyed, and this ridiculous and dangerous style of fishing must end. They weren't there to hand-fish. Not today. If they get caught, not tomorrow either.
Kevin shot up out of the water, gasping for air. Swiped a hand down his face. "Found one."
Jasper got behind him, and tucked his hands under Kevin's arms to help him keep his balance while he twisted sideways to put his leg in the catfish hole. "Yep, it's empty." Jasper let go. Kevin fell backward, scraping his knee. Went under again trying to gain his footing. Angrily smacked the water with the side of his hand.
"Take it easy. Don't be stirring up any damn leeches." Jasper broke off a sturdy twig full of stiff brown leaves, stabbed the end in the ground above the hole to mark the spot. Piled rocks around the base for added support. "Let's get this over with."
In the waning daylight the men trudged back to their starting point, on guard for venomous snakes swimming about. "Good thing it rained," Kevin whispered. "It turned the water brown. Maybe they won't see us coming." He shuddered, knowing how easy it would be to encounter snakes or beavers that have taken over abandoned holes. A sock won't prevent sharp teeth or fangs from sinking into his flesh. Snapping turtles can also inflict a lot of misery by biting off a finger or two.
When they reached the rocky shoal, Jasper remained in the water. "Go on, get her." Focused on the lengthening shadows in the surrounding woods he thought he saw movement. He leaned in, squinted his eyes, then pulled back. "Hurry the hell up," he said in a low tone.
Kevin ran over to the boulder where they'd hidden the twenty-something ticket taker. He grasped her by her wrists, dragged her to the water's edge. Jasper took hold of her hands, pulled her headfirst into the water. Kevin jumped in, reached under and found her feet. Her long hair flowed across her face like corn-yellow seaweed stems. The water washed blood from her wounds and marked her passing, as they floated her to the hole in the riverbank.
Jasper crossed her arms over her bare chest then pressed down hard, pushing her under. Banged her head against the rocky wall several times trying to find the opening.
"What're you doing?"
"I don't think she's going to fit."
"Sure she will. You're just too chickenshit to duck under and do it the right way."
"Oh yeah?" Jasper went down, and worked her head and shoulders into the mouth of the hole. Shoved her in as far as she'd go. Jumped up and sucked in a lungful of air. "There's not enough room for her feet." He glanced at the concave bank of the meandering river. "I don't see anything we can use to cover her with."
"So what? It'd take one hell of a drought for the water to recede enough for someone to see her feet sticking out of there. That could be many years from now. I don't see the little waterfall up ahead going dry any time soon. Besides, it won't be long before critters start feasting on her."
"Whatever. Frickin' knowitall. C'mon, it's getting dark. I sure as hell don't want to be in here when it is. I could use a smoke and a beer, anyway. If we hurry, we'll have time to stop by Roadhouse Redd before the fireworks begin."
Jasper raced ahead.
Kevin stood still waiting for the ripples to subside. He looked intently at the muddy water trying to see through it. Tried to imagine lying in that dark hole for all of eternity. Tried to remember exactly why Jasper thought they should remove her clothes. Tried to remember where they stashed them. He felt sorry for her. Just a little. What was her name? Carly? Charley? He shook his head in disdain. What woman goes off with two guys she'd just met? Harley, was it?
Screw it. It isn't my fault why she tripped and fell down.
Chapter 2
Mid-July, Reddfield
Weather permitting, on the third Saturday night of every month there is a Cruise-In at Whimpie's restaurant that rivals the get-together at T-Bone's restaurant down in Point Jove. By seven o'clock Whimpie's back parking lot is jam-packed with antique and classic cars.
Jasper scanned the faces in the crowd. He'd caught a glimpse of her earlier when he and Kevin ordered burgers and fries from the curb service intercom. She exited a side door of the building a minute or so later on a shiny pair of roller skates. The old-fashioned kind that are worn over the shoes and tightened with a key. She expertly balanced a full tray in one hand held high above her shoulder. Jasper was a little pissed off that they didn't arrive early enough to get her for their server. Damn you, Kevin. He'd insisted on stopping to buy two six-packs of beer to have on hand for later. She skated past the front end of his car, a long ponytail swinging freely like a pendulum. Came to a stop on the driver side of a 1939 Ford pickup truck, seven vehicles to his right.
He watched those perky thirty-sixes bounce a little when one of the rollers clipped a crack in the pavement on her way back. When she was a senior at Ava Rhone High she was the most favorite of all the cheerleaders, and voted most popular girl in school. Were her rich daddy, big fancy house, and sporty car the reason why? He used to come to the home games just to gawk at her. She was the bendiest girl he'd ever seen. In the semidarkness beneath the crowded bleachers no one ever caught him drooling over her.
They finished their meal. Jasper stuffed the wrappers and napkins in the white takeout bag. Drove around the building to the larger parking lot at the rear. Tossed the bag into a trash container. Continued driving around looking for a place to park. At the right moment a 1969 Dodge Charger backed out of its slot. The driver pulled forward a few feet. Got out to brag about the new red paint job to a couple of guys standing under a security light mounted high on a tall metal pole. Jasper jerked into the vacant spot. He and Kevin jumped out and walked away before the other driver realized he'd stupidly turned loose of the last available parking space.
"Where're you going?" Kevin asked. Sucked out the remains of a chocolate milkshake.
Jasper pointed to a pretty server dressed in navy blue denim shorts and a white T-shirt over a red halter-top, the standard uniform of the all-American drive-in restaurant. She removed a rubberband and shook her head, shiny crimson hair spilling down over her shoulders.
"You're going to try to hook up with her tonight?" Kevin asked in disbelief. "I thought the two of us were heading out to the ranch to search for the hidden loot after we stop by Smoky Dawg Bar and have a couple of beers first."
"We can have a couple of beers in the car on the way to the ranch, don'tcha think?" Reminding Kevin they'd already bought beer. Jasper couldn't keep his eyes off her chest. "I just thought I'd invite Gianna along for a ride, if you catch my drift." He laughed quietly.
"What the hell am I supposed to do while you two are, y'know, doin' it?"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. Otherwise, back off."
Jasper shouldered his way through the crowd. Caught up to the petite twenty-year-old. "Hey." As she turned around to face him she casually swept her hair over one shoulder hiding one perfectly nice boob while uncovering the other. He groaned, silently.
"Hi," she said in an offhanded way. Leaned sideways, and looked past him.
"I'm standing right here. You got someone better to look at?"
She pointed to a dark blue 23-T with tan upholstery, parked on the far left side of the lot. "I absolutely love the ghost flames on that car. They're the best I've ever seen. Well, except for the T-Bucket the sheriff of Point Jove owns."
"Speaking of best I've ever seen." He tried to burn a hole through the front of her shirt with his eyes. She crossed her arms. He blinked. "Oh." Chuckled. "Sorry 'bout that."
"I'm off duty. You'll have to go up front if you want to order something to eat or drink."
"I was wondering what you're doing tonight. I suppose someone as pretty as you must have a boyfriend. Maybe two or three." Jasper glanced around the area trying to sneak a peek at her chest now and then, but her arms were in the way.
She burst out laughing, startling him.
"Like what you see?" She propped her hands on her hips and pushed back her shoulders. A move he remembered from her cheerleading days. "I'm Gianna. And you are...?"
"Jasper Monroe."
"Is one of these cars yours?"
"Yep. See the shiny, black, nineteen sixty-five Chevy Impala over there?"
"It's really nice. My dad used to have one just like it, but it never looked that good."
"I know." Half smile. "Want to go for a ride? A friend of mine and I are going to the abandoned Wentworth Ranch to poke around, and see if we can find the hidden treasure. Wanna come?" He grinned, wickedly.
"You're not as funny or as clever as you think you are, Jasper Monroe. Good looking as hell, maybe. Just not real funny. But, yeah. I love going on an adventure and exploring old places. I heard the Wentworth's meat packing plant was shut down by court order, and to keep from losing all of their money in a lawsuit they hid tons of it in the walls of the factory or the ranch before they fled the country ten years ago. Is that what you heard?"
"I just hear my blood pumping."
Chapter 3
Kevin grabbed a six-pack of beer from the back seat. Retrieved a flashlight, clicked it on and handed it to Jasper. Gaining access by kicking in the back door, Jasper took Gianna by the hand and entered the kitchen. He pulled her into an embrace. Kissed her on the cheek.
Kevin pushed past them. Set the beer on the kitchen counter.
Jasper whispered in her ear. She giggled, girlishly.
Kevin rolled his eyes. Removed one can. Tucked the rest under his arm. Followed the couple to the living room. Startled by the beam of light, a couple of rats scurried back into the shadows. Fear flashed across the girl's eyes, Kevin observed. He pulled a can free of the plastic binder. Tossed it to her. She smiled at him. He decided to overlook the fact that this was her third beer, since leaving Whimpie's, out of the two six-packs he'd bought earlier using his own money.
Jasper sat on a corner of the stone fireplace hearth, and pulled off his brown Western boots. Set them aside. Wiggled his squished toes to separate them. Pulled off his socks. "It's a little warm in here, don'tcha think? You sure are looking sweaty, little girl," he quipped in an effort to cajole her into stripping.
"That isn't how it goes. It's supposed to be horses sweat, men perspire, and women glisten." She flashed a wide, toothy grin.
"Yeah, okay," he said, irritated. "I just thought we could cool off faster if we get naked."
"Are you suggesting we search for the money in the nude?"
"We've got all night. We can look around later. Let's have a little fun first."
"Treasure hunting is fun." She tilted her head in confusion. "What do you have in mind?"
"I was hoping you'd do a couple of cheers for me. I sure do miss those days. Don't you?"
"Actually, I do. I can't believe high school has already come and gone."
"Come, and, gone," on a lower note he added, "that's the plan."
"At least I have college to look forward to, if I finally give in to my father's wishes and go. I still haven't decided what I want to do with my life."
She locked eyes with Jasper.
With a playful smile on her face Gianna set the can of beer on the dark wood mantle of the fireplace. "Alrighty then." She grabbed hold of the bottom of her T-shirt and pulled it off. Dropped it on the hearth. Backed her feet out of a pair of tan sandals. Spread her bare feet apart, and stretched her arms out to her sides. Moving her arms and legs this way and that, she shouted: "Give me an E... E! Give me an A... A! Give me a G-L-E-S, gooo Eagles." Clapping her hands, she jumped up and down, causing her boobs to peek out of the halter-top. Perspiration dampened her bangs, trickled down her cleavage. "Woohoo, yeah team." She giggled. "That's not exactly how it goes." She picked up her shirt, gave it a quick shake. Sliding it down over her head she stopped to pull her hair out from underneath. Got a rubberband out of her pocket, gathered up her hair and made a ponytail. Beads of sweat dotted her forehead and rosy cheeks. She fanned her face with her hand. "Phew! I am sooo hot."
"I know it," Jasper said in a deep voice.
Kevin laughed, nervously. "I think I ought to warn you. Monroe isn't the type to be toyed with, especially when he's been drinking and pill popping. He's a little crazy, and he's got a mean streak—"
"Shut up, jerk."
"Where are my shoes?" She looked to her right. "Aha!" Burped. "Oops." She giggled again. "Too much beer." Shoved her feet in the sandals. Walked unevenly toward the front door.
"I guess she didn't hear me," Kevin whispered.
"Good for you." Jasper stepped forward. Blocked her path. "And just where do you think you're going?" He set his can on the mantle next to hers. Gently pushed her against the wall on the left side of the fireplace.
She frowned. "What's gotten in to you? I thought we came here to treasure hunt."
"Yup, I'm fixing to pan for gold right now." He gripped the bottom of her shirt and pulled it up and over her head. Slung it to the floor. Had the halter straps untied in an instant. Too drunk to work the S-hook in the middle of her back, he yanked the skimpy piece of clothing down to her waist. "Hooboy. Look at the size of them melons. You have no idea how long I've waited to do this." He cupped his hands under her breasts and pushed them together.
"Stop it, Jasper, you're hurting me." She clutched his wrists, tried to push him away. "This isn't funny." Her tone became more fearful. "I said stop it."
He squeezed even harder, watching her expressions.
She screamed.
Flinching, he slapped her in the face without thinking. Nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "Lighten up. I was just messin' around. We didn't bring you here against your will, you know. You said you wanted to have fun. So what's the problem?"
"You hit me," she replied, meekly.
"It was an accident, I guess," he mumbled.
"I want to go home." She picked up her shirt. Wiped mascara from under her eyes.
Jasper brought the can to his lips and took a drink. A loud belch erupted from the pit of his stomach. He emptied the container in three gulps. Crushed the can between his palms and flung it across the room. He kept his eyes locked on hers, ripped open his shirt flinging buttons in all directions. When one hit her face she reflexively stepped back, bumping into the wall. He yanked the shirt off his shoulders, balled it up and tossed it aside. Got hold of her arms, and clumsily attempted to lower her to the floor. She fought to remain upright. Leg muscles clenched, she pressed her feet hard against the splintered floorboards. He tried to nuzzle her neck while she continued to put up a strong resistance. She gasped, and he was reminded of a certain scene in a porn movie he had recently watched. "That's right, babygirl. Treat daddy good or he'll have to punish you. You don't want daddy to spank his baby, do you?"
Another raw scream frightened him.
"Shut up, dammit." He smacked his hands over his ears and huffed around in a small circle. Came back to her. "I bet you let every damn guy on the football team feel you up," he hollered out of frustration. "Why should it be any different with me? Huh? Stop trying to act all pure and innocent. You're nowhere near as naive as you like to pretend. Every big-tittied girl I ever met couldn't stand not having someone stare at those things, much less play with them. That's why they go and get 'em stuffed even bigger. They know the guys are gawking, and they don't want them to stop."
"They're not fake. I-I'm not fake. You've got the wrong idea about me, Jasper."
"Naw, I pegged you right from the start. I watched you during practice. I remember how you used to spread your legs extra wide when you did those splits. No wonder the guys lost more football games than they won. They were too busy trying to sneak a peek up your skirt."
She attempted to slap his face. He jerked his head back in time. "Like it rough, do ya?" He pulled her into a tight embrace. "There ain't no stopping us now, girlie." He glanced over her shoulder, and spotted Kevin leaning against the doorjamb. Jasper winked at him.
Chapter 4
Three Hours Later
Conflicted by his feelings, Kevin snatched his shirt off the floor, and wiped sweat from his face. Staggered toward the remaining beer cans someone had moved to the kitchen counter. Tripped on an untied shoelace and fell against the frame of the entryway between the living room and the kitchen. He rubbed his forehead. Drank thirstily before stopping to catch his breath.
His eyes never left the girl's face as he pressed his back against the wall in the living room and slid to the floor. Knees bent toward his chest, he took another long swig of the lukewarm brew. His mind sought to replay his amateurish role in the horrifying scene. An odd noise halted his train of thought. A bright light floating in a zigzagged pattern blurred his vision, distorting the expression on Jasper's face as he approached the girl. Kevin's skin crawled. He scooted around the entryway until he was on the opposite side of the wall, facing the kitchen counter. Closed his eyes. Listened to the sounds coming from the living room. He flattened his hands over his ears. Why couldn't he hear the girl? The migraine headache sliced his brain in half, and made him want to vomit. He thought about the car, parked within reach, just outside the back door.
What the hell am I waiting for?
* * *
Kevin was unaware he was holding a cigarette until it burned his fingers. He pitched it out the window. Gripped the steering wheel and pulled himself up straighter in the seat. Tried to figure out how and when he'd gotten into Jasper's car. Lighting another Newberle, he struggled to remember what the hell had happened. Somehow his mind had lost a big portion of the night.
He recalled attempting to caress the girl's arm. Unsure of his own sexuality, he found it was easier to mimic Jasper. Gianna accidentally kicked him in the balls. Without thinking, he slapped her. She struck her head on the corner of the mantle. As if observing the scene out-of-body, he stepped back and watched her drift downward. Slowly tilting his head to the right, his eyes followed her. She seemed to move in gradual motion. Landed on her left side across the corner of the wide hearth with her arms flung over her head. Like a graceful ballerina. Or a cheerleader.
Kevin closed his eyelids and gently massaged them.
Then what did I do?
"I don't know."
Did I only imagine slapping her?
"Maybe. I don't know."
Where was Jasper at the time?
He opened the car door. Tumbled out onto the grass. Getting to his feet, dry heaves had him gagging for several seconds. He snuffed out both cigarette butts, and then put them in his shirt pocket. Staggered back to the house.
Jasper lighting a cigarette was the only sound in the living room. "Shit," blew out of his mouth with a rush of smoke and air from his lungs. One more drag, he flicked the cigarette in the fireplace. Reached down and grasped the halter-top still wrapped around Gianna's waist. He pulled until the hook broke apart. Threw the cheap piece of clothing across the room. Walking to the front door he said, "I have to take a piss."
Dazed and confused, Kevin stretched out on the floor where he'd been standing. Fell asleep without hearing Jasper return.
* * *
Kevin was jerked into wakefulness when a large rat crawled up on his bare chest. He smacked it away. Got off the floor. Sweating profusely from the contained heat in the house he raked his fingers across the top of his head and combed his wet brown hair straight back. Heard Jasper snoring. When Kevin breathed in the oppressive air it made him cough. Jasper stirred, but didn't wake up.
He stumbled through the semidarkness trying to find the shirt he had cast off earlier. Found it on the floor in the middle of the kitchen. No idea how it got there. He removed his lighter and a pack of cigarettes from the pocket. Let the shirt sail to the floor in a silent heap. He shook his head a time or two. Trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind, he absently looked for the girl.
Kevin picked up the flashlight – that had been left on and miraculously hadn't run down the batteries yet – and shined it on her. Walked closer. Nudged her several times with the toe of his shoe. He put the light on her face. His heart missed a beat. His skin broke out in a cold sweat. He shivered nonstop. "Get up, Jasper!"
Chapter 5
Sheltered by a ring of towering oaks in the midst of a pasture forty yards behind the house Kevin halfheartedly scooped up another light load of dirt, and tossed it over Gianna Avery. The sound of the shovel scraping against the ground echoed across the still of the night. The air, thick with heat, carried the sound a short distance before engulfing it. "Damn ground is too hard and rocky to do much digging. We need something better than a shovel. Maybe a stick of dynamite." Far enough in, he wasn't concerned about being seen by passing motorists on the interstate. "I don't believe this shit. How the hell did this happen to us again?"
Jasper collected several fallen branches. Pitched them in the shallow grave. "My back hurts like hell. Enough, already. Nobody's going to find her out here. Let's go."
Beat down by sweltering heat and one too many beers they made their way to the dark and empty house. Their shoes kicked up plumes of sand from the bone-dry ground. Dredging his feet through numerous rotted cornstalks, uprooted then scattered about by a small twister or straight-line winds, Kevin unbuttoned his shirt. Pulled the ends from the waistband of his jeans. Flapping both sides he fanned his chest. Seconds later dried sweat chilled his skin making him shiver.
"Corn," he said with disdain. "Friggin' bastards used corn to fatten the cattle faster and cheaper than with grass, which is a cow's natural food. Bad enough they pumped the animals full of steroids and shit. The Wentworth's were also accused of animal cruelty and unsanitary conditions. I'm glad their meat factory got axed. Corporate assholes. Make me sick with their need to feed the greed."
"What're you talking about?"
"Look around," he said excitedly, swinging his arm wide. "Only one reason why there's a cornfield on a cattle ranch." Kevin lit a cigarette. Exhaled in an angry huff. "Something's wrong."
"Now what?" Jasper snatched the cigarette from Kevin just as he was about to take a drag.
"The cornfield is behind the oaks. We're moving away from the house not toward it." He lit another cigarette. Looked over his shoulder in the general direction of the three-story structure. The glow of a full moon bouncing off the metal roof revealed its presence. He pointed to it with the beam of his flashlight. "Over there."
Jasper made a grand sweeping gesture with his arm. "After you, milady."
Kevin stopped to free a prickly vine caught on the laces of his dirty white sneakers. "You reckon all those damn rats are gone by now?"
"How the hell am I supposed to know? I've been out here with you. Idiot."
"Just askin'." Kevin wiped beaded sweat off his brow with the back of his hand. Shivered again. Only this time it was over the memory of waking up earlier to find one of the filthy beasts, he'd swear was the size and shape of a football, taking a shortcut across his chest on its way to the kitchen.
A screen door – with splintered wood and peeling black paint, hanging cockeyed on one hinge – nearly broke loose when Kevin's hand missed the frame and went through the screen, catching his wristwatch on the torn mesh. He jerked his hand free. Entered the kitchen. Tucked the long handle of his flashlight under his arm, and crossed to the entryway. Snatched up the plastic binder holding the last two beers. Set them on the counter. Pulled one can free. Popped the top with a loud snap, and guzzled warm liquid that did little to quench his thirst.
Jasper grabbed the other can. "Selfish jerk." He ripped the plastic off and slung it to the floor. "Gonna hog 'em all to yourself?" He followed Kevin to the living room. "Think we'll ever find the hidden money?"
"Hard to say. We've explored both places for, what, the past eight or nine years? And we always walked away empty-handed." He finished his beer. Ground out his cigarette on the hearth then put it in his pocket with the others. Pitched the can into the fireplace where it hit the iron grate with a dull clank. He removed his shirt. Wiped his face, chest and armpits with one of the short sleeves. "This has got to be the longest damn night of my life." Kevin stretched out on the floor. Laid his shirt and the flashlight beside him. The beam shined over two old-fashioned light fixtures creating odd shadows on the wall beyond them.
Jasper lay down nearby. Propped his head up with his hand. Watched Kevin squeeze his eyes shut tight. "Look out, it's gonna bite you," he shouted.
"Gah!" Kevin jumped up swatting his chest with both hands.
Jasper rolled onto his back in a fit of laughter.
"Asshole." Kevin returned to his place on the floor. Spread his shirt over his chest then put his arm under his head. Looking intently at the wall, the eerie shadows appeared to come alive in the semidarkness. He covered his eyes with his free hand, deciding not to say anything about the alien-looking things marching toward the ceiling.
Jasper laughed even louder.
Kevin lifted his hand and looked at him quizzically.
"It's a shame there's no furniture in this place so you can get your fussy little ass off the floor, Mary Lou."
Kevin crossed an arm over his face; covered in sweat it slid sideways banging his knuckles on the floor. "Leave me alone, will ya? It's hotter n' forty hells in here." He recalled all the windows were boarded up, but, like getting in the car and going home, he also didn't have the energy or desire to open a couple of windows. Without a breeze, only more muggy heat would seep in, anyway.
"Y'know, it's not as hot as it was earlier when Gi-aha-na did her thing in here."
Kevin cringed. The last thing he wanted was to be reminded of the grisly scene he had awakened to earlier that night.
Chapter 6
Jasper awoke around six in the morning. Sleeping on the warped wooden floor hurt his back. He glanced at his watch. Looked again as though he didn't see it the first time. Annoyed they'd overslept he lightly poked Kevin in the ribs several times with the pointed toe of his boot. "Get up, we need to get outta here. I think I'm clearheaded enough to drive now. First, though, we need to have a little look-see. I want to be sure we weren't just off on a bad trip."
They trudged across the overgrown back yard toward the dumpsite. Harsh light of day hurt their eyes. Oppressive heat and humidity shrouded their bodies, making it difficult to breathe. They stopped dead in their tracks at the macabre sight about three yards ahead. Bathed in the early rays of hazy sunlight, Gianna Avery's hand protruded from the ground, the fingers curled toward the palm resembling an unnatural growth.
"Sonofabitch," Kevin whispered. "We really did it? Again?"
Jasper smacked him upside the head. "Shut the hell up. I'm trying to think."
"What the hell are we going to do now?"
Jasper smacked him harder. "I'll tell you what we're not going to do, whiny mouth, we're not going to panic. What's done is done. It was a fuckin' accident. Just like that other gal."
"Was it?" Kevin rubbed the side of his head. "And how many times have I told you to stop hitting me? We're not kids anymore."
Jasper glared at him. "Stop giving me so much grief, you little shit. The goofy bitch tripped over her own damn two feet and hit her head on the fireplace. Period. Wasn't my fault. Maybe yours, but definitely not mine."
"Then why did we bury her?" Kevin asked, flatly.
"Because, dumbnuts, do you honestly believe we're the only two people who know about the money that may, or may not, be hidden here? Someone might've seen her leaving Whimpie's with us last night, so who the hell's going to believe we're not involved when folks realize she's gone missing? I don't want blood all over my Impala again. Took me forever to get the trunk clean from the other time. We can't just—"
"What other time? The ticket taker ran out of the plant and charged headlong into the woods on the side of the building near the river. She tripped over a log, and landed facedown on the sharp antlers of a dead deer. We dragged her to the river. Not your car."
"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, we can't just leave her in the house either. What if a wolf or something gets in, finds her, then drags her body down the hill to the interstate to leisurely munch on it while the whole world watches? All because it's too hot to stay inside the house and chew on her."
"I seriously doubt that would happ... hey, wait just a damn minute. What do you mean, not your fault? You're the one who had the hots for her." Kevin paced back and forth in a huff. "It really pisses me off that you would even think about blaming this on me. Why? Why the hell would you do that? All we've been through since the first grade, not once did I ever rat you out."
"Whoa. Don't get your panties in a wad, grandma. I'm not saying any thing to any body." He shot Kevin a hard look. "Does that go for you, too?"
Kevin shrugged.
Jasper quickly unbuckled his belt and slid it through the loops. Striking Kevin repeatedly across his back he yelled, "You've got a little attitude problem, don't you? You better not be thinking about giving me any grief, shithead. You'll keep your mouth shut or else. I was just screwing with your mind, that's all. Can't you take a joke?"
Kevin scurried out of Jasper's reach. He spotted the shovel he vaguely remembered using. Clutching the wooden handle he dragged it behind him. Headed to the barn. Heaved the tool into the darkness where it struck something metallic. A few steps backward, he got hold of the door and slammed it shut. Climbed in on the passenger side of the car where Jasper waited with the air conditioner on full blast.
Driving on the back road leading to Interstate 44, Jasper lit a cigarette. "Look, her death was an accident. We were just playing around. Remember? Hell, coming here was her idea. All that talk about treasure hunting was nothing more than pure bullshit." He glanced at Kevin, who stared angrily at the road.
The little creep's planning something.
Note To Readers
Killing Summer is a stand-alone novel.
I hope the sample chapters piqued your interest enough to find out what happens next.
Thank you,
Sharon
http://sharonaustin.blogspot.com
Killing Summer
(Mystery)
On a hot night in July a teenaged girl named Summer is murdered. She'll be found one month later by two roofers, her lifeless eyes staring at the moldy interior of a rundown tool shed. The men responsible for her being there are two unlikely partners in crime, each with something to prove. One is the cowardly son of a decorated police officer. The other is a bully with a violent history. High on drugs and alcohol, neither knows who dealt the deathblow. Fearing a confrontation, one of them agrees to pay the other for his vow of silence. But as time goes by, a hard life takes its toll on him. In order to put an end to the blackmail he'd have to take a risk. A risk that could easily backfire. Driven by hate and anger, he writes an anonymous letter to the sheriff recounting that killing summer. Ten years, two trials and numerous secrets ensue after both men are arrested and charged with murder.
Inspired by a true story.
Featuring Sheriff Josh Wolfe of the Hellfire Trilogy (shown below)
By Sharon A. Austin
SHORT STORIES
Night of the Dark – On Halloween night, in the midst of a blackout, a subterranean creature wreaks havoc on a small Texas town. (horror)
Shrinking Violette – Leland literally puts heart and soul into his flower garden. (sci-fi horror)
Bonnie Parker Smile – To earn the much-coveted Bonnie Parker smile, a man hones his skills in highway robbery. (supernatural crime)
Gar – A small group of amateur anglers learn payback bites when they try to get rid of a very large alligator gar before the start of a major fishing competition. (horror)
Stay With Me – A senseless act of murder unites two lonelyhearts. (paranormal romance)
BAD MOJO SERIES (psychological thriller)
Bad Mojo – Special Free Preview of Serial Quiller, a spooky tale of voodoo magic, murder, and make-believe.
Serial Quiller – A crime writer embarks on a killing spree to help sustain her best-seller status. (novel)
Serial Quiller 2 – BJ Donovan seeks out a bokor and then goes on a murderous rampage after someone at a Florida writers retreat steals her manuscript, an unpolished first draft of a thriller novel, packed with unpublicized details leading up to the murder of Detective Lucas Cantin of New Orleans in Louisiana. (short story)
THE HELLFIRE TRILOGY (mystery)
A Burning Desire – Special Free Preview of Smoke on the Water, Book One in the Hellfire Trilogy, three interwoven tales of love, murder, and lies.
Book One – Smoke on the Water – A sheriff tracks a psychopath targeting members of a retired mariner's family. (novel)
Book Two – Fire Flicks – A reporter furthers his budding career as a crime scene photographer by filming new construction being set ablaze by his older brother, who has a dark secret of his own. (novel)
Book Three – Ashes of Vengeance – A deadly game of geocaching leads authorities on a wild goose chase that ends with a murdered kidnapper and a missing victim. (novel)