Unfinished Business: A Mike Ash Crime Novel

by DL Ashmore

Genres: Crime Fiction; Literary Fiction; Mystery; Police Procedurals; Domestic Thrillers; Suspense

Synopsis

Young, though seasoned Tampa homicide detective Mike Ash is stumped! A victim is discovered in his own home, but with no other evidence, and the only eyewitness to this crime is the family dog. A few days later, another man is found murdered in his home-just around the corner from the first one. Again, there is no real evidence or witnesses. Neighbors are worried about a serial killer, but Mike gets a hunch that maybe things aren't as bleak as they seem. The two newly widowed women have so much in common: a close friendship, physically abusive husbands, and their successive ownership of the dog found at the first murder scene.

As Mike begins interviewing friends and family, he meets a coworker of one of the widows, and an unlikely romance is sparked. Now he must not only find the killer but assure his new love interest that he's not using her to get information.

Ultimately, suspense builds as Mike realizes he has the answer that he cannot prove.

Release date: September 25, 2019

Publisher: David Ashmore

Print pages: 141

Content advisory: Adult themes and situations

Sample

CHAPTER 1

 

            Diane Sabatini sat in her and Nancy's favorite coffee and muffin shop, Bagels Plus, right next to Hair Force Designs. She was staring intently at her smart phone, trying to appear nonchalant while she felt anything but. Any minute now her best friend Nancy Parker who not only owned Hair Force Designs next door but the entire strip center was supposed to call. At least that was the plan. Diane jumped involuntarily when the phone chimed with an incoming call. It was Nancy. Right on time and plan as always. Even though she knew the reason for Nancy's call-it had been carefully planned for a while now-Diane had to sound casual and natural. With the technical capabilities of the police nowadays, they could not afford to be careless. Diane answered: "Hey, Nancy! You in Tampa yet?", even though she knew that was not the case, not yet anyway.

            "Just south of Ocala" came the terse reply. "Are you at Bagels Plus?"

            "I sure am, looking forward to seeing you soon. I checked in with Terri at the shop. She says to tell you not to worry; everything's under control."

            "Good. Listen, Diane, there's been a development." Diane waited, trying to keep her facial expression neutral. You never knew who was watching, not only some of the crazies from Nancy's "church" but everybody anymore had a cell phone camera recording. "I just got off the phone with the police-a detective named Mike somebody-he got my number from Sgt. Tucker next door", Nancy continued. "Bill is dead. Apparently when he did not show up for work and did not answer his boss's texts or calls, his boss came over, looking for him and found his body."

"I see". Diane's facial expression showed no emotion. Exactly according to plan. "Is there anything I can do? Should I go over to your house-maybe check on Mollie? All those people over there...she'll be going crazy."

            "No. Mollie will be fine, providing the police don't shoot her." Both friends laughed, even though losing beloved Mollie would be a devastating blow for them both. The risk posed to Mollie by the plan had been discussed but the decision had been made that having her somewhere else would look suspicious. And looking suspicious was the last thing the two friends wanted to do. After all, they both knew that when someone was murdered, the spouse was always scrutinized closely. And the scrutiny was going to get a lot more intense, both women knew, but neither realized at that moment how much more intense.

             "So what can I do...to help?"

            "You might as well go home for now and I'll call you when I get home. I'm going to call Terri at the shop, tell her what happened and that I may be a little late tomorrow. Jessica will be in first thing to help her open. This detective told me the body should be transported to the medical examiner's office and the crime scene released by the time Jessica and I get there."

    "OK. Call me when you get home. Love you."

    "Love you too. Bye."

    Diane sat back in her chair. The plan was fully in motion now. She stood to her feet, a little wobbly from the excitement. She approached the counter. The shop was not busy at that time of day. "Sal" she called out to the aging proprietor, "can we talk?"