by Dylan Keefer
Devil’s Advocate
The Raine Michelson Files
Dylan Keefer
Contents
Also by Dylan Keefer
Title Page
Prologue
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
Epilogue
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About the Author
Also by Dylan Keefer
Also by Dylan Keefer
Series
The Blood Rite Saga
The Blood Empire: Episode One
The Blood Princess: Episode One
The Blood Princess: Episode Two
The Blood Princess: Episode Three
The Blood Princess: Episode Four
The Blood Princess: Episode Five
The Chronicles of Gandos
The Sword of Light
The Aurora Chronicles
Child of Winter
Lake of Prophecy
Taste of Battle
Heart of Will
Spirits of Arktika
The Raine Michelson Files
Angel’s Poison
Demon’s Match
Satan’s Torment
Devil’s Advocate
Lucifer’s Wake
Mischief Miles Investigations
Scent of Mischief
Everscape Online
Traitor of Golden Blaze
Queen of Ragnarok
Champion of Everscape
Britney Allen: The London Crime Syndicate
Blood of Babes: The Slasher Files
Standalone
Lost in Space
The Lone Survivor
Mr. Buddy Bot
Evelyn
Copyright © 2019 by Dylan Keefer.
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of
America. No part of this book may be used or
reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written
permission except in the case of brief quotations
embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters,
businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents
either are the product of the author’s imagination or are
used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
For information contact : purplepress.org
First Edition: October 2019
I dedicate this book to my friends and family who have always supported in my dream of being a professional author.
Dylan Keefer
Prologue
The jeep bounced up and down along the path causing the passengers to hold on to the sides of the vehicle to prevent from falling out. Sunlight streamed through the trees as the jungle-life started to awake with the day and the arrival of the humans that were disturbing their natural habitat. Malanie gripped one hand on the wheel of her Jeep while the other arm lay on her lap. She drummed on her thigh. It was a prefect morning. Beside her, her best friend, Dani’s hair flopped in front of her face every time she moved it away. Erica sat in the back of the Jeep periodically reaching up to steady the surfboards that were tied to the top. Finally, they saw a break in the trees where the jungle met the sand.
“Woohoo!” Eric yelled. “Thought you were getting us lost Malanie.”
“Hey, I told you that I knew a cool surf spot. I’m hurt you didn’t trust me.” Eric leaned forward between the two girls.
“You hear this, Dani? Malanie drags us out of bed at the butt crack of dawn, throws us into her Jeep, drives us into the jungle and doesn’t expect us to be worried.”
“You told me you wanted to learn to surf!” Malanie smack his forehead. “Of course, if I wanted to kill you, I would do it here. It’s a pretty remote place.”
The Jeep pulled through two huge sand dunes that guarded the beach and enjoyed the welcome of the blue sea that greeted them. Seagulls circled overhead and dove into water for fish that were investigating the surface of the ocean. Malanie stopped the Jeep and turned off the engine.
“Listen to that,” she said. Dani leaned her head back and took a deep breath.
“You weren’t lying about how beautiful it is here,” she said.
“There you guys go again—not trusting me.” Malanie climbed out of the Jeep and started taking down the surfboards. Her first semester at college had flown by, and life was finally feeling it was normal. No one at school knew about her past, and she didn’t have to worry about her future. She was on the swim team, was excelling in classes, and had developed friendships.
The sand felt good on her feet. She stripped down to her bikini and grabbed the board. Eric and Dani had gone to the shoreline to dip their feet in the water.
“It feels amazing,” Dani said as she walked back and went to get her own board. “I can’t believe I’m about to surf in December.”
“I used to go surfing on Christmas day as a girl. Best way to celebrate the holiday.” She pointed to the Jeep. “The surf wax is in that bag Eric was sitting next to.”
Dani grabbed it and brought it to Malanie. She squatted next to her friend. “So, you’ve been pretty chill with Eric. You’ve decided not to make a move?”
Malanie smiled and shook her head as she started waxing her board. “I told you that was just a passing phase. Just a crush.”
“Oh, I don’t think it’s passed,” Dani smiled as Eric started back. She whispered to Malanie. “In fact, I think that you’re going to see it reciprocated.”
Malanie glared at her friend, but quickly turned to a smile when Eric lay on the sand. “All right, so I’ve got to wax my board, and then you’re going to show me how to ride the pipeline, go gnarly on these waves, and ride out?”
The girls laughed. “This is Hawaii, bruh,” Malanie said. “Not some cheesy California beach boy scene. Hawaiian culture teaches about being one with nature. Respect the ocean, and the ocean will respect you. La’i Lua Ke Kai. It means that the sea is very calm. All is peaceful. It’s a way of life.” Eric smirked. Malanie frowned. “What?”
“You just have this amazing look on your face whenever you talk like that,” he said. “It’s like I can see peace in you—peace and beauty.”
Malanie felt a warmth in her cheeks and looked away. “Go grab your board. I gotta teach a couple of Barneys how to surf.”
“I have no idea what you just said, but I like it,” Eric said pushing up onto his feet and walking away. Malanie heard Dani snicker beside her.
“Don’t say a word, Dani,” Malanie warned. “Not a word.”
The surf lessons made the morning go by fast. Both Dani and Eric were athletic, and they seemed to catch on pretty quick. By mid-morning, they both wanted to get out of the shallow area and try some bigger waves. They paddled out into the sound and sat as the water lapped around them. Malanie leaned back with her palms behind her on the board. Within a few minutes, Malanie saw a wave coming and nodded to them.
“Watch me on this first one and see how I catch it.” She turned her board and began to paddle. The wave was beautiful, and Malanie rode until the crest of the wave broke over her causing her to lose her balance. She laughed as she paddled back to them.
“That was good,” Dani said with wide eyes. “I’m pretty intimidated.”
“Well, I’m ready,” Eric said with a challenge in his voice. Malanie pulled her hair back.
“Think you can handle it, huh?”
As if to answer, Eric nodded at a developing wave and turned his board. He began to paddle as the girls watched.
“He’s going to kill himself, isn’t he?
” Dani groaned.
“Probably,” Malanie said. Eric got to his feet on the board and looked like he might actually do well. It was short lived as Eric’s body pitched forward causing him to slam into the water. He collected himself and paddled out to the girls.
“Okay, I got rocked on that one. Your turn, Dani.”
Dani groaned again. A perfect wave was forming a little farther out, and she stuck her tongue out at the others as she turned her board and started to paddle. Okay, she thought, remember the timing. She hopped on to her board as the wave started to form. Her feet balanced on the board, and she looked up to see the crest forming over her. Dani felt her nerves subside as she laughed. Her eye caught movement in the water beside her, and her body felt the brunt of something fly through the glassy water like a linebacker tackling her on the field. Submerged into the water, Dani started to flail her arms. She looked for the surface and came face to face with a pair of eyes looking straight at her. Her own eyes widened as the body sunk into her arms.
Chapter One
The beach was crawling with uniforms as Raine and Ailani hiked past the cars that cluttered the single path that led to the cove. It was a beautiful place. In all the years that Raine had been on the islands, she had no idea that this place even existed. There were a lot of little treasures like that around, she figured. She loved that about Hawaii.
Malanie saw them right away and jogged up to them. “Guess my little secret surf place isn’t so secret anymore.”
Ailani clucked his tongue. “Well, considering what you found, it doesn’t look like it was very secret to begin with. Who found him?”
Malanie pointed to Dani, who was sitting on the sand next to Eric with a towel wrapped around her. “She caught a wave, and it was a big one,” Malanie said. “The body hit her while she was riding the pipeline.”
“Ouch,” Raine grimaced. “That’s PTSD for anyone. We will come over to talk to her as soon as we get some information from the medical examiner.”
Malanie nodded and walked back over to her friends. The M.E. was examining the body still when they walked up. The body still had a good amount of flesh on it which meant that it hadn’t been in the ocean long, and it hadn’t been far out when it was tossed into the water.
“Just a spot guess, but I would say that the body has been dead less than twelve hours. The marine life didn’t even have enough time to really feast on it yet.”
“Great imagery there,” Ailani said. “So, you think that this guy was dead before he was tossed into the water?”
“Yeah,” the M.E. said moving the head a little for them to see the massive contusion to the back of the head. “Someone hit this guy good. And they weren’t the only ones. This guy has bruises all over his body. He was beaten pretty good, but—I don’t know yet if it was by the killer or if it was before. Gotta get this guy back to the lab.”
“We will be by to get more info later,” Ailani said. He and Raine turned away just as one of the first responders strolled up.
“Got a name for your guy,” the officer said. “James Borland, a high school teacher at one of the high schools. Didn’t show up for any of his classes today surprisingly.”
Raine looked at the tablet the officer held. She frowned. “What’s a high school teacher doing out near the water on a school night. He might not have been planning to go to school today.”
Ailani nodded. “What high school is it?” The officer pointed to the name, and Ailani nodded. “I got a god daughter that graduated there last year. We should go and talk to the principal.”
Dani was still trembling a little, but she seemed to have all the color back in her face, and the shock had worn off. Malanie and Eric sat on either side of her. Raine sat down on the sand not caring that she was fully dressed in a pants suit.
“Not the morning you hoped for, huh?”
Dani sighed. “That’s an understatement.”
“Guys these are my friends, Dr. Raine Michelson and Police Chief Ailani Kaihale.” Eric perked up immediately.
“You’re the Raine that Malanie is always talking about?”
Raine glanced at Malanie suspiciously. “I guess, I am. Depends on what she says.”
“She says you saved her life.” Malanie blushed. Raine nodded. She didn’t really think of her relationship with Malanie like that. In truth, Malanie might have saved her life. Since the first time they had met, Malanie had become the little sister that she could help mold and mentor. There was both sadness and excitement when she had announced that she wanted to go to the University of Southern California for school. Sadness for Raine and everyone except for Tai. Tai was devastated. For the two weeks that Malanie was back from the camp she taught at until she left for college, he did his best to convince her that she needed to stay in Hawaii. It didn’t work, but the girl was faithful in staying in touch with her adopted dad enough to make him not miss her too much. Raine was just glad to get updates about Malanie’s growth. She had friends, she went to parties, she did well in school, and she continued swimming and surfing.
Eric continued. “I’m studying Criminology. When Malanie told me about you, I researched you. You’re amazing.” Ailani smirked at the praise, and how uncomfortable Raine got when she was given it.
“Thanks, Eric.” She sighed and stood up. “Well, I wanted to make sure you were okay, Dani. We’re going to find out what happened to this guy and make sure his life gets proper closure.”
Dani nodded her thanks. “I think I’m ready to leave now,” she said. “I’m done with the water and the beach for a bit.” They all stood up, but Eric stepped towards Raine and Ailani.
“Listen, I know this is a long shot, but—can I come with you?”
Ailani raised his eyebrows. “Say what?”
“I looked at the guy when we dragged him to the shore. Blunt force trauma to the head, multiple bruises to the body, minimal decay—and there were no footprints other than ours out here when we arrived. There was no evidence that anyone had carried a body and dumped it. There had to be a boat, and someone had to purposely drive it into the cove. This guy was murdered.”
“Good observations,” Ailani said, “but…”
“This would be great for what I’m studying in college. I just want to observe from the best. I won’t get in your way,” Eric pleaded. Ailani started to protest, but Raine cut in.
“I don’t see why he couldn’t come,” she said. Ailani frowned.
“Because this is an official police investigation; not some ride along with a beat cop.”
“But,” Raine smirked, “we would be investing in the education of a law enforcer in training. Who knows what he could learn on this case?”
She could see Ailani’s disgusted look at her desire to break the rules, but she knew that he would give in to her. He usually did. Malanie cleared her throat.
“I’ll just get Dani back home. We can grab Eric later,” she said. Ailani started to protest, but Eric cut in.
“Thanks. I really appreciate this.” The comment was directed to Raine who smiled.
“Absolutely.”
Ailani grunted as he turned away. “You ride in the back, kid.”
***
The pack dropped on the ground, and Micah sat down on a log not caring that his butt barely fit on it. Sweat poured down his face as he took out his water bottle and took a sip of water. He tried to be conservative, but it was hard. Raine had sat with him on the couch a couple of nights ago while they watched television. It took him a few minutes before he realized that she was watching him more than the show.
“What is it?”
Raine bit her lip and then did that thing where she smiled sweetly and turned her entire body to face him. It was her tell for when she was going to say something that he wasn’t going to agree to, and she did it because she knew that if she caught his full gaze and attention, she could manipulate him into saying yes.
“I think you’ve been working too hard, and I think you need to take a vacation.�
� Micah frowned. She placed her hand on his knee. “Life is so short, and you’ve been going non-stop lately.”
“So, what are you suggesting?”
“Every been to KŌkEʻE State Park?” Micah shook his head. Raine closed her eyes. “It’s a beautiful place. Great place to camp for a few nights, get out in nature, and enjoy getting away from the craziness of the world.”
“Sounds great,” Micah agreed still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“That’s just what I told Heather when she told me about the trip she wanted to plan for her brother and his friends.”
“Nope,” Micah said turning his attention back to the television. Raine grabbed the remote and muted the volume. “I can still watch it, you know.”
She turned the T.V. off. Micah growled. “Listen, I know that this may be asking a little bit from you, but Heather needs a little help reaching her brother. He just got out of juvie a couple of years ago, and he hasn’t been doing well. Heather got him to go on this camping trip with her, but he insists on bringing some friends. She could use some help. I’d ask Tai, but Tai and a hiking/camping trip in the wilderness doesn’t sound like a plausible solution.”
“So, this isn’t a vacation,” Micah said. “It’s a wilderness mentoring program starring yours truly?”
“It will be good for you, and it would help Heather out. It’s three days and two nights. She has already got all the equipment. She just needs you.”
Micah had hoped that getting off work would be an issue, but he was almost encouraged to go for a few days. Tai even kicked him out.
“Why you tryna stay heya wen you cud be out der in da sun and da nice weda?”