Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2)

by Jerrie Alexander

  TILL THE

  DEAD SPEAK

  by

  JERRIE ALEXANDER

  Till the Dead Speak

  By Jerrie Alexander

  COPYRIGHT © 2016 by Jerrie Alexander

  Published by: Jerrie Alexander

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  ISBN: 978-1-941205-13-6 Digital Edition

  ISBN: 978-1-941205-14-3 Print Edition

  Cover illustrator: Meredith Blair

  www.AuthorsAngels.com

  Edits by: Pam Doughtery

  www.thewriteactor.com

  Interior Design by: Top-ePublishing Services,

  www.Top-ePublishingServices.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and the resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Published in the United States of America

  OTHER BOOKS BY JERRIE ALEXANDER

  Single Titles:

  The Green-Eyed Doll

  The Last Execution

  Someone to Watch Over Me

  Flirting with Fate

  Series: Lost and Found, Inc.

  Hell or High Water

  Cold Day in Hell

  No Chance in Hell

  No Greater Hell

  Series: Killer Affections

  Till Justice is Served

  Till the Dead Speak

  WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

  Till Justice is Served, book one of Killer Affections, is a great opening for a new series! I enjoyed the cast of characters. They are fun, loyal, and trustworthy, charismatic and caring, making them a very attractive and likeable cast. The mystery is layered, with many aspects that needs to be figured out. Since part of the story is also told from the villain's point of view, you really find how insane and irrational he is. Rafe and Erin's attraction is sizzling, the heat level is high. But there is also such a sweet, caring, protective side to them, making the whole romance rather adorable.

  Books and Spoons

  This Justice is Served hooked me from page one. Suspense is not my first choice, it's a genre I read a few times a year but I'm so glad I got the chance to read this one. I couldn't put it down, read it in one day. The characters are realistic and the plot keeps the reader hooked until the very end. I'm looking forward to the next in this series and more from Jerrie Alexander.

  One-Click Addict

  Till Justice Is Served was packed full of action, suspense and romance. I was hooked from page one. All the twists and turns had me flipping the pages faster and faster as I read. At one point I thought for sure I figured the book out, Just to be thrown a loop again. It was exhilarating and thrilling. A total must read.

  A Closet Full of Books

  Right from the start of Till Justice is Served, Alexander comes out full force and grabs your attention! The story of Rafe and Erin. Who doesn't love a "Second Chance" at romance book? But this book is more than just that! It's the perfect romantic suspense novel. The author keeps you guessing; how is this going to turn out and just when you think you have it all figured out YOU don't! This book is both sensual and spellbinding! I look forward to and hope that this author has books planned for the secondary characters in this book. I can't wait to read them!!

  Just the Write Stuff

  It’s not often that I finish a book and just want more, but with all the great characters that Jerrie Alexander has created, I cannot wait for the next installment in this series and will definitely be putting every other book Ms. Alexander has written, on my must-buy list!

  Em & M Reviews

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the following people. Their support, advice, and enthusiasm were invaluable.

  To my editor, Pam Dougherty, my appreciation for your honesty, keen eye, and gentle guidance.

  Gwen Toppe, whose proofreading goes beyond what’s expected. You’re amazing.

  To Kym Roberts, who always takes time to listen to my ideas and complaints. Thank you for your advice and patience!

  Every working woman should have a husband who supports her and her goals like mine. Thank you, Jim for being the very best.

  I’ve been blessed with the best readers on the planet. Your emails, support, and encouragement keeps me motivated and positive as I work though these stories. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I loved writing it.

  To my daughter, Jackie Pressley, who will always be my greatest gift to mankind.

  Any mistakes are my own!

  PROLOGUE

  Leo Cornetta straightened his five-foot-eight frame to its highest, pushed open the door to his boss’s outer office, and then walked inside. He almost ran over the boss’s crazy-ass son.

  Dylan caught the door, held it open, and then walked into the hall. “Go on back. He’s expecting you.”

  Leo glanced around, discovering that he was alone in the reception area. Fuck. The administrative assistant was never around when an employee was in serious trouble.

  “Where’s Mary?”

  “Running errands.” Dylan closed the door.

  Leo licked his dry lips, sucked in his gut, and tapped on the door. Without waiting for a response, he entered. The boss seemed to be engrossed in paperwork, ignoring Leo’s presence. Finally he paused, placed his pen just so, straightened it, and then looked up. His expression, a perpetually superior, smug sneer, pissed Leo off, but he was smart enough not to let it show.

  “By the look on your face, I’m guessing you haven’t sorted out this mess.”

  “Not yet. I tried to search Charlie’s file cabinet, but there’s no reason for me to be in there for more than a minute. There would be questions if somebody saw me digging around.”

  “You getting caught is not my problem. Finding those pictures is more important.”

  “I’ll find ‘em, I will. It’s just — I have to be careful.”

  “It was stupid of you to leave both sets of books where someone could find them and take pictures.”

  “Nobody ever came into my office.” Leo struggled not to whine. “And I always worked on the books after the restaurant closed for the night.”

  “You actually saw these pictures, correct?”

  “Damn right I did. Charlie called me in early and waved a stack of them under my nose.”

  “Then you should have killed him right then instead of giving the old bastard time to hide the evidence.”

  “The restaurant was full of people. The only thing I could do was promise him that if he’d wait until after closing, I’d tell him the whole story.”

  The boss waved Leo off. “Your reasons are not important now. Find those pictures.”

  “That FBI agent is making noises over the coroner’s decision.”

  “Then I suggest you clean up your mess quickly.” The boss sighed. The sound of disgust made Leo’s balls tighten. “It was your job to make sure no one learned what was going on and you failed. And you failed again when you didn’t make sure the evidence was in your possession before you killed him.”

  “I…” Leo fumbled for a response.

  “Stop.” Again, the boss held up his hand. “We’ll send a couple of guys to rip the old man’s house apart. If the pictures are there, they’ll find them. Dylan will see to it that the granddaughter gets a proper welcome after she arrives. If she’s smart, she�
�ll get the message and get on the next plane to Dallas.”

  Actually Leo thought his idea of eliminating Charles Pearson’s only relative made better sense.

  “Good. Do not let me down.” The boss picked up his pen and went back to work. “I will be unhappy if we lose this location.”

  Leo had been warned and dismissed, but he wasn’t finished. “We’re going to hold off dropping off the money for a while, aren’t we?”

  “The schedule hasn’t changed. It’s your job to ensure things go smoothly.” This time the boss leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Will do.” Leo knew when not to argue. He made a quick exit, hurrying through the outer office and into the hall to find Dylan leaning against the wall.

  “All done?” Dylan asked.

  “Yep. He’s all yours,” Leo said without breaking stride. “See you later.”

  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dylan’s foot swing forward. Leo tripped, failed to regain his balance, and landed face down on the hall carpet facedown. The toe of a shoe connected with his ribs, again and again. Pain ricocheted through his body, but he dared not yell or cry out.

  Dylan bent over, lifted Leo’s head by his hair, and said, “Don’t fuck this up.”

  Leo resisted the urge to speak. He knew to stay quiet. Only Dylan was nuts enough to attack someone where anybody could’ve seen him. Leo knew that if he let his temper get the best of him, he’d be dead before morning. Hot anger and humiliation boiled through him like lava as he slowly pushed himself to his feet and walked to the elevator.

  This whole mess was Charlie’s fault. None of this would’ve happened if he’d stayed at home like most old and dying people. Instead, he’d unexpectedly returned to The Cage right after the money was delivered. Drowning Charlie had been a stroke of genius. His death had been ruled a suicide.

  Leo stepped onto the elevator, turned, and smiled back at Dylan. As soon as he got his hands on those pictures, the nut job would join Charlie Pearson in death.

  CHAPTER 1

  Samantha Anderson stepped out of the Los Angeles airport car rental office, dragging her suitcase behind her. Before scanning the rows of rental cars, she paused to slip on her sunglasses to lessen the glare of the bright California sunshine. The early March sun warmed her after the chilly ride on the plane from Dallas.

  Under different circumstances she might have stopped to admire the unfamiliar landscape – towering palm trees, brilliant flowers and flowering shrubs, but she hadn’t come to enjoy the scenery. This was a get-in-and-get-out quick trip. With any luck, she’d be back home in Dallas within a couple of days.

  Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind and jerked her backward, seconds before a black SUV brushed past them so close she felt the breeze on her face. Her heart slammed into her chest, escalating her heart rate from normal to supersonic. Her feet tangled with the stranger’s, and they both tumbled to the pavement, Samantha landing on top of a rock hard chest.

  “Oh my God!” Her words whooshed from her lungs. She struggled to extricate herself from the stranger’s grip.

  “Hang on.” The man rolled her off his chest, stood, and then pulled her to her feet in one motion.

  “That was close.” She took two steps back, trying to catch her breath.

  “I’m sorry I startled you, but there wasn’t time to introduce myself.”

  “It’s not a problem. Thank you for — wow, I think you just saved my life.” Samantha looked up into Texas-sky-blue-eyes. And his voice, deep and rich as warm caramel, didn’t do a thing to slow the rapid kathump-kathump-kathump of her heart.

  “Welcome to California.” He smiled, and the stern expression vanished. “Are you hurt?”

  “Other than shattered nerves, I don’t think so. Are you okay? You took the brunt of the fall.”

  “That was nothing. You're Samantha Anderson?”

  “That’s right.” Her knees wobbled slightly as fear circled from her brain to her chest, much like water down the drain. “How do you know my name?” Everything about this trip had her spooked, and this guy wasn't helping matters.

  “Easy. I’ve got you.” He caught her by the elbow. “Lincoln Hawkins, but most people call me Linc.” He extended his free hand. “Charles Pearson, your grandfather, was my friend.”

  “That statement isn’t exactly endearing.” She hesitated, but then shook his hand. “That Charles Pearson is my grandfather is something I still haven’t wrapped my mind around.”

  Her left eyelid twitched. Again. Great. She’d never had a nervous tic of any kind, at least not until she’d heard the name Charles Pearson. Since then, this weird twitching of her left eyelid — a nervous tic for heaven’s sake — had been rampant.

  “It must’ve been one hell of a shock.” He nodded his head as if he understood her situation, which he couldn’t possibly.

  “That’s an understatement.” A chill rushed up her arms. “Why are you here? How did you know who I was?”

  “I’ve seen pictures of you. Look, we can get into all that later. Right now, we need to talk about your safety.”

  “I’ll be more careful. Okay?” She pulled her hand from his warm grasp. “I don't usually walk out in front of moving vehicles.”

  “I don't believe that was an accidental brush-by.”

  “Excuse me, why would anyone want to run me down?” Samantha’s heart started to rumba inside her chest at the seriousness on his face.

  “Did the driver stop?” The stranger’s eyebrows drew together. “Is he standing here apologizing profusely?”

  She held back the sizzle of temper rising in her chest. “Okay. So the driver didn't stop. That doesn't prove it was intentional. Uhm, run your name by me again.”

  “Linc Hawkins. Look, you’ve been told Charles Pearson committed suicide, right? Well, I don’t buy it. I believe he was murdered, and based on what just happened, you might be next.”

  The word ludicrous formed on her tongue, but she kept it to herself because no words in Webster’s Dictionary could possibly describe the past few days. A surprise phone call from a California attorney, followed by a courier-delivered package containing a last will and testament, then a separate, Fedexed envelope carrying a set of first class tickets to Los Angeles and several hundred dollars in cash — with a note: “per diem for your trip” — had knocked her world off center. She smoothed her hands over her hair and straightened her blouse in an effort to gain control of something. Anything.

  “The attorney who contacted me said Charles Pearson’s cause of death was drowning.”

  A DNA test had proven the lineage, but Samantha couldn’t bring herself to refer Charles Pearson as grandfather. Not without betraying the memory of the two men she’d grown up calling Papa and Grampy. She only had one living grandmother, and all attempts to reach her had failed. Samantha knew her texts had been read and ignored. Her voice mails had gone unanswered. Nana wasn’t talking.

  “I haven’t convinced Ham yet, but I will.” Linc’s gaze swept the rental lot, his eyes constantly moving.

  “Ham?”

  “Charlie’s lawyer, Hamilton Davis. You spoke with him on the phone.” Linc held his hand up as if he knew her question. “Look, can we go somewhere and talk? Somewhere not so…” Linc glanced around. “…open.”

  “Surely you don’t expect me to leave my rental here, get in a car with a complete stranger and ride off?” She inched a few feet away from him.

  Linc’s blue eyes softened as he closed the distance between them, but his walk reminded her of a predator ready to pounce. “I get that you’re angry and confused, but you have friends here.”

  “You’re very good at understatements. Look, this morning I took a leave from my job, packed a bag, and then boarded an airplane. Here I stand in the land of movie stars. I'm beginning to think I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole and landed in Wonderland.”

  “I’m trying to help. Call Ham. He’ll vouch for me.”

  “Wa
it here.” Pointing to a spot on the pavement, which he moved to, she walked out of hearing distance. She called Mr. Davis’s number, waited until he came on the line, and questioned him about Linc Hawkins.

  The blonde stranger wasn’t exactly Hollywood handsome. He had a look about him, the way he set his jaw, and a glint in his eyes that broadcasted confidence. His clothes were a stark contrast to his behavior. Wearing tan broad shorts and a yellow pullover, he looked more like a surfer than a creature of mass destruction. His long, muscular legs, narrow hips and slim waist reminded her of a marathon runner.

  A small ball of heat circulated through her lower stomach and was quickly dismissed. Her life was screwed up enough without adding the problems a man brought. She had danced to that song and failed miserably. She ended the cell phone call and walked back to where he waited.

  “Well, did Ham put in a good word for me?”

  A smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Two dimples winked at her, changing what she had previously thought an average looking man to outstanding. Goosebumps raced over her skin. Her damned eye twitched again. What was that about?

  “Mr. Davis vouched for you. He believes that you driving me is a good idea.”

  “Excellent. Let’s cancel your rental and get you out of here.”

  He followed her inside, waiting while she returned the paperwork and car keys. His hand rested protectively against her back. A sensual, yet masculine, scent drifted from him, imprinting his essence in her subconscious. The aromatic scent would forever remind her of the man who’d pulled her to safety.

  The exterior doors swooshed open, and he led her out of the rental office. “I’m parked down here.”

  He moved gracefully with a rhythm that was almost lethargic, cat-like, stopping next to a shiny red sports car with the top down. He opened the passenger-side door, and waited while Samantha managed to fold herself into the vehicle. It wasn’t the most graceful entrance, but it seemed to be the best way to get in.