by Blake Pierce
She sat down behind her desk and saw that the mail carrier had dropped a single letter off for her. It was a small envelope with her name written directly across the center. Ava opened the envelope and found a single sheet of paper inside. She took it out, unfolded it, and read it. The handwritten letter inside was very short. Still, it took her breath away and nearly made her drop the paper.
“What is it?” a soft voice asked from behind her; she knew it was Frances.
She handed the letter to Frances and as she read it, Ava recited it in her head: Congrats, Ava! Looks like you’re going to do well with this job. It’s a shame that women aren’t meant to be cops. If you’re still here in a month, I’m going to make things SO HARD for you. Have fun playing make-believe while you can!
“This has to be someone just messing with you.” Frances tossed the letter back onto the desk as if it were a piece of garbage. “Some man jealous that a woman is getting the spotlight.”
“Maybe,” she said.
“If I were you, I’d show it to Captain Minard and get to the bottom of it.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” she said, getting to her feet. She hurried out of the WB office and back to the stairs. She hated to bother Minard so soon after leaving his office, but she thought this was important enough to do so.
She made her way back through the bullpen, to Minard’s back office. His door was closed, so she raised her hand to knock. Just before she did, though, she heard Minard’s voice inside, uttering a curse word. Another man spoke up and said: “I know, I know. But no one got there in time.”
“That description sounds too damned familiar to me,” Minard said. “One more time. What did the witness see?”
“A man in a workman’s coat,” the officer said. “Sort of short. Fired four shots and took off with a woman’s purse.”
“And the woman? I assume she’s dead?”
“Not as of half an hour ago. She’s barely hanging on in the hospital.”
Ava did not need to hear any more. She walked away with the other officer’s description in her head. A man in a workman’s coat. Sort of short.
It was the exact description of the man who shot Clarence. She was sure it could be a coincidence, but who the hell wore a workman’s coat in the dead of summer? She was certain it wasn’t a coincidence. She was so certain that she exited the station, simply needing to get away for a while.
In the space of half an hour, she’d been giving an amazing opportunity, threatened by an insecure man via a short letter, and discovered that her husband’s killer had attempted to kill again. It all made her feel as if the ceiling might collapse on her. She walked quickly outside and breathed the city air deep into her lungs to clear her mind.
Within just a few steps, she realized that she now had at least some degree of authority over these streets.
And in a city that only grew more and more each day, it was overwhelming in the absolute best way.
EPILOGUE
Ava was alarmed at how much she enjoyed the sight of Jeffrey in a boxing ring. He and another boy—the son of a man Roosevelt was training—were pretending to spar. She could already see where Jeffrey’s footwork came naturally, even in pretending.
“I’ve seen him hit those bags,” Roosevelt said, joining her at ringside. “If you allow it, I think he’d make a good boxer.”
“I won’t push him to it,” she said. “And you better not, either. But I think he’s going to end up loving it.”
“Should I go ahead and get him some gloves for Christmas?” her father asked sarcastically.
“That would be pushing.”
Roosevelt’s left arm was in a sling. The gash to his supper chest had been quite deep and had required thirty-one stitches. The sling was to make sure he didn’t act a fool at the gym and use the arm before the wound healed up properly.
“You know,” Roosevelt said, “some of the guys are looking at you different now….now that you’re a detective.”
“How were they looking at me before?”
“As the wife of Clarence Gold. As the widowed daughter Roosevelt Burr. Now…well, now they’re watching their manners because there’s a detective on the premises.”
“Good. Maybe it’ll class the place up.”
As they watched Jeffrey sparring, the front door opened. Ava was a bit surprised when Frank Wimbly came in. he looked around with a wide smile, taking in the sight and sounds of the place. When his eyes landed on Ava, he headed her way.
“Hey there, partner,” Ava said with a smile. “Dad, this is my partner, Detective Frank Wimbly. Frank, this is—”
“Roosevelt Burr. I know. Good to meet you, sir. Big fan.”
“Thanks,” he said. Then, sensing business was in the air, he wandered away to where a student was struggling with a set of weights.
“What brings you here?” Ava asked.
“Well, there’s a case that we need to get a start on. I wanted to meet up with you to go over the details before you’re just tossed to the wolves.”
“Another murder?”
“Nah, a robbery at Fellerman’s Jewelry. Nothing dangerous it seems.”
She nodded and, without looking at him, asked: “What’s the attitude at the precinct like now that everyone knows I’m a homicide detective after less than a week?”
“Honestly, it’s split down the middle. Some think it’s a joke but there are some that are rooting for you.”
She smiled and looked back to the ring where Jeffrey and the other boy had resorted to basic wrestling techniques, rolling around on the mat. Looking at him, she knew she had to be okay. Because taking this job had been more than just honoring Clarence in her own way. It was also about making sure this city was a safe place for her son to grow up. And as a mother and now a detective, if she could not do that, then why was she even trying?
She recited the last part of the letter she’d received yesterday, rolling it through her head as motivation.
If you’re still here in a month, I’m going to make things SO HARD for you.
Her jaw set with anger as she watched Jeffrey at play, thinking.
Oh, I hope you do try, you son of a bitch…whoever you are. I truly hope you try.
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!
CITY OF FEAR
(An Ava Gold Mystery—Book 2)
“A MASTERPIECE OF THRILLER AND MYSTERY. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.”
--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)
CITY OF FEAR (An Ava Gold Mystery—Book 2) is a new novel in a long-anticipated new series by #1 bestseller and USA Today bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose bestseller Once Gone (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews.
In the rough streets of 1920s New York City, 34 year-old Ava Gold, a widower and single mom, claws her way up to become the first female homicide detective in her NYPD precinct. She is as tough as they come, and willing to hold her own in a man’s world.
When a 16-year-old girl from a wealthy Fifth Avenue family is found strangled, murdered on the eve of her society coming-out party, Ava, 1920s New York City’s best female homicide detective, is called in to find the killer. She quickly learns that psychosis is pervasive even amongst the glamour of high society’s wealthiest families.
Determined to find justice for the girl—and to stop the psychotic killer from killing again—Ava pries into the dangerous rings of powerful high society, finding herself threatened as she is singled out by a tycoon. Fighting for her job, trying to stop a killer, and finding herself in an unexpected romantic relationship, Ava finds herself in the battle of her life.
A heart-pounding suspense thriller filled with shocking twists, the authentic and atmospheric AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES is a riveting page-turner, endearing us to a strong an
d brilliant character that will capture your heart and keep you reading late into the night.
Book #3 in the series—CITY OF BONES—is now also available.
CITY OF FEAR
(An Ava Gold Mystery—Book 2)
Did you know that I've written multiple novels in the mystery genre? If you haven't read all my series, click the image below to download a series starter!
Blake Pierce
Blake Pierce is the USA Today bestselling author of the RILEY PAGE mystery series, which includes seventeen books. Blake Pierce is also the author of the MACKENZIE WHITE mystery series, comprising fourteen books; of the AVERY BLACK mystery series, comprising six books; of the KERI LOCKE mystery series, comprising five books; of the MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE mystery series, comprising six books; of the KATE WISE mystery series, comprising seven books; of the CHLOE FINE psychological suspense mystery, comprising six books; of the JESSIE HUNT psychological suspense thriller series, comprising nineteen books; of the AU PAIR psychological suspense thriller series, comprising three books; of the ZOE PRIME mystery series, comprising six books; of the ADELE SHARP mystery series, comprising thirteen books; of the EUROPEAN VOYAGE cozy mystery series, comprising six books (and counting); of the new LAURA FROST FBI suspense thriller, comprising five books (and counting); of the new ELLA DARK FBI suspense thriller, comprising six books (and counting); of the A YEAR IN EUROPE cozy mystery series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the AVA GOLD mystery series, comprising three books (and counting); and of the RACHEL GIFT mystery series, comprising three books (and counting).
ONCE GONE (a Riley Paige Mystery--Book #1), BEFORE HE KILLS (A Mackenzie White Mystery—Book 1), CAUSE TO KILL (An Avery Black Mystery—Book 1), A TRACE OF DEATH (A Keri Locke Mystery—Book 1), WATCHING (The Making of Riley Paige—Book 1), NEXT DOOR (A Chloe Fine Psychological Suspense Mystery—Book 1), THE PERFECT WIFE (A Jessie Hunt Psychological Suspense Thriller—Book One), IF SHE KNEW (A Kate Wise Mystery—Book 1), and MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (A European Voyage Cozy Mystery—Book 1) are each available as a free download on Amazon!
An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Blake loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.blakepierceauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.
BOOKS BY BLAKE PIERCE
RACHEL GIFT MYSTERY SERIES
HER LAST WISH (Book #1)
HER LAST CHANCE (Book #2)
HER LAST HOPE (Book #3)
AVA GOLD MYSTERY SERIES
CITY OF PREY (Book #1)
CITY OF FEAR (Book #2)
CITY OF BONES (Book #3)
A YEAR IN EUROPE
A MURDER IN PARIS (Book #1)
DEATH IN FLORENCE (Book #2)
VENGEANCE IN VIENNA (Book #3)
A FATALITY IN SPAIN (Book #4)
SCANDAL IN LONDON (Book #5)
AN IMPOSTOR IN DUBLIN (Book #6)
SEDUCTION IN BORDEAUX (Book #7)
JEALOUSY IN SWITZERLAND (Book #8)
A DEBACLE IN PRAGUE (Book #9)
ELLA DARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER
GIRL, ALONE (Book #1)
GIRL, TAKEN (Book #2)
GIRL, HUNTED (Book #3)
GIRL, SILENCED (Book #4)
GIRL, VANISHED (Book 5)
GIRL ERASED (Book #6)
LAURA FROST FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER
ALREADY GONE (Book #1)
ALREADY SEEN (Book #2)
ALREADY TRAPPED (Book #3)
ALREADY MISSING (Book #4)
ALREADY DEAD (Book #5)
EUROPEAN VOYAGE COZY MYSTERY SERIES
MURDER (AND BAKLAVA) (Book #1)
DEATH (AND APPLE STRUDEL) (Book #2)
CRIME (AND LAGER) (Book #3)
MISFORTUNE (AND GOUDA) (Book #4)
CALAMITY (AND A DANISH) (Book #5)
MAYHEM (AND HERRING) (Book #6)
ADELE SHARP MYSTERY SERIES
LEFT TO DIE (Book #1)
LEFT TO RUN (Book #2)
LEFT TO HIDE (Book #3)
LEFT TO KILL (Book #4)
LEFT TO MURDER (Book #5)
LEFT TO ENVY (Book #6)
LEFT TO LAPSE (Book #7)
LEFT TO VANISH (Book #8)
LEFT TO HUNT (Book #9)
LEFT TO FEAR (Book #10)
LEFT TO PREY (Book #11)
LEFT TO LURE (Book #12)
LEFT TO CRAVE (Book #13)
THE AU PAIR SERIES
ALMOST GONE (Book#1)
ALMOST LOST (Book #2)
ALMOST DEAD (Book #3)
ZOE PRIME MYSTERY SERIES
FACE OF DEATH (Book#1)
FACE OF MURDER (Book #2)
FACE OF FEAR (Book #3)
FACE OF MADNESS (Book #4)
FACE OF FURY (Book #5)
FACE OF DARKNESS (Book #6)
A JESSIE HUNT PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES
THE PERFECT WIFE (Book #1)
THE PERFECT BLOCK (Book #2)
THE PERFECT HOUSE (Book #3)
THE PERFECT SMILE (Book #4)
THE PERFECT LIE (Book #5)
THE PERFECT LOOK (Book #6)
THE PERFECT AFFAIR (Book #7)
THE PERFECT ALIBI (Book #8)
THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR (Book #9)
THE PERFECT DISGUISE (Book #10)
THE PERFECT SECRET (Book #11)
THE PERFECT FAÇADE (Book #12)
THE PERFECT IMPRESSION (Book #13)
THE PERFECT DECEIT (Book #14)
THE PERFECT MISTRESS (Book #15)
THE PERFECT IMAGE (Book #16)
THE PERFECT VEIL (Book #17)
THE PERFECT INDISCRETION (Book #18)
THE PERFECT RUMOR (Book #19)
CHLOE FINE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE SERIES
NEXT DOOR (Book #1)
A NEIGHBOR’S LIE (Book #2)
CUL DE SAC (Book #3)
SILENT NEIGHBOR (Book #4)
HOMECOMING (Book #5)
TINTED WINDOWS (Book #6)
KATE WISE MYSTERY SERIES
IF SHE KNEW (Book #1)
IF SHE SAW (Book #2)
IF SHE RAN (Book #3)
IF SHE HID (Book #4)
IF SHE FLED (Book #5)
IF SHE FEARED (Book #6)
IF SHE HEARD (Book #7)
THE MAKING OF RILEY PAIGE SERIES
WATCHING (Book #1)
WAITING (Book #2)
LURING (Book #3)
TAKING (Book #4)
STALKING (Book #5)
KILLING (Book #6)
RILEY PAIGE MYSTERY SERIES
ONCE GONE (Book #1)
ONCE TAKEN (Book #2)
ONCE CRAVED (Book #3)
ONCE LURED (Book #4)
ONCE HUNTED (Book #5)
ONCE PINED (Book #6)
ONCE FORSAKEN (Book #7)
ONCE COLD (Book #8)
ONCE STALKED (Book #9)
ONCE LOST (Book #10)
ONCE BURIED (Book #11)
ONCE BOUND (Book #12)
ONCE TRAPPED (Book #13)
ONCE DORMANT (Book #14)
ONCE SHUNNED (Book #15)
ONCE MISSED (Book #16)
ONCE CHOSEN (Book #17)
MACKENZIE WHITE MYSTERY SERIES
BEFORE HE KILLS (Book #1)
BEFORE HE SEES (Book #2)
BEFORE HE COVETS (Book #3)
BEFORE HE TAKES (Book #4)
BEFORE HE NEEDS (Book #5)
BEFORE HE FEELS (Book #6)
BEFORE HE SINS (Book #7)
BEFORE HE HUNTS (Book #8)
BEFORE HE PREYS (Book #9)
BEFORE HE LONGS (Book #10)
BEFORE HE LAPSES (Book #11)
BEFORE HE ENVIES (Book #12)
BEFORE HE STALKS (Book #13)
BEFORE HE HARMS (Book #14)
AVERY BLACK MYSTERY SERIES
CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)
CAUSE TO RUN (Book #2)
CAUSE TO HIDE (Book #3)
CAUSE TO FEAR (Book #4)
CAUSE TO SAVE (Book
#5)
CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6)
KERI LOCKE MYSTERY SERIES
A TRACE OF DEATH (Book #1)
A TRACE OF MURDER (Book #2)
A TRACE OF VICE (Book #3)
A TRACE OF CRIME (Book #4)
A TRACE OF HOPE (Book #5)