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    The Jaded Jezebel: The Hot Dog Detective - A Denver Detective Cozy Mystery, #10
    The Jaded Jezebel: The Hot Dog Detective - A Denver Detective Cozy Mystery, #10
    The Jaded Jezebel: The Hot Dog Detective - A Denver Detective Cozy Mystery, #10
    Ebook328 pages4 hours

    The Jaded Jezebel: The Hot Dog Detective - A Denver Detective Cozy Mystery, #10

    By Mathiya Adams

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    About this ebook

    Jessica Chamberlain has a problem. She's high on drugs and has blood all over her. The murder weapon has her prints and she's got gunshot residue on her hand. It's pretty clear to the Boulder Police what happened.

    When the Boulder Police arrest her for murder, her father, Commander Bob Chamberlain, is desperate. Desperate enough to ask MacFarland to find the real killer.

    MacFarland's only memory of Jessica is from the day he got promoted to Detective. His recollection of Jessica was that she was quiet and well-behaved. Had University life turned her into a drug-using killer?

    "Save my Jezebel," pleads Commander Chamberlain. "You're the only one who can do it, Mac."

    The Jaded Jezebel is the tenth book in the Hot Dog Detective series. Each book can be read independently, but if you want to read them in order, just follow the alphabet.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMisque Press
    Release dateMay 17, 2016
    ISBN9781533743763
    The Jaded Jezebel: The Hot Dog Detective - A Denver Detective Cozy Mystery, #10

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      Book preview

      The Jaded Jezebel - Mathiya Adams

      Prologue

      Tuesday, August 1, 2330 Hours

      Jessica Chamberlain looked around the room, disgust wafting over her. Then the drugs kicked in, and the mess and garbage transformed into phantasmagoric shapes and colors that were anything but repulsive. She snuggled into the arms of her boyfriend...Steve? Yes, yes, Steve... And let the feelings of peace permeate her being. Time slowed down. Sounds that she had never heard before filled the room, with trills and deep tones that caused her whole body to vibrate. Her skin felt alive, like an animal that encircled her, protecting her...devouring her.

      She wanted to scream, but no sounds emerged from her mouth. She felt the man holding her put his hands on her body. Fascinated, she felt his hands first burn her flesh, then sear it with coldness. How could he go from hot to cold to hot and back to cold so rapidly?

      Maybe he wasn’t human either.

      She stared at him, her eyes peeling away the layers of his skin, revealing the striated muscles underneath. She saw blue and red tubes, entwining themselves on top of and through his tissues. White slime oozed out of the red, pink and black flesh. Where had his skin gone?

      Oh, there it was, floating by. Floating. Floating.

      Or was that Steve?

      If Steve was floating by, who was holding her?

      Her vision cleared enough to see half a dozen other people in the room. Some were smoking pot. Some were injecting themselves. Others, like her, were taking ground up medicines, wonder drugs designed for inconsequential human ailments, but now reconstituted into drugs that brought one closer to God.

      Someone started shouting. She didn’t hear the words. She saw them. Hard, sharp objects that bumped into walls, furniture, and people. The words were coming very slowly across the room, towards her, and the skinless man who was fondling her with hot, frigid hands. The words were going to crush her, her and him. She wanted to escape the words, but Steve’s hands held her imprisoned.

      She wanted to yell stop to the words, but she was unable to speak. Instead, bright green lightning bolts exploded from her mouth. Yet even they seemed unable to move very quickly.

      Then she heard a sound like the earth breaking in two. It thundered all around her, crushing her body into Steve’s body. Even before the thunder stopped crashing against the walls, ceiling, and floor, she felt Steve’s body exploding next to her, as fountains of red lava erupted everywhere. Steve’s body shuddered like an earthquake.

      Time started speeding up. The solid sounds poofed out of sight, replaced with screams, shouts, curses, and explosions. She saw someone standing over her, a dark, foreboding and towering figure, like a winged demon. The demon was holding something, which he threw down onto the ground at her side.

      The demon turned, attempting to flee. With precise clarity, Jessica picked up the object, her hand gripping it with long familiarity. She pointed it and squeezed off one shot, a second shot, then a third shot.

      The demon was impervious to bullets and much too fast. Like a dust devil, the demon was there one second, then gone.

      Jessica threw the gun down and turned her attention to Steve.

      She had trouble focusing her vision. His skin had miraculously returned to his body, but he was still spurting fountains of blood. As she held onto him, she screamed for him to stop bleeding.

      Her shouts seemed effective, as the spurts of blood became less explosive, finally ebbing into pools of dark liquid bubbling from his chest.

      Jessica wrapped her body around Steve’s, hoping that her proximity would staunch the flow of blood. She felt strangely calm, as though the warm blood was a soothing bath. She pulled herself up further on top of Steve’s body, trying to kiss him and tell him how much she loved him.

      She was still doing that, muttering words of love and encouragement, when the police arrived and pulled her away from his still body.

      Chapter 1

      Friday, August 4, 1845 Hours

      Hey, let’s celebrate! MacFarland plastered his face with his most inviting and genuine smile at Cynthia Pierson. He could only grace her with his smile for a minute. Traffic around the University of Denver was busy tonight, and MacFarland could not maintain a smile while dealing with Denver traffic.

      Pierson threw him a questioning and suspicious look. Celebrate? How?

      Join me for dinner.

      Pierson smiled. That’s sweet, Mac. I never knew you had a romantic side. Where do you want to go?

      Pierson’s smile disappeared when, as MacFarland turned south onto University, she realized where he was taking her for dinner. Let me out of the truck, MacFarland!

      Ah, come on, Cyn. You said you would go to dinner with me.

      I didn’t realize that dinner was at your in-law’s house! You deceived me!

      What makes you think we’re going to Stefanie’s house?

      Where else would you take me?

      Hey, I don’t want to go there by myself. He locked the doors, then engaged the safety lock.

      MacFarland, you’re impossible!

      Stefanie was pleased to see both of them. It’s no trouble at all, she insisted when Pierson noticed that the table was only set for five. Stefanie quickly added another place setting. Randy, dinner’s ready! Kids, wash your hands!

      Dinner consisted of salad, pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, zucchini, and freshly baked biscuits. Dinner conversation focused on the kids, upcoming vacation plans, outdated watering restrictions, the lousy pitching in the Rockies bullpen, the fact that one participant in the conversation couldn’t wait for football season to start, and finally, when was MacFarland going to get a real job.

      The only thing that made the dinner bearable, at least from MacFarland’s point of view, was that Stefanie kept referring to Pierson as Mac’s girl. At first he was surprised, then a bit worried at her reaction, and finally pleased with the sound of the expression.

      As the dinner wore on, however, he found the phrase annoying. Pierson had made it quite clear that she didn’t want to be Mac’s girl. He watched her carefully to see how she reacted to Stefanie’s comment.

      The first few times Stefanie referred to her as Mac’s girl, MacFarland observed only stony silence. As Stefanie continued, he noticed Pierson staring at her plate, closing her eyes, even wincing at the words.

      Clearly, Cynthia Pierson was not Mac’s girl.

      Conversation really got testy over dessert—apple pie a la mode—and coffee.

      Are you two going to get married any day soon?

      Pierson’s eyes widened and she actually blushed.

      What? asked MacFarland, not sure he heard correctly. Were you talking to us?

      Stefanie laughed. Who else would I be talking to? Kaitlyn certainly isn’t going to get married any day soon.

      MacFarland did not dare look in Pierson’s direction. Neither are we, he said, much too hurriedly. Whatever made you think such a thing, Stef?

      Randy burst out laughing. She’s always trying to set people up. You know, Mark, she kept doing that with you, but you were too dumb to take the hint.

      Maybe I didn’t want to get married, he said defensively. It was too soon after Nicole’s passing.

      Stefanie shook her head. Poor Nicole died seven years ago, Mark. It’s time you moved on. It’s what she would have wanted.

      Pierson stuffed a huge bite of pie in her mouth and stared at the melting ice cream on her plate.

      It doesn’t seem that long ago.

      That’s because you spent three or four years in a drunken stupor! Randy seemed to find that explanation amusing.

      You two have been living together for more than a year now, almost two years. My gosh, that’s longer than Randy and I courted each other!

      We’re not courting! He turned to Pierson. Can’t you help out a little on this?

      Pierson kept her face down, but glanced at him out of the sides of her eyes. They’re your relatives, Mac.

      He tried to glare at her, but she simply scooped up some ice cream with her next bite of pie.

      The pie is very good, she said.

      At any rate, I don’t think it’s any of your business about our relationship, snapped MacFarland.

      We just want you to be happy, Mark. I think Cynthia would make a perfect wife.

      Pierson burst out laughing. Really? Me? A perfect wife?

      MacFarland glanced briefly at Pierson, then laughed also. I hardly think she would make a great wife, he said. After all, she and I wouldn’t even make good partners.

      Pierson didn’t look up, but simply put her fork down on her plate and pushed it away from her.

      As soon as he said the words, he regretted his action. He pushed his half-eaten dessert away from him. I think it’s time we headed back. Are you coming, Cyn?

      Pierson looked up at him, her expression blank, then stood up.

      It was very good pie, she said to Stefanie. Then, without another word, she headed towards the front door.

      Chapter 2

      Saturday, August 5, 0845 Hours

      I think I messed things up, said MacFarland as he and Rufus sat next to the hot dog cart, waiting for early morning customers. There wouldn’t be that many, not on a Saturday morning. The temperature was already starting to climb. The smell of hot asphalt from some not too distant road repair crew wafted on the inconsequential breeze.

      You usually do, boss. You’re good at that, said Rufus Headley. The bad news is, you’re not the best at it.

      Best at what?

      Messing things up. You know, some people are much better at messing things up than you are boss. I think you need to work on it.

      You’re not being helpful, Rufus.

      Well, maybe if I knew what you was upset about, I might be more helpful.

      It’s hard to explain.

      Boss, how long we been together?

      I’m beginning to think too long, Rufus.

      So talk to me. Words aren’t hard to figure out, boss. You just say them and they come out.

      Rufus, it’s not words I have problems with. It’s thoughts.

      Thoughts about what?

      Well, mostly Pierson.

      Rufus nodded knowingly. Ah, yes, the lady cop. I can understand that. So what are you thinking about her this time?

      MacFarland was quiet for a moment. Staring at the sidewalk, he spoke in a low, hesitant voice. I told her I wanted to be partners with her.

      You thinking of joining back up with the police?

      MacFarland looked up, surprised. No, that’s not what I meant. I told her about my dream, to have a detective agency with her as my partner.

      That’s your dream? Why ain’t I ever heard about this dream before?

      Because it’s a dream, Rufus. Dreams are sort of inside your head.

      Huh? That don’t make sense, boss. How long was you a drunk?

      MacFarland blinked in surprise. Sometimes it was difficult to follow Rufus’ line of thought. Several years, I guess.

      And your dream when you was a drunk was to be sober, right?

      Actually, I think my dream was usually to find another drink. MacFarland started at Rufus’ scowl. But I get your point. Okay, so my dream was to get sober.

      Rufus nodded. Right. And what did you learn in AA?

      MacFarland stroked his chin. If you want to achieve something difficult, you have to tell people what it is. I see your point, Rufus.

      Damn straight, boss. If you got a dream to work with the lady cop, you got to tell her.

      But she doesn’t share that dream, Rufus. Worse, she doesn’t want to marry me either.

      Rufus’ eyes widened. Whoa! Where the hell did that come from? You asked her to marry you?

      No, I didn’t. I mean, if she doesn’t want to be my partner, why would she want to marry me?

      Rufus shook his head. The one doesn’t have anything to do with t’other. I am your partner, right, here in this here hot dog business.

      MacFarland nodded.

      Well, let me tell you boss, I’m willing to be your partner, but I don’t want to marry you. Maybe it’s the opposite with the lady cop. Maybe she wants to marry you but not be your detective partner.

      That doesn’t make sense, Rufus.

      Yes it does. You’re just too stupid to understand it.

      MacFarland was about to make a rather erudite retort when Rufus jumped up, waving.

      Kirk! Gracie! How are you two today?

      MacFarland stood up and greeted the homeless couple. Kirk, a large hairy man, was wearing bulky shorts and a tee-shirt. His petite wife Gracie was wearing a loose blouse and denim skirt. And of course, her perpetual smile.

      We’re doing pretty good! We both got some work for the summer.

      MacFarland hooted his pleasure at the news. The homeless found it particularly difficult to find employment. Prospective employers often had to deal with individuals who had addiction problems, mental health issues or arrest records.  Homeless people often lacked transportation, making it difficult for them to commit to defined work schedules.

      The homeless also faced discrimination and prejudice by employers and fellow employees. Homeless people often didn’t have access to basic amenities. They often did not have work-appropriate clothing.

      And many of them lacked the skills that were needed for most entry-level jobs.

      What are you going to do?

      We’re working with a group called Exceptional Talent. They specialize in helping homeless and ex-cons in getting employment. They have like a post office where we can get mail, have a consistent address. They help us cash checks and manage our money. They also find possible jobs for us, and they let the new boss know what our condition is.

      MacFarland frowned. What do they get out of all this?

      Gracie shrugged. I guess they get a fraction of our paycheck. They told us how much—

      Kirk leaned close to Gracie’s ear and whispered.

      —Oh, it’s ten percent. But we get most of the money.

      MacFarland bit his tongue. Ten percent sounds reasonable, I guess. How long does it go on?

      Gracie raised her eyebrows, smirking in embarrassment. I suppose it goes on for as long as we are working. But that’s not so bad, Mac. We get most of the money!

      MacFarland and Rufus prepared some hot dogs and drinks for the couple, then wished them well as the homeless couple walked away.

      That sounds like good news for them, doesn’t it?

      I hope so, Rufus. But you know me. Every silver lining merely blinds us to the storm clouds behind it.

      Boss, you gotta learn to lighten up. No wonder the lady cop doesn’t want to be your partner!

      Chapter 3

      Sunday, August 6, 0945 Hours

      By Sunday morning, MacFarland had put his worries about his relationship with Pierson out of his mind. MacFarland had a simple philosophy of life. Control the things you could control, and to hell with the rest.

      Pierson’s feelings for him were one of the things he couldn’t control. After all, if she couldn’t see and appreciate what a stupendous fellow he was, it wasn’t his fault. Surely it had to be a female problem. Yeah, that was it. Female problems.

      Although MacFarland was in relatively good spirits, he noticed that Rufus appeared quite reserved. Is something bugging you, Rufus?

      Rufus tugged on his beard and brushed his hand through his unruly hair. A friend of mine, from ‘Nam. He seems to be having problems.

      Given the extent of Rufus’ own problems, for him to acknowledge someone else having problems was a telling admission. What sort of problems does he have, Rufus?

      Don’t know, boss. I ain’t seen him in a long time.

      How do you know he’s having problems?

      Oh, a friend told me. We got our own little network, you know, for sharing information.

      MacFarland knew of the network, which consisted of Korean War and Vietnam War veterans. They were a proud group, though many Vietnam Vets even to this day still felt alienated from mainstream society. The Vietnam War had been the first war to be fought on America’s television screens. It had not been a pretty sight.

      As far as MacFarland was concerned, the men and women who fought in Vietnam were still among America’s forgotten heroes.

      Maybe you should go see him, suggested MacFarland.

      Rufus’ face lightened up. Hey, now that’s a good idea. Can I borrow the truck?

      MacFarland was about to answer when a car pulled up to the corner. The passenger called out to him.

      Mark! Mark!

      MacFarland turned around, recognizing the voice. His shoulders began to slump.

      Stefanie. Hi. What are you— He peered into the car, seeing the whole Cooper family. —you guys doing downtown?

      MacFarland had hoped to avoid seeing his in-laws for a long time...perhaps months, or even years. Seeing them at the corner of Fourteenth and Elati was a bit disturbing.

      We’re going to church, said Stefanie. To that Presbyterian church you recommended. We’ve gone there a couple of times and the kids like the church.

      MacFarland stared at Kaitlyn and Ryan in disbelief. You like going to the church?

      Ryan nodded vigorously. We met the man who does the maintenance. He’s really nice, Uncle Mark. He’s promised to take us up into the bell tower this summer.

      Really?

      We’re not so sure about that, Mark, said Randy. Listen, buddy, I’ve got to go around the block. Are you going to come with us?

      Without waiting for a reply, Randy stepped on the gas and turned the corner. MacFarland tried to follow the car as it turned onto Fourteenth, but Randy sped ahead.

      He must be going around the block, observed Rufus.

      Didn’t even wait for me to tell him no, grumbled MacFarland.

      Ain’t that the church where they have a homeless shelter in the basement?

      Yeah. I’ve stayed there a couple of times. But I never could keep a job, and that’s one of the requirements. I did go to the church a couple of times.

      Never took you for the religious type, boss.

      You know how I feel about religion. But that Central Presbyterian crowd is pretty accepting. Never complained about how I smelled. And you know what they say about Presbyterians?

      That they’re generous to a fault?

      MacFarland’s brow furrowed. No. The pastor once told me, you put three Presbyterians in one room, and there will be four opinions.

      Rufus considered that statement. I don’t get it. Who has the fourth opinion? God?

      I don’t know, Rufus. I always thought it meant that they had lots of different opinions.

      Oh. I think I like my answer better. It sounds more religious.

      MacFarland was about to respond, but Randy pulled up to the corner again.

      Are you coming? asked Stefanie.

      Uh, I guess so, said MacFarland uncertainly. Do I need to get my truck?

      Of course not! Get in the back seat. We’ll take you. Stefanie looked back at Kaitlyn and Ryan. Kids, make room for Uncle Mark.

      He can sit in the middle, yelled Ryan.

      No! Move over, Ryan! Let Mark have your seat.

      Maybe I should just skip it, said MacFarland.

      Nonsense! Ryan’s moving over right now. Ryan, move over! Right now!

      Kaitlyn won’t give me any room!

      MacFarland squeezed into the back seat, nodding his thanks to Ryan.

      Ryan yelled at Kaitlyn to move over so he had some room.

      Hey, boss, can I use the truck to go see my friend?

      Sure, Rufus. But who’s going to watch the hot dog stand?

      Randy stepped on the gas and the car sped away. MacFarland tried to twist around in his seat to see what Rufus was going to do. Damn, I shouldn’t have left him.

      Don’t say damn in front of the kids, Mark. Try to set a better example. We’re going to church, God damnit!

      Chapter 4

      Sunday, August 6, 1400 Hours

      As MacFarland recalled, attending church had always been better when he could sit in the back of the church. He had done that for several reasons. First, it allowed him an easy escape route, where only the choir, the pastors, and God could see him slink away. Second, when he had been on the streets, his clothing was not always in the cleanest condition possible. Being in the back of the church meant he was probably offending the fewest number of people. And third, MacFarland didn’t like himself very much when he was on the street. He didn’t want to be seen by other people, respectable people, the more fortunate people.

      The pastors often cited Jesus’ love of the poor, the destitute, and the unfortunate. MacFarland wasn’t sure that the members of the congregation were as loving as Jesus.

      Attending church with the Coopers, however, was a whole different story. Stefanie Cooper wanted the world to know that she had put out the effort to get herself dressed, her children dressed, and her husband away from the television long enough to attend church. So Stefanie Cooper made sure her family sat right in the middle of the congregation.

      I thought you preferred sitting in the back, he whispered as the organist played an elaborate Bach selection. Because of the kids.

      I’ve made it clear to them that if they act up in church, I will make their lives miserable, whispered Stefanie.

      MacFarland believed Stefanie was capable of doing just that.

      Rufus was still at the corner when the Coopers dropped MacFarland off back at his hot dog stand.

      Sorry about that, Rufus. I didn’t plan that very well.

      "Don’t seem to me that you planned it at all, boss. Looks

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