a quick test on Doe. It was positive.”
“For?”
I grimaced sadly. “The black nail striations are a common symptom of someone who’s positive for HIV.”
Lido’s mouth dropped. “All three of them?”
“I’m afraid so. I’m guessing that Bascom and Danziger got the virus from Singer, and they decided to murder him for passing it to them. More than likely Singer knew that he was infected and kept quiet about it. As for Koufax, I’m guessing that they needed him out of the way and that he was probably the one who had introduced them to Singer in the first place.”
Lido started the engine and pulled out into traffic. It had been the most savage winter in memory and I absolutely couldn’t wait for spring to arrive.
“Koufax told us that he was supposed to meet Singer at the theater Monday morning before work. He was going to help Koufax set up his dressing room and then walk him over to the chabad. That had to be the reason why he left home so early. They were fast friends. Singer vouched for Koufax’s acting skills so that he’d get a role in Pervy Pumps , and … I fear he was Singer’s lover way before the other two,” I said glumly. “He must’ve been more careful than Bascom or Danziger. I hope he’s all right.” I sighed deeply. “Thank God HIV is no longer the death sentence it used to be.”
I doubted that Bascom and Danziger would ever confess to their crimes, but with the opportunity for the DA to play one off against the other, perhaps one of them would flip.
“I’ve got to hand it to you, Chalice, you certainly have your shit together. I hope I have what it takes.”
“Don’t sweat it, rookie. You’ll do just fine.”
“So I guess Bascom intercepted Singer that morning and made some excuse for redirecting him to the chabad, something like Koufax overslept and wouldn’t have time to visit the theater that morning. Maybe they knew that he liked Jamba Juice and …”
“That’s the way I have it figured.”
“And a few blocks away Danziger slugged Koufax and tied him up.”
“Yup.” I saw Ma waiting for me outside of Becco, one of our favorite before-theater restaurants. “There she is,” I said, pointing her out to Lido. She looked as if she was shivering. “Want to meet her?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Um, it’s so cold. Maybe next time, okay?”
“No pressure, rookie. I already dropped enough crap in your lap this week. By the way, you did great.”
“Thanks.” He smiled appreciatively. “Have fun with your mom.”
I got out of the car and raced across the street.
“It’s about time,” Ma complained before kissing me on both cheeks. “You no-good kid. I’m freezing out here.”
I took her by the arm and escorted her inside.
“How’d you get tickets for this show?” she asked. “I hear everyone is dying to see it.”
“I know people in high places,” I chortled, as we sat down. “Someone was nice to me.”
“Of course someone was nice to you. You’re a wonderful girl,” she cooed. “Now if only you’d be lucky enough to meet a nice fella …”
I would’ve normally lashed out and protested the constant zings about finding a husband and how I was going to end up an old maid, but I didn’t. I felt a smile spread across my face. My mind wandered a bit as I thought about Gus Lido and launched a fantasy about our future together.
~~END~~
In the Stephanie Chalice Thriller Series
Full-Length Novels
Don’t Close Your Eyes
Ransom Beach
The Brain Vault
Our Honored Dead
Baby Girl Doe
Compromised (Summer 2015)
Stephanie Chalice Novellas
First Kill: Prequel #1
Second Chance: Prequel #2
Third Victim: Prequel #3
In the Chloe Mather Thriller Series
Secrets of the Kill
Rules of the Kill
Legends of the Kill
Carnage of the Kill (Fall 2015)
Other Full-length Works of Fiction
Counterblow
Kiss of the Devil’s Breath
Palindrome
Saving Cervantes
Season of Faith
About The Author
I never expected to be a writer. In
“For?”
I grimaced sadly. “The black nail striations are a common symptom of someone who’s positive for HIV.”
Lido’s mouth dropped. “All three of them?”
“I’m afraid so. I’m guessing that Bascom and Danziger got the virus from Singer, and they decided to murder him for passing it to them. More than likely Singer knew that he was infected and kept quiet about it. As for Koufax, I’m guessing that they needed him out of the way and that he was probably the one who had introduced them to Singer in the first place.”
Lido started the engine and pulled out into traffic. It had been the most savage winter in memory and I absolutely couldn’t wait for spring to arrive.
“Koufax told us that he was supposed to meet Singer at the theater Monday morning before work. He was going to help Koufax set up his dressing room and then walk him over to the chabad. That had to be the reason why he left home so early. They were fast friends. Singer vouched for Koufax’s acting skills so that he’d get a role in Pervy Pumps , and … I fear he was Singer’s lover way before the other two,” I said glumly. “He must’ve been more careful than Bascom or Danziger. I hope he’s all right.” I sighed deeply. “Thank God HIV is no longer the death sentence it used to be.”
I doubted that Bascom and Danziger would ever confess to their crimes, but with the opportunity for the DA to play one off against the other, perhaps one of them would flip.
“I’ve got to hand it to you, Chalice, you certainly have your shit together. I hope I have what it takes.”
“Don’t sweat it, rookie. You’ll do just fine.”
“So I guess Bascom intercepted Singer that morning and made some excuse for redirecting him to the chabad, something like Koufax overslept and wouldn’t have time to visit the theater that morning. Maybe they knew that he liked Jamba Juice and …”
“That’s the way I have it figured.”
“And a few blocks away Danziger slugged Koufax and tied him up.”
“Yup.” I saw Ma waiting for me outside of Becco, one of our favorite before-theater restaurants. “There she is,” I said, pointing her out to Lido. She looked as if she was shivering. “Want to meet her?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Um, it’s so cold. Maybe next time, okay?”
“No pressure, rookie. I already dropped enough crap in your lap this week. By the way, you did great.”
“Thanks.” He smiled appreciatively. “Have fun with your mom.”
I got out of the car and raced across the street.
“It’s about time,” Ma complained before kissing me on both cheeks. “You no-good kid. I’m freezing out here.”
I took her by the arm and escorted her inside.
“How’d you get tickets for this show?” she asked. “I hear everyone is dying to see it.”
“I know people in high places,” I chortled, as we sat down. “Someone was nice to me.”
“Of course someone was nice to you. You’re a wonderful girl,” she cooed. “Now if only you’d be lucky enough to meet a nice fella …”
I would’ve normally lashed out and protested the constant zings about finding a husband and how I was going to end up an old maid, but I didn’t. I felt a smile spread across my face. My mind wandered a bit as I thought about Gus Lido and launched a fantasy about our future together.
~~END~~
In the Stephanie Chalice Thriller Series
Full-Length Novels
Don’t Close Your Eyes
Ransom Beach
The Brain Vault
Our Honored Dead
Baby Girl Doe
Compromised (Summer 2015)
Stephanie Chalice Novellas
First Kill: Prequel #1
Second Chance: Prequel #2
Third Victim: Prequel #3
In the Chloe Mather Thriller Series
Secrets of the Kill
Rules of the Kill
Legends of the Kill
Carnage of the Kill (Fall 2015)
Other Full-length Works of Fiction
Counterblow
Kiss of the Devil’s Breath
Palindrome
Saving Cervantes
Season of Faith
About The Author
I never expected to be a writer. In
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