Do Unto Others

By J. F. Gonzalez

Jim Cornell used to believe in God.

But when things went bad - his daughter getting cancer, his layoff from his well-paying job, the strain of his marriage - he began to have no use for God anymore.

When Jim's forced into a situation that will require his participation in another man's murder, his faith will be tested. Because while Jim used to believe in God, he'd never given that much thought to the devil.

Now he's going to have to. Because, like it or not, Jim is involved with people who have a deep religious faith, too.

Jim is about to discover that where there is light, there must be darkness. There's more than one kind of religious faith and his is about to be put to the ultimate test.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Midnight Library
• Release date: Nov 14, 2011
• ISBN: 9780983026532

Book preview

Jim Cornell used to believe in God.

But when things went bad - his daughter getting cancer, his layoff from his well-paying job, the strain of his marriage - he began to have no use for God anymore.

When Jim’s forced into a situation that will require his participation in another man’s murder, his faith will be tested. Because while Jim used to believe in God, he’d never given that much thought to the Devil.

Now he’s going to have to. Because, like it or not, Jim is involved with people who have a deep religious faith, too.

Jim is about to discover that where there is light, there must be darkness. There’s more than one kind of religious faith, and his is about to be put to the ultimate test.

Praise for J. F. Gonzalez

In an era of horror fiction that's often reckless and overboard, Gonzalez brings intellect and a studied, consummate craft to the table, creating tales the right way: with deft characterization, riveting plotwork, and imagery sharper than a carpet razor. This is a rare type of writer indeed, tackling even hardcore and taboo subjects with brains and creative brawn. If you haven't heard of this guy yet, believe me, you will. It won't be long before Gonzalez is taking big bites out of the field of horror fiction - Edward Lee, author of Ghouls, Incubi, and The Bighead.

J. F. Gonzalez is a writer to watch. - Bentley Little, Author of The Store.

One of my must-read authors - The Horror Fiction Review

Gonzalez gives his audience what they crave in spades. - Cemetery Dance

J.F. Gonzalez is one of my favorite writers and I will gladly buy and quickly read anything he publishes. - Horror Drive-In

Forces the kind of visceral relationship between writer and reader that the best horror writing can produce. The New York Times Book Review

...places a great deal of personal responsibility onto the reader...It's not enough simply to ask why anyone would commit such horrors; we also have to wonder why we're so fascinated by the details. - Fangoria

Table of Contents

Do Unto Others

Also by J. F. Gonzalez

About J. F. Gonzalez

Do Unto Others

No part of this book may be used or reproduced, stored into or introduced into a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other means now known or yet to be invented) without the prior written permission of the copyright holder, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed are either fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events and individuals is coincidental. This book is sold as is and neither the publisher, nor the author, will be responsible for any direct or consequential damages that may arise from the misuse of the information within.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Do Unto Others © 2010 by J. F. Gonzalez

Cover Illustration © 2010 by Daniele Serra

All rights reserved

Ebook ISBN: 978-0-9830265-3-2

Midnight Library

Lititz, PA

Monday, 7 PM.

What’ll it be, ma’am?

Scotch on the rocks, please.

Coming right up.

Jim Cornell moved to the other side of the bar where the scotch was kept. He pulled a bottle of The Macallan off the shelf, extracted a glass from the overhanging compartment and set it on the counter. Then he opened the ice chest, scooped some ice in the glass, and filled it with scotch. He put a plastic stirrer in, pulled a napkin out of the dispenser, and moved back to the other end of the bar where the patron was waiting. He smiled as he placed the drink in front of her and she smiled back, her gray eyes penetrating and inviting. That’ll be seven-fifty.

She laid a ten on the bar. Keep the change, she said, smiling invitingly.

Thanks, ma’am.

"How many times have I asked you to stop calling me ma’am? It makes me feel older than I am. I’m Julie. Not ma’am. Her tone of voice was jovial, and Jim grinned. How long have I been coming here, Jim?"

Longer than I’ve been working here, Jim said. He met her gaze this time and she smiled at him. She was older, by how much he wasn’t sure, maybe enough to pass for his mother, but barely. Her dark hair was shoulder-length and swept back across her forehead stylishly, the streaks of gray slight and peppered within the fullness of it. Her features were regal, with an aquiline nose and full sensuous lips that were now highlighted by red lipstick. Her makeup in general was applied tastefully and very erotically for her age; it looked both seductive and classy. To Jim, she reminded him of a Raquel Welch or a Sophia Loren. The clothes Julie wore were also stylish and sexy, showing a bare hint of a shapely thigh, the enticing swell of a full breast. A body like that spelled personal trainer. If she frequented the Polo Club she certainly had the money to afford one.

How long have we known each other now, Jim?

Six months, maybe more.

And we’ve had excellent conversations in those six months, have we not?

Jim nodded, trying to hide the grin. Julie was one of five or six of his regular customers who he’d gotten to know pretty well. While they were in no way close personal friends, they’d talked enough over the past six months that Jim felt comfortable around her. He could sense that she felt the same way. They’d talked about everything from world events and politics, to trading anecdotes about friends and family, to sharing various travel stories with each other. Last month, when she learned he’d just celebrated a birthday, she’d slipped him an envelope with a crisp one hundred dollar bill inside. Happy Birthday, she’d said with a smile. Not many customers would do that, but Julie was one that would.

I agree, Jim said. We’ve had many excellent conversations.

We have a modicum of trust with one another.

Absolutely.

And I told you from the first few times you served me that you can dispel with what the management of this place commands you to do, Julie said. She took a sip of her drink and set the glass down in front of her. Her nails were long and red; her hands and fingers were tanned and slender. "You can address the other ladies in this establishment by calling them ma’am or Ms., but you are to call me by my given name; Julie Montenelli. Sans last name to make it more formal, of course."

Yes, Julie.

She chuckled. Her gray eyes sparkled invitingly, never wavering from his face. For a minute there I thought you were going to say ‘yes, ma’am.’

Jim laughed. No, Julie. He picked up a towel from behind the bar and began wiping the counter down in front of her. I’ll call you by your name. It’s just...well—

I know. Martin is your boss and he’s at the other end of the bar. She took another sip of her scotch and folded her hands in front of her. Jim continued wiping down the bar, looking at her as they talked. But you don’t need to worry about him. I know Martin very well. I know his boss even better. They’re both firm believers in the adage ‘the customer is always right’. In this case, the customer is requesting that you address her by her first name.

And so I shall, Jim said, smiling.

Julie smiled back.

Another customer approached the bar a few stools down from Julie and signaled to Jim. Duty calls, he said, and moved over to take the new patron's order.

Jim Cornell had been tending bar at the Polo Club for nine months. It was the tenth job he’d held since he was laid off from Lockheed, where he’d been employed as a software developer. Despite the fact that he was still relatively young at thirty-five, he hadn’t been able to land a professional job since his layoff. His professional career had been strictly in the field of software development and Information Technology, and with the advent of the downward spiral of the US economy and the outsourcing of IT jobs to India,