The Deadly Sunbather

By Nina-Marie Frazer

Lisa North's life seems idyllic. She is beautiful, wealthy, has close friends, and a handsome husband. Looks, however, can be deceiving. Her husband, Carl is having an affair with her friend, Helen. Carl is also embezzling money from several of Lisa's accounts. Her neighbor, Henry has just killed his wife, Katherine, by throwing a venomous copperhead snake on her.
To further complicate Lisa's life, the snake has now taken up residence on her estate in between it's murderous rampages. Carl stops divorce proceedings and decides to follow Henry's plan for dealing with martial problems. Amid the snake terrorizing the town and the attempts on her life, Lisa manages to fall in love for the first and quite possibly the last time in her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nina-Marie Frazer
• Release date: May 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476312583

Nina-Marie Frazer

So, I figure if you have taken the time to check out my profile, the least I can do is give you some information about me. Now, of course, this is not my 'official' bio. For it to be 'official,' it would need to be in the third person and incredibly boring. I'm Nina-Marie Frazer. (Nina is pronounced like the number 9 with an 'a' on the end.) Most everyone calls me Nina, unless I'm in trouble; then, it's Nina-Marie or "Frazer, somebody's here with your bail." I'm a writer (in search of an agent), single (in search of Mr. Write), and the pet Momma of 2 dogs (the 'babies') & 1 cat. I have over 100 college credit hours, but still no degree. Did I mention I have A LOT of interests? I am perpetually positive. Not only do I believe the glass is half full, but it will also be filled back up again.

Book preview

Prologue

It had been a cold, snowy winter. It seemed as if it would last forever. One March day the sun came out and the warmer wind blew away all traces of ‘old man winter’ in the small city of Capri, Indiana.

The sun was beckoning to the sunbathers.

Chapter One

Henry Colby looked on as his distressed wife rolled on the ground in agony. She couldn’t possibly last long with that many bites and that much poison surging through her bloodstream.

Katherine, what’s wrong, doll? He knelt down beside her. Maybe the sun is too hot on you? Do you want a drink of water, you fat cow? He got down and looked into the frightened eyes of his wife.

You’re going to die, my dear Katherine. By the time your loving husband found you it was ‘just too late,’ what a pity. He tried to save you, but was just a bit too late.

Henry couldn’t control his giggling as he rolled on the ground beside Katherine. Her face had already swollen to the point her features were indistinguishable.

Oh, Katherine, you look so gross. I wish you could see yourself. He roared with unrestrained laughter.

The neighbors were running toward the two on the ground. Henry saw them in time to change his mirth to uncontrolled weeping.

My poor, poor Katherine. He stroked her swollen face and was so distraught he wouldn’t let the neighbors or the paramedics, when they arrived, take poor Katherine.

Chapter Two

Lisa North had fallen asleep while lying in the sun. She jerked awake when she heard the screams. She sat up startled and listened; the screams were blood curdling. It made goose bumps stand out on her skin, which by this time was a bright pink.

Oh, God, what’s happened? She grabbed her robe, slinging it over her shoulders as she walked to the edge of the yard and looked in the direction the screams. Katherine Colby withered on the ground and it looked like Henry was wrestling with her. He’s trying to kill her.

Lisa began to run; she pushed her way through the side gate. As she got there, more neighbors had gathered. The sight of Katherine’s red, swollen face was such a shock, Lisa started screaming.

Brenda Emerson grabbed Lisa by the shoulders and shook her hard. Stop it, Lisa. Are you alright, now?

Lisa nodded. She tried to focus on Brenda’s face.

Best I can find out, Katherine was bitten by a snake. When I first got here, she kept trying to say something, but her mouth was so swollen I couldn’t make out a word but ‘Henry.’

Poor woman. Look, she was setting out a garden. Lisa trembled as tears stung her eyes. When I first came out this morning to lie in the sun, I saw her going to her little garden spot. I laughed because she was all bundled up to keep the sun off her skin, while I was out to try and get all the sun I could.

I was noticing you are already a bit pink. You never blister, do you? Brenda asked as she rubbed her already tanned arms.

And you already have a tan. How did you get it so quickly? Florida, maybe? Lisa asked sincerely, glad for a topic to draw her attention from the scene before her.

A tanning bed. Brenda giggled.

Tanning beds are great, but I love to feel the warm sun on my body. She pulled the robe open, but for now I have to wear this. After the trees and shrubbery are fully leaved then I’ll get down to the ‘buff.’ Henry, there, is the worst ‘peeper’ around. She gestured toward Henry as he lay on the ground weeping, causing both women to break off their laughter.

Katherine looked bad and didn’t look as if she would recover even if they got her to the hospital. It was odd to think of a snake attacking a person and biting them so many times. Lisa had always thought of a snake biting around the ankles . . . one just never knew.

Brenda said she would drive on over to the hospital, there was nothing she could do for poor Katherine, but maybe she could be of some help to Henry.

Chapter Three

The Snake didn’t stay long on the woman, but instead, saw his chance for freedom and took it. He had had his revenge; his mouth grew long as he thought of his fangs going deep and hard into the white flesh. If he had not been so hurt and tired he would have stayed around; he would have stayed for the grinning face of the man. He was pleased as he thought of his sharp, large fangs going into the man’s face, but he had been poked too many times by the boys with the sharp stick. He had to go and recuperate, but he would remember the face and would return for revenge. Ah, but to rest now, he groaned as he slithered into the shrubbery.

Chapter Four

The paramedics performed CPR on Katherine as the ambulance roared out of the neighborhood with lights and siren blaring. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Henry kept muttering, I wish I could kill that bloody bastard snake. I’ll hunt him down and kill the bastard, if it’s the last thing I do on this earth. He looked up toward the ceiling of the hospital emergency room. Hear me, God, I’m going to get that snake.

Brenda Emerson walked over and put an arm around Henry. Come on, Henry. I’ll drive you home. There’s nothing more you can do for poor Katherine.

Chapter Five

Lisa walked back home. She returned to the patio by the pool, once again taking up her position on the cot.

She thought about Carl. They had been married for six years. The first year had nearly been idyllic. Carl had traveled a lot with his job and left her alone much of the time, but when he came home it was like a honeymoon all over again. In bed it was always magical, but after the first year things began to change. Carl would be tired and grouchy after returning from one of his trips and the fighting would begin. Lisa was brokenhearted, but still very much in love with Carl. He had asked for a legal separation, but so far she had been unable to force herself to make an appointment with the lawyer. She worried what Carl would do when he got home. She suddenly wished this would be one of his longer trips.

The Snake moved slowly across the lawn. The low cut grass made his movements easier. He stayed along the edge of the shrubbery. He found a spot where the sun beamed through the underbrush. The sun felt good on his wounds, but even while resting, his head continued to move. He would always have to be on the look-out for ‘nasty’ little boys trying to catch him, confine him in a box and poke sticks at him. Oh, yes. He was so much smarter now.

Movement from the left caught his eye. He slithered along the grass at a slow pace. His first thought was to slip up and sink his fangs in the arm that was dangling off the cot. He moved faster; he would attack and kill again. He crossed from the coolness of the grass onto the heat of the concrete deck. The Snake stopped before reaching striking distance.

He had never seen a more exquisite creature. The Snake only needed to get a bit closer to bury his fangs into the out stretched arm. He raised his head to see onto the cot. Her perfectly shaped body gleamed beneath the sun. Her black shiny hair was pulled back from her face and her features were beautiful; her lips were slightly parted. He crept closer still; she was asleep. The Snake planned to fill her with his venom, but he would observe her a bit longer.

The more he watched her, the better his wounds felt. He inched closer until his body was almost touching her gleaming arm. She stirred slightly; he had to decide to kill her or to wait . . . he would wait. He had to leave now; a man approached. The Snake did not have the strength to kill twice. He slithered into a shrub where he could watch.

Chapter Six

Lisa, wake up and put your top on, I could have been anyone. Don’t you have any modesty? Carl stood over the cot.

Carl, you’re home early. Did your trip go well? Lisa shielded her eyes with her hand and tried to see Carl’s face.

Well enough. Get some clothes on and bring me a beer, I want to talk to you. Carl tossed Lisa’s robe on top of her.

I’ll be just a minute. Lisa wrapped the robe around her as she stood up.

Carl watched as she walked toward the house. Her long, shapely legs were exposed, as the robe was short just covering her red bikini.

The Snake observed the man as he sat in a lounge chair beside the pool. He was a tall, well-built man in his late thirties perhaps; his sandy hair was curled around his shirt collar. The Snake didn’t like the man because he wasn’t nice to the woman. I’ll go up and sink my fangs into him and watch him writher in pain and then die. He was excited at the thought, but at that moment Lisa appeared, dressed in blue jeans and a blouse tied at the waist, the sleeves rolled to the elbows. He coiled and shot his fangs out in one swift movement as he thought of his hatred for Lisa’s husband. He relished the time when he would kill him.

Lisa handed Carl the bottle of beer before she sat down in the chair opposite him. She sipped her glass of tea.

Did you do what I asked you to? Carl glanced over the bottle as he took a drink.

Do we have to talk about that now? You just got home. Lisa stirred the ice in the glass with her finger.

Carl turned up the bottle once again. Don’t you want a divorce, too? You know I have someone else, don’t you?

I don’t want to hear it, Carl. Lisa put her hands over her ears.

Carl got out of his chair and squatted down in front of Lisa’s chair. He pulled her hands away and held them between his. What’s happening to us is not good for either one, and we need to make a clean break and start a new life.

I don’t want to start a new life without you. Tears were streaming down Lisa’s face as she looked at Carl. She reached down and touched his face, tracing her hand along the outline of his beard.

I’m tired and need some rest. What are we having for dinner? Carl stood up quickly.

I thought we’d grill steaks, maybe eat out here tonight. It’s so nice. Please stay and help me.

Let Angelique do it. I’m going to lie down until it’s ready. Carl disappeared through the French doors of the house.

Damn. Lisa started to take a drink of her tea. She slung the contents of the glass toward the pool. She watched as the cubes bobbed in the water before they melted.

Angelique, we’re going to grill out tonight.

Angelique stuck her head out the open door. Do you want me to start the grill now?

I’ll light the grill; you get the steaks and potatoes. Lisa managed to smile.

Angelique had been with them for nearly six years. She had started to work for them after they moved in to the house. Her hair was jet black. She worn it straight back from her face and coiled in the back. Her soft brown eyes reminded Lisa of a doe’s eyes. Angelique not only looked after the house, but Lisa as well, despite only being ten years older.

Are you alright, dear? Angelique asked. You seem a bit down.

I’m alright; don’t worry so much about me. Lisa busied herself with the grill.

She turned to prevent Angelique from seeing the tears in her eyes. Nothing went unnoticed by Angelique and with an outburst of Spanish she turned and strode inside the house, her arms flaying in the air as her hips moved rhythmically with her step.

Lisa laughed out loud. She loved Angelique like a sister. As a matter of act, since Lisa had no living relatives, Angelique was all she had. She couldn’t very well claim Carl since he was determined to get away from her. She knew she would always have Angelique. Possibly the most comforting thought was Lisa knew Angelique felt the same way.

Angelique did not need to supplement her income. She came to work for Lisa and Carl after her husband died. She had needed to put distance between herself and the constant reminders of him. Angelique seemed quite happy even with Carl’s occasional plot to discharge her. As long as Lisa wanted her, Angelique would stay. She had never liked Carl, even in the ‘good’ days when he and Lisa were getting along well.

The steaks were ready when Carl appeared on the patio refreshed and dressed to go out. Thought I’d go over to the Club for awhile. Maybe Jerry’ll be there and we can get in a bit of tennis.

But Carl, everything’s ready. Can’t you eat before going? I thought we could catch up on all that’s been going on.

I don’t care about local gossip.

Carl, Katherine Colby was bitten by a snake right out by her house and it killed her. They said it was the biggest copperhead anyone had ever seen, or that’s what Henry told, said he almost killed it before it got away.

Guess ol’ Henry is relieved, bet he didn’t try very hard to kill the snake, Carl laughed sarcastically.

Sometimes Angelique was frightened at Carl’s remarks and spat a phrase in Spanish in his direction.

If you’re talking to me, speak English. Carl said, trying not to sound angry.

You are a cold man, Senor, like ‘el serpiente,’ Angelique answered softly.

Carl laughed and strolled out to his car.

Come on, Angelique, let’s eat. Lisa looked toward Carl driving away. Just means there’s more for us.

Lisa, you had better give that man his divorce, he is not patient. Sometimes he scares me. Angelique’s voice was not more than a whisper.

Oh, Angelique, he might slap me or push me around a bit, but he’d never really harm me. Lisa was trying to hide the anger and the fear. She wondered if she still loved him. It was always so nice when he was gone on his trips.

The copperhead inched his way closer to where the two women were dining. He could hear the music of Lisa’s laughter. It was good to hear her laugh. He could tell that Angelique was very good for her, but Carl was bad for her; he made her sad. I will catch Carl and make him pay; he will be made to die the slow, agonizing death he deserves. The Snake flicked his fangs out and turned his head slowly from side to side.

Chapter Seven

The Snake waited all night in the garage. Finally, he felt the vibrations of the car as it approached. He would bite Carl as he got out of his flashy sports car, but something happened and the Snake was taken unaware. Carl stepped out of his reach. The Snake struck, but his reach wasn’t far enough. Carl turned toward him. Their eyes met for an instant, then Carl grabbed for a shovel leaning against the wall of the garage. The Snake slipped off into the darkness.

Carl could not believe a snake had been in the garage. He had turned just in time to see the snake slither off between boxes stacked in the back of the garage. Carl immediately thought of the snake which had killed Katherine. He felt sure it must be the same one; it was the largest snake he had ever seen. He would have to watch out for it and tell Lisa and Angelique to be on the lookout. Carl shuddered as chills ran up his spine at the close call he had.

Carl opened the door to his and Lisa’s bedroom and looked in on a sleeping Lisa. Sometime during the night she had slipped out of her pajama top, which was now lying on the floor. The sheet barely concealed her tanned breast. Carl thought of slipping out of his clothes and getting into bed with her, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to make love to her. He had spent most of the night with Helen Bryson.

He loved Helen more than he had ever loved Lisa. Oh, sure, at one time there had been love. Thinking back, he could not remember a time in their marriage he had been faithful. With Helen in his life, he never wanted to make love to another woman, not even his ‘own’ wife. It wasn’t that Helen was prettier than Lisa or had a better shape, perhaps not ever as perfect as Lisa’s body. Helen was blond and fair where Lisa was dark-haired and skinned. He thought she looked so beautiful sleeping, almost like a child. He walked over to the bed and touched her hair. He paused before turning and slowly walked out of the room. He went to the bar and poured himself a shot of whiskey. The first he drank hurriedly and then poured another. Carl had several more before he leaned back on the sofa and fell asleep.

Chapter Eight

As usual, Lisa was up early. Angelique had hot, fresh coffee waiting for her when she came down to the kitchen.

Is Carl awake? Lisa picked up the cup of coffee from the counter.

No. The Senor is asleep on the couch in the study. Angelique glanced up briefly from the stove. She turned her attention back to the eggs in the skillet.

Did you know when he came home, Angelique? Lisa asked.

Si. He woke me up when he walked down the hall to your room.

I don’t know what to do.

I think you don’t have to puzzle yourself on what to do, the Senor has already made the decision for you. Angelique placed some of the eggs between slices of toast on a nearby plate.

Carl came to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. I have to leave again.

How long will you be gone this time? Lisa picked at the eggs.

I don’t know, a week or so, Carl turned and left the room.

Angelique, shaking her head followed Carl.

Lisa left her breakfast unfinished, poured herself another cup of coffee, and walked out to sit on the patio. A soft wind blew and the air remained cool. Lisa sat by the pool, staring into the clear water.

The Snake stretched his body out; the sun warmed him. He was well concealed from everything, but he could see anyone coming or going. He watched Lisa; she looked so sad sitting by the pool. He would have to do something to cheer her up. Carl made her sad, but he would pay. The Snake would catch a fat bird and lay it at her feet; that would make her happy. The Snake slithered away.

Carl hollered from the door, saying he was about to leave. Lisa got up and went inside. Bags set by the side door of the kitchen. You seem to stay home less and less.

Well, I wasn’t left a big, fat inheritance.

Any idea when you will be back? Lisa asked.

I told you, I don’t know. Just have to wait and see. Carl picked up his bags and walked out, the door swinging shut behind him.

Take care of yourself, Carl. Lisa watched as Carl backed out of the garage and headed down the driveway. Oh, God, why does a marriage have to come to this?

Ah, my Lisa, I don’t think God ever approved of this marriage. Angelique stepped behind Lisa, placing her hand gently on Lisa’s shoulder. The Senor has never been good for you. You, my little one, made a very bad choice.

You never liked him, why? We were so much in love in the beginning. Lisa continued to stare out the door.

The Senor was cold in the beginning, you didn’t notice because you were so much in love with him. Also, my dear, you had money, which made you very appealing to him, but I don’t think love was ever the main factor for him. Angelique walked over to the counter. She retrieved their coffee cups.

Thank you. Lisa took the cup and sat down at the table. I know I loved Carl when I married him, but just how much of his going out with other women can a wife stand?

Angelique nodded her head.

Angelique, what would I do without you?