The Horizontal Lie

By David Ward Davis and Lisa E. Brown

There are many kinds of lies. The white lie which is supposedly harmless; it is usually told to protect, help, or to keep from hurting someone’s feelings.
The lie of deception, it is a lie used frequently and is the easiest lie to tell without realization of its consequences.

The vertical lie which advances one’s stature no matter whom it hurts. It is a vicious and venomous lie that destroys; then there is the HORIZONTAL LIE and it is the most common.

It is a lie of complacency, a lazy lie which serves only to appease. It usually is harmless, however it can be treacherous. It is the lie that we ignore because it seemingly neither hurts nor helps, it is just there. As we allow it to fester, we collectively turn our heads and ignore its presence.

This story is about such a lie, as you read consider the consequences of THE HORIZONTAL LIE.

The Nashville Tennessean estimated that over ten thousand people attended the funeral of Country Music Star Don Willy. He was buried in New Hope Cemetery during a heavy thunderstorm. It seemed to mark the ominous end of a memorable page in the long history of Country Music.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Ward Davis
• Release date: Feb 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781892642509

David Ward Davis

Lisa E. Brown and David Ward Davis are the bestselling authors of "Jingle Bell Rock", "The Topanginu Warrior", "Murder at 1217" “The Receptor Planet” and "Lisa's Down Home Tenmnessee Country Cooking".Smashwords does not make accomodations for 2 authors so both Authors have to be combined into ONE Author page. They really don't mind."We write as a team." Lisa says, "the system is just not set up to handle that..."Lisa E. Brown was born in Georgia and raised in Tennessee, she was daughter number four to hard working parents who made sure their home was filled with love and conviction.David Ward Davis hails from "small town" Indiana, (Martinsville) where he grew up the fifth son of loving parents and the wandering soul out of seven children.Lisa and David have been together for over 18 years and equally share the authoring of their books. They have recently begun to focus on the ebook market."Our books will always be available as printed works, but we must take advantage of new technology and present our stories however people want to receive them." David says.David and Lisa have many more books that will become available over the next four or five years - join them as they pursue their craft. They continue to move forward in their careers.Lisa E. Brown and Davis Ward Davis are names you will hear a lot of in the future. No, not as great literary writers, but as storytellers of heartfelt tales, biographies and sometimes stories about just plain people who love to live.Lisa and David's future is now...

Book preview

What Readers are Saying

about The Horizontal Lie

Back to TOC

A good follow-up to the original book in the series, I like the fact that this series is dealing with old cases, that were solved before DNA and all the other modern techniques . . . I was really wrapped up in the story . . .

Phil R. - Los Angeles, CA.

Dan, Vic and Val are back! I love the music city setting. It kept me guessing . . .

Donna M. – Columbus, OH

Give me the good old days of real police detective work, I can’t wait for book three to come out . . .

Connie B.- Arlington, TX.

THE HORIZONTAL LIE

Copyright 2013

Lisa E. Brown & David Ward Davis

Aalida Press USA

SMASHWORDS EDITION

The Horizontal Lie — ISBN 978-1-892642-50-9

Back to TOC

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 recipient. 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

Title Page

Back to TOC

Aalida Press USA

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book, including the right to reproduce this book, or parts thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the authors. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal. Purchase only duly authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of any copyrighted materials.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Back to TOC

This is a work of fiction. All events depicted are based upon the author's collective imagination. No part of this book is intended to harm any persons, group or entity either professionally or privately. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead or any geographical location is strictly coincidental.

The Publisher does not have, and does not assume, any control over, and does not have or assume any responsibility for authors or third party websites or their content.

Contact Us

Back to TOC

Please Visit our website www.aalidausa.com

Leave a Comment or Friend Lisa on his

Facebook Page

Leave a Comment or Friend David on her

Facebook Page

Follow Lisa on Twitter

Follow David on Twitter

eMail Lisa: [e-mail]

eMail David: [e-mail]

Author's Other Works

(Our Books Now in All ebook Formats)

Back to TOC

Lisa E. Brown & David Ward Davis

Jingle Bell Rock

The Receptor Planet

Murder at 1217

The Horizontal Lie

The Topanginu Warrior

Lisa's Tennessee Country Cooking

* * * * *

We dedicate this book to Lisa's sister

The late Sharon Goode of Cleveland Tennessee

She was a kind and gentle sister, and friend

Who knew no malice in her heart, nor did

She bode ill to any person.

* * * * *

Table of Contents

What Readers are Saying

Copyright Page

Title Page

Publisher's Note

Contact Us

Author's Other Works

Prologue

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The Funeral

Chapter 2 - It Was Suicide

Chapter 3 - A Trickle of Doubt

Chapter 4 - Meet Ginny Willy

Chapter 5 – Vic isn’t buying it...

Chapter 6 – Star Hype

Chapter 7 - Dilemma

Chapter 8 – David Willy

Chapter 9 – The Manager

Chapter 10 – In a Coma

Chapter 11 – Police Protection

Chapter 12 – Chief Stansky

Chapter 13 – Hospital Throw-Down

Chapter 14 = Another Jumper

Chapter 15 – The Crime Scene

Chapter 16 – Many Complications

Chapter 17 – A Gut Feeling

Chapter 18 – Suicide Note

Chapter 19 – Deadly Explosion

Chapter 20 – Intensive Care

Chapter 21 – Boyce may not make it...

Chapter 22 – Informing The Wife

Chapter 23 – Real Estate Tycoon

Chapter 24 – Peg’s Recovery

Chapter 25 – The Briefing

Chapter 26 – Retired Defective

Chapter 27 – Uneasy Night

Chapter 28 – Carol Gets Her Badge

Chapter 29 – Investigation In Overdrive

Chapter 30 – Granite Records

Chapter 31 – David’s Condo

Chapter 32 – Little Miss Pure-Heart

Chapter 33 – Brett Bebout Killer?

Chapter 34 – Woman With The Gun

Chapter 35 – Interrogation Reveal

Chapter 36 – Secret Diary

Chapter 37 –Vic Visits Almertas

Chapter 38 – The Only Non-suspect

Chapter 39 – Basically Hill People

Chapter 40 – Louise a.k.a. Lilah

Chapter 41 – Who Killed The Doctor?1

Chapter 42 – The Killer Panics

Chapter43 – Shootout on 10th Floor

Chapter 44 – Wrapping It Up

Thanks to Our Fans

Synopsis' of Our Other Books

Author's Bios

Author's Prologue

Back to TOC

Here it is at last, our second installment of The Strickland Files Series - the title of this one being The Horizontal Lie.

All of the primary characters, that were introduced in Murder at 1217 return for this one. They have become, through their development, a part of our extended family. There is no question they shall appear in many more Brown & Davis murder mysteries.

Many people have asked me where we came up with the title Horizontal Lie, I have answered the question so many times we felt it was time to put the question to rest, once and for all.

The first time I heard it, I was about twelve years old. I was spending a few weeks, during the summer, at my aunt's home in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her and her two sons, who were very close to me in age.

The neighborhood they lived in was an exceptionally poor area on the south side of the city. We used to play baseball in an old abandoned factory parking lot in that neighborhood.

There was this old black gentleman, who always seemed to be there, sitting on the ground, unkempt and rumpled. He would lean against the factory wall that faced the commons area. He usually possessed a bottle of muscatel wine in a brown bag. We knew it was muscatel because we had asked him, and he had offered as much.

Us kids really didn’t pay him much mind - however, he was always nice to us. His name was Dink, that’s all we ever knew him by, which for us was just fine.

I recall a group of us got into a heated argument one day - there were quite a few of us, and we were calling each other liar, dirty liar, big fat liar and lots of spirited cuss words.

Ole Dink started yelling, cursing and waving his arms, motioning for us to come over to where he was. Of course, we went over, we did what our parents taught us to do, the fact that he was a wino didn't figure into it, he was our elder.

Ole Dink proceeded to lecture us about calling each other names an’ such - he then told us that fightin' was caused by lyin' and that if ever'body would quit lyin' then there would be no fightin'.

It made perfect sense to us; he then asked us if we ever heard of a horizontal lie? We all shook our head in the negative, and that set us up for a story about the different kind of lies.

Of course we took it all in as gospel truth, ole Dink, the wino, wouldn’t lie to us - we wuz his friens’ and to tell the truth, we accepted his explanation without question.

We all kept that story alive for a long time. We would kid each other about it, and obviously it made quite an impression on a bunch of pre and early teens.

I personally never did forget it. I was a grown man with children, when my dad told me he had never heard about the different kind of lies; he was sure ole Dink had just made it up.

When I started writing this book, the first thing that popped into my head, when I was searching for a title, was The Horizontal Lie - and I never let it go.

There is deceit, backstabbing and many lies when it comes to murder, for any reason. If there is such a thing as a Horizontal Lie it surely is present in this story.

You will note that we use our knowledge of the music industry here, and that is the main thrust of the whole book - A former superstar is murdered - Who killed him? The bigger question being: WHY?

We do hope that you enjoy this second book in The Strickland Files series, watch for our other books and email or write to us any time, with any comments you may have.

We do hope you enjoy The Horizontal Lie. Please take the time to look at out other books - The Receptor Planet, The Topanginu Warrior, Jingle Bell Rock and Murder at 1217.

Lisa & Dave

Introduction

Back to TOC

There are many kinds of lies. The White Lie which is supposedly harmless; is usually told to protect, help, or to keep from hurting someone's feelings.

The Lie of Deception; it is a lie used frequently, and is the easiest lie to tell; without fully comprehending its consequences.

The Vertical Lie, which advances one's stature no matter whom it hurts. It is a vicious and venomous lie that destroys.

Above all of them, is The Horizontal Lie and it is the most common. It is a sneaky lie of complacency, a lazy lie which serves only to appease. It is usually harmless, however it can be treacherous. It is the lie that we ignore because it seemingly neither hurts nor helps, it is just there. We allow it to fester and grow; we collectively turn our heads and ignore its very presence.

This story is about such a lie, or should I say a series of those lies. So, as you read, consider the consequences of THE HORIZONTAL LIE.

* * * *

The Nashville Tennessean estimated that over ten thousand people attended the funeral of Country Music Star Don Willy. He was buried in New Hope Cemetery during a heavy thunderstorm. It seemed to mark the ominous end of a memorable page in the long history of Country Music.

Chapter 1 – The Funeral

Back to TOC

Did you talk to Ginny? Dan asked, as they cruised down Charlotte Pike in the bustling midday traffic.

No, Peg answered as she stared somberly out the passenger window. I couldn't get near her. I've never seen so many people at a funeral.

That's the price you pay for stardom, Dan said aloud mostly to himself.

No, Dan, she turned her head and glared at him, a short life, that's the price paid for stardom.

After all of this settles down we'll go see Ginny, he assured her, it's been a long time, for me anyway.

I didn't see David did you? she asked.

No, no I didn't. I'm sure he was there. How old would David be now?

Twenty-five, maybe, she said several silent moments later. It's hard for me to fathom Don Willy killing himself, Dan, she exuded a hint of frustration in her tone.

I know hon, he looked over at her, I can hardly believe it myself. I guess sometimes life gets you `so down' that there doesn't seem to be any other way out.

How can you say that? You knew Don as well as I did! she said angrily as she dabbed at tear swollen eyes. Don was always so, ah . . . bubbly, so full of life. He didn't jump, somebody pushed him, she said with an air of finality.

He left a note, Peg, he said defensively. Our own handwriting expert says it was written by Don. Ginny confirmed it was Don's handwriting. It's done! It's finished! It's a dead issue.

Dan, you're telling me you're going to just let this lay? He was your friend. Your job is to find killers. This is personal and you're going to just walk away. That's bullshit! What would you do if that were me? Walk away? Just let it go, accepting the obvious at face value?

Peg dammit, that's unfair. I told you this case is closed. Even Virginia Willy knows it's finished. How can you infer I'm not doing my job? Once Tom Aronson signed the death certificate as a suicide it was out of my hands. You know that!

Screw Tom Aronson, Don was our friend! You're gonna take the word of that lard ass?

The silence enveloped them much as an early mountain mist shrouds the rays of the morning sun.

The remainder of the drive home was tense. The rain pounded hard on the windows of the car making the silence roar in her ears. Peg just couldn't help visualizing the blood of their friend puddled in the street as they passed the Claymore Building.

When they pulled into the drive the rain was coming down in sheets. What a fitting day for a funeral, Peg mumbled more to herself than to her husband.

The red light was blinking on the answering machine when they entered the house . . . the voice was immediately recognized by both . . . it was Virginia Willy.

Hi Peg, long time - no see, I miss you . . . and Dan too. I need to see you as soon as this ordeal is over. I'll call later. Thanks for the flowers.

Dan, this is all wrong . . . I feel it. You know I'm right, you can't turn your back on this.

Peg, I hear what you're saying . . . but this kind of thing costs people their jobs. He left a suicide note. We haven't socialized with either of them in, what, five years? I know you talk to Ginny now and then, but we have no idea what they've gotten involved in during these past years. People change. People get caught up in illicit sex, drugs and all kinds of shady deals. Especially in the music business, it would take God himself, to walk away from some of those deals; you know that as well as I. Peg, I'm just trying to stick with the facts. THAT'S my job.

I know you're right, she relented uneasily, but something doesn't fit. Surely you can see it, can't you go to Leonard?

Peg, we're talking about Leonard Stansky. There's no political advantage to reopening this case. He'd toss me out on my ass. It's closed! My hands are tied!

Peg went to the bedroom to change, and to be alone . . . she was frustrated and a feeling of utter helplessness engulfed her as she fell face down on the bed. She did understand; but she had a strong sense of right and wrong and it was getting in the way.

Dan sat at the kitchen table and tried to busy himself with the sports section of the newspaper. His thoughts kept wandering back to the day he had happened upon the scene of Don Willy's death . . . it was by accident really, he was just passing by and saw the commotion as he turned off of McGavock Pike."

Chapter 2 – It Was Suicide

Back to TOC

Chief of Homicide Detectives, Dan Strickland got out of his car and hurried toward the crowd which had gathered on the sidewalk and spilled into the street in front of the Claymore Building.

There were half a dozen metro cruisers lining Commerce Street with emergency lights flashing their ominous blue warnings.

The spring breeze puffed gently, tossing Dan's thin hair across his forehead. There were muffled voices coming from the onlookers and the officers securing the scene.

None of it was discernible yet it was there, it reminded Dan of the sounds in his