The Perfect Murder

By Mark Davis

A wannabe writer, who has never published anything in his life, finds himself on trial for murder. He had been planning the perfect murder for a book he was wanting to write. Of course, when a death occurs that almost exactly mimics his plan, he becomes the prime suspect!

When the story begins, we find our main characters, Christian Vanderbosch and his wife Kathryn, in the middle of a heated argument. Christian's desire to be a writer has been putting a strain on their relationship for several years now and Kathryn has almost reached her breaking point.

Love, death, alcohol, anger, and money all find a place in Christian's life. While Christian is trying to write a book and get control of his marriage, Kathryn decides that she can't take it any more, and Christian's life is turned upside down. Shortly thereafter, a well-meaning friend proceeds to point the finger at Christian, who is then placed on trial for murder.

You will both laugh and cry as the characters in this book come to life right before your very eyes! Why did Christian's best friend betray him? Did Christian do it? Will he be found guilty? These and many other questions will be asked and answered for you as you read, The Perfect Murder!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Davis
• Release date: Mar 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311708915

Mark Davis

Mark Davis is a former White House speechwriter and a senior director of the Washington-based White House Writers Group, where he has consulted with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), as well as with some of the nation's leading telecommunications, information technology and defense-aerospace companies. He is a frequent lecturer, writer and blogger on politics, technology, and the future.

Book preview

All Before Breakfast

Good morning Kat. You look really upset this morning. Is something wrong? Christian asked.

"Nothing at all. Everything is just fine, Kathryn replied snappily.

Then why are you not talking? You’re always talking, but this morning you’re not.

What do you mean by that? Kathryn snapped again, this time with even more hostility.

Kat honey, I didn’t mean anything by what I said, Christian replied as sweetly as he possibly could. I just meant that you were quieter than normal and you look upset.

Christian, will you please just sit down and eat your breakfast before it gets cold! I got up early and cooked you breakfast so that you could get to that volunteer job that you love so much, and now I can’t even get you to sit down and eat! You should appreciate the things I do for you enough to at least eat breakfast with me when I cook it!

I never said I wasn’t going to eat breakfast with you, Christian replied as he sat down at the table. Come on honey. Sit down and have breakfast with me.

I can’t! Some of us have real jobs. You know, the kind of job that pays money. The kind of job where you have to be there on time or you’ll get fired. The kind of job that pays the bills. Someone has to pay the bills around here and we know that you aren’t going to!

But Kat honey, I have this idea for a new book. This one is going to be a winner. When I finish it--

When you finish it! Kathryn interrupted. "You never finish it! You’ve been having an idea for a new book for the entire three years we’ve been married! You always have an idea but you never write it! You never publish it! You never do anything you say you’re going to and I’m getting tired of it! I’m always having to do everything around here while you’re planning to do something or having one of your ideas!"

***

This morning started out to be a normal morning. I woke up at around six-thirty to the smell of pancakes and sausage drifting up the stairs from the kitchen. Just like every morning of our married life, Kat got up early just so she could fix me a good hot breakfast.

Kathryn is probably the world’s best cook. She and I have been married for a little over three years now and she’s cooked me breakfast almost every morning. One morning she will fix the best-poached eggs you’ve ever eaten. She makes this special sauce and pours over the eggs. Oh man, I’m getting hungry just thinking about them. On another morning, she will make homemade pancakes. I’m not talking about the kind in the box where you just add water. I’m talking about real pancakes! That’s what I woke up to this morning. The heavenly smell of fresh blueberries and vanilla combined with some whole hog sausage patties frying up in the pan is enough to wake any man up in the morning. What a wonderful way to wake up! Anyway, enough of that. Let me tell you a little more about my morning.

I very quickly got up out of bed. I didn’t want to keep the pancakes waiting, or Kat either for that matter. Like every morning, it started with a nice warm shower. I climbed under the steaming hot water and picked up that beautiful bar of soap with the green and white stripes and the shower began! All of a sudden, I felt the water puddling up around my feet and ankles. I looked down and saw the drain was stopped up. Once again, she had washed her hair while in the shower and it had gotten down in the drain. As usual, I got the plunger and unstopped the drain. I’ve told Kat many times that we need to get a plumber to come out and actually fix it. Her reply each time was that we couldn’t afford it and that we just have to keep using the plunger whenever it happens, so that’s what I did.

After my shower, I went back into my bedroom and got the clothes that Kat laid out for me. I got dressed and headed downstairs, almost floating as I followed the sweet aroma of the pancakes. Once downstairs, I said good morning to Kat just like I always do, but this morning she never responded. When she didn’t respond, I knew something was wrong. So I said to her, Kat, is something wrong this morning? I must have asked it wrong or something because that’s when the argument began.

***

Kat darling, I know it’s been hard on you trying to make the money and keep things together while I work on my writing. I know it hasn’t been easy but it will be worth it this time. I have a perfect idea this time! It’s an idea for a book that I know I can get published once it is done! Once I get to the library this morning, I’m going to start gathering some ideas from my friends and that will help me to perfect my outline. You see, I have it figured out! I know that this time I can do it!

Christian baby, you know I love you. Don’t you? Kathryn asked as she began to calm down a little and talk in a much more civilized tone of voice.

Of course I do! I love you too!

Then you have to realize that I’ve been very patient with you for three years while you’ve tried to get your writing career off of the ground. I’ve cooked, cleaned, worked a full-time job, and waited on you hand and foot while you did your writing. When I come into the office, you never have a book written. You don’t even have part of a book written. All I ever see is a waste paper basket full of crumpled up paper and even more pieces scattered all over the floor where the trash wouldn’t hold it all.

But that was before, this time it is different! I have the perfect story idea! Let me tell you about it.

Kathryn started again, Christian, there’s no reason to tell me about your new story. I know you have the best intentions but they never seem to pay off. Please think about not volunteering at the library so much and get a part-time job. That way you can help pay some of the bills. It will make it a lot easier on me and you can still work on your books in your spare time.

Okay Kat, Christian responded. I’ll see what I can do about looking for a part-time job this afternoon after I get through at the library this morning. Now, sit down and have breakfast with me and I’ll take you to work as I head out.

Alright Christian, and thanks for understanding. I love you!

I love you more, said Christian as he poured the syrup over his pancakes and began eating.

How late are you scheduled to work today? Christian asked.

I get off at five o’clock this afternoon. Are you going to be on time to pick me up? Kathryn asked in response.

Of course I will. You know I always pick you up.

I know you do, but a lot of the time you’re late. You know when you’re late it makes it hard on me. I end up getting a late start on your dinner and then I’m behind the rest of the evening. I end up going to bed without even feeling like I’ve had any rest at all!

Kat honey, I promise I’ll be there at five sharp!

Thanks Christian. I’ll be counting on it. After a brief pause, Kathryn continued, Are you done with your plate?

I’m done. Will you pour me some coffee before you start cleaning up the kitchen? Christian asked.

Sure, Kathryn replied rather sarcastically. I pour coffee all day at work, I might as well do it for you in the mornings too.

Christian and Kathryn finished breakfast without any more fussing. Kathryn cleaned the kitchen and they both headed out the door to begin their days. Christian is thinking if he can just get started on his book, he won’t have to get a job and Kathryn is hoping Christian does what he promised, at least this one time!

Story Time

Good morning Christian, Wanda said to Christian as he walked through the door.

Morning, Wanda. How are you feeling this morning?

Well, now that you ask, I am having some trouble with my lumbago but the doctor gave me some medication and he says it should be getting better soon.

Sorry you’re having problems this morning. I hope the medication helps and you do get better.

Thanks, Wanda replied.

What have you got for me to do this morning? Christian asked. Hope it’s something fun!

Oh, it is. We need you to fill in for our regular story lady. We have a group of children waiting in the story room. You do like children, don’t you?

I love them. I’m hoping that someday soon Kat and I can have children of our own.

That would be great! Children are such a blessing and you’d be such a wonderful father.

Thanks Wanda. I’ve been trying to talk Kat into it but I guess the time just isn’t right yet. At least that’s what Kat keeps telling me, Christian said in a disappointed tone of voice. I guess I should go on into the story room and get some practice with the kids. Is there anything special I’m supposed to read to them?

Not really. Just select one of the books off the shelf of children’s books in the story room and read it to them. If you have any questions, you can just ask the kids. They’ll be glad to help. Also I’m just a shout away, but don’t shout too loud, this is a library you know, Wanda said with a chuckle.

Christian walked into the children’s story room to find about fifteen screaming kids aged about five to ten years old. As he looked around the room, he spotted the shelf of children’s books that Wanda told him about. After a few minutes looking through the titles, Christian found one that looked very interesting, and took it down off of the shelf.

Good morning children, Christian said with a smile. My name is Christian Vanderbosch and I’m here to read you a story this morning. Have any of you ever heard the story of The Great Tree?

No. Read it to us! one of the children responded in a very excited voice.

Yea, read it to us! the other children said in unison.

Okay, everyone just quiet down and have a seat. As soon as we’re all still and quiet I’ll start the story.

OK! the children said as they sat down on their reading mats and got ready for their story.

Christian sat in the reading chair, in front of the children, and started to read.

The Great Tree

"Good morning Mr. Tree," Little Johnny said to the huge oak tree in the middle of the park.

"Good morning, Little Johnny! The Great Tree replied. What are you going to do today?"

"I don’t know, replied Little Johnny. I was thinking about climbing a tree but I just don’t know."

"Why not?" The Great Tree asked.

"I’m afraid I might fall!" Little Johnny answered.

"Well, Little Johnny, if you’re afraid you might fall then there are a few things that you must do."

"What’s that?" Little Johnny asked.

"First of all, you should tell an adult that you’re planning to climb a tree and which tree that would be so that they can watch you and help you down if you need it," The Great Tree began.

"That’s a great idea! Little Johnny said excitedly. What else?"

"The next thing you must do is to find the perfect tree!"

"How do I do that? asked Little Johnny. How do I know which tree is perfect?"

"Well, The Great Tree said in response to Little Johnny’s question. First you must look at the size of the tree. It must be big and strong. It must also have large limbs."

"Why does it need large limbs?"

"That’s a good question, Little Johnny. If the limbs are too small, when you try to climb on them, they will bend or break. If they break, you’ll fall and you may get hurt. And I wouldn’t want you to get hurt!"

"That’s smart, said Little Johnny. What else do I need to do?"

"The next thing you must do is very important, so listen closely."

"Okay, I’m listening," Little Johnny said, as he got real close to the tree so he could listen closely like The Great Tree had said.

"When you’re climbing the tree, you must always look where you’re putting your feet. You must also always watch where you put your hands too. Finally, you must be very careful not to climb too high. You should always watch carefully as you climb so that you know how to get back down safely!"

"That’s a good thing to remember, Little Johnny said and then he asked The Great Tree, Is there anything else I must do?"

"Yes Little Johnny. There is one more very important thing!"

"What’s that, Mr. Tree?" Little Johnny asked.

"You must have fun. Having fun is what climbing a tree is all about and if you remember to do the things I’ve told you, you’ll be able to have fun while being safe. That way you’ll not get hurt and I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt!"

"Thanks a lot, Mr. Tree! Johnny said. Now I must find the perfect tree!"

Little Johnny looked around very carefully for the perfect tree. First, he looked at a very tall pine tree in the corner of the park but saw that it was way too tall so he decided it was not the perfect tree. Next, he looked at a little dogwood tree. He decided that it was too small and the limbs were small and twisted. This was not the perfect tree at all. Little Johnny looked and looked but he couldn’t seem to find the perfect tree, so he decided to go ask The Great Tree what to do.

Mr. Vander... Vander... a little boy tried to say as he raised his hand.

That’s okay. You can call me Christian. My last name is very hard to say. Do you have a question? Christian asked the little boy.

No sir, the little boy replied. I just gotta go pee pee!

Some of the older kids started to snicker. Okay kids, enough of that! Christian said as he corrected the older children. Does anybody else need a bathroom break?

All of the kids begin to speak up at once.

I do!

Me too.

Same here.

Not me, but I want some water.

Alright children, Christian began as he tried to quite them down. Let’s take a break for just a few minutes and then we will come back and finish the rest of the story. As the children all started to get up, Christian continued, You older kids make sure to help take care of the younger ones!

We will! the older kids said as they all ran off to the bathroom.

How’s it going Christian? Wanda asked as Christian rounds the corner coming out of the story room.

"Going great! I’m reading them the story of The Great Tree by Mark Davis."

"He’s a great children’s author. His stories are both fun for