Sins & Shadows

By Jonathan Blake

What starts off as the murder of a senator, quickly turns into something much more sinister. James Anderson, a by-the-book detective, and his partner Andrew Reynold, a dedicated but deeply damaged cop, take on a case that will make them question everything they know. They’ll face-off against drug dealers, corrupt politicians, serial killers, crooked cops and the mob...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jonathan Blake
• Release date: Jan 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311944498

Book preview

Jonathan Blake

Sins

&

Shadows

Copyright 2016 Jonathan Blake

This Book is Dedicated to

My Long Time Friend

The Extraordinary T.G.

1 May 2016

16:37

Rain was beating down against the pavement. Dirty puddles were starting to form on the floor of the darkened alleyway. The silence was broken by hurried footsteps echoing off the walls. A balding middle-aged man was running through the puddles, his body damp from the rain as well as his own sweat. He stopped at the mouth of the alleyway. Anxiously surveying the dimly lit street, he briefly saw a shadow flicker behind him. Was it just his imagination? He wasn't about to stick around and make sure. He darted towards where he had parked his car at the side of the road. He was nearly there when he heard a gunshot resounding from the alleyway. Excruciating pain shot through his left leg. He grabbed at it and immediately felt the blood between his fingers. He stumbled to the ground. Through the pouring rain, he heard the faint sound of footsteps. He desperately tried to crawl to his car. It was a few inches from him. He reached out. A bullet pierced through his outstretched arm. He cried out. He watched as his blood seeped into the sidewalk. A shadow fell over his bloodied body. He managed to roll onto his back. He stared up at his assailant. The streetlight above showed only a darkened silhouette.

He lay there in the street. Helpless. Staring down the barrel of a revolver. He knew he was going to die. And with his last agonizing breath, he choked out: Finish what you started. But remember, I have influence... and you might find yourself in the same predicament sooner than you think... and then I'll be waiting for you on the doorsteps of hell.

The silhouette cocked the revolver. Through the rain one faint word could barely be heard, Goodbye.

The man lay there staring up at the cloudy sky with lifeless eyes. In a pool of his own blood.

19:26

The storm had finally cleared. Nevertheless, the cityscape was still shrouded in darkness. Smog made by the rich caused life to be almost unbearable. The body lay there for hours. No one noticing. No one caring.

Eventually a patrol officer saw it lying in the gutters. CSU was busy combing the area when the chief investigative officer arrived. Detective James Anderson. He was in his early forties with a silver beard and hair. He had deep set eyes that made him appear like he was always contemplating something. He seemed to hover over the crime scene as if looking for the smallest hint as to the perpetrator. A young woman in her twenties with short strawberry blond hair walked over to him.

Evening, Detective.

Hello Martins.

Julia Martins was one of the police department’s best CSIs. She held a pen and wooden clipboard in her hands.

So what have you got for me, Martins?

Well, all this rain we've been having is going to make it difficult to get any DNA off the body.

Detective Anderson bent down. CSU had already taken pictures and lain a tarp over the corpse. It was already bloodstained.

Do you have an identification yet? Detective Anderson asked and looked up at Martins.

Take a look, she said and gestured to where the body lay spread out.

Detective Anderson pulled back the tarp covering the body. There was a bullet hole in the middle of the victim’s forehead. He recognized the corpse.

Senator Stephen Rogers, he muttered to himself.

He sustained multiple GSWs, but the one that killed him was against his frontal lobe. Judging from the powder burns our murderer held it right against the skin before pulling the trigger...

At the police line, a man clad in a brown trench coat walked past the small crowd that was starting to form. He went under the line and headed toward the murder victim.

Sorry I'm late. Did I miss anything?

Detective Anderson stood up and turned to the new arrival.

Reynold, is it too much to ask for you to show up at a crime scene on time?

I know, I know, I was preoccupied. Not all of us live at the precinct you know.

Anderson gave an annoyed grunt. Detective Andrew Reynold appeared to be in great spirits. He brushed his wavy blond hair out of his eyes.

If it's any consolation, I brought coffee and doughnuts.

Martins reached out and grabbed one of a doughnuts with chocolate sprinkles.

Thanks I'm starving. They called me in before I had a chance to eat...

She took a large bite out of the doughnut.

How about you Anderson? Don't you want anything? Reynold asked and held the box out to him.

No thanks. I lost my appetite. Besides, I don't like perpetuating stereotypes.

So who’s our vic this fine evening? Reynold asked.

Martins finished off her doughnut and replied, Senator Stephen Rogers.

Reynold took a quick glance at the bloodstained sheet.

Senator Rogers? It figures that bastard would end up dead in an alleyway.

Anderson walked to the opposite side of the corpse.

I’m going to check with the unis. See if somebody saw something...

He went to one of the constables that was interviewing the crowd.

So what's the story with James and our dead senator? Martins asked as soon as Anderson was out of earshot.

Reynold watched Anderson leave and then turned to her.

He arrested the lively senator over here for corruption, embezzlement, fraud, taking brides – basically being a politician...

I think I heard about that.

"They splashed it