Money Ain't Nothing: An Anthony Carrick Mystery

By Jason Blacker

Money ain’t nothing if you’ve got a lot of it. But then again, a lot of money won’t necessarily buy happiness either. In this Anthony Carrick mystery, hard boiled detective Anthony Carrick is asked to solve the murder of a rich dame’s son. Police think it’s an accidental death, but could it be something more sinister?

From the moneyed streets of Mulholland Drive to the trashy trailer park home of white trash Goths, Anthony’s quest takes him into the dark underbelly of humanity’s seedy side. Love may be blind, but the love of money is a sure path to murder and regret. The rich may be protected from most of life’s hardships but nobody is beyond the reach of the reaper. 

Young love is full of promise and vigor but also of hot emotion. Mix 2 parts spurned lover with 1 part trailer trash and another part quick cash and you’ve got a recipe for murder. From vixens to victims and rich bitches to Hispanic snitches, watch Anthony bring a murder to its conclusion. Was it accidental or homicidal?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lemon Tree Publishing
• Release date: Dec 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781465794246

Jason Blacker

Jason Blacker was born in Cape Town but spent most of his first 18 years in Johannesburg. When not grinding his fingers down to stubs at the keyboard he enjoys drinking tea, calisthenics and running. Currently he lives in Canada.  Under his own name he writes hard boiled as well as cozy mysteries, action adventure, thrillers, literary fiction and anything else that tickles his muse. Jason Blacker also writes poetry and daily haikus at his haiku blog.  You can find his haikus and other poetry at his website www.haiqueue.com.  For FREE books and to stay up to date and learn about new releases be sure to visit www.jasonblacker.com where you can find more information about his writing and upcoming projects.  If you enjoy space opera in the tradition of Star Trek then take a look at Jason Blacker’s pen name “Sylynt Storme”. It is under the name Sylynt Storme where you can find both sci-fi and vampire fiction written by Jason Blacker.  “Star Sails” is the space opera series and “The Misgivings of the Vampire Lucius Lafayette” is his vampire series.

Book preview

COPYRIGHT © 2016 Jason Blacker

PUBLISHED BY: Lemon Tree Publishing

Visit www.JasonBlacker.com to get FREE books and other cool stuff!

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

ONE

Money Ain't Nothing

DAMN mosquitoes and it wasn’t even summer. They kept going at it. I opened my eyes and realized it was my cell. Vibrating and gyrating like a nubile belly dancer. I fumbled for it plopping my hand in the ashtray. What the hell, I decided to cross myself. Remember man thou art dust…damn phone kept buzzing. I grabbed at it as it tried to skitter off the table.

Hello, I said looking at my clock radio. Six thirty in the morning. What’s wrong with people.

Is this Mr. Carrick. Mr. Anthony Carrick?

The voice was soft and sad, like rain clouds over the ocean.

Yes.

A bit of awkward silence so I figured I might as well close my eyes and take a nap.

I need your help. You’re a detective right?

No, not really. Detectives work for the police. I’m just a gumshoe.

A what?

Okay ma’am, I’m a detective but I’m not a cop.

I straightened up now. The sheet fell off my chest like my last lover. It was cold in here. No wonder, it was too damn early for a conversation.

Is this a bad time Mr. Carrick?

The k sounded like a slammed door right in my ear.

Not any more, I said. I rubbed my eyes. Someone had put salt and pepper in them the night before. I took a deep breath and reached for my cigarettes.

Listen, I just called to ask for your help. I’m sorry I bothered you.

I waited a second to see if she’d hang up. Actually I was stuffing a Marlboro in my mouth.

Now wait just a minute. Didn’t say I wouldn’t help. It’s just that I’m not a morning person that’s all.

A sigh on the other end not unlike that of a lover. I liked her already. She was slim and good looking with pouty red lips. But I get confused.

Mr. Carrick, my son’s dead.