Stalked to Death: Suzette Bishop Mysteries, #2

By Kristine Frost

A murdering stalker. A woman as bait. A fight for life

Ignoring her business partner's concerns, Suzette Bishop goes undercover to find the perps of a series of racial and sexual harassment crimes at a California university. Just as she solves the mystery she was hired for, she becomes the target of the San Francisco Stalker, a bible quoting fiend. Before he kills each woman, he torments her with anonymous letters and pictures, finally strangling each victim.

When Suzette receives the first letter, she turns to her almost ex-boyfriend, Justin Malone, a recently promoted homicide cop and his partner, Native American Mike Rainwater. As the Stalker ups his agenda, Suzette must wade through the six victims lives before they were murdered. No one knows why the Stalker has moved up his time table but Suzette only has hours before she becomes victim number seven.

Stalked to Death is the second installment in the Suzette Bishop mystery series. If you like thrilling mystery, exciting characters and caring heroines, you'll love Kristine Frost's new addition to the Suzette Bishop series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kristine Frost
• Release date: Jan 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386901464

Kristine Frost

Kristine Frost has always loved reading and writing. She started reading at age 4 and writing at age 5. By age seven, she had finished her first mystery novel. It was called ‘The Mystery of My Best Friend’s Bracelet’ and was based on a true story. (The brother did it.) It was 3 pages long. Kristine graduated with a degree in English from Utah State University. She taught for four years until she got a virus in her vocal cords that forced her to quit teaching. She has worked as a disability counselor and advocate for disabled children. The low point in her career was working in a factory where she made chips for computers. It was the job from hell and many of her co-workers figure in her novels. (The names have been changed to protect the guilty.) She currently works as an administrative assistant to a dean at a university in Utah. One of her assignments was to launch an alumni magazine. The first edition won platinum from the Marcom Awards and her writing won gold.  

Book preview

Chapter 1

The night was black. Heavy clouds blanketed the sky. A cold rain splattered on the dark pavement as a thick fog rolled in from the ocean. The street lights above her head flickered in time with the lightning flashes.

It had been a cold, miserable day, one that Charlene wouldn’t soon forget. It was turning into a cold, terrifying night.

Charlene, blue-eyed, blond, tall, slender and deathly afraid. All day she felt someone was watching her, someone hated her, someone wanted her dead.

I wish I’d had the money to get a cab. Charlene muttered to herself as the wind whipped her raincoat, then turned her umbrella inside out. Without thinking, she opened her hand, letting the rainbow-colored umbrella fly away.

The sense of being watched increased. She whipped around. The road behind her was empty; desolately, frighteningly empty. It should have made her feel better but all it did was make her feel alone.

Hang in there Charlene, you only have two more blocks and you’ll be home.

Then she remembered the letters and the pictures, those awful pictures. Taking one more glance behind her, she began to run. Her breath came in gasps. Her heart was pounding as she slipped the key into the lock. She took a deep breath and sighed, Home. I’m safe.

Her terror magnified when she heard a soft footstep behind her. As she turned to face her attacker, the gloved hands closed around her long, slim neck.

As she gasped for air, his soft laugh mingled with the wind.

Chapter 2

Suzette Bishop and Randy Watts stood in line at the Blue and Gold Pier for a tour of San Francisco Bay. Suzette pushed her short, dark hair out of her eyes as she said, This would be fun except—

We aren’t supposed to talk about this where we can be overheard., he said as he put his finger to her lips. He looked around at the line of people, the swarms of tourists bumping and pushing.

We definitely can be overheard. 

By about a thousand people, Suzette said irrepressibly. Her attention was caught by a 48-point headline. Stalker Strikes Again.

Suzette looked up at Randy. "Can you believe that the police can’t captured the San Francisco Stalker. How many women has he strangled so far? Seven? Eight?

Randy shrugged. Four so far, but that’s four too many. I‘ll be glad when they capture him. I hate for my wife to go anywhere after dark.

After they picked up their tickets, Suzette looked around. When do I find out what’s going on? All this suspense is driving me out of what little mind my last case left me with.

Randy snickered as he gave her a quick hard hug. Suz, I don’t know what’s going on myself. Our prospective clients want to meet us on the boat to keep the meeting confidential.

Feeling uncomfortable, she shrugged off the hug. It’s strange, but I love touring the Bay by boat so I’m all for it. I take it that they know who we are so we just wait for them to contact us?

Right. Randy’s overlong red hair blew wildly in the wind.

Then let’s go up on top. In this wind, it will be more private. I hate being trapped inside.

Suzette pulled herself up the ladder that was attached to the wheelhouse. Randy followed more slowly. They took the wooden bench at the very back of the boat.

This way, they’ll see us as soon as they get to the top of the ladder. She sat down, shifting around to get comfortable.

When Randy sat down beside her, she looked out toward the harbor. Look at the seals. She pointed to a semi-sunken platform covered with soft brown seals and their numerous babies.

Several men in turbans and three women who were wearing only Saris walked past them. They hovered at the front of the boat behind the cabin whispering to one another in a language that Suzette didn’t recognize.

Those poor women are going to freeze to death, Suzette mutter as she pulled her dark green windbreaker around her. I feel like I should offer one of them my jacket.

They would probably be insulted since I doubt if you could communicate with them. Randy watched them with sad eyes.

We’ll be private if they don’t speak much English. She closed her eye, breathing the fish scented air, enjoying the smell of the bay.

A gray haired man dressed in a navy golf shirt and a windbreaker that strained across his wide shoulders sat down in front of them. His tan slacks accentuated his lean hips. A slim, auburn haired woman dressed in jeans and a cream turtleneck sat down next to him. He turned toward them. Mr. Watts, Ms. Bishop?

Randy and Suzette. Randy reached out his hand.

I am Dr. Sterling Moss. This is my wife, Annette. I am the president of the University of California at San Francisco. I have a case that I’m hoping you’ll accept. He looked helplessly at his wife.

Go ahead, love, Annette Moss said softly, patting his arm. "They will understand. They’ve dealt with problems like this before.

Suzette smiled sympathetically, President Moss, everything you say here will be confidential. We don’t judge anyone based on their problems, so go ahead and tell us about it.

Sterling Moss was tall and thin, with the stooped shoulders of a scholar, but his square chin showed that he was a fighter. His grey hair needed a haircut. His blue eyes, surrounded by laugh lines, looked intensely worried. Right now, he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders."

Hoping to ease the tension, Randy said, President, I’m assume the problem you want to consult us about concerns the university?

Moss gazed absently out at the tall spars of the sailing ships at the National Maritime Museum. It does which is why I asked you to meet me here. I didn’t want anyone to know that I was hiring you. Annette thinks that you will be able to help me with the problem. You see she knows Allie Martin very well.

Annette nodded. She told me how you helped solve the murder in her family. She said you were talented and understanding. I suggested to Sterling that he call you in.

Suzette smiled, Allie was my roommate in college and my best friend. She’s probably a little prejudiced in my favor.

Moss shrugged, I have two problems. The first involves racial prejudice. The second is a sexual harassment problem. He paused to look at his wife. We want to hire you to go undercover and investigate these two problems.

We don’t usually handle anything but insurance investigations. None of these problems deal with insurance, Randy said.

Annette smoothed the sleeves of her expensive sweater that set off her long auburn hair. "We know that. We’re asking you to take the case because you usually don’t do these kinds of investigations. We don’t want anyone at the university to know that we’ve hired private investigators. You get results. That’s what we are looking for."

If we take the case, how would you suggest I begin my investigations? Suzette looked from Dr. Moss to his wife.

We have an opening for an administrative assistant in the office where the problem is. I suggest that you go undercover as a woman named Amy Jackson. I have already submitted her application to the hiring committee. If you agree to do this, I would make sure that you get hired. Since this department works directly under me, I could make sure that you have a lot of free time doing errands outside the office.

Randy looked from Suzette to the Moss’. I would like to talk this over with Suzette before we decide." He unfolded his long, lanky body from the bench. He took Suzette’s arm and marched her to the other side of the boat.

What do you think about this case?

Suzette watched the water flowing under the Golden Gate Bridge I’d like to take it, but it could tie me up for a long time. Since I’d be undercover, I wouldn’t be able to work on anything else. We’d have to make sure that the retainer would give us enough to keep the office going. You’d have to take over the cases I’m working on.

That wouldn’t be a problem since our case load is small right now. This case could save our office, but I just don’t know that I like the idea of you being undercover. If you got into trouble, you’d have no way to get help. His heavily freckled face wore a frown. We’d have to work out a system so that you could contact me without letting anyone know who you are.

Suzette nodded absently, already thinking about the case. 

Suzette, Randy snapped his fingers in front of her face. Don’t go off into one of your trances. We need to really think about this.

The biggest problem that I can see is disguising myself so that no one will recognize me at the wrong moment. I think a wig would be a good idea, perhaps a carrot red, because people don’t really see the person’s face when they have flaming hair.

"Suz, it worries me. What Moss isn’t telling us, is that all four of the Stalker’s victims have been related to the university.

I’m not after the Stalker, I’m investigating racial discrimination. I think you’re borrowing trouble. She patted his arm.

Randy, I’ll be careful. If the case gets to be too much, I’ll throw it up, I promise.

I don’t know Suzette, it might not be possible to throw it up. It might be a matter of solve it or die.

Suzette laughed. Randy, if you keep worrying, you’ll get an ulcer. Let’s go tell President we’ll take the case.

What about the retainer?

Randy, that’s your department. Bookkeeping is definitely beyond me.

As they walked toward him, Moss stood up, then grabbed the railing as the boat was hit by a large wave. It caused Randy and Suzette to stagger.

What have you decided? The worried look in his eyes had intensified.

Suzette smiled, "We’ve decided to take the case but there are a few things that we need to discuss. Quickly, she explained the problems that her going undercover would cause.

We’ll pay the retainer up front and expenses, monthly, if that’s okay. Annette said, Plus you’ll be working for the University so you’ll get a salary from them.

As Randy and Annette discussed fees, President Moss turned to Suzette. I’m a little curious, how will you handle this case?

I’m going to have to change my appearance. I know what admin’s generally wear. I want to appear a little mousey so that people won’t notice me. Anyone involved in the racial problems will feel free to talk around me. Instead of suppressing my weaknesses, I’ll have to emphasize them.

As the boat pulled back to the pier, Randy shook his head a worried look in his oddly colored, greenish-blue eyes. She’s much too confident for her own good. Man, I have a bad feeling about this case–a really bad feeling.

Chapter 3

The early morning was dark. The fog had rolled in from the bay haloing the lights and giving the shadows strange shapes that shifted in the barely perceptible breeze.

Suzette shivered violently as she looked down at the 48-point headline: Stalker claims 5th Victim.

Uneasily, she looked around before she tried to insert her key into the lock with a shaking hand. When the door moved under her hand, she felt a prickle of panic. The door was supposed to be locked.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the heavy glass inner door. The corridor was darker than it should have been with walls painted institutional white. The air smelled vaguely like paint or some type of cleaning solvent.

The hair prickling on the back of her neck, Suzette paused for a few seconds, listening. There was something eerie, almost evil about the building, although she had never noticed it before.

She thought she heard faint footsteps around the corner. It’s probably the janitor.

Laughing at herself for being so nervous, she unlocked the door of the office she shared with her assistant, Annis Anderson, a gorgeous, model thin, super-efficient black woman.

As she reached up to turn on the light, her hand touched something faintly revolting. Shuddering, she flipped on the light. Gasping with disgust, she looked from the black paint on her fingers to the racial epithets painted on all the walls. Whoever had done this had even thrown black paint against the tiles on the ceiling.

The papers that had been stacked neatly on her desk were scattered all over. Someone or several someone’s had walked in the paint then walked all over them. Annis’ desk had been tipped over.

Everything that had been in the drawers had been thrown around the room. Paper clips were sticking to the still wet paint on the ceiling.

Quivering with anger, she pulled the door shut, then walked down the hall. She dialed security, the police, and President Moss.

Five minutes later, one of the security officers walked into her office. What the hell? He looked much too young and inexperienced to handle a parking violation much less the complete chaos that confronted him. His blond hair stuck up in spikes, not because he had jelled it but because he hadn’t combed it when he got out of bed. He reached out to pick up the phone.

Don’t touch anything, Suzette’s voice was harsh.

I need to call the police. His voice was shaky.

I called from the phone in the foyer. They should be here any minute.

He looked at her suspiciously, his hand on his gun. What are you doing here so early?

She shivered, her hand still clutching the early morning paper with its glaring headline.

Why don’t we wait outside. I’ll explain everything to the cops when they get here. I really don’t want to have to tell my story fifty times. She looked around the room and shuddered. The language was so vile, so vicious.

It was only a few minutes before the racial violence unit arrived although to Suzette (or Amy as she had to keep reminding herself) it seemed like hours. As they waited, one of the maintenance men came around the corner pulling a vacuum.

Suzette tried to smile, Harold, when did you get to work?

At 5:00. His voice was its normal bland monotone.

Did you see anyone around my office about then?

As he started to nod, the first officer arrived. He was a large man with military posture. His name badge said Malone. His dark brown hair was wind-blown, from the wind rather than a blow dryer. His dark brown, almost black, eyes looked suspiciously at Suzette. Who are you?

My name is S-Amy. She had started to say Suzette but had remembered that she was undercover as Amy Green. Quickly she covered it by a cough to hide her mistake. My office is over here, she said quickly as she pointed out the office.

Why were you here so early? It was just six-fifteen when your call came in. His tone was intimidating.

Trying not to sound defensive, Suzette said, Dr. Moss sent me to a 3-day convention last week as a representative of the university. I have a big project that is supposed to be presented to the Board of Trustees the day after tomorrow. I came in early to try to wrestle it into some sort of presentable form before things got hectic.

As soon as his men had tested the door knob for finger prints, Malone pulled the door open. He didn’t recoil like Suzette thought he would, he just stood there looking around. After a few minutes, he stepped back outside.

I want pictures of every inch of this room. Close-ups as well as wide angle. Then I want everything in the room checked for prints.

He turned to Amy saying, Is there anywhere we could talk? She took him to a small conference room, just off President Moss’ office.

As they sat down, he said, Who are these epithets aimed at?

I assume that it’s aimed at Annis Anderson, my assistant. She is black. 

She mentally shook her head at her snarky tone of voice. Amy wouldn’t be snarky. She’d be a little nervous, but gentle.

He made a note in his little spiral bound book. You said you came in early to work on a project. Why didn’t you have your assistant come in with you?

Amy took a deep breath. She handled the office the whole time I was gone. From what she told me over the phone, she’d had some problems with a couple of the men who work under Vice-President Clayton.

What sort of problems?

Since we work in public relations, anything that has to do with the media is our job. These two guys had made some inappropriate comments about the way the current administration is handling certain problems on campus. They happened to be having dinner and drinks in a bar. Unfortunately, there was a reporter sitting at the next table who printed a story about their comments. Annis had to do damage control. I guess the two men got ugly with her while she was trying to find out what was going on.

Who are these two men? He had straightened up while she was talking, now he leaned forward. Suzette resisted sitting back, then forced herself to remember that she was Amy. Amy would have been intimidated by his actions.

Well—

I want names, not excuses, he snapped. I take it you know their names. His tone was biting, cold. Suzette stared at him for a few seconds. He seemed very tense.

I know their names. I know what’s going on in my department, Amy said coldly. Vic Ortiz and Mike Owens.

What department do they work in?

Security.

He looked at her. You’re telling me that these two men blabbed security problems in a restaurant?

Yes, that’s what Annis told me when I talked to her on the phone.

Do they still have their jobs?

I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Rendell Lundquist or Dr. Mark Clayton. Lundquist is the head of security.

It seems a little strange that this woman whom you claim is your assistant didn’t tell you what happened to them. His tone of voice was sarcastic and biting.

What is going on here? Why is he so angry?

Holding on to her temper with both hands, Suzette instead of Amy snapped, It happened Thursday. Her tone was crisp and hostile. I talked to Annis Friday morning. I flew back into town late Sunday night. I don’t feel obligated to call my assistant on Sunday to find out what happened to them. She is perfectly capable of handling that or any other problem without me looking over her shoulder.

She swallowed, Do you read the Bible?

Malone looked surprised. I have occasionally. What has the got to do with this mess?

You’ve heard about the wheels of God grinding slowly?

He nodded.

The university works the same way, only it would make the wheels of God seem like the Daytona speedway. She snarled the last few words.

Malone grinned, Temper, temper.

Through clinched teeth, it was Suzette, rather than Amy, who said, I don’t appreciate being called a liar even if it is in around about way.

Suddenly, she remembered that she was Amy; a soft spoken, timid woman who would never have had the nerve to talk back to a police officer no matter how rude he was."  

Swallowing, she closed her eyes and fought to get back into Amy’s skin.

Why did you hire her in the first place?

With a shade of exasperation, Amy said, I picked Annis because she is one in a million–a hard worker, smart, efficient, intelligent. She was the best applicant for the job.

Changing tactics, he said, Those epithets took some time to paint. They were done with a paint brush rather than a can of spray paint. Did you see anyone when you entered the building?

No, but I thought I heard footsteps just after I opened the door. I thought they belonged to the janitor.

Can you describe them? Did they sound like they were made by a heavy man or a thin man?

I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. They were very faint–like someone who was tiptoeing away. They only lasted a couple of seconds.

He jotted a couple of notes in his notebook. When will Ms. Anderson be in?

Amy shuddered, Is there any way that we can get the mess cleaned up before she comes in? I’d hate for her to see that awful graffiti. It would really hurt her feelings.

It stays until my men are through documenting the evidence. Then it can be cleaned up. He tapped the table, much the way Randy did when he was worried. You never answered my question. When will this assistant be in?

Between 8:30 and 9:00. She usually comes in closer to 8:30 even though she doesn’t have to be here until 9:00.

There was a light knock on the door. The President Moss looked in. Amy, what happened? I got your message but I couldn’t really understand what you were saying.

Justin looked up. You’re Dr. Sterling Moss?

Yes.

Why don’t you come in. I have some questions for you.

*******

After nearly a week of questioning, Suzette looked over at Annis, If I see that cop, Malone, again, I’m likely to murder him.

Annis grinned as Suzette continued, There is something about his questions that really gets to me. He acts like I wrote those things on the wall just to get rid of you.

Annis had a deep, husky laugh, Well, I think he acts like that with everyone. He even asked me if I wrote them on the wall, just to get you in trouble.

Amy shook her head. I think the real problem is that he can’t understand why I’d want you for my assistant. I told him I didn’t care about race or color but he obviously didn’t believe me.

She chuckled. I discovered the hard way that he doesn’t have a sense of humor. I told him that I’d take Count Dracula as my assistant if he was as good as you are. He didn’t even laugh.

He doesn’t know you too well. He seems to have quit haunting us. I haven’t seen him for several days. It’s been a nice change. I’ve actually gotten some work done.

I told him to go talk with Jeremy in personnel. I figured that Jeremy who’s free, white, male, and over twenty-one could make him understand that I wanted you.

Your request should be in the files which would probably do more to prove it than Jeremy just telling him about it.

President Moss walked into the office. Ladies, I have good news. The police have arrested Vic Ortiz and Mike Owens. Malone said they found the clothes they were wearing when then vandalized your office plus evidence that they were the perpetrators of most of the other racial crimes we’ve had on campus.

Amy looked horrified, Our security people were committing racial crime? That makes me feel confident walking across campus after dark.

Annis said with a feline grin. I’m glad they will be getting what’s coming to them.

Amy brightened, All I can say is hallelujah. No more Lt. Malone blighting my young, innocent life.

Dr. Moss looked at Amy. Could I see you in my office, please?

Amy picked up her notebook. Once the door was shut, he said, I was just wondering what kind of damage control we could do? This arrest is going to make us look bad.

The evidence that Malone needed to finish the case was stuff that I funneled to him through Randy. Harold, the custodian, confirmed that those two men were the ones he saw. He picked them out of a police line-up. I talked to Malone will release a statement that says acting on information received from the staff of the university, the police, etc. etc.

Have you gotten anywhere on the sexual harassment complaints?

Amy looked very frustrated, No. I’m not interacting with the people who know what’s going on.

He looked worried, I’ll have to see what I can do about that. 

When Amy left work, Malone was waiting outside her building. He was wearing extremely well fitting jeans and a knit polo shirt that showed off his broad shoulders, slim hips and flat belly.

Amy didn’t recognize him out of uniform until he said, Miss Jackson? His tone was strangely tentative.

She jumped, her eyes wide. Lt. Malone?

His face was red. Sorry to startle you.

I’ve been jumpy lately—probably because of the Stalker. She looked up at him.

Abruptly he said, Would you like to go get a sandwich?

Amy laughed, Only if you’ll promise not to interrogate me.

Malone grinned, I want to know more about you but I wouldn’t call it interrogation. You could look at it as a discovery session.

Suzette smiled to herself as she thought back to the boat ride where she’d been hired by Dr. Moss to go undercover. She never thought she’d be dating a cop. She’d have to be careful talking to Malone. She could trip herself up easily.

Chapter 4

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