The Dirty

By Quashon Davis

Detective Roger Merrit has made a career solving the city’s most baffling crimes, using his extensive eye for detail and thinking outside the box. While doing research on an unrelated investigation, Roger discovers his wife's infidelity and just like all of his cases, he is determined to find out who the culprit is. Using his friends as a distraction, they all begin to look guilty. Besides lies, betrayal, and deceit, what else will Detective Merrit's case uncover?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Quashon Davis
• Release date: Mar 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9780989864299

Quashon Davis

In 2006 Quashon Davis hit rock bottom. He was going through divorce, he was broke, depressed, and he weighed over 300 pounds. He had stopped doing all the things he loved. He’d gave up basketball, wasn’t doing any writing, and avoided his friends and family. One day, he ran into one of his childhood friends who was just releasing their first book. “I bought it to show support.” Quashon said. “I read it and said to myself; ‘I could do so much better than this.’ In 2007 Quashon released Masquerade, which was hailed as one of the best self-published books of the year. “I sold 800 copies of that book in the first three weeks.” The success of his debut novel made Quashon get himself together. He lost over 70 pounds, finished school, and became a high demand event host. Recently Quashon completed his second novel; The Dirty Circle. The Dirty Circle has gotten amazing beta reviews, and Quashon hasn’t stopped there. New Jersey based independent filmaker company, Dinomite Films has approached him regarding turning The Dirty Circle into a feature film. The trailer for the film was recently completed and viewers are all in agreeance that this is one worthy of the big screen. Quashon Davis is definitely one to watch and currently is working on some screenplays and his third untitled novel.

Book preview

Publisher’s Note: This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

ISBN: 978-0989864299

For Alfred...

THE BEGINNING

The first Wednesday in January. It’s just before 2:00 a.m., and the bright lights of Times Square could fool one into believing that it’s really 2:00 p.m. The city is alive with people walking, eating, and laughing. Many New Yorkers spend all day waiting for the night to fall. It’s a time where people can be themselves. They can cut loose, drink as much as they want, and embrace their inner child without being judged by anyone.

Saturn 1221. One of the most unique and hottest nightclubs in the city. It’s known to be packed every week. A three-level club where the bouncers are all dressed like astronauts, grey space suits with dark shades. The walls come alive with giant neon stars and planets. In keeping with the theme, the waitresses are all dressed up like sexy aliens. The best deejays in the city mix their music inside of small booths that are made up to look like spaceships. The last hour that the club is open, they play only old school hip-hop and house. Not everyone is a fan of hip-hop, made evident by the three women inside that are calling it a night. Ashley, Yvette, and Shawna spend every Wednesday dancing in Saturn 1221. They always head out at 2:00 a.m. once the hip-hop music starts. As they get their coats and head for the door, the reality of the time is beginning to sink in.

I’m tired as hell! Yvette exclaims.

Me too. I don’t know how I’m gonna go to work in the morning. I think I’m drunk, says Shawna, while stumbling out the front door of the club.

We figured that when you fell on your butt in the middle of the dance floor, laughs Ashley.

As they walk out and make their way past the bouncer, he turns to admire their behinds.

Good night ladies. Anybody need a ride home?

They giggle amongst each other and keep walking. The bouncer eyeballs them as they head up the block.

Damn, I wanted that dark skinned one, he thinks to himself.

As he turns back toward the door of the club, there’s a loud cracking boom. The bouncer hears screams from up the block. He races toward the girls to see one of them on the ground. There’s a lot of blood and she’s not moving.

What the hell happened? He asks, pulling out his phone. W-We  were  talking,  there  was  loud  sound,  like  a car backfiring, and Ashley fell to the ground! Oh my God! She’s dead isn’t she? Cries Yvette. A siren muffles their

cries...

CHAPTER ONE

THE CIRCLE

THE BLACK SEDAN PULLS up to the crime scene. There’s a mob of people standing around, camera flashes popping, reporters speaking. This was no ordinary everyday shooting. The drivers’ side door opens. Out steps a six foot eight dark-skinned giant. His dark grey suit looks like he threw it on in the dark. His tie is crooked, and his collar is a mess. His hair however, is perfect. Wavy and sharp, it looks like he just stepped out of the barbers’ chair. He walks around the car and struts right passed the passenger door. It quickly opens, and out steps a tall curvaceous Spanish woman. Her black shirt and pants are clinging to her body. The only bulge off her skin is coming from her nine millimeter. Dark shiny hair dropping down past her shoulders. She is the definition of a fine woman.

You can’t open a door for a lady? she asks.

You’re no lady, he responds without breaking stride.

The Dirty Circle

She ducks under the crime scene tape while he steps over it. All of the other officers stare at her uncontrollably.

I guess they’ve never seen an ugly Spanish woman before, he murmurs.

Shut up! Don’t hate Roger, she spits back.

I’m not. Come on, lets check out the body, He states. "Okay, but that’s the Captain over there. Can you try not

to argue with him just this once? Marie requests. I never start,"

I know, just try to be nice,

Okay, I’ll try.

They walk up to the body where their Captain is waiting. "Roger, Marie, glad you two could make it. Roger how was

your extended vacation? A month is a long time. How do you feel?"

Rested. Who’s the dead girl? Roger refused to have a pissing match with the Captain. That’s how he ended up suspended in the first place.

Ashley Gibbons, an NYU grad student. Her and her two friends were walking to their car when a shot rang out.

Roger takes a quick look at the body, shakes his head, and pulls the sheet back over her.

Before you go into your crazy accusations, this was a random killing. He saw three women, aimed and shot one, the Captain says.

Roger looks around. He examines the direction the shot came from and where the body is positioned.

This woman was walking on the inside closest to the buildings, he points out.

So? The Captain retorts.

2

The Dirty Circle

S o that’s a much more difficult shot from a rifle. The other two women would’ve been easier to hit. He wanted this one. Let me see the file, Roger requests.

No, the Captain says.

No? Let me guess, this woman was the only one out of the three of them that has children.

Yes, you’re right. She has two boys.

This is the third Wednesday in a row. Three young mothers dead. It’s time to admit this is a serial killer Captain, Marie says.

No it’s not. We don’t need this city in a full-blown panic. These people hear serial killer and they’ll go crazy. I don’t need the Mayor and everybody else chewing a hole in my ass.

Marie is right though Captain. Three Wednesdays, three women shot dead, all of them mothers. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

Well it’s a good thing I don’t pay you to think Roger. Do what you do, and catch this psycho. You’re probably a little rusty from suspension, so take your time, the Captain sarcastically says, walking off.

Take your time? What an asshole, Marie says Yeah. We only got ‘til Wednesday, Roger agrees. What’s our first step Raj?

First, I need to go home and get some sleep. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll see if she had a man.

Fine with me. Come on, I’ll drive. Great. I hate when you drive.

Marie drives like the world is coming to an end. She speeds, runs lights, stop signs, even puts the siren on sometimes for no reason. Roger tries to always drive, but today he’s too tired to

3

The Dirty Circle

argue. As Marie speeds through the city streets, he looks down at his cell phone just so he doesn’t have to see what she’s doing to the road.

Are you really gonna get some sleep? she asks.

If I survive this ride home.

Anyway, isn’t tonight your poker night? Yeah. Seven thirty at my house. Why? I’m coming this time Raj. No you’re not!

Why not?

I don’t need you there distracting my boys.

I’m coming to play poker. I ain’t thinking about your boys.

They’ll be thinking about you though. Don’t worry Raj. I’ll be low key. No!

I’ll bring plenty of cash.

Seven thirty don’t be late.

I won’t. I’ll be the girl taking all the boys money. Forty-four Hughes Terrace. The brownstone in Park

Slope seems to come alive with its perfectly landscaped garden. There are giant tomatoes waiting to be picked. The lawn is green and healthy looking. The walkway doesn’t have a single loose weed coming from its stoned path. Inside, the smell of eggs and pancakes fills the large rooms in the house. Miesha Merrit, Roger’s wife, has his breakfast ready. They’ve been married for almost four years. She loves him a lot, but she’s feeling the strain of all the hours Roger puts in at work. Her nine to five office gig leaves her plenty of time to miss her husband. As he comes through the door, she can’t help expressing some excitement.

4

The Dirty Circle

Good morning Raj! Aww, you look tired.

I am tired. Work is killing me. I think I miss being on suspension. We had so much fun, he says, slumping down in a chair at the dining room table.

I hardly ever see you, except when you get suspended. It does happen more often than not though.

I know Esh. It’s okay though. In two years I retire. You’re gonna get tired of having me in your face every day.

No I’m not. I can’t wait.

We’ll see about that. Breakfast smells good. Only good?

I meant to say breakfast smells great. That’s more like it Detective. Dig in.

Roger eats like a wild coyote. He drops food everywhere, only uses a fork when it’s absolutely necessary, even belches loudly.

There are animals on the Nat-Geo channel that don’t eat as wild as you do, Miesha says.

That’s because they don’t get to eat your pancakes. You should be used to it by now, he replies.

I am used to it. That doesn’t mean I like it. What time do you gotta go back to work?

Around noon. There’s a lot of craziness going on. What happened?

There was another random shooting last night. That damned sniper. He killed another woman.

What? Should I be scared going to work?

I don’t think so. All three women had kids. I think this guy follows them for a day or two before he shoots them.

Oh boy. Is that another Detective Roger Merrit assumption?

5

The Dirty Circle

I’m never wrong Esh. It’s a serial killer. He’s targeting women with kids. He only strikes on Wednesdays. I think that’s the day his wife left him, or his mother died.

Wow Raj. You almost sound like you know him. Not yet, but I will.

I know you will. I’m going to work. I know you’ll be gone when I get home right?

I’m working 'til seven. Tonight’s poker night.

Here?! Oh no! You better clean up before your rowdy crew comes in here Roger.

Yes Master.

I mean it. I’m gonna make my girl Mylene go to the movies with me. I don’t want to be here with your boys.

They’re not that bad are they?

Yes Roger, they are. They’re loud and silly. Marie is coming. She’s a woman.

I like Marie, but she’s not a woman. At least not entirely. What do you mean?

That woman is scary. When you came to my job that time and brought me lunch, remember Marie was with you? Well, my coworkers were all afraid of her. She changed the jug on our water cooler with one hand, while she was on her cell phone.

So. What does that mean? asks Roger laughing. Maybe nothing, but I think I’d rather go to the movies. Fine. I’ll see you when you get home then, Raj says,

kissing her.

As he watches her car pull out of the driveway, he’s already feeling his eyes forcing themselves to close.

Three hours later, around noon Marie is driving toward Roger’s house. He’s not answering his cell, or the house phone.

6

The Dirty Circle

‘I guess somebody’s a little sleepy,’ she says to herself. When Marie finally arrives, she doesn’t even bother

ringing the bell. She reaches under the flowerpot, grabs the spare key, and lets herself in. Roger is knocked out on the couch.

Wake up Raj! she shouts while clapping her hands.

He jumps up shocked.

I told you about sneaking up in here, he says.

You wouldn’t answer the phone. I had no choice. Please put some clothes on, those boxers have had it.

Shut up. Go wait in the car.

Actually Raj, I’ll be in the kitchen. I’m starving.

"I’m sure