Heart-Mates: A Sammi Mitchel Mystery

By Shoshana Barer

Julie Morgenstern is recovering from yet another bad date and a job termination when she meets the ruggedly handsome Roger Camden, who immediately sweeps her off her feet. Thinking she has found the man of her dreams, she is over-the-moon when he eventually proposes to her. But Julie has no idea that Roger is holding three other women prisoner in his basementwaiting for the right time to snatch their hearts for his bizarre collection.

When Julie lands a temporary opportunity working for television personality Sammi Mitchel, she can hardly wait to tell her about Roger. But Sammi, who always relies on her gut feelings, knows something is wrong. Meanwhile, detectives Marcella Robinson and Jonathan Myers of the special crime victims unit are stymied when emaciated bodies of several women are discovered with their hearts removed. The case suddenly becomes very personal when Marcella learns that her lovers niece Trish has gone missing. Suddenly, her worst fears have come to fruition.

As a serial killer nurtures his insatiable desire for removing the hearts of beautiful women, Marcella desperately forges ahead to find himeven as another victim is readied for the ceremony of death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781450290234

Shoshana Barer

SHOSHANA BARER divides her time between her home in Palm Springs, California, where she enjoys her rose garden and active social life, and a rustic log cabin in Red Lodge, Montana, where she resides with her standard poodle, Sophia. This is the sixth book in the Sammi Mitchel mystery series.

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Prologue

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTY

Epilogue

Dedication

With love

For Susan and Chas O’Brien

Red Lodge, Montana

Prologue

Julie Morgenstern primped in the mirror; pleased in the way her black satin dress accentuated her ample breasts, and curvaceous figure. Even her long curly hair, normally difficult to manage, shone with black brilliance.

After Roger’s call last night, Julie sensed that tonight’s dinner would be very special, and she wanted to look her very best for the man she had fallen so deeply in love with.

The past few weeks we have been together has been absolutely incredible. We seem to be so perfect for one another, in almost every way imaginable. Roger said he had something important to ask me, I wonder if he’s planning to ask me to marry him.

I’m so fortunate; after all it’s not every day a man as rich and handsome gentleman as Roger Camden, falls in love with just anyone.

Two dozen cream colored roses, in a wine colored Baccarat vase, adorned the table, along with the opulent china, and crystal stemware. The waiter dressed in an elegant white tuxedo, poured champagne into crystal flutes as soon as they were seated.

Roger had planned the romantic setting at Monique’s, a posh Park Avenue French restaurant. He smiled at the delighted expression on Julie’s face, as she took in the magnificent table adornments.

Julie felt just like a princess in the fairy tale atmosphere Roger had arranged especially for her, and she reveled in her happiness.

To the most beautiful woman in the world, Roger said as he lifted his glass. After the first sip of champagne, he got down on one knee, and clasped Julie’s hands in his.

Julie darling, I love you so very much. Will you be my heart mate?

Julie had never been asked to be anyone’s heart mate, and was absolutely enthralled.

Oh Roger, of course I will, Julie said her eyes brimming with tears. I am so filled with joy I could almost die of happiness.

Roger looked at her with utter adoration.

My darling Julie, those are the exact words I wanted to hear.

You will die in due time my beautiful one; however your heart will remain in my loving care!

PART ONE

As the best wine makes the sharpest vinegar, the truest

lover may turn into the worst enemy.

Proverb of unknown origin

CHAPTER ONE

You’re starting maternity leave next week? But Jacki, you are not due for at least six weeks yet.

"That may be true, however my obstetrician, and husband adamantly agree, that I need bed rest for six weeks before the baby is due. They assured me that it’s nothing serious, so don’t worry, it’s just a precaution to be on the safe side.

I will try to find a replacement for you while I’m away, but of course you already know that there is no one who can replace me," she said grinning.

Sammi gave Jacki a big hug, but her beautiful green eyes clearly showed her concern.

Your health is more important than any job, and it goes without saying how much I will miss you. But it would sure make it less stressful for me, if you could come up with a temporary assistant in the meantime.

Not to worry boss, in fact I was just thinking of someone who might just be perfect for my job. Sorry I have to cut this short, but I’m running late for an appointment with my obstetrician, and I have to leave.

Jacki adjusted her eye patch, put on fresh lipstick and left.

Jacki Graham, was the personal assistant to Sammi Mitchel,

host of the Jewish Maven television show. She adored working for Sammi, but her precious baby was worth any sacrifice she needed to make.

The outrageous eye patches Jacki flaunted with ingenious artistry, were the result of losing her eye to a crazed Ophthalmologist,

that had fixated on her beautiful eyes, for his bizarre eye collection. It was a difficult time for her, but a year later, Jacki snapped back to her usual effervescing self, and then married Josh, the son of the deranged doctor, who had extracted one of her eye’s.

However her high spirits plummeted to its lowest level when Jessica, her adopted sister, was viciously mutilated by her crazed half brother.

With no future to look forward to, and all memories of the past obliterated, the brilliant sister she loved, was now a ghost of her former self. She would just stare vacantly into space whenever Jacki visited, as if she were not even there.

But Jacki would not allow feelings of hopelessness to overcome her, and instead would talk to her sister about the pleasant episodes they experienced as children.

She often smiled thinking back to the time Jessica made her up for Halloween. Jacki had wanted look like a scary old ugly witch, but her sister had made her look so beautiful, that she decided to become a princess instead.

There were so many fun filled memories, but none for her sister, not any more. Her maniacal half brother had seen to that. It was too difficult accepting the realization that Jessica was demented, so she went along with her charade of pretense.

* * *

On one of Jacki’s visits to the sanitarium, she happened to see Jessica’s birth father, and she barely recognized him.

The handsome man she had remembered, had changed drastically. His dark hair had turned totally white, and his pasty looking skin, hung loosely on his face, giving him the appearance of an old man.

The tormented look on Matt Delaney’s face as he gazed at his daughter, lost to him in every that counted, elicited no sympathy from Jacki. After all it was his fucking fault to begin with, and she refused to waste any pity on him, but it still hurt like hell.

* * *

The tragic chain of events began when Matt had fallen in love with Margo, a former beauty queen during his senior year at the university.

Unaware that his childhood sweetheart was pregnant with his child, Matt flew to Africa after an urgent call from a doctor informing him that Margo had contacted a virus, and was seriously ill.

She had been vacationing in Africa with her parents, when a monkey bit her on the leg, resulting in a virulent virus. The doctor did not expect her to live, as there was no vaccine available for the unknown deadly virus.

Months later, when she miraculously recovered, and deemed out of danger, they decided to get married. Although the virus seemed dormant, the doctor warned the couple of the possible danger to a fetus contacting the virus, if Margo should ever become pregnant.

Not heeding the warning of the doctor, Margo recklessly became pregnant. Her son however was born with a much deadlier strain of the virus, causing insurmountable suffering for him, and deadly consequences for the women he chose to be with.

An unfortunate victim who paid the ultimate price for the sins of their father, turned out to be his half sister Jessica.

Her beautiful sister had been innocently drawn into a triangle of disease and deceit that could have easily been averted. As she watched her sister fall deeper and deeper into an abyss of unreality, it only intensified the loathing she harbored for the man she held responsible.

In her way of thinking, Matt destroyed the sister she loved, by recklessly fathering a son who should never have been born.

Jacki knew how fortunate she was, awaiting the upcoming birth of her precious baby. However thinking of the sister she loved languishing in a mental institution, would always remain the dark cloud in her life.

A worthy woman is far more precious than jewels.

strength and dignity are her clothing.

Bible—Proverbs 31

CHAPTER TWO

Ida Morgenstern stood near the kitchen stove, scowling at her daughter. It seemed Ida was more than ready for the same argument she would have every morning, concerning her daughter’s eating habits.

Ida’s wide girth proved how much she enjoyed food, and couldn’t for the life of her, understand why her slim as a reed daughter, never seemed to finish the lavish meals she prepared especially for her.

Julie, you didn’t even touch the nice breakfast I made for you.

Ma, I told you repeatedly not to make breakfast for me this morning. I have to be at work very early today, but I will pick up something later when I have more time, I promise.

A man likes some meat on his woman, so it’s no wonder you can’t find a boyfriend.

Ma, that’s not the reason and you know it, Julie said exasperated with her mother’s constant nagging.

"It seems I’m just not lucky with men. And for your information the reason I broke it off with Jerry Miller, is because

he’s a total asshole. Surely even you have to admit that by now."

Watch your mouth young lady. It seems that ever since you began working in that fancy doctor’s office, you started using foul language. I can’t believe you speak that way at work, you were certainly raised to know better.

Ida believed her daughter to be a perfect lady and could not conceive that her beautiful Julie would ever use profane language.

Julie couldn’t help smiling at her straight-laced mama. As a rule Julie often used foul words when describing anyone distasteful, and Jerry Miller certainly filled that bill.

* * *

The final straw after months of dating, began when Jerry parked his car in front of her building, and started kissing and fondling her breasts.

Before Julie realized what was happening, he quickly unzipped his pants and frantically began masturbating. When he finished, Julie noticed that some of his sperm had landed on the hem of her skirt.

She was too humiliated for words, and so without even a backwards glance, fled from the car and never spoke to him again.

* * *

Julie had just started a new job a month ago, and normally took the subway to work. Because of her mother’s harping, she was running late yet again, and decided to splurge and take a cab. Julie thought about what her mother had said, as the cab weaved in and out of rush hour traffic.

Mama’s right, she usually is. But I refuse to settle with jerks just to be with some man. If I am too picky well that’s tough shit. I intend to wait for my prince charming no matter how long it takes. Of course mama might have a nervous breakdown while I am waiting for my elusive prince.

Julie smiled at the thought of her mama explaining to all the biddies in the neighborhood, why her beautiful daughter did not have a boyfriend. The fact was she didn’t know the answer either.

Julie paid the taxi driver, and ran into the medical building and went straight into her office.

Doctor Schwartz, an obese ugly man scowled at Julie the moment she flew into the front door.

Late again I see, he said in his usual churlish manner.

This makes the fifth time you have come in late since you started working here. Perhaps there is a more suitable job somewhere else that does not mind your tardiness, but as far as I’m concerned, you no longer have a job here.

Julie disliked working for the cranky old doctor, and wasn’t too upset that she no longer had a job, and on some level she was even relieved. On the other side of the coin, her mother would now have more ammunition to berate her with, and she dreaded going home.

When Julie felt sorry for herself as she did now, thinking of how her best friend turned her life around since her tragic accident, always gave her hope. Perhaps she too might be fortunate, and find a man like Josh Andrews, the successful handsome doctor Jacki married.

Wouldn’t mama just love