Shock (Book one of The Silhouette in the Dark City): The Silhouette in the Dark City, #1

By Anthony R. Wilson

Thirty-three-year-old Colin Fowler and his dog Scout are simply detectives of smaller works.  Drug busts, maybe a few missing people cases.  It's what makes up their life.

Thinking things can't get any harder than a past that haunts him until this day, Colin can't be further from wrong.

With five dead officers, and a serial killer who hides amongst the shadows, Colin is drawn into a blood curdling investigation.

With no witnesses, no evidence, and a killer who simply slips between their fingers, can Colin and Scout even begin to uncover the mystery?  Or will they end up at gunpoint as well?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anthony R. Wilson
• Release date: Dec 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393892854

Book preview

Prologue

A muffled breath hisses through a cloth. It’s silent, tired, lifeless almost, gasping for breath as if there was none to go around. Struggling to stand, a man presses up against a building wall, eyes wide, bloodshot, pained. His limbs are tied tightly, cutting off the blood circulation.

He tries to make a pleading gesture, failed attempts as his purple hands rest snug behind his back. Maybe he should have seen that coming, but he keeps pulling, mumbling against the piece of fabric.

Oh, come on now. You know the world ain’t gonna miss ya’. Slithers a voice from the shadows, deep and taunting. It seems to take up the rest of the air in the area. But please... make your suffering as enjoyable as I’m making this.

The alleyway is dark with night, the moon nowhere in the sky. Projected upon the wall flashes red, blue and red again, the only source of light upon the streets for miles. Shaded, the second man could hardly be seen amongst the trash bins and oils lining the floor and walls. His breath is sturdy, crazed eyes narrowing at his work, the hostage slumping forward.

No? He continues, beginning to step toward him. Like a tiger, his movements are swift, yanking the hostage up by the collar and slamming the limp body against the brick wall. I just thought you had more in you officer. A tinge of resentment upon his tongue. There is no response, the eyes of the officer now closed, as if awaiting what he knew was coming next. He’d heard the stories, worked the case. He knew exactly who he was dealing with.

Well, in that case, I’ll tell your wife you said nighty night. The man growls. A cold object, metallic and heavy, presses against the left side of the cop’s chest, a steady hand holds it in place. Counting to three, like a lullaby sung, he pulls the trigger without hesitation, blood oozing out like a fountain of lost hopes and dreams.

Chapter One

Awaiting a bus, Colin hums at a light press against his thigh. The early morning sun is rising across the horizon, but still hundreds of people buzz around the streets of New York City. He ignores the bustling bodies and instead looks down with hazel eyes to gaze upon his dog’s, big and round, both set on him.

Scout... I don’t have anything... He says, a slight British accent protruding as he reaches down and rubs behind the dog’s ear. What could I possibly have brought for you from home? You’d have stolen it from me by now. Colin continues, chuckling at the dog’s tippy tapping toes, nub tail wagging as he let out a bark. Colin rolls his eyes and runs a hand over his buzz-cut hair, slim figure standing up straight.

Looking up, a bus pulls up to the curb. Come on silly billy... the bus is here. He nudges his companion gently as the doors open.

Hoping on, the driver eyes the dog looking back over at Colin as he gives him