A Date With Death: Conjuring a Coroner, #0

By S.C. Stokes

When my boss asked me for a favor, I didn't know it was going to get me killed.

 

As a coroner, discovering the cause of death is literally my job but I'm meant to do it in a morgue, not a mega-mansion. The deceased? Lester Harrington, a reclusive wizard with more wealth than parenting skills.

 

His five entitled brats have gathered to divide daddy's estate but my autopsy has turned up an unpleasant truth; one of them is a killer that just doesn't want to share.

 

No job is worth this madness, but unless I can find the killer, my only way out of here is in a body bag.

 

Fans of Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, and Darynda Jones, will love this witty, action-packed adventure.

If you want magic and mayhem in a page-turner you won't be able to put down, you can't miss S.C. Stokes' A Date With Death. Scroll up and one-click to get lost in this exciting new urban fantasy world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.C. Stokes
• Release date: May 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393832126

Book preview

Chapter 2

The Lincoln passed out of Manhattan and picked up speed. Kasey raised an eyebrow as the vehicle reached the outer limits of Brooklyn, but still it rolled on.

She shifted her gaze to the driver. He was in impressive shape, albeit with a few gray hairs peeking out from beneath his chauffeur’s cap. In spite of his uniform, it was apparent he was well toned. There was little give in his suit and whenever he turned to shoulder check, the corded muscles in his neck were visible. That sort of form took hours to maintain. It was more than likely that his duties ranged beyond chauffeuring for his employer’s guests. 

The driver was willing to chat with her about current affairs or the state of the city, but after almost an hour, Kasey knew little more than when she had stepped into the car.

Looking down at her watch, Kasey tried once more. Is it much further? If I’d known we were going interstate I’d have packed some brunch.

The driver chuckled. I don’t have any bagels, but if you would like something to drink, Miss Chase, simply pull down the armrest located in the center seat.

Kasey found a loop of leather and pulled the armrest forward. To her surprise, a waft of chilled air struck her. The compartment was refrigerated!

There you go, The driver said. You should find something to your liking, though I’ll have to advise against the harder beverages on your current errand.

Kasey craned her neck for a better look into the compartment and found that it did indeed hold a multitude of beverages nestled neatly in rows. Steering clear of the liquor, she plucked a soda out of the compartment.

Slipping her finger under the tab, she cracked it open. The can gave a low hiss. She took a long sip, the blend of sugar and caffeine quenching the thirst she hadn’t realized she had.

Finding that the back of the armrest held a tray, she set down the can.

Much better, thank you. She looked up to spot the Lincoln winding its way through Long Island.

She stared wide-eyed at the incredible panorama of wealth before her. She'd heard of Billionaires Row, everyone had, but it was difficult to process the sheer fortune that was on display. Any one of these homes could have bought the entire block Kasey lived on. Each of the sprawling mega-mansions competed in opulence with those around it, sprawling manors and chateaus ringed with immense walls.  Carefully manicured gardens were trimmed into symmetrical patterns that complemented the architecture of each palatial estate.

Even at a distance, Kasey was confident her entire apartment building could fit inside any of the incredible homes. The grandeur of the homes caused her to reconsider her initial impression. At first glance, she had thought the driver’s suit to be part of a hotel uniform. Emblazoned on the front pocket was a crest, a large H embroidered in gold thread, surrounded by a wreath of gold leaves. As they wound their way through Long Island, Kasey revised her estimation. It was more like a familial crest than a hotel logo. 

How much money do you have to have for your staff to have their own uniforms? Kasey wondered out loud.

The driver’s lips creased upward ever so slightly into the first traces of a smile. You'll find out shortly, Miss Chase. We are almost there.

The Lincoln slowed as it turned down a wide avenue that had a rose garden separating its lanes.

Well, at least tell me your name. What do I call you? Kasey asked, raising her hands. Surely that much isn't confidential.

The driver chuckled; it was warm, almost sonorous. You can call me James.

Now we’re getting somewhere, James. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Remind me, who do you work for again? She took another sip from her soda.

James shook his head. You'll have to do better than that, Miss Chase. While working for my last employer I was subject to enhanced interrogation, twice.

Torture? Kasey almost spat out the mouthful of soda but caught herself.

Yes, but no one likes to call it that in civilized society.

What on Earth were you doing? she asked.

Officially? His smile returned. Nothing. Unofficially, well, some stories are best kept secret, Miss Chase.

Kasey shrugged as she sank back into her seat. Oh well, can't blame a girl for trying.

Curiosity can be a powerful teacher, but a terrible master, Miss Chase. Do you see how knowing only a fragment of the picture can be worse than knowing nothing at all?

Thanks, Master Yoda, I’ll keep that in mind, Kasey replied, lifting the soda to her lips.

James eased onto the brakes, slowing the Lincoln as he pulled onto a paved driveway. Before them stood two large wrought iron gates, reaching well over ten feet tall. Emblazoned across the center of the gate was an enormous gold leaf H, that shimmered as it caught the sun’s rays. The emblem matched that on James’s suit and cap.

Welcome to the Villa Maria, Miss Chase.

James lifted a remote from his door, and the wrought iron gate swung inward.

Inside the gate stood a man in an identical uniform. The noticeable difference was the assault rifle in his arms.

The man lowered the weapon and he waved the Lincoln through.

As the car rolled into the driveway, a large chateau styled home filled the right-hand side window. Its architecture exuded a subtle elegance that looked like it had been plucked straight from 16th century France. In size it was small compared to some of the other mansions leading up to it.

Well, this is cozy, Kasey said.

James caught her gaze in the rear-view mirror. Miss Chase, those quarters are for the staff. The villa itself is up ahead.

Kasey shook her head as she studied the structure with renewed interest. What? It must have half a dozen rooms.

An even dozen, actually, James replied, The current owners expanded it so that it could accommodate those staff not required full time in the main residence.

The main residence?

Yes. The main residence, the Villa Maria. Even on Long Island, the villa is second to none.

The Lincoln wound through the expansive estate. On the left, they passed an enormous tennis court. On the right-hand side an expansive lawn of pristine manicured grass stretched into the distance until an enormous hedge of evergreens obscured her view. The Lincoln rolled onward, and the hedge gave way, bringing the Villa Maria into view for the first time.

Kasey’s jaw dropped open. Before her lay the largest mansion she'd ever seen. The driveway widened into a forecourt so wide, it allowed more than a dozen vehicles to be parked neatly in bays off to one side of its impressive entrance.

The Villa itself was three stories tall with large marble steps running up to the front door.

It was breathtaking.

Welcome to the Villa Maria, Miss Chase.

Villa? She blinked. This place is a palace.

James nodded. Indeed, and if New York had a king, this is where he would live. The current resident is as close as you will come to royalty though.

His smile faded as he brought the car to a halt.

Kasey reached for the door handle.

If you could wait a moment, please, Miss Chase. I'm under the strictest instructions as to your presence at the Villa Maria this morning.

Presence. What do you mean?

James reached over to the passenger seat and lifted a manila envelope from it. Flipping it open, he produced a stack of paperwork that had to be at least fifty pages. Drawing a pen from his pocket, he added it to the stack and handed everything over the seat to her.

What's all this then? she asked as she glanced at the title. It read Non-Disclosure Agreement in large bold font.

That is a nondisclosure agreement between my employers, yourself, and the office of the chief medical examiner for whom you are acting as an agent.

You expect me to read all this now?

James nodded. You are welcome to. Although I'm happy to wait for you, in the interest of expedience, I can give you the condensed version. It’s been prepared by an army of the city’s sharpest lawyers. Rest assured it’s ironclad.

Kasey leafed through the legal documents and gasped. This crap is double-sided. It’s going to take all morning. Give me the condensed version.

As you wish, Miss Chase. You have entered Villa Maria as a guest to my employers, acting as an agent of the chief medical examiner. You're here to provide your uncompromising professional opinion on a matter soon to be brought before you. Everything you say, do, hear, or even think about while you are on the premises is governed by the terms of this agreement. Any breach of this agreement, regardless of the nature of the breach, will result in my employers exercising their rights to pursue you on the basis of this contract to the full extent of the law. The invariable consequences of which will be financial ruin for yourself, a lawsuit for damages against your employer that will invariably result in the termination of your employment, and any other course of action my employers see fit to execute.

The word execute lingered heavily in the air. As the silence grew awkward, Kasey looked at James. His friendly demeanor had vanished, and the steely look in his gray eyes bored into her soul. At a glance, she knew his choice of verbiage had been wholly intentional.

A shiver ran down her spine as she toyed with the pen in her hands. She could sense the danger. The knot in her stomach returned and she knew she was balanced on the precipice. The voice of reason inside her head protested vehemently.

On the other hand, her curiosity demanded answers. Whatever she was doing here was far more exciting than the mutilated manhood waiting for her in the morgue.

What happens if I don't sign it? Kasey asked, flirting with her choices.

Then we turn around and head back to the city. I will return you to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and we will never speak again. What happens from that point on is between you and your employer. Understand, though, that the request made of Dr. Sampson is time sensitive in nature. It was made by my employer and their sphere of influence is unparalleled. Her failure to accommodate that request will bring with it repercussions. How and where they fall is beyond my pay grade.

Kasey stared down at the agreement. Curiosity aside, she couldn't let Dr. Sampson down. Julie was an expert in her field, and she had been a mentor to Kasey. Whatever happened, Dr. Sampson had entrusted her with this assignment. Kasey wasn’t going to bail at the first sign of resistance, nor would she let her mentor suffer for her uneasiness. 

Looking out the window at the expansive Villa Maria, Kasey noticed for the first time no less than a dozen security officers stationed around the entrance to the manor, not all of them wearing the same uniform as James. Each of them, however, were armed.

Staring at the agreement, Kasey's curiosity got the better of her. Flipping to the final page, she scrawled her signature over the line labeled Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and handed the agreement back to James.

Thank you, Miss Chase. My employers appreciate your willingness to assist them in such an unorthodox and unusual a manner. Rest assured the reasons for doing so will become apparent shortly.

Kasey nodded. Can you at least let me know who they are now? I’ve signed your agreement. Who am I going to tell?

James set the agreement on the passenger seat and turned to face her. Nobody, Miss Chase. As I mentioned earlier, it would be in your best interest to never tell another soul you were here this morning.

Kasey faced the Villa and took a deep breath. What waited for her inside?

Chapter