It Won't Happen To Me: It Happened To Me Duology, #2

By T. A. Beasley

In this anticipated sequel to, It Happened To Me, experience the guilt Tiffany feels after the loss of her best friend. 

 

Tiffany Johnson feels the guilt of missing the signs her friend was in trouble. To her, the detectives are taking too long to find answers. 
When she stumbles across what she believes is evidence, she will have to decide to turn it over to the authorities or pursue her own investigation.

 

She is determined to find answers. Will it be worth it?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: T. A. Beasley
• Release date: Oct 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393470663

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Indianapolis, IN

PRAISE FOR IT HAPPENED TO ME

"T. A. Beasley writes a gripping and gritty tale of toxic relationships and deadly consequences that every female, young and old, should strive to avoid. This piece of fiction, filled with twists and turns, is not far from the truth and serves as a lesson to all.

-Sharon Oliver, Author of Deliver Me from My Enemies

"T. A. Beasley came fresh out the gate with an amazing debut novel that I truly enjoyed. It Happened to Me has a solid, fresh, believable storyline, and great character development just to name a few good qualities.

-Nick Haskins, Author of Betrayed

"This was a very emotional read for me, but it dealt with realistic issues. It should be in every high school counselor’s office. Kudos to the author’s first book. It was an awesome journey. I can’t wait for part two.

-Tera Kirksey, Amazon Reader

T. A. Beasley tells a story with deep themes. Small choices can lead down dangerous paths for yourself and those around you. This book is a cautionary tale for teens and even adults. I look forward to reading the sequel.

-Savannah J. Goins, Author of The Gwythienian

Copyright © 2020 by T. A. Beasley

This is a work of fiction. Any reference or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity to other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, except for brief quotes used in reviews.

LaBrice Books

9009 Lake Nora W Drive #A

Indianapolis, In 46240

Cover Design: Olivia Pro Design

Cover Model: Keyona Young

ISBN: 978-0-578-76537-2

LCCN: 2020917896

Printed in the United States of America. 1st Edition.

From It Happened to Me

Detective Rivers directs the coroner to Delilah’s bedroom, then turns back to Cherie to finish their conversation. Do you know of anyone who would want to hurt Delilah?

No, not that I know of, but you may need to ask her mother. I believe she will be able to answer questions tomorrow, but right now I need to get her away from all this.

That may be a good idea. Here is my card. Please give me a call tomorrow when she is more stable.

Will do. Cherie walks back over to Denise and helps her up.

In the car, Cherie pulls out of the driveway and starts driving to her house.

Denise stares out the window, not believing that her husband and daughter were both gone.

–––––IT WON’T–––––

HAPPEN TO ME

––––––––

T. A. Beasley

~1~

Rivers watches as the car turns out of the driveway and away from the crime scene. He shakes his head before turning back to the house. Officers Stuart and Butler are assessing the scene as the forensics team dusts for fingerprints. The coroner waves his assistant over to help him with the body. The assistant pulls up with the gurney and stumbles, hitting the nightstand beside the bed. 

Are you okay? the coroner asks. 

Yes. I stood up too fast. He looks around to make sure none of the officers saw him stumble. He glances down at the nightstand, making sure he did not disturb anything. Officer Butler looks over the contents on the dresser. Officer Stuart makes his way over to see if the coroner has everything he needs.  

At that moment, Rivers walks into the bedroom, scanning the room as the zipper closes the black body bag. He tells the coroner he will be by first thing in the morning for results. Rivers turns, telling Stuart to take the forensics team to dust the bottom of the staircase. 

And before you go, what is that on the door? he asks, pointing above the door handle. It could be a fingerprint. Get it anyway, just in case.

Gotcha. One of the forensics team members comes over, opening her case. 

Rivers and Butler stand at the end of the bed. What do you think happened here?

Looking at the door and then back at the bed, Rivers begins. I’m not sure what happened, but it looks like it all took place in here.  Maybe he brought her to the room or maybe she was getting up. We won’t know all the facts until the coroner’s report is in. He walks over to the door.

This scene suggests you’re correct. Butler stands in the doorway. 

Yeah, it does. It feels like déjà vu. It’s like I’ve seen this before. He rubs his chin. 

Does it remind you of another case we’ve worked? 

No. A case I worked in Chicago. I never solved it, and it drove me crazy. Hence the move here. 

Butler pats him on the back. Hopefully, we’ll solve this one. 

Rivers smiles. You young bucks are so positive. I just hope you are not disappointed with how a case like this goes. Let’s go speak to some of the neighbors. They may have seen something. He points to the left for the officers and goes to the right.

***

A man walks up, inserting himself into the crowd lingering outside the house. He touches the caution tape surrounding the front lawn. A woman looks over at him, acknowledging his presence. She turns back to her husband to continue their conversation. I feel so bad for Denise. She is going through so much. The woman’s husband pulls her closer to him. All we can do is pray for her peace.

The man leans over to them. Excuse me. What happened here? Both look at the stranger. The woman explains, A mother came home and found her teenage daughter murdered in her bedroom. 

A scowl comes over the man’s face, his tone stern. Why would you say that? 

She looks back at her husband. Neighbors talk. We all know the family who lives here. Do you not? 

He turns away from them. 

Her husband pulls her away from the man, and they start to walk across the street. We don’t know him. Stop telling their business. Her husband looks back at the man, who is staring at them. We need to walk faster.  He’s watching us. 

She squeezes his hand as they pick up their pace. I’m sorry, honey.

It’s okay. It is just I have never seen him around here. He is weird.

The man looks over as the detective knocks on the neighbor’s door. He turns back toward the house and then moves through the crowd and down the street.

Not again. He walks two blocks to his car. It’s a trick. They are trying to pull one over on me just like they did back in Chicago. I’m not falling for it because she isn’t dead. His anger explodes with the pounding of his fist on the steering wheel. This one was special. I won’t be without her. He coasts by the street, looking, but the area by her house is still blocked off. 

~2~

The next morning, Denise turns over in an unfamiliar bed. She wipes her eyes to look around and realizes the room belongs to her assistant. A flash of the previous evening registers and it hits her. Delilah is gone. Her only child is gone. She rises into a sitting position. What am I going to do? I’m alone. Denise lays her head in both hands. 

A knock at the door causes her to look up. Cherie walks in. How are you feeling? I made you some breakfast.

Thanks. 

I left you a towel and washcloth in the bathroom. I was able to grab a few items of clothing from the house, but we’ll have to go back for more. 

Denise tries a smile. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Cherie squeezes her hand. I’ll leave you to it and will meet you in the kitchen.

Denise forces herself to stand and enters the bathroom. After getting ready, she meets Cherie in the kitchen and sits down at the breakfast bar. Are you ready to head to the police station? I told Detective Rivers we would come by this morning. 

Denise ignores her assistant, picking up what looks to be a diary. I have to call Tiffany. She needs to hear about Delilah from me, not somebody off the street or at school. 

Cherie grabs a hold of her boss’s shaking hands, placing the book back on the counter. I will call Tiffany for you. I know you don’t want to go. The detective has some questions for you to answer. It will help them catch whoever did this to Delilah. 

She shakes her head and says in a calm manner, I know. If I go, it will make it even more real. 

Cherie hugs her boss. I know, but it has to be done. I also hope you don’t get mad, but I swiped Delilah’s diary off the nightstand.  She leads her out the door to the car. 

Why would you do that? Isn’t that tampering with evidence or something?

Yes, if they find out about it. I didn’t think you would want strangers reading your daughter’s personal thoughts. 

Wait. Is that what was on the counter? She turns back toward the condo. 

Yes, but you can look through it once we get back. I wouldn’t tell the detective about it either. She directs Denise back toward the car. 

Thirty minutes later they arrive at the station, both hesitating before entering. Cherie steps up to the counter. Hello, we are here to see Detective Rivers. 

And you are? the receptionist asks without a glance. 

Ms. Murphy and her assistant. We are here about the teenager found dead in her home. 

The receptionist stands up and glances at Cherie and then at Denise. I’m so sorry for your loss. If you will have a seat, I will let Detective Rivers know you are here. 

Thank you, both say in unison. 

Denise takes a seat and hands her address book to Cherie, who says, I’m going to step outside to call Tiffany.  I will be right back. 

The air hits her face and chest as she opens the door. She moves to the right to have a little privacy while trying to call Tiffany. As the phone rings, nerves build up. How does she tell this young girl her best friend was murdered? Tiffany answers on the third ring. 

Hello? 

Taking a deep breath, she begins. Hello, Tiffany. My name is Cherie. I work with Denise Murphy. 

Oh, yeah. Hi. How are you? She switches shoulders, leaning the phone against herself as she puts items into a bag. 

I’m doing well. I’m calling because I have some bad news.

Bad news? What do you mean? Tiffany stops to give Cherie her full attention. 

Um. Last night when we arrived at the Murphy home, we found Delilah unconscious in her bed. 

What?  Is she okay? I knew I should have made her stay the night with me.

Tiffany. Tiffany. I’m afraid there is more. Cherie starts pacing back and forth. I’m sorry to tell you this, but Delilah didn’t make it. She stops, waiting for a response, but only hears short suctions of air as if someone is trying to collect oxygen into their lungs. Are you still there? 

Tiffany cannot speak. She is at a loss for words. 

I’m so sorry to have to tell you like this, but Ms. Murphy didn’t want you to hear it from someone else.

You are lying. I want to talk to Delilah right now.

I’m sorry, honey, but she is gone.

Tiffany throws the bag against the wall. This is not happening. I’m going over there.

Wait! They may not let you in due to the investigation. She can hear the anguish in the young girl’s voice.

I want to see Delilah. Where is Ms. Murphy? 

We are at the police station for questioning. Cherie glances inside the door to make sure Denise is still sitting where she left her. 

I am on my way there. The phone goes dead.

***

Detective Rivers is due at the morgue to find some evidence as to what happened to the victim. He is scheduled to talk with the coroner to go over