Hush Now, Don't Cry

By Maggie Casteen

In the next installment of the Kathy Hamilton Mystery series, a lot of changes are coming for Kathy. After a successful trip in the UK with the Brooks case, Kathy is back home in Rosemont and looking for a chance to work as an investigator. A local defense attorney, Bailey Clark, decides to give her a chance, but her first case could be her last. The client is accused of killing a young woman outside of Delany's Bar, but the only thing is he can't remember what happened. Did he do it or is something more sinister at work underneath? Kathy will follow the clues to discover the truth.... if it's not too late.

Full of mystery, twists, and turns, "Hush Now, Don't Cry" will take you on a ride that will leave you wondering what happens next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: May 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098379452

Book preview

1

Kathy slowly opened her eyes as the sun began to filter through her bedroom. She rolled over to look at the clock; it read 8:05 A.M. She had about an hour to get ready and be at the interview this morning. Kathy picked up her locket from the bedside table as she went to her closet. Okay, let’s see, she said as she clasped the locket on and slid back the closet door. She had a job interview with a local defense attorney, Bailey Clark. So what would do the trick? she thought as she carefully went through her options. She finally settled on black pants and a light blue dress shirt. This should do it, she said looking at the result in the mirror then headed downstairs for breakfast.

Dr. Hamilton was up, as usual, with paper in hand, when Kathy walked into the kitchen. Morning, honey, he said as he turned the page.

Morning, she said as she headed straight for the coffee pot.

Big day today.

Yeah, she replied taking a seat at the table with her coffee and toast. I’m hoping he’s in a generous mood today.

Well, don’t worry, said Dr. Hamilton, folding the paper on the table. I’m sure by the time you’re done you will have made an impression.

I’m going to take that as a complement, Kathy replied, and thanks.

You’re welcome.

So you working late again? she asked as she took a bite of her toast.

Not if I can help it. We should finish up today and then we can move on to…

Kathy gave him a sideways glance as he finished with a smile, the next phase.

Kathy grinned; her dad never talked about his work. It was always this project or this phase or a level of something. She finished her toast as her dad got up from the table. Alright, well, have a good day, he said as he kissed the top of her head.

Back at ‘cha Kathy replied as he headed out the door. Kathy then looked at her watch, 8:35 A.M. Well, it’s now or never, she thought as she picked up her bag from the hallway and walked out the door.

2

Kathy walked into the brick building that read, Bailey Clark, Attorney at Law. It was a nice enough place–brown carpet with a square pattern design, cedar furniture and expensive pictures on the walls. No problem at all, Kathy thought as she walked up to the receptionist’s desk. Hi, my name is Kathy Hamilton. I have an appointment with Mr. Clark at nine-thirty.

A blonde girl, about twenty-five, looked up from her phone. One moment please, she said as she picked up the office phone. Mr. Clark, there’s a Kathy Hamilton to see you. Okay, she said into the mouthpiece as she looked back at Kathy. He’ll be right out, she said as she returned to her phone conversation. Kathy just nodded and walked away from the desk. She was obviously not to be bothered.

Hello Kathy.

Kathy turned around and saw a man with brownish-blond hair and brown eyes coming toward her. Hi, Mr. Clark, she said, extending her hand. Thank you for seeing me.

Absolutely. And please call me Bailey and that is Sally behind the desk, he said as the girl just smiled. My paralegal Vicky is not here at the moment. She’s filing some paperwork at the courthouse. Follow me; my office is this way, he added as he escorted Kathy down the hall to the last office on the right. Bailey opened the door and Kathy walked in and took a seat in one of the leather chairs in front of his desk. So, Miss Hamilton, he said taking a seat behind the desk, why do you want to be an investigator?

Kathy paused and thought about the right way to answer that question. I want to give people answers, she finally said.

Could you clarify that a little bit more? Bailey pushed.

My mom was killed when I was little, and we never got answers about why and who. I want to help people get answers that I never got, Kathy said. She took a deep breath and tried to stay composed.

Bailey nodded his head, I hear you’re looking for a job.

Yes, sir, she said grateful to change the subject as she took a folder from her bag. I’ve just received my Bachelor’s degree in Criminology she said handing him the folder.

Let’s see what we’ve got here, he said taking the folder.

Good grades, credits and on-the-job training. Really? he asked.

Yes, sir. I was working a missing property case that turned into working with a detective on a murder case, she replied hopefully.

Murder case? Who was the detective?

Detective McMannis she answered.

Bailey’s eyebrows shot up, Detective McMannis? Really? You’ve worked with Detective Bill McMannis?

Well, I actually pestered him until he let me in, she added, but I like to think we parted on good terms.

Anyone who can work with Bill McMannis and walk away has my congratulations. Bailey said as he closed the folder and leaned back in his chair. What case was this?

Well, Kathy began, it was the John and Marcie Brooks case.

Wait a minute he interrupted, the Brookcore Brooks case, he said surprised, the corroborating source that was you, huh? Kathy smiled; this was turning out so much better than she’d planned. I guess that says enough, he said as he leaned forward. This is what I’ll offer. I’ll give you a trial run as an investigator. You won’t get an office until you’re official but you’ll be paid by the hour. Here’s a log; fill it out and you’ll turn it in after the case. If your work is satisfactory, then we’ll see what we can do about a more permanent situation.

Kathy couldn’t believe her ears. Thank you, Mr. Clark, Umm…..I mean Bailey. You will not regret this, she said smiling.

Okay, let’s just see how this one goes first, he said pulling a file from the top drawer of his desk. Kathy, meet our new client, Chase Wagner, he said as he handed her the file. "He was picked up this morning for allegedly killing a thirty-seven white female named Sandra Malone.

Okay, where would you like me to start? she replied eagerly.

Bailey smiled, First, let’s fill out some paperwork, get you an ID, then you can ask Sally to make you a copy of the file. I want you to go through all the information then go and talk to the witnesses listed. I’ll expect an update somewhere in the middle of that, he said as he got up and handed Kathy some forms to fill out.

After the papers were filed and the work agreement was signed, Bailey handed her a temporary ID badge. This is yours. Make sure you always have this with you.

Absolutely. Kathy replied taking the badge and putting it in her bag.

For now you can work in the workroom on the left, he said pointing down the hall, ‘Other than that I think you’re all set. You can pick up the file copy from Sally at the desk. It will also have all my contact information just in case. he grinned.

Thank you, Bailey, Kathy said as she started down the hallway, Did I mention you won’t regret this?

He smiled as he walked back to his office and closed the door.

Kathy made her way to the front desk where Sally handed her a manila folder. The receptionist desk was made out of maghony wood and was shaped in a half-circle. It had ‘Bailey Clark Attorney at Law’ embossed on the front in silver letters. Kathy knew she couldn’t stand to be behind a desk all day, however, Sally seemed right at home behind that desk. I guess we’ll be seeing a lot of each other, huh? Kathy took the folder and placed it in her bag.

Guess so, Sally replied. Don’t worry; Bailey’s nice enough. Just as long as you don’t face him in court, she added with a smile.

Duly noted, Kathy said as she walked into the sunshine.

3

He ran away not sure of where he was going; he just had to run. He could still see it replaying in his mind. The girl falling to the ground and that man leaning over her. He had killed her; Charlie had never seen anything like that before. She didn’t make a sound, not one word. Charlie stopped running to catch his breath. Running was something he didn’t usually do but today it was necessary. He saw me, Charlie thought, and now I’ll be next. He had tried to back away without making a sound, but he bumped into an empty crate which caused the man to turn around and notice him. That face stared coldly at him and all I could do was run, but now I have to hide. Charlie tried to think through the fog clouding up his mind. The abandoned office, he whispered, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll stay there until I can find another spot.

It was a good hour on foot to the abandoned strip mall, but Charlie knew the area well. He looked both ways before he emerged from the shadows. He didn’t see anybody, but the thought made him shiver. That girl didn’t see him coming either.

4

It was a little after twelve when Kathy walked through the doors of the Rosemont Public Library. She had picked up a burger and fries at McDonald’s so by the time she pulled into the parking lot she had devoured it all. Kathy walked to the back table and took a seat. Okay, let’s see what we’ve got, she said as she pulled out the file and took out a notepad. Victim was Sandra Leigh Malone, thirty-seven years old, and cause of death was… she said as she flipped to the next page, "single stab wound to the back and no