The Conversation - A Short Story

By Vineet Verma

When a young woman is shot dead, Detective Paul Conley is back doing what he does best - figuring out whodunit. Is it the grieving boyfriend? Or is it the couple whose love seems too perfect? Dodging sweet temptations while inching closer to the killer, he faces his toughest challenge yet - how to avoid becoming the next victim!

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vineet Verma
• Release date: Aug 13, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201130138

Book preview

The Conversation

Rachel stepped out to the balcony and lit a cigarette. The first puff helped, but the latest setback still weighed on her mind. Rob’s voice echoed in her head. You’re fired! he had said earlier that morning. Stinging words that left her feeling humiliated. Why her, she questioned. Perhaps he wouldn’t have been so mad if she had toned it down a bit. She had to get a better handle on her emotions. Before long, her concerns turned to money. She reckoned her savings would last her a couple of months, so she’d better get cracking on that job hunt. First the breakup, now this. Her mother always said that problems came in threes. What catastrophe could she expect next?

She took another puff, letting the cool evening air envelop her. Quite a relief from the searing heat during the day. Faint strains of Unchained Melody reached her, indicating that the neighbors were getting frisky again. By the time she was halfway into I’ve Had the Time of My Life, she heard the moans. Did they really have to rub it in? Reminding her of what she had been missing the last few weeks? If only her last boyfriend hadn’t cheated on her, she would have been in his arms now. That would have cheered her up.

The moans peaked and stopped. The music died down. Fragments of conversation caressed her ears. Tender post-coital talk at first. Then back to the real world, problems discussed, advice given and taken, solutions reached. Moving on to the next issue at hand. She was unable to catch the initial part, but it was clear as the man raised his voice, and the woman followed.

... she has got to go. The bitch! Pain in my ...

... take it easy ... The woman tried to calm him down.

I’m telling you, I’ll blow her head off if I get a gun!

Rachel shuddered. After a few minutes she stubbed out what was left of her cigarette and reentered her apartment.

HOMICIDE DETECTIVE Paul Conley kissed Brigette goodbye and stepped out of the house,