Murder and a Psycho's Revenge, Book Seven

By Robert D. Coleman

Murder and a Psycho's Revenge. The second part of the Man in the Shadow's Trilogy. When a brutal murder happens in Groesbeck, Texas, all clues point to the brother of Limestone County Sheriff Greg Roberts. So Texas Ranger John Carter takes over the case. Along with Ranger Jessica James and the rest of his team, Carter investigates a series of brutal murders that strikes close to home for Carter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert D. Coleman
• Release date: Sep 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005533281

Robert D. Coleman

Hi, my name is Robert Coleman. I was born in Waxahachie, Texas and spent the first 10 years of my life there. My family then moved to Irving, Texas where I graduated from MacArthur High School. I have been blessed with two amazing sons that I am very proud of. I have also been blessed with two grandsons that I love dearly. For the last 25 years, I have lived in Groesbeck, Texas. That area has become the center of my fictional books. I was always blessed with a great imagination. My teachers said I was a daydreamer in class. I could always come up with great stories in my head. My problem was always getting it on paper. I sometimes struggle with the English language. (I suspect I am dyslexic.) I was always too embarrassed to show anybody my work until I met a wonderful woman, who also happens to be a writing teacher. I reluctantly showed her one of my books. She read it and told me that the story was the hard part. Spelling and Grammer could be fixed. With her encouragement, I started reworking some of my stories and making new ones. Now 20 years after I put my first story on paper and almost 4 years after I started the rewrites, I have Murder and the Cold Case. I am very proud of it! I have another one almost ready (you can preorder it now), first drafts on 7 more, and several ideas for even more. So I hope this is the first of many. So thank you, Laura. Without your help and encouragement, this could have never happened.

Book preview

MURDER and a PSYCHO’S REVENGE

By Robert D. Coleman

Copyright ©2021 by Robert D. Coleman

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Please do not participate in or encourage the piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Author’s Note

Chapter 1

Limestone County Sheriff Greg Roberts looked out the window and tried to enjoy the drive to Waco. But he could not. His mind kept coming back to why he was going to Waco. He was going to see his brother Cole. Cole was about 2 1/2 years older than Greg, but they had been close growing up. Cole had always protected and looked out for him. They were alike in a lot of ways and very different in some others. Cole was more timid than Greg and had suffered from depression most of his life.

About three years ago, Cole had finally got diagnosed and got some medication. The change in Cole was amazing. He was smiling and laughing out loud. Something that Cole never did. The medication seemed to open up a new world for him.

He also had some problems adjusting to other emotions. He had never felt anger before. So for a while, he would have a burst of anger, losing his cool or little stuff. Nobody understood at first until a doctor told them that he would just have to go through what most kids do at an early age and learn to control it. Slowly Cole got control of his emotion, and things got better. The meds also gave him a backbone, and he would stand up for himself. The whole family felt that Cole was so much better and happier, except for Cole’s wife, Terry.

Terry and Cole had married right out of High School. They had two daughters Jackie 11, and Jamie, 9. They were two great girls, and Cole loved them dearly. Cole always seemed happy with Terry, but anybody that knew them could see that Terry bullied Cole. After he got on the medication and stood up for himself and the girls their relationship was often strained.

Earlier this year, Cole had been laid off his job when the mill he worked at closed. This caused Cole to have a setback with his depression. But things were seeming to get better. When out of the blue, Terry told him she wanted a divorce. Cole tried to get her to go to counseling with him. But she refused. Her mind was made up.

She saw a lawyer and came home and tried to get Cole to sign a waiver, so she and her lawyer could take care of everything. Cole refused to sign it. But the pressure was too much. The next day he had a nervous breakdown and was now in a mental hospital in Waco, and that was where he was headed.

When Roberts arrived at the hospital, he parked his car and sat there a moment. He didn’t know what to expect or what he was going to say to Cole. He got out and walked inside and up to the front desk. The young lady working smiled at him. Can I help you? she ask. I’m here to see Cole Roberts. He said. She starts typing on her computer. Just one moment, please. She said as she typed Cole’s name into her computer. She then looks up and says. Can I see some ID, please? Roberts pulls out his driver’s license and hands it to her. She types in the information and hands his license back to him. What is your relationship to Mr. Roberts? she asks. My brother, he says. I will have Mr. Roberts brought up to the visitation room. If you will just step over here and let security check you. Roberts nods. Thank you, he says.

Roberts moves down to the table with the security guard. The guard says. Empty your pocket into this bowl, please. Roberts puts everything he has in his pockets in the bowl. The guard then waves a metal detector over him that goes off as soon as it gets close to Roberts’s gun. Roberts slowly pulls back his sports coat to show his gun. He can see the security guard get nervous. Roberts reaches over, takes his wallet out of the bowl, and opens it to show his badge. The security guard nods and says. The gun will have to stay here. Roberts shakes his head. Not a problem. He says. The guard and Roberts walk over to a lockbox, and he puts his gun inside, and the guard locks it up. Roberts thinks to himself. This is a lot like a prison. They walk down to a room with a lot of tables. The guard says. Have a seat, and I will have them get Mr. Roberts.

Roberts sits down and waits. A few minutes later, his brother Cole came slowly walking through the door, limping on his right leg like he always did when he was down. Cole’s eyes met Greg’s, and he forced a small smile. As Greg looked at him, he looked awful. He had a week’s worth of beard stubble on his face. His hair was messy and unkempt. He was wearing sweat pants and a shirt, and shoes that had the shoe strings removed. Greg got up and walked over and offered his hand. Cole took it and gave him a very week handshake. Greg then pulled him close and hugged him. So, how are you feeling? Greg asks. Like shit, Cole said.

Cole then looked at Greg and said. Is Terry and the girls with you? He asks. No, Greg said. He could see the disappointment in Cole’s eyes. Cole then looked at him and asked. Has she called Mom or Dad to see how I am? Greg paused for a moment and then said. Not that I know of. Cole looks down and fights back the tears. I have tried to call her several times, but it goes straight to voicemail. I have tried to call the house phone, but I just get the answering machine. Cole looks down and wipes away tears, and says. You would think after 15 years and two kids, she would at least check on me! Cole then completely broke down crying. Greg then put his arm around his brother as he thought. How could she do this to him?

A few minutes later, Cole pulled himself together, and Greg asks. Have you seen a Doctor? They get you on some meds? Cole nodded and said. Yes, I saw him this morning. He put me on some meds, but they haven’t kicked in yet. He said it might take a few days. Greg put his hand on Cole’s shoulder. That’s good. You need to take your meds and just relax and don’t worry about anything. Everything is going to work out. Cole looks up angry. Relax! How can I relax? My wife is leaving me and taking my kids. I have no job! No insurance. How am I going to pay for this hospital stay? I have no home to go home to. So, Greg, I don’t think I’m going to do any relaxing. Cole broke down, crying again. Greg put his arm around him. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to make things worse than he already had. He then looked at Cole and said. You will always have a place to stay, with Mom and Dad or with me, and I will talk to Terry and find out just what she is thinking. I’m always going to be here for you. Cole shook his head. I know, thank you.

They both stand up and shake hands. Greg then hugs Cole. I love you, Greg says. I love you too, Cole responds. As Roberts turns to leave, he looks back at Cole. Tomorrow is Saturday. I will come back and check on you. He says. Cole forces a small smile. Thank you, Greg. He says.

Roberts makes his way out of the hospital, picking up his gun and heading out to his car. Cole looked worse than he had expected. Suppose Terry went through with this divorce. He didn’t know what would happen to Cole. Right now, this was probably the best place for him.

When Roberts arrived home, it was late, well after dark. He opened the door and walked in to find his 10-year-old son Matt sitting on the couch watching TV. Hey, Dad, You’re kind of late tonight, Matt said. He walked over to Matt and rubbed his hand over Matt’s head. Ya, I had a lot going on today. Where is Mom? Roberts asks. Matt looks up at him. I think she is in the kitchen. He says.

Roberts walks down the hall to the kitchen and finds his wife Brenda washing dishes. She looks over at him. Hi hun, There is food on the stove. I’m sure your hungry. She says. He walks over and kisses her on the cheek, and says. Ya, I’m starved. He gets a plate out of the cabinet and walks back to the stove. He looks down. Oh, pork chops. He says. He fixes him a plate and sits down at the table.

Brenda dries her hands and comes over, and sits down next to him. How is Cole? She asks. Roberts turns and looks to make sure Matt is still in the other room. He then looks back at Brenda. He looks awful. I have seen him down before, but never like this. Terry is filing for divorce and taking the girls. I don’t see how things can get any worse. She reaches over and puts her hand on his shoulder. How can Terry do that to him. He has always been so good to her, and those girls adore their Daddy. She says. Roberts looks back at her. I don’t know. I’m going to go talk to her tomorrow. Maybe things are not as bad as what Cole thinks. She reaches over and hugs him. We got to just hope and pray that it all works out.

Roberts didn’t sleep well that night. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Cole crying and looking so bad. He finally gave up and got up early. He got some coffee and tried to be quiet so Brenda and Matt could sleep.

At about 7:30 am. He heard a knock on the door. Who could be here this early on Saturday? He answered the door, and to his surprise, his father, Al Roberts, was standing on the other side. His father was a big man, standing 6 foot 4 inches tall, several inches taller than him, weighing 220# or so, and looking much younger than his 60 years.

Dad, Roberts said. What are you doing here this early? Al looked at him and said. Cole is missing! Roberts gives him a surprised look. Missing. What do you mean? Roberts steps back, and Al walks past him into the house. He stops and turns back to his son. He got out of the hospital somehow. When they went to give him meds this morning, he was gone. Roberts gives him a surprised look. Oh shit! Where did he go? Roberts asks. Al lifts his hands up and back down. I was hoping you could tell me that? You were the last person to see him. Roberts shakes his head. He didn’t say anything to me about trying to get out! He was upset about Terry not coming to see him. But looking at him, he was not physically or mentally strong enough to get out of there. He says. Well, Al said. Somehow, he managed to get out. I’m on my way to Waco now. Ok, Roberts says. I will meet you there right after I talk to Terry. Good,