Concrete Grave

By Aaron Gilbreath

This book will be a roller-coaster ride of emotionsfear plagued with blood and savagery in the city of Houston. A copycat killer of the infamous David Bayers gets gunned down, but not before he awakens the memories of past crimes of one of the deadliest murders known to man. With the attention of the world now focused back on David Bayers, a television station decides to do a reality show inside the prison. A reporter is given the duty to live among deadly prisoners while following David Bayers in his journey to his death. Once the show begins, all hell breaks loose. Between stories of different inmates, chaos, deceit, and betrayal become the formula for top ratings. With only inmates to protect the young reporter, it doesnt take long before the prisoners take him and his cameraman hostage. With David Bayers pulling the strings, its not long before mayhem mixed with pure insanity will equal the deadliest prison break in history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543430219

Book preview

Chapter 1

The air was thin and crisp with a chill that would make any man shiver to his bones. With most families seeking the warmth of a heated home, it was a perfect moonlight setting for a murderer to commit a brutal act of mayhem.

The murderous scene was set with loud gunshots and savagely barking dogs. The air was filled with a foul decaying odor of death, blood, and gun smoke.

It was a dark Tuesday night with the sounds of police sirens echoing over police scanners and the chatter of horrified officers speaking into their radios.

Red and blue cop lights glistened off the walls of nearby homes in a peaceful suburb neighborhood in the heart of Houston, Texas.

People ran outside their houses, scared from the sudden uproar and commotion over a violent tragedy that had taken place on their own street.

Concerned neighbors with confused and baffled looks on their faces gathered around the murder scene as they viewed the aftermath of a family’s homicide.

Screams pierced through the commotion from a grandmother holding her grandson, being held back by police officers as she watched her son and his wife being carried out of their home in body bags.

In the turning of events, the insidiously cunning midnight stalker had caused a night of stomach-turning chaos before finally being caught and gunned down by the Houston police force after months of investigating his trail of brutal murders.

Cops were everywhere, walking over evidence marked with numbers. Some of the officers were taking pictures of the crime scene while others were trying not to throw up as they walked out of the house.

Blood had been smeared on the walls inside the home. It was clear that the midnight stalker had enjoyed his rampage of playing with the victim’s intestines.

The guts of the victims were found all over the floor and even the ceiling. Behind the yellow tape, in that house, was a horror murder scene.

Chapter 2

Jewly Peppers, the scene reporter, was covering the terribly gruesome murder story. Jewly reviewed her speech in her head as she looked at her cameraman, her mic in one hand while fixing her hair with the other, never taking her eyes off the camera.

Then the cameraman held up his fingers and began a silent countdown, 5, 4, 3, 2 …

"This is Houston’s very own Jewly Peppers, reporting live for KTMC Pure Television.

"It is with great sadness that I bring to you the news of another tragic homicide killing of the infamous midnight stalker. Behind me lies the copycat killer we know as the midnight stalker.

"He was finally shot and killed by the Houston police after killing a woman and her husband while they were sleeping.

Fortunately, their son was under the care of his grandmother when his parents were mutilated mercilessly in their home.

The cameraman quickly turned to zoom in on the young boy crying in his grandmother’s arms.

With gloom and despair covering their faces, everyone watching the broadcast felt their hearts emotionally pulling at their chests.

The camera went back to a teary-eyed Jewly Peppers. She wiped her eyes, looking as if she was about to burst into tears, taking a second to herself as if she was recovering from the sorrow she felt.

Like a professional, she continued her report. The police had responded to a 911 call that a burglary was in progress at this residence directly behind me in this peaceful Houston suburb neighborhood. When the officer on call realized the potential threat, backup was called to surround the house, an hour-long standoff until the stalker realized there would be no escape. With his mind made up, he chose to run out of the house with his gun blazing toward the cops, but his outlaw antics would be instantly ended by the superb shooting of the Houston police. After several shots into his body, he now lies motionless on the ground behind me.

Then the cameraman zoomed in on his body. A middle-aged white male dressed in all black with splattered blood covering the bullet holes in his face and body as his gun was still gripped in his cold lifeless hand, his blood streaming down like a river from his clothing.

Jewly, the reporter, came back into view, saying, "Even through this tragedy comes hope for peace as the neighborhood of Houston can finally sleep feeling safe again in their home, knowing that the copycat killer of the infamous David Bayers has finally been stopped. After ten vicious murders, the midnight stalker will terrorize no more.

This has been Jewly Peppers, bringing you the live breaking news for KTMC Pure Television.

Chapter 3

Cut! That was a perfect shot, Jewly, and the emotion you showed was priceless, the cameraman said.

Jewly showed no gratitude as her emotional expressions quickly went cold.

She said, After years of acting classes, I better be able to cry on command.

Then she threw the mic at her cameraman, covering her nose from the stench of death in the air.

Jewly walked off, saying, Hurry up! I’m sick of hearing all that whining from those two. My god, they’re dead. Get over it already!

Jewly never expressed kindness to anyone, especially her camera crew, unless she has a thing to gain from it.

She walked away not caring what anyone thought of her performance. Being stuck-up and arrogant was part of the reason why she was arguably the best reporter to cover all the stories.

On top of that, she has left out information on police reports of a possible accomplice fleeing the scene before the cops could surround the house.

She felt a happy ending would make her broadcast loved more. She was willing to do anything to rise to the top and stay there.

Some people say she would sell her own mother to get a big scoop on an exclusive story. That statement was said by her own mom, but Jewly had more than her ruthless animal instincts pushing her to the top.

Jewly was a beautiful eye candy to the world, amazingly seductive, causing men of all ages to be submissive to her will. Long blond hair with sparkling ocean blue eyes that will have you hypnotized.

Her body was flawless, cocoa butter skin, with long muscular legs that will turn every head.

Sexy Ms. Peppers had all the favors from KTMC; as she rose to the top, people were willing to do anything for her.

After her star performance, Jewly was center of attention. The producer was happy to announce that her live broadcast last night was the first to be aired, beating out all the news stations in ratings. She blew the competition in last place.

Jewly was rewarded for her performance; her boss applauded and lifted her.

A lot of her coworkers were jealous of her, and they couldn’t stand her attitude. All those that dislike her put on a fake smile, wishing she would break a leg as they clap in misery.

None of them hated her more than Thomas Ryans, her rival.

In his eyes, he knew he was the best journalist, but for years, he took the backseat for Jewly; her pretty smile, perky tits, and high bouncing ass got her where she is at, so every ounce of blood in his body boils, knowing she got an easy ride to the top.

Chapter 4

The head producer stood up out of his seat, demanding attention by just his posture. You could tell he was the boss from the respect he got from the room.

Like a general, chin up, chest out, Corie Williams was only thirty-nine. He held his position with authority; his body was built like a tall football player with hazel eyes and brown hair.

Showing off his power is what he does best, using his size to intimidate, never hesitating to put anyone who questioned his authority in their place.

As he raised his hand to speak in his deep tone, the room went quiet. "As you all know, here at Pure Television, we live by one motto, and that is, by any means necessary, we annihilate competition.

"Now with sweat and hustle, Pure Television ratings have slowly increased over the years. We need to continue to fight to be on top. It is because of each one of you that we can climb up.

"I called this meeting today not only to congratulate Jewly on her star performance last night. Her achievements have been the backbone of our company rising in ratings lately.

"We have an opportunity to take advantage of the hype behind the copycat killing of the midnight stalker by interviewing the true source of those original horrifying murders, the insidious maniac himself, David Bayers.

"My fellow board members and I have this idea to help us all rise to the top—a reality show that will grip the audience. This is the cutting edge that will crush our competition.

"Today we will announce the man who will broadcast our reality show from inside the walls of a maximum-security prison.

"Now to give the show more of a spin, we have selected four other high-profile killers to tell their gruesome stories. All five of these inmates are on death row in the same facility and are scheduled for death this year.

"These criminals have agreed to let us air their stories and regrets while being recorded every day until death by lethal injection.

Can you imagine the ratings we will get from America when we give them the chance to watch the most hated outlaws die on national TV?

The room went into an uproar of applause.

Then Jewly stood confidently, knowing the assignment was hers. She raised her arms, raising them like a winner, even giving a bow.

She said, This is exactly the kind of project that will blow the minds of the public and knock the fight out of the competition. And of course, as the head journalist, I will take this reality show to the next level—by any means necessary.

Jewly gave a million-dollar smile toward Corie Williams, her secret lover; she knew it was in her hands, with him wrapped around her pinky.

At the sight of her cockiness, the fellow reporters felt sick to their stomachs as they rolled their eyes with disgust, shaking their heads with disapproval at her arrogance and overbearing display of glamour and undeserving glory.

Williams tried to step in before Jewly could embarrass herself any further.

Williams said, Jewly, I do appreciate your enthusiasm to give every assignment your all, but even though you are one of the top reporters, I am sorry to say that this particular assignment will take assets that only a man can carry out.

Chapter 5

Jewly dropped to the floor; the embarrassment started to set in, destroying her ego. Williams continued saying, The reporter will have to be a strong man in this show. Nothing will be off-limits. Everything will be recorded. You will have to stay confined as a prisoner in this prison for at least four to five months.

Jewly could see the smirks coming across the men’s faces as she tried not to throw a temper tantrum. Feeling the disappointment, she slowly lowered herself back into her seat.

Everyone felt the excitement, knowing that, finally, they could have a chance to see Jewly knocked off her high horse.

Corie never made eye contact with Jewly as he continued his speech.

We have been reviewing everyone for this career-changing assignment. Understand that this reporter will have the responsibility of single-handedly taking over prime-time television and pushing our network to the top of the charts. I would like everyone to congratulate Thomas Ryans. We feel he will be the best man for our new reality show.

Thomas was so shocked that it took him a second to stand up as the rest of the room clapped.

While everyone celebrated in his honor, Thomas was having an out-of-body experience, feeling the aspiration of being chosen.

Suddenly, his ambition took control of him as he smiled, soaking in his first big break. Thomas was in his late twenties, still solid from his football days in college.

Six foot tall, with light brown hair he wore in a low-cut style. His eyes glistened with joy as he considered Jewly’s defeated face.

Seeing her anger made his victory that much sweeter. Williams walked up to him, giving a firm handshake. "I hope you’re ready for this. Anything worth having is hard to hold on to. I picked you because I believe you’re a man willing to fight your way to the top. For the next few months, you will be a prisoner. You will eat, sleep, drink, and live this story. It’s up to you to bring to life this show. No question is off limits, no story is too bloody or heartless. I want you to dig for the uncut, the hardcore, every gutter, nasty detail.

"Thomas, you are the heartbeat of this show. Everything is to be recorded. We will pick up a tape every other day. Let us decide what is useful and what is trash.

"I want you to understand nothing will be catered for you. This will be real in every way. You will live as they do. You and your cameraman will have your own cell away from population, of course, but you will wear the same clothes. The only time you will not be around inmates is when you shower and when you sleep.

"So if I was you, I would pick a cameraman that you feel you can live with because from here on, he will be your cellie.

Is everything understood I don’t want any misunderstanding?

Thomas nervously nodded his head in agreement. He said, "Yes, sir, I fully understand, but what am I supposed to do if some of the inmates come after us? I mean, they have nothing to lose. They’re already on death row, awaiting death.

If they get mad and decide to come after us, how can we hope to defend ourselves?

Then one of the reporters from the back of the room yelled, I guess you better tell the cameraman to keep rolling, so we won’t miss the footage of you getting your ass whooped!

Everyone burst out in laughter until Williams held his hand up, saying, "Quiet, quiet. Let’s act like adults. Nobody is going to get their ass whooped. Thomas, no inmate is even going to be able to touch you unless you approve of it. We are paying the biggest and baddest inmates to protect you and your cameraman.

"A few thousand on their books every month and nobody will dare touch you, or they will get their ass whooped. And that’s just when you are in the yard or at the cafeteria.

"You will have guards under our payroll keeping a close eye on you boys when you’re interviewing those death row inmates.

"Well, Thomas, it is time to get your game face on. Here are the files on the death row inmates, and I want you to really focus on David Bayers being the climax of the show.

"Build the show on their uncut stories, but when you get to David Bayers, get every terrible deed he’s done. I want the people to see and hear that maniac for the true murderous bastard he is.

"Read his files, and you’ll see he is going to be the most hated. He will be the one people tune in to watch die. Take your time. Study them. Dig for information that will bring the devil out of them. I want the people to see these killers for the savages that they are as they watch them spend their last days on earth.

"Remember what I said, and pick you a cameraman that you can depend on, someone you can trust, one that keeps rolling no matter what he sees or hear.

"No doubt about these men you guys are going to encounter. They will be telling stories of murders, rape, brutality that you could never imagine.

"The criminals you are going to encounter will have stories that will not just make you sick to your stomach, but terrify you and haunt your dreams.

"Keep these sleepless night in mind because the minute you walk in those gates and step foot behind the prison, you had better leave your heart at home.

"Really think about if you want to do this. It will have its ups and downs. What you have here is an opportunity of a lifetime. This one event is about to make your face and name known in every household in America.

The question is, do you have the nuts to do it? You have three days to prepare and say bye to your loved ones. On the third day, you will leave this building by a chopper and your adventure will begin.

Then Williams looked toward everyone else, saying, This meeting is over. Everyone back to work.

Williams patted Thomas on the back as he walked him to the door.

"Don’t worry, Thomas, you are one of my best reporters. I believe in you. There is a lot to swallow in just a little blink of time, but take a breath and let your nuts hang, son.

It’s your time for the limelight, so embrace it and become the story.

Thomas smiled as butterflies filled his stomach, looking down at the folders in his hand, thinking, What have I got myself into? as everyone left the room.

Chapter 6

Jewly made sure to be the last one walking up to her superior, Mr. Williams. Jewly spoke with animosity in her voice. Excuse me, sir, but I would like to have a word alone, sir, in private.

She glanced at Thomas out of the corner of her eyes. Thomas gave a smile, feeling triumphant, loving every second of her agony. He paused to savor this moment to see her anger brewing behind those pretty blue eyes.

Just the sight of her defeated face made any fear that he had for taking this new assignment worth it.

Williams looked at Thomas, saying, No need for a standoff, you guys. This isn’t the Wild West, so let us put the pistols down and remember that we are a team. Thomas, if you don’t mind, give us a few minutes alone, please. Ahh, if you have any more questions, feel free to come by my office any time of the day.

Jewly watched impatiently as Thomas walked out of the room and finally shut the door. When she felt everyone was at a safe distance where she could speak freely, she turned to face Williams and began her assault.

"How could you treat me like this, Corie? I just beat out every news station with the biggest scoop this whole year, and this is how you treat me. What the fuck just happened?

You let me embarrass myself like an idiot in front of everybody! How could you do this to me? Have you forgotten your promise to me? Have I not showed you that I am the best at what I do?

Jewly threw a cup across the room in rage. Williams stayed cool as the other side of the pillow. He finally sat down in a chair, rubbing his chin more concerned with Jewly’s body movement than her whining.

She paced back and forth as her heels clicked against the floor. Williams had plenty of thoughts flashing through his head, but none of them had anything to do with business or work.

Williams watched as her legs and hips had his full attention. His eyes followed her every step.

Jewly said, How could you give this show to Thomas, Corie? Out of all people, you give my biggest rival a chance to outshine me. Are you just going to sit there and stare at me?

Williams got frustrated by her constant nagging. He said, "Who else would have been good enough for me to give this kind of opportunity to? This show is very important to this company. It is not like I don’t give you all the big reports, all the live broadcasts.

"You are still the face of this company. So calm down, baby. You know Daddy always looks out for you. I know you are upset, but we had to get a man for this show.

"As top producer for KTMC, I had to make the hard decisions. This isn’t about your dispute with Thomas, and I did not choose him to piss you off. I wanted you in on this, but there is no way to put a woman in a male prison.

Come on, baby, that would be too dangerous of a place with hostile killers surrounding a woman. Plus, a woman like you with that fine body of yours, them boys would have went crazy in there. You know that booty would cause a riot.

Williams rose up with a flirtatious smile across his face, seeing that he had deflated her assault. He walked up next to her, and delicately rubbing his fingertips down her arm, he said, Do you think I would risk my prized possession? I would be a fool to put you in a dangerous situation like that.

Then Williams ran one hand through her hair while dancing his fingers up her skirt, gently moving in between her thighs. Jewly’s anger turned to excitement as her body started to welcome his touch. Her breathing increased as she slid her thighs apart, inviting his touch, resting her ass against the table.

Williams felt her muscles tighten as he moved past her silky see-through nude panties. Leaning more closely, he felt her wetness with his hand between her thighs, watching her head tilt back as she bit down on her beautiful lips.

Then, Jewly jerked away, pushing his chest away from her. Williams’s face dropped in disappointment as she walked away, saying, You think you are slick, don’t you.

She turned back at him, narrowing her eyes to meet his, and said, "That still doesn’t explain why your ass let me play a fool today. You could have given me the heads-up, instead, you let me embarrass myself.

So you and those blue balls of yours can think about that all day because you are not getting none of this pussy. Not getting off that easy. Maybe I’ll forgive you when you take me shopping and knock a dent in that credit card of yours.

As the door slammed and Jewly stormed off, Williams sat back down to slow his rate and said, Women, you can’t live with them and you can’t fuck without them.

Meanwhile, Thomas had made his way back to his desk and was now sitting in his chair, still mind blown, looking at the folders that were laid on the desk in front of him.

As he reached forward to open one of the files, his friend, Andrew Sims, came up behind him, yelling in his ear, Dead man walking, as he grabbed Thomas by the shoulders. Startled with shock, Thomas nearly fell of his seat.

What the fuck, Andrew! This shit is not funny, asshole! You need to stop playing!

Andrew could not respond because of how hard he was laughing.

Thomas could not hold back his smile, knowing that even though the joke was on him, it was still funny.

A real version of a computer geek was Andrew. He wore a thick pair of black glasses that should have been traded in a long time ago for contacts. Tall and chunky built, with black hair. He was known for his practical jokes and sense of humor. He was the kind of friend that every reporter needed.

Andrew said, Aww, is Thomas a little scared now that he knows that he is going to prison? Don’t worry, bro, I’ll write you a little and send money on your books.

Thomas shook his head in disbelief. Andrew was still joking. He slammed his hands down on the table out of frustration.

I told you about sneaking up on me, and I knew you were the one that said I was going to get my ass whooped earlier and keep filming in our meeting, Thomas said.

"Whoa, killer, I was just playing with you. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’ m not your enemy, bro, no need to get mad at me.

I am not the one that gave you your death sentence. Just tell them you don’t want to do it. Look at you all nerves and jumpy. Anybody can tell you are scared shitless.

Thomas took a deep breath, trying to relax, and said, Yeah, I won’t lie. Going to prison was not the break I was looking for, but if I pass this up, I might not get another chance at a big story again. I just can’t believe I am volunteering to be in a maximum prison with prisoners that are on death row that might possibly kill me.

Andrew said, "Come on, man, where are your balls? You are finally able to headline a story. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. You are going to be a superstar for one of the biggest shows on television.

After this, that bitch Jewly will be begging to be your secretary. Now, if that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is.

Thomas smiled as he pictured his destiny of fame. Speaking of Jewly, did you see how low her shirt was? Damn, I swear, I would drink her bath water and put my tongue all up the craaa—

Whoooa! Andrew, bring it back. That’s a dark place we don’t need to talk about.

My bad, my bad. Anyways, after work, first round of beers on me, but hey, I gotta run. There is a pile of work to do. I will see you later.

Thomas watched him walk off, hitting on every woman as he walked past them, only to be laughed at and rejected.

If Andrew ever had one of those girls act like they liked him, he would probably run and hide, thought Thomas. Then he turned around back to his desk with a newfound interest in the files that lay in front of him.

With his mind made up, he grabbed the folders, opening them one by one, reading the files on the prisoners he would be interviewing.

His eyes ran through the pages rapidly as he felt adrenaline start to pump. Every mug shot had a face of pure anger, but it was their eyes that showed their fury-hidden passion to kill.

These criminals gave a new meaning to the word outlaws. There were pictures of burned bodies, men and women found mutilated and grinded up until no traceable evidence was left.

Every page brought to life, another tragedy, one after another, each killer left a path of destruction, mind games ending in sick twisted deaths, leaving families in misery to mourn over closed caskets. These murderers were responsible for two decades of unnecessary killings.

Thomas tried to imagine being face-to-face staring into the eyes of pure madness, talking with lunatics that don’t deserve to live among the sane and civilized.

The fact remains that he would be among the animals capable of anything in Lexington, Texas, at the Polunsky Maximum Prison where over forty-eight hundred inmates lived.

He started to feel sick again, but Andrew appeared, holding on to a sheet of paper, saying, "You will never believe this. I have the original police report from the night of the copycat killer.

"Look, at what our friendly reporter left out, important details in her broadcast. It said that the cops on the scene thought there might have been an accomplice, who fled the murder, before backup could arrived. One of the cop stated seeing two shadows in the house and the wife and husband had been dead for hours, so it could not have been one of them.

There was another report stating a strong smell of perfume in the house that did not fit any of the bottles in the house that the wife wore. Leading them to believe that it could have possibly been a woman accomplice.

Thomas looked over the report with him in curiosity. Now, why would Jewly leave out such an important evidence, even if it was speculation?

You think I should report this to the boss?

Thomas said, No, if you do, you will stoop down to her level, and she might have thought, I put you up to this. Let us see how this pans out.

While Thomas and Andrew discussed the importance of what they found, just down the hall, the producers were having a meeting of their own.

Corie Williams sat at the head of table, listening to the directors speak out.

One director said, "Everything is in position for the reality show, especially the hidden cameras that will be in their cell.

"We should be at a green-light status to start airing the show in two months as long as there are no unseen delays.

That should give us enough time to plug the show on a nationwide level.

Then Corie said, I want nothing but the best people on these commercials. Which leads me to our next objective. What names have we brainstormed for our high-profile show?

One of the director replied, "Dawn of Death, Path of Doom, or maybe Face of Death."

Corie started rubbing underneath his chin and said, "The Face of Death has the best ring to it. What do you guys think?"

Everyone nodded their head in agreement.

"All right, Face of Death it is, unless we come up with something else before we advertise."

One of the producers stood up and said, "I do have an issue that I would like to address before we leave. Sir, I know the potential impact of this show could be endless, but do you think taking the credit for this reality show is the best move for our company?

I mean, what if the public found out we had nothing to do with it at all? The name and reputation of this station would be dragged through the mud by our competition. A lie always comes out in the end.

Williams jumped up, pushing his seat back with anger. With his index finger pointing at the man’s face, he said, "I told you that information will never be released. People will believe anything that we want them to believe.

"Are you stupid enough to think that we should tell them the truth? A maniac, who killed almost hundreds of people by making them go through the most unimaginable torture and punishment and making them beg for death before he killed them, just one day, decided to write us and convince us that the world should hear the stories of murderers on death row and watch them die.

"Are you insane? If you believe that, you are an idiot. People love death, blood, and chaos. Trust me, if I tell them one of the most psychotic serial killers of our lifetime came up with the whole