Skinned

By PJ Wright

People are disappearing, and its up to JC and Colt to solve the cases. Their witnesses keep escaping. The captain is on them to solve the case.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524658229

PJ Wright

I have lived in Nevada most of my life. I love to write. This my tenth book. We live on a small farm in the middle of nowhere. I enjoy taking care of my animals. They are a lot of fun. I have the best life.

Book preview

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2017 PJ Wright. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse    01/03/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5821-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5823-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5822-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017900011

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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 1

JC took a deep breath. She knew the risk she was taking. She could lose her job or maybe even her life. She hoped it was worth it. She knew that Colt was only a phone call away. She was still pissed off at him for leaving. She knew that if she had a half of brain that she would turn around and get the hell out of here. She was determined to show Colt and herself that she could do this on her own. I don’t know why these weirdoes’s can’t do this in the daytime she thought to herself. She thought about Colt as she drove down the dark dirt road. What was he doing? Was he thinking about her? I’ve got to quit this she said to herself. She thought she would never get to the end of the road when her headlights shinned on the shadow of a car. Finally, she thought. She stopped a few feet away. I’d better leave the car running she said to herself. Just as she reached for her pistol she caught a glimpse of a shadow standing by the back of the car. It startled her. She picked up her gun and put it in her holster. She looked over and the shadowy figure was gone.

Tap, tap on the window. JC darn near jumped out of her skin. She turned to see a woman standing there looking in the driver’s window. She motioned for JC to roll down the window. She rolled it down just enough to talk.

What are you doing out here this time of night? asked the woman.

I’m supposed to meet someone here, answered JC, thought maybe it was you?

No, I saw your lights, she said, I live just down the road.

I didn’t catch you name, said JC.

You know you shouldn’t be out here alone, people disappear, she said.

She turned around and walked away. JC started to get out but she disappeared into the dark. That was creepy thought JC. Maybe I’ll come back in the day and look around. She started to back up her car when the headlights came on the other car. JC stopped backing up. The other car started moving toward her. It picked up speed. Great thought JC they want to play chicken. She thought about putting it in drive and gunning it. No, she said to herself. She put the car in park and watched as the car came toward her. She thought about Colt and what he would do or say. He would probably have gunned it she said to herself. She waited for the impact as the car speed toward her She held her breath. It stopped in front of her; The head lights shining in her eyes. Then it backed up and sped away. She let out a big sigh. Now she was more determined than ever to figure this out. JC turned the car around and headed back to town.

Do you think she’ll come back, momma? asked Justine.

I know she will, she answered, "that’s why I contacted her.

Do you think we’re doing the right thing? asked Justine.

I know we are, she answered, Grandma would have been proud of us. She motioned her to get in the car. They got in and drove slowly down the dirt road. She turned right down the long drive. It was lined with big oak trees. It was like going thru a long dark tunnel. Justine could see the faint lights of the old farm house up a head. She could remember the stories her mother told her about how her grandpa and grandma built it with their own hands. They had spent their lives building up the small farm. Then grandpa got sick and died. Justine and her mom moved there to take care of grandma and the farm. Then when that evil doctor butchered grandma, her mom just kind of snapped. Justine worried that someone would find out their secret and take her mother away. Then she would have no one; Just her paintings. She had to make sure that never happened.

Momma, do you think my painting will sell? asked Justine.

I know they will, she said, they are one of a kind, the canvas really brings out the colors, and they’re so vibrant.

Thanks momma, you’re my biggest supporter.

We only have each other now, she said, We have to take care of each other.

I know momma, said Justine. But there was something that nagged at her. Like something was missing in her life. Someone else. She didn’t dare ask questions. She just kept it to herself. Maybe someday I’ll figure it out she thought to herself.

They didn’t say anymore as they exited the car. Justine wasn’t sure how many more there were. Her mother just told her that they all will pay. She said she was doing it for God and for grandma. Justine knew that momma knew best. She was exhausted and couldn’t wait to crawl into bed. She knew that her momma would be on the computer all night doing more research. While Justine spent tomorrow painting and stretching her new canvases, her momma would be resting. When night came again they would get rid of the waste. They would dump it for the wild pigs to eat. Sometimes Justine could hear them crunching on the bones. The noises echoed in the dead of night. She would wonder if their souls ever cried out in the night. Sometimes she could swear she would hear their screams. Momma always says they have no souls.

JC pulled into her driveway. She turned off the car. She sat there thinking. Am I doing the right thing she said out loud? This is crazy. I can’t doubt myself, that’s how you get in trouble. She wondered what Colt would do. I know exactly what he would do, she said smiling. He would do what I’m doing. The only difference he would be calling me dragging me into it. JC had to admit she enjoyed the adrenaline rush it gave her. She missed that. She wanted to call him. Maybe I’ll sleep on it she said. She got out of the car. She slowly walked to the front door. She put the key in the lock and turned it. She reached for the door knob and pushed the door open. She was exhausted. She just wanted to go to bed. She reached for the light switch and turned it on.

Hi beautiful, did you miss me?

Holy shit, you scared the crap out of me! exclaimed JC.

Sorry.

What are you doing here, I thought you were on vacation? said JC.

I was, but I heard you might need my help, said Colt.

You been spying on me? asked JC.

I wouldn’t call it spying, he said.

So, what would you call it? she asked.

Concern, he said.

Oh really, she said.

She wanted to tell him how glad she was to see him. That she missed him. But she didn’t want his head to swell. She didn’t want him to think that she couldn’t do this herself. Even though she knew she needed his help.

So, what do you got? asked Colt.

I’m not sure, answered JC, I think this case is connected to the doctor somehow, I just need to connect the dots.

Why don’t I have a look at what you got, said Colt.

JC handed what she had to Colt. She knew it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra set of eyes. Maybe he could figure out what she was missing. She told him that she was going to bed.

Colt laid the folder on the coffee table and opened it up. JC stood there in the door way of her bedroom for a moment watching Colt. She closed the door and went over to the bed and sat down. She was exhausted. She would have loved "to stay up with Colt and went over the case with him, but she didn’t have the energy. She got up and went into the bathroom to wash up and get her pajamas on. She practically fell into bed. When her head hit the pillow, she closed her eyes. It felt so good.

Colt flipped thru the pages. He read every word intently. He took a deep breath. What am I missing he thought? He rubbed his eyes. He had to admit he was tired. It was a long drive. He laid down on the sofa and closed his eyes. When he opened his eyes, JC was standing over him smiling with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Good morning sunshine, she said, did you get a good night’s sleep?

What time is it? he asked yawning.

6:00 am, answered JC.

She handed him the cup of coffee. He took a big sip.

I could have used this last night, said Colt, it might have helped me stay awake.

I think you needed the sleep, said JC, Helps clear your mind.

You’re probably right,