Life Through a Mirror: When Murder Calls

By Caesar Rondina

Life Through A Mirror – When Murder Calls
Caesar Rondina

Life Through A Mirror, “When Murder Calls” is part three in the continuing Life Through A Mirror romantic murder mystery series. It revolves around suspense, murder, romance, and family. Allie and David continue to become trapped in a web of suspense and murder that will captivate your mind, and steal your heart. They were two different people that came from two different worlds, who finally found each other. Together, they are trying to save themselves and their family. Follow Allie and David as they attempt to save what they have in a world that seems to be constantly trying to shatter their lives, dreams, and family. Caesar Rondina demonstrates in “Life Through A Mirror, When Murder Calls,” you will develop a deeper attachment to Allie and David and their family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781546271598

Caesar Rondina

With over 35 years of working experience within the public health care system, Caesar Rondina has interacted with over 76,000 medical patients from different walks of life, running a range of cultures, races, and creeds. These encounters were often amplified by the intensity of a life-or-death. Caesar Rondina is a Best-Selling Author and Public Speaker and produces educational video tutorials on writing that are published on udemy.com, and holds a valid United States Coast Guard Master Boat Captain license. Caesar Rondina was resides in New E ngland and has three adult children. He has attended universities in the fields of Education and Business Management, and has completed extended studies in the fields of electronics, medicine, and boating. As a public speaker, he engages people and speaks at book clubs, school events, community service events, in addition to professional speaking engagements. Caesar Rondina supports youth groups and various other organizations.

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© 2019 Caesar Rondina. 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 03/29/2019

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7160-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7158-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-7159-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018914711

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

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.

All names and events in this book are fictional and do not relate to any people or events.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1 Looking Back

Chapter 2 The Reunion

Chapter 3 When Murder Calls

Chapter 4 Everyone has their limits

Chapter 5 The hunt

Chapter 6 Life Is About Change

Chapter 7 What now?

Chapter 8 Sharon

chapter 9 Life Is A Tangled Web

Chapter 10 Is it ever safe?

Chapter 11 What Is the truth?

Chapter 12 The final chapter

Credits

ALSO BY CAESAR RONDINA

Life Through A Mirror-The Battle Rages On (Book 2 trilogy)

A Woman’s Fear

The Warrior Within

Life Through A Mirror (Book 1 trilogy)

Making Partnership Choices

Balancing The Scale

Who Are The Heroes

The Soul In Our Hearts

Best-Selling Author of

Management and Employee Relations

(available as a tutorial on udemy.com)

Leadership Skills for Success

www.caesarrondinaauthor.com

Twitter - @caesarrondina

Facebook - Caesar Rondina Author

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my family who continues to support me throughout my journey and to every individual who enjoys a good murder mystery. I appreciate every reader, not just the ones that read my books, but all readers. Your dedication keeps a wonderful form of creativity, expression, and art alive. I would like to thank all those who have supported me along this path.

INTRODUCTION

In the first two books in the murder-mystery series, "Life through a Mirror," many individuals had an influence on Allie and David. Their present and what could be their future. Allie and David both struggled as they fought to clear themselves of murder charges. At times, they almost gave up. They found a way to survive and keep their lives together and move in a positive direction. Murder always seemed to bend that path. In the first in this series, they both managed to clear their past to live for the present. In the second in this series, they had to clear up a murder to save their present and their hopes for a future. A future they were desperately fighting to have together. As each story developed, strong family bonds were formed. As other people entered their lives and became part of their growing family, the bonds grew deeper. In this series, many of the things left unknown in the first two books will surface, creating greater challenges for them. Challenges that could destroy all they have achieved. Ghosts from the past resurface, which could destroy their family and marriage. Everyone has a skeleton hiding in his or her closet waiting to be released. Will these skeletons destroy what they have built? Will Allie and David forget how hard they have fought to survive and save their love for one another?

The family dynamics will heighten your emotions as Allies faces some of the most difficult decisions of her life, as David tries everything to save his family. When you add murder to the mix, the web is tightly spun. In this spine-tingling murder mystery, you will experience it all. You will feel love, happiness, sadness, anger, and betrayal as your senses are sharpened. As the story unfolds, it will engulf you and captivate your mind. You will not want to put it down, as you become part of this drama. Are people who they present themselves to be? Will the family fall into the silky web spun by spiders who love to catch their prey? Allie and David will need to fight harder than before to break free of this web. Could this tangled web destroy their family and everything they have achieved? It will take cunning, as well as the ability to stick together to escape the web strung by the spiders in the third in the "Life Through A Mirror, murder mystery, "When Murder Calls." Life and murder never come neatly wrapped in a box with a pretty bow.

CHAPTER 1

LOOKING BACK

When we left off, Allie and David’s son Lewis was almost a year-old, and Allie was pregnant with a girl who they decided to name Jessica in honor of David’s sister, who was killed at eight years old. Rivera escaped from custody while being transferred from the court back to jail. There was a nationwide manhunt in place to apprehend him. Rivera was a key material witnessed who made a plea bargain deal from the government to avoid the death penalty for murdering an undercover FBI agent named Max. He also had information on many cold case murders, as well as more information on the last crime boss Vincent, who was awaiting trial. He framed David for the murder of Max. With this plea deal and confession, all charges were dropped against David, who was cleared of the murder charges. Vincent’s trial would have been starting soon if Rivera had not escaped. There was enough evidence against Vincent. However, Rivera’s testimony would drive the last nail into his coffin. The trials for the other two family crime bosses were over and were a huge win for Ray. He was the FBI prosecutor and a dear friend of David’s family. Ray was offered the director position of the regional field office for the New England region. A position that he desperately wanted It would get him out of the courthouse, working nights, weekends, and holidays. He could live a more normal life and spend more time with his family and grandchildren. Ray’s boss did retire as planned, and Ray received the promotion. Anthony, the prosecutor in David’s case, was promoted to Ray’s position. Ray’s boss Michael moved into the town that Lou and Molly lived in. Lou handled the real estate transaction for him and made sure the construction was complete on the house. Michael was now working part-time for Lou two or three days a week. Due to his criminal prosecution experience, he was a perfect fit to assist David.

The Allie M. fashion line was exploding. Capturing this market would make them a global fashion company. Since this ordeal with David was over, Lou and David agreed to go to Paris with Allie and Molly and make this a mini-vacation. David and Allie had still not taken an official honeymoon, and that was not scheduled until over the winter months. Paulie and Maria would take care of baby Lewis during their Paris trip. Allie was three months pregnant at the time. They had gotten their wish of having a boy, and now a girl was on the way. They were not sure if there would be more. The law firm had grown tremendously since David became a partner and developed the criminal-defense branch of the practice. His reputation in Allie’s case would be spoken of for my years. If you remember, when Allie was growing up, she was being abused by her stepfather from the age of thirteen. Something her mother never knew. Allie never told her. He always told her if she said anything, he would leave, and her mother would have no income. This was the main reason that Allie started down that path until she was released from prison. She needed to change her life. Getting her case overturned and the true murderer caught was the legal case that made David famous. During Allie’s time in prison, her mother Sarah, and stepfather Brad sold their house and left town. The way Allie led her life, and the embarrassment of a murder conviction, was the reason behind their decision.

Brad, Allie’s stepfather, was an alcoholic. He worked every day and provided for the family. Allie’s mother accepted this lifestyle. The economy was bad, and like Allie, she made her choices based on necessity. When they moved, they left no forwarding address, never visited Allie in prison, and never let her know where they moved. When Allie was released from prison, she realized she was alone. Out of anger, she wanted nothing to do with her mother or Brad. She did not care about them. When she met Molly, Lou, and David, a relationship between Allie and David started, ending up in Allie becoming pregnant, and David and Allie getting married. They were perfect for one another and had a very special love. During her pregnancy, Molly and Lou offered to find Allie’s mother with the hopes of reuniting them. Allie was no longer the same person. This made Allie angry. She made up her mind. She wanted nothing to do with them ever again.

As the family dynamics developed, Molly and Allie developed a strong bond and friendship. Molly looked upon Allie as her little girl who died, and Allie looked at Molly as the mother she never had. Over time, they developed an extremely strong bond. Naming the baby girl she was carrying after the daughter Molly lost, was the step that solidified their mother and daughter non- biological relationship. To listen and watch them, anyone would think they were mother and daughter.

*****

Paulie fully recovered from his gunshot wound. He and Maria would be starting to plan their wedding. He was working for Lou full-time in the law firm and had completed his training with Russell, and obtained his investigator license. Paulie started to take online college courses in criminal science. Paulie was a natural and maintained many of his New York connections. Allie and Molly were getting ready to plan their trip to Paris for the European fashion show. Growing up, Paulie and David were best friends. They moved to New York together and got into serious trouble. They both had a great deal to do to get their own life straightened out.

After spending almost a year without talking, Paulie was deeply involved with the crime family. He found himself in a position where he needed to make a choice. After the major coordinated ATF, DEA, and FBI bust, he made his choice and was instrumental in assisting David. He was shot while searching for evidence that would help clear David was he was arrested for Max’s murder. After he met Maria, he knew he wanted to change his life. This was his opportunity. Maria had no idea what he really did for a living. When he finally told her and explained he was getting out, she accepted him and said yes when he asked her to marry him. Maria managed one of the largest hotels in New York. She was a perfect fit for the opening that was available back where David and Allie lived. Paulie was moving home. They were engaged and moved out of the city.

Maria was born and raised in the country. She lived in the city because there were no jobs where she came from. This was an opportunity for her and Paulie to get back to their roots. One of the lynchpins in the first two books was Russell. He owned the global investigating firm he took over for his father, who was a retired CIA agent after he became ill. Without Russell and his team of experts, Allie’s case would have never been overturned, and David would have not gotten his privileges to practice law back. Ray would have never received all the evidence he would need against the bosses of the three largest family crime families in the country.

During these times, Allie and David separated. The family was torn and falling apart a little more each day. The evidence was overwhelming against Allie. The family started to have doubts, which caused arguments with David. It was difficult to believe what they were being told. This was not the first time their family love would be tested. The next time it was tested, Russell stepped in. They were all like family, and Russell was not going to see his friends and their family almost destroyed again. He met with the family and supplied the wake-up call they needed to survive these difficult times. Over the years, Russell had developed this friendship out of respect for the friendship his father and Lou had. When his father was ill, Lou was a supportive friend. Russell never knew how much Lou had done for his father, but he knew it had to be a great deal. Neither Lou nor Russell’s dad ever spoke of it. One day, Russell might find out. For now, they were like family. Because of their father’s friendship, David and Russell knew each other growing up and were the same age. Russell was an only child. Following in his father’s footsteps was his goal, which he successfully achieved. Neither family needed money. Lou’s firm was worth millions, and Russell’s investigating firm was worth even more. With the addition of the Allie M. clothing line, that added more wealth to the pot. With all this wealth, they were all community-minded, down to earth people. No one ever forgot where he or she came from. How hard they all worked to get what they had today. As time was passing, more highways were being built which would contribute to the continued growth of their town. Their town was the most thriving town in New England. They worked very hard to maintain its character.

*****

David was a criminal defense attorney. With all the individuals that were arrested and convicted, he never worried about retaliation. It was the results of what was learned while getting Allie’s murder conviction overturned that triggered the FBI involvement. That is what eventually led to all these arrests. Much of this evidence came from confessions, plea deals, and others turning into witnesses for the government in return for the witness protection program. Everyone knew taking down the crime boss’s would not stop anyone from taking over the family. With all the information the government acquired, rebuilding these crime families would not be an easy task. It made more sense that other families would try to take them over. These were all issues for the government, not David. Everyone knew that some type of retaliation could occur. While David’s trial was winding down, their housekeeper had a visit from a man and women, both looking for Allie. They never left a card or a name. Finally, the man who came left a card, and asked that it be given to Lou. When they all returned home, Lou called him. Lou knew him. He was a private investigator that was an ex-police officer. He was forced to retire due to a gunshot wound he sustained in the line of duty. He was searching for Allie. Allie’s mother had hired him, and he was trying to locate Allie for her. With all the publicity from her case and her fashion line, she was not difficult to find.

When Lou and David spoke to him, they felt her mother was seeking money. The PI told them that was not the case. Brad, Allie’s stepfather, passed away. He left Sarah, Allie’s mother, a large life insurance policy. She did not need the money. He explained that Sarah never knew that Brad was sexually abusing Allie. She found out when he confessed to it on his deathbed. It had now been seventeen years since Allie and Sarah spoke, or saw one another. Sarah wanted to make things right between them. Knowing how adamant Allie was about never wanting to see her mother again, David made it clear her mother was never to come to the house again. He and Lou would discuss this with Allie and get back to him. David made it clear if she tried to come to the house, he would put a restraining order against her, and have her arrested. He did not want Allie traumatized by this without first knowing and deciding if this was what she wanted. He assured them both that she would not go back to the house and would await their call. After the call, David was furious. He and Lou discussed a larger concern that Lou had. If Allie accepted her mother back into her life, how would Molly take that? Lou feared she might feel as if she lost two daughters. That would destroy her emotionally. David agreed, but they knew it had to be Allie’s decision. As it turned out, the night they got the call that Rivera had escaped, the doorbell rang. Allie was walking by the front door. They did not expect it could be Rivera. He would never ring the doorbell. Thinking it might be a neighbor, Allie answered the door. She did not recognize the women standing there and asked, Can I help you.

The women replied, Allie. I would know you anywhere. I’m your mother, Sarah.

That is where the last book ended. As another episode of murder, mystery, romance, and family unfolds, a silky web made by spiders could be one that no one will be able to escape.

CHAPTER 2

THE REUNION

Allie just stood there in shock as her mother introduced herself. Taking into account it had been seventeen years since she had seen her, Allie thought she looked tired, and emotionally beat. She just stood there in complete silence. David, Lou, and Molly walked over to the door when they overheard who it was. Lou could see the hate in Molly’s eyes. A look he had never seen. It was as if she were a bear with her claws out just waiting to strike.

David spoke up. Didn’t your investigator give you my message?

Yes, Sarah replied.

Then what the hell are you doing here?

Allie is my daughter. I never knew what happened.

David said, Wait outside, and shut the door.

Allie asked, What the hell do you think you’re doing? What is going on here? You didn’t tell me about this?

Lou interjected, Allie. David and I just found out about this today and were getting ready to speak with you about this when she came to the door. Something she was not supposed to do.

With a sarcastic response, Allie replied, Well, I guess it’s time you sat down and told me.

Everyone could sense the anger in Molly. This was exactly what Lou feared.

Molly spoke up in a raised tone. Wait one-minute young lady. Lou and I asked you many times if you wanted us to find her for you. You wanted no part of it. We took you into our family like you were one of our own. Molly was very emotional, and tears were starting to roll down her face. Don’t be mad or sarcastic with David or any of us for that matter. That is your real mother. I have obviously only been her temporary replacement. Talk to her and make your choice. You owe that to yourself. Then, I will make mine. With that said, Molly walked away.

Molly was strong but emotional. When she loved, she loved deeply and could be easily hurt. Lou told David to let Allie know what happened and went after Molly. Lou knew she was devastated. The presence of Allie’s mother was a surprise, but Allie’s attitude triggered her emotions. David asked Allie to sit down so they could talk. Allie told David she did not want to hear what he had to say. He should have called her as soon as he heard. She started to walk towards the front door.

David yelled, STOP!