Jacks of Hearts: The Storyville Chronicles

By Samantha Rae

The discovery of a prostitute's body leads Detective Ethan Reed back to the girl he had asked to marry before she became the madam of Jacks of Hearts.

Ethan Reed was born to no one and dumped in Storyville alley. If his pops, Officer Adam Reed hadn't found him, life would have been a lot different.

Vivian Jacks was born to a whore. If her mom, Lola Jacks, hadn't been a prostitute, her life would have gone in a different direction-marry the man she loved. She had to say no. She was becoming the Madam of the Jacks of Hearts.

Discovering the killer reunites Vivian and Ethan in this twisted love story. Does who raise you determine who you are and the path you take?

*Trigger warnings: rape and murder

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiery Vision Publishing
• Release date: Apr 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201989019

Samantha Rae

Samantha Rae completed writing her first novel on her 16th birthday. New Beginning is her first novel in the Twiddle series. She grew up in Clifford Ontario. When not in school or writing her novels, she finds herself reading, drawing, and playing her guitar. Follow the Twiddle Series on facebook for all up-to-date information.

Book preview

Chapter One

1903

Ethan Reed couldn’t believe the scene he was looking at before him, blood everywhere. He wasn’t even sure if it was a woman. At first glance, she was sliced up, too many cuts to count. It wasn’t until her breasts were found that it was confirmed. This prostitute worked in the Storyville quarter, he wasn’t quite sure what house. It was a brutal scene; many of the other officers either refused to return to the scene or threw up a ways off. The body had been burned beyond recognition.

Dr. Hughs, please have the body taken to your hospital, Ethan stated.

I’m not sure how much I can help you. I’ve never seen anything like this before, Dr Hughs shuddered.

Ethan ignored the doctor, Put the body in a private room, allow no one to look upon the body.

Ethan continued to look around the alley where the body had been found. He could tell that the woman must have been servicing a customer. He wondered why she was out here instead of safe in the house she worked. The woman had been clean; the clothes she wore were not rags, they were beautifully made and carried the colors of only one, The Jacks of Hearts, run by none other than Vivian Jacks.

Ethan had known Vivian Jacks since they were kids, both came from dubious beginnings. She was born to a prostitute and he was born to no one. He was found in an alley much like this as a baby and was raised by the police officer that had found him, Adam Reed, and his wife Abby. Ethan’s pop was a good man; Abby, his wife, never really accepted him as part of the family.

Ethan met Vivian when he was about thirteen and she was ten. It was at the marketplace. She was being held against her will by a group of boys who knew her mom was prostitute. He took his fair share of a beating, but he beat the hell out of two of them before they finally ran off. Vivian was upset that he was hurt and dragged him back to her house. Ethan knew where she lived, everyone knew where she lived.

***

Vivian Jacks was the Queen at least at the Jack of Hearts. She took care of the women that worked for her, that’s the one thing her mother taught Vivian. Everyone in this house was family. Vivian’s mom Lola had died from influenza when she was just eighteen. One of the elder prostitutes, Mama Maria, helped keep the house running and taught the business to Vivian, though this was not what her mother wanted. That had been about ten years ago.

Vivi, Rebecca isn’t in her room, Beth said as she ran through the door.

Vivian treated the girls like sisters, she understood that women have many reasons for becoming a prostitute. She certainly was taught to never judge someone because circumstances can make people make strange choices.

When was the last time anyone saw her? Vivian asked.

Rebecca left last night to meet a man, Beth whispered. She said he had promised to take her from this life.

Do you know who she was meeting? Vivian asked.

No, I don’t and neither does she, Beth cried.

Girl, what are you talking about? Mama Maria asked.

Rebecca and this man wrote letters to each other. They would leave the letters underneath the bench on the porch, Beth explained.

How could she be so stupid? Why would she agree to meet a man she’s never even met? Vivian asked. I taught her better than that.

What should we do? Beth asked.

Vivi, there’s a detective here to talk to you? a voice yelled up the stairs.

Vivian, you know who that’s going to be, Mama Marie said.

I know, it’s been about ten years since I’ve seen him. Just after mama died. It was the day I took over the house.

Chapter Two

Ethan didn’t want to be standing on the front porch of Vivian’s house. The last time he had seen her was about ten years ago, just after Vivian’s mother died. Ethan wanted to take Vivian away from this life. He had asked her to marry him, but right here in this very spot she said no. He left that day, never looked back. Ethan hadn’t seen or spoken to Vivian since that day. Now he was here to let her know that one of the girls, friends...or whatever they’re called...was found murdered...slaughtered.

Ethan watched Vivian float outside, he didn’t know what else to call it. She looked like an angel, but everyone in town thought she was the devil in disguise. He wasn’t sure if the town was right about that.

Detective Reed, what brings you to my doorstep? Vivian asked.

Ms. Jacks, it’s been awhile, Ethan smiled.

It’s been awhile, my ass. You’ve known where I have been...here. The house that the devil with an angel face runs. Please tell me why you are taking a chance with soiling your good name, Vivian snapped.

Ethan could see the fire in her eyes hadn’t been put out with the life she’d been living. The thought of other men having a taste of her fire made it damn hard to be standing here.

A body was found in the alley down the ways on Basin, behind Ms. Crystal’s house, Ethan said.

Why are you here if the body was behind Ms. Crystal’s house, shouldn’t you be talking to her ladies there? Vivian asked.

"Vivian, you