The Julie Avery Mystery Trilogy: Part 2: The Curse of Apartment 5B

By Beverly J. Graves

THE CURSE OF APARTMENT 5B is the second book in the Julie Avery Mystery Trilogy. Richard Beasley, Julie's publisher was pleased with HER NEW BOOK. It had sold well in the bookstores and online. He was anxious for Julie to continue providing her novels to him for publication, especially since she had added the mystery twist to HER NEW B

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Nov 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781959761075

Beverly J. Graves

Beverly lives in Pella, Iowa with husband, Don. She is retired and volunteers in community events that keep her busy. She's been actively involved with community theater for almost 40 years performing and directing 50+ productions. She has written several plays and skits, and seen them brought to life on stage. Her love of theater encouraged her to organize a children's drama group at church that ran for eleven years. Beverly says, "It is a joy to see young actors grow up to become confident, outstanding young adults."

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The Julie Avery Mystery Trilogy: The Curse of Apartment 5B—Part 2

Copyright © 2022 by Beverly Graves

Published in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of ReadersMagnet, LLC.

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THE CURSE OF APARTMENT 5B is the second book in the Julie Avery Mystery Trilogy. Richard Beasley, Julie’s publisher was pleased with HER NEW BOOK. It had sold well in the bookstores and online. He was anxious for Julie to continue providing her novels to him for publication, especially since she had added the mystery twist to HER NEW BOOK. Richard is equally pleased when Julie sells her cottage in Monique and moves to Fort Wayne. His and Brandon’s offices are downtown, not far from Julie’s new apartment. He is excited for the opportunity to work closer with Julie and to get her current book. He loves the story line she shares with him about the strange happenings at the West End Manor and the interesting people who live there. As we meet and get to know the residents, we find Julie’s life is hectic as she plans for her upcoming wedding while researching the background of the curse of Apartment 5B for her current book.

CHAPTER 1

Julie Avery smiled to herself as she placed another carefully wrapped, pink rose, china teacup in the box on the kitchen counter in her little English cottage at the end of the cul-de-sac in Monique, Indiana. As she looked around the kitchen, she realized just how hard it was going to be to leave her lovely little cottage behind. It not only reminded her of her English heritage and her mother, but it had been the perfect place to write. Looking out over her back yard that ended at the grove of trees with the forest area beyond, had been the most peaceful location to sit and let the ideas flow from her head to her fingers on the keyboard of her laptop. She had written two novels and four children’s books sitting in front of that large window gazing at the woods. The second in her mystery/drama trilogy had begun forming in her mind and the first few pages were on the laptop waiting for her when she got settled into her new home.

She thought back on the past year which had been a whirlwind. She and Brandon Jenkins, her long time high school friend, had finally confessed their love for each other after sixteen years. They were no longer in the friend zone. Of course, it had taken Julie’s being kidnapped and held captive by her neighbor, Eric Players, for them to admit to themselves and to each other that their relationship was more than just friendship. That memory gave Julie a shudder as she thought of the stormy night when she had first met Eric and how foolish she had been; although she would never admit that to Brandon. Of course, Brandon was right now, leaving the cottage and Monique was the best thing to do no matter how difficult it seemed. Leaving the memories behind though was going to be a lot harder.

When Brandon’s detective friend, Don Graverton, uncovered the truth about Eric and his dad’s involvement in the construction site accident where two people were killed, it all became very clear to them that Eric Players was hiding something. Little did Don or Brandon know at first that it was Julie! And Eric’s dad. Eric had put his dad in a medically induced coma and was keeping him a prisoner in their home. When Julie innocently discovered that Eric had this secret, she became a victim as well. When Julie thought about the two days she spent tied to the bed, she just couldn’t wrap her head around the idea that Eric, the sweet new friend, the person who had kissed her so passionately, could turn so suddenly into a deranged kidnapper. She remembered the way his eyes had glazed over and the strange, sinister way he had talked; yet switching seamlessly back into the Eric who had first attracted her interest. It was so bizarre.

Julie was glad that Brandon had asked his detective friend to look into the construction accident and Eric’s involvement, even though he hadn’t realized at the time that Eric was actually holding Julie hostage in his house. When Don Graverton came to Monique to ask around about Eric, he discovered what Eric had done and saved Julie from her ordeal. The incident had prompted Brandon and Julie to finally confess their love for each other. Everyone who knew them already knew they should be together; but it took Julie’s life being jeopardized to wake them up to the fact that their relationship was far more than their high school friendship.

So the past year had really been a huge change for Julie and Brandon. Looking back on their lives, they realized they had always been great friends and shared many evenings and weekends together at the movies, theater, dining, and at the beach cabin on Lake Ferrell. But now they were doing those things as two people in love and life had taken on a new meaning. It had seemed a bit strange at first, but they soon settled into their old/new routine. Brandon urged Julie to move to Fort Wayne after they got engaged so they could see more of each other and even though Julie hated the thought of leaving her little English cottage, she wanted to be closer to Brandon so she agreed to find an apartment until they could look for a house. When she thought about how he had proposed so sweetly, she smiled. It was just like Brandon to get down on one knee with the ring box in his hand. The diamond was a beautiful pear shaped stone with little rubies around it. The love in his eyes shown brighter than the diamonds. How could a girl refuse?

When he heard the news that Julie was thinking about moving to Fort Wayne, Richard Beasley, her publisher and Brandon’s boss, was all for it and added his two cents worth, encouraging her to make the decision to move. He convinced Julie that she could continue her writing career anywhere; after all, their offices were in downtown Fort Wayne so it would be really convenient for her career and her life with Brandon. Julie eventually agreed, it did seem to be the most logical thing to do and she was excited about the new adventure in spite of having to sell her cottage. Calling the realtor had been one of the hardest things to do. Within two weeks, she had several offers and she accepted a very generous one. It would make finding a new place in Fort Wayne easier, but now the new owners were anxious to move in, so Julie had to find another place to live pronto; which she found was not an easy thing to do.

She had looked at several apartment buildings but had found none that allowed pets. Giving up Spot, her adorable black cat, was not an option and Julie had almost given up the idea of relocating to Fort Wayne if Spot couldn’t come with her. She knew that Brandon was right though about the cottage being at the end of the cul-de-sac where her backyard ended at a deep wooded area. It was a dangerous place for a woman to live alone. And after the incident with Eric, Julie had readily agreed. Perhaps she could find a place somewhere else in Monique where she could keep Spot. Brandon wasn’t a fan of that idea, he wanted Julie to be closer to him in Fort Wayne. He had suggested she move in with him, but they both knew that his apartment was way too small for both of them and Spot. Besides, Julie knew in her heart that living with Brandon before they were married was not what her mother would have wanted. And although Julie wasn’t particularly a religious person, she felt a strong pull to remain in an independent living situation until they were man and wife. When she told Brandon, he agreed. His parents had taught him the same. So apartment hunting, as much as she hated it, started in earnest.

Before she could think seriously about her new life with Brandon though, Julie knew there was something she had to do. She felt a strong need to see Eric one more time. She didn’t really know why, except she needed closure and offering her forgiveness might be it. Detective Graverton had uncovered the information about the construction accident that Eric had tried to hide. When he shared it with Brandon and Julie, she no longer needed to ask Eric to explain, but she had considered him more than just a new friend at the time and that part of the equation had not been resolved. Julie had followed the trial and the Judge had been lenient when Julie had testified that she didn’t want to press charges for her kidnapping. But Eric’s involvement in the construction site accident was his cover up and he had paid the price by losing his architectural license. So the Judge sentenced Eric to fifteen years for kidnapping his father and conspiracy, with the chance for parole in five, as long as he agreed to a psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Julie had found out that he was now in Pendleton, Indiana at the Correctional Facility. She had been told when she had asked Detective Graverton to check, that Eric was seeing a psychiatrist and undergoing therapy and was doing quite well. Graverton’s connection with the police department and FBI allowed him to gain information that would not be readily available to Julie any other way and she was grateful the Detective was a good friend.

When Eric had been arrested, Julie had told Detective Graverton that she was not going to press charges because, after learning the details of the construction accident, she felt Eric had been through enough. His father, Ben Players, had died shortly after Eric was arrested. It turned out that he did actually have cancer. Julie was sure that his dad’s death had been hard on Eric and in spite of everything that had happened, she felt compassion for him.

Julie told Brandon she wanted to go to Pendleton to see Eric. Why on earth would you want to do that? Brandon had exclaimed. No, there is no reason for you go.

Yes, I have to, Brandon. Julie tried to explain. I need closure. I need to forgive him for what he did to me.

Julie, you’re always so kind but that creep doesn’t need your forgiveness. He got what he deserved. Brandon was adamant.

Brandon, I know you don’t understand and you always want to protect me, but I need to go. Eric is behind bars, he can’t hurt me, but I need to look him in the face. Julie insisted.

Then I will go with you. Brandon wasn’t going to let her go anywhere near Eric without him.

No, Brandon, if we are going to be married, I need to do this on my own and close this chapter on my life and seeing him in prison is the only way to do it. Brandon was not happy about her decision, but she was firm and refused to let him drive her there. Pendleton was less than a hundred miles from Fort Wayne, straight down Interstate 69, and she promised she would leave early and be back before dark the same day.

So in spite of Brandon’s objections, Julie headed her car south. There wasn’t much traffic on a weekday and she was actually enjoying the drive. She sang along with the car radio as she drove. Stormy was handling well on the road and Julie smiled to herself when she remembered how Eric had helped her find her new car after Red Hot Mama had been damaged in the mall parking lot by a hit and run driver. They had shared a laugh that they both named their cars. Those were the good memories and Julie wanted to hang onto them so she could face Eric. She knew it would be difficult to see him behind prison bars, but she was determined to get the closure she needed.

It was just after lunchtime when Julie pulled into the parking lot at the Pendleton Correctional Facility. It was a formidable looking building with its tall turrets at the main entrance that made it look a bit like a castle. It had opened in 1923 and was known for John Dillinger, the notorious bank robber, being one of its earliest inmates. Julie had researched the visiting hours and regulations and was prepared to make it a quick visit. She took a deep breath and walked towards the guard at the gate.

She gave the guard her name and showed her identification. She told him Eric’s name and cell house number which Don Graverton had provided. She knew she was only allowed no more than $30 in her pocket and her car keys, so she left her purse in the car. She now walked slowly behind the guard to the visitation room. The sounds and smell of the prison made Julie feel a little sick to her stomach. The thought of Eric being in this place, made Julie cringe as she sat at the desk waiting for him to be brought in, her heart was racing wildly and she felt light headed. When he entered the room in his prison jumpsuit, with the metal cuffs and chains around his wrists and ankles, she had to stop herself from crying. She had known it would be difficult, but the shock was even stronger than she had anticipated.

Eric sat down at the table on the other side of the partial window that separated them and picked up the phone so they could talk. Julie could see the surprise on his face and it was plain in his voice that he had never expected her visit.

Oh, my God, Julie. What are you doing here? I never dreamt that I would see you again. Why are you here? Eric could barely get it the words out.

Julie swallowed and began. She had rehearsed what she wanted to say so many times, but now found that the words didn’t come out like she had thought. Eric, it’s good to see you. You look well. Are things going okay? It was good to see him looking rested and healthy regardless of the drab olive green prison jumpsuit and his hair being a bit messy. He had grown a short beard that outlined his jaw and looked good when he smiled at her; he seemed like the same old Eric she had first met.

"Yes, my therapist says I am doing well. I understand now that the accident and losing my job was more than I could handle. And keeping my dad in the medically induced coma was wrong. I thought at the time, that when he was better, I could find out more about his involvement in the accident but …

Eric’s voice dropped off and he seemed to drift away for a moment. Julie didn’t know what to