Betrayed: Played, #2

By Candace Dowds

My name is Desmond Kurtshaw and I AM The Silent Butcher. I spend my nights hunting my prey and my days playing The Silent Butcher in a new television series.

One of the detectives charged with finding the killer has been assigned to the production company as an advisor. She's here to ensure the authenticity of the show, not that I need any advice. However, being this close to Detective Holloway is a thrill ride in itself. One I wasn't expecting, but one that makes the game that much sweeter - Desmond

• Language: English
• Publisher: Candace Dowds
• Release date: Feb 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386971351

Candace Dowds

Candace began writing after the passing of her son in 2009. It has been an emotional release for her. She is supported by her family and friends. Other than the time she is writing, she sits back for hours reading books by her favorite authors, Tijan Meyer, Rachel Vincent, Richelle Mead, Colleen Hoover, Claudia Gray and so many more. That or she will go for a calming drive while listening to Eminem, Slim Shady, Marshal Mathers or The Rap God, whichever you would like to call him. Her kids are just like her, sarcastic, but fun loving. The rules she lives by 1 Don't take life too seriously 2 Don't live up to others ridiculous expectations 3 Surround yourself with people who love you for you 4 If life becomes too much, have a stiff drink and start again tomorrow.

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Candace Dowds

Chapter 1

Detective Holloway

The last two months have been an absolute nightmare. Do I regret filing a report to Human Resources regarding the way is been treated by my fellow male officers? Not at all, but the backlash, was something I could have lived without.

For weeks, while my Captain and two fellow detectives were being investigated, they made sure I was given the most tiresome jobs, within the department.

I was sent on wild goose chases, and I was also subjected to evil stares, as well as being called some of the most heinous, sexist names, under the sun, and it left me feeling confused. Why would you continue to berate the woman who filed the report? Most humans would keep their heads down and mouths shut. Nope, not the morons I work with. They continued with their sexist jaunts, and telling me women shouldn’t be detectives, and each time they did, I would mosey on up to HR and report what was said. Today is the day we find out the consequences of said investigation.

It was just after midday when I was called up to the conference room on the fourth floor where the HR department is located, and when I entered the large room that was cordoned off by glass, immediately my expression turned to one of distain. Seated around the large, wooden, dark stained conference table sat, my captain Lester Warnos, the 67-year-old, tubby balding asshole, and seated on either side of him was Paul Stevens, a middle aged skinny runt, and my nemesis, detective Mark Easton, another middle aged chubby, balding asshole, or as Desmond so lovingly calls him, Detective Twatwaffle.

Fortunately for me, Desmond was kind enough to make a statement to Gillian, telling her about a conversation he heard Easton having with someone on the phone a few weeks back. According to his testimony, Easton was determined to destroy my career, all while calling me ‘The Vagina’. The look on Gillian’s face when she took down the statement, was priceless, and it was at that very moment I knew she was going to do everything in her power to make sure these men got what was coming to them.

Taking my seat opposite the ‘men’ I choose to keep my attention honed in on Gillian, who is seated at the head of the table, sifting through her notes, and before too long, she looks up at me, and she smiles.

I have invited you all up here today to give you the results of our investigation. Now, as you all know, there was more than one report filed, and if I were to be brutally honest, I must say that the goings on in the crime unit even after you were all given notice of the fact that we were conducting an investigation, was nothing short of disgusting. You three men, went on and continued to belittle Detective Holloway. For three detectives who are supposed to be an example for the community, and not to mention the fact that not one of you can blame lack of knowledge due to your ages, I am truly appalled and so is my superiors. I will now go over the information brought forth to our department regarding your behaviours. Captain Warnos, I shall start with you, she tells him as she looks through her papers until she finds the one she needs. You have been overheard on more than one occasion telling Detective Holloway that women don’t belong on the force, but rather they should stay in the kitchen and tend to their husbands. You have also been overheard telling the Detective that she should stay behind her desk like a good girl and let the men go out and do the real police work. And then there is you, Detective Paul Stevens. You have been reported as saying to Detective Holloway that she will always be the coffee bitch because that’s all a woman can handle doing in a precinct, and although it’s very sexist of you, your behaviour is seen as somewhat mild in comparison to Detective Mark Easton. Gillian then takes off her glasses and stares at Mark. Detective Easton, your behaviour towards Detective Holloway, is nothing short of disgusting. You were overheard talking on your phone regarding Detective Holloway as ‘The Vagina.’ You then went on to threaten a Mr Desmond Kurtshaw when he confronted you about said conversation and due to your threats, Mr Kurtshaw not only made a statement to me, but he also filed a complaint against you.

He what? How dare he! That man is a liar, I tell you, and I flinch when Mark pounds his fist down on the table.

Getting violent won’t help you here, Detective Easton. Get your emotions in order. Because you’re going to be quite unhappy with your punishment, Gillian tells him, But before I pass it down, do any of you have anything you would like to say?

Looking at each of them, I can tell just by the looks on their faces that they have a lot to say, and yet not one of them makes a comment, all they do is shake their heads.

Very well, then. Captain, I will start with you. Due to your age, the decision has been made by my superiors that you are to retire, immediately.

What? No! Under no cir...

But Gillian cuts him off, It’s not up for debate. You will be forced into retirement and you will receive your full pension. Gillian then looks to her notes, Detective Stevens, you have been given a warning. However, if there is to be just one more complaint filed against you, you will be terminated. Understood?

I look over at Paul who has now sunken back in his chair as if the further he sinks, the more likely it is he will stay hidden. Understood, he returns no louder than a whisper.

Very good. Now, Detective Easton, due to the vulgarity of your behaviour, myself and my superiors had no other choice than to have you demoted to lieutenant and you are to be reassigned to another precinct and have been taken off The Silent Butcher case. Oh shit! Here we go.

You fucking bitch! If it weren’t for you and that fucking mouth of yours, non of this shit would be happening! Mark screams as he slams his fist down on the table, and when he stands, the chair flies out behind him, hitting the wall. Are you fucking happy, now? Fuck you! he yells as he leans across the table at me, but I do my best to stay calm and collected. I will not stop to his pathetic level.

That is enough, Mr Easton, Gillian says as she too stands. "You will take your punishment and you will compose yourself. It’s