To Push Back the Darkness

By Lisa Timpf

When the trail goes cold on a string of robberies, Detective Janet Vertran is forced to call on her ex Fiona for help. When Fiona broke things off between them two years earlier, Janet swore she’d keep her distance. But she also knows from past experience how helpful Fiona’s creation, an android named Pat, can be in ferreting out the little details that make all the difference when solving tough crimes.

Though the robberies appear to have been conducted by separate individuals, Pat finds an unexpected connection between them. But as Janet, Fiona, and Pat get closer to unearthing the truth, it becomes clear the case is taking an emotional toll on Fiona.

As she works with her ex once again, Janet is reminded of old times and familiar feelings begin to stir. Is it possible they’ll get a second chance to make their relationship work? And will Janet find the courage to do what it takes to find out?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Mar 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781646567133

Book preview

To Push Back the Darkness

By Lisa Timpf

Published by JMS Books LLC at Smashwords

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2021 Lisa Timpf

ISBN 9781646567133

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Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

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This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

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To Push Back the Darkness

By Lisa Timpf

Chapter 1

Detective Janet Vertran, I said, shooting what I hoped was a comforting look to the lean, dark-haired man who greeted us at the variety store entrance. I gestured toward my patrol partner. This is Detective Logan Patterson. You reported a robbery?

I did, the man replied. Vincent Smithson. I own the place. I have to say, you got here fast.

Often, we heard the opposite. A sarcastic, what took you so long? or About time. But I drew little comfort from his words.

Not fast enough, I said, gritting my teeth. This was the fourth in a string of robberies in the area over the past week. Maybe, if we were lucky, we’d catch a break that would help us solve the case. We could always hope. Were you working the cash at the time?

Yeah. That single word contained mingled pride and regret. Tuesday mornings are slow, so I just handle it. He shrugged. The perp waited till the store was empty, then came in through the front door… I swiveled my head to follow the direction the man behind the counter had pointed. And then he waltzed up to me, gun in hand, dropped a zip-up leather bag on the counter, and demanded the contents of the till. So I gave him the money.

Good decision, I said, nodding. You don’t want to tangle with somebody with a gun. I scribbled in my notepad, then looked up. Can you give us a description?

I can do better than that, Vincent said, his downcast expression brightening. He didn’t have a disguise of any sort, and I have a hidden camera at just the right spot to catch a good view of his face. Come on back and I’ll show you.

I gave Logan a sidewise glance. He shrugged. Just go with it.

I nodded. Who knew, maybe this time would be different. Though I wasn’t counting on it.

Vincent led the way into a cramped office. I grimaced when the play-back began. Sure enough, the perp’s features blurred and rippled. Same effect as the other three crimes.

What the— In the seconds it took for the play-back to run, the store proprietor’s glee morphed into a mix of puzzlement and anger.

He wore a distort device. Like the others. Until we get our hands on it, we won’t know exactly how it works, Logan told him.