A Tie That Binds: Anita Zac, #1

By Zee David

As the Rue killer is finally apprehended, Detective Anita breathes a sigh of relief, bidding farewell to her long-time nemesis, Brie.

Just as she contemplates a future without the haunting specter of the serial killer, fate takes an unexpected turn. 

A call about a dead runaway teen jolts Anita back into action.
The lifeless girl clutches a mysterious note in her backpack, bearing the enigmatic words:

''A tie that binds'

 

Book one of the Anita Zac novella  series

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eddy2wice
• Release date: Dec 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223946991

Zee David

Zee David is a nurse by profession but sees writing as a passion. She discovered the talent at an early age. To her, the greatest gift. Her satisfaction is knowing that her work is read and loved. She loves writing, watching Korean dramas, and most of all, she loves her family. Zee David's language background is reflected in her work, which consists of French, American, and British English. She speaks four languages fluently. She is an animal lover, especially cats, and dogs. Reads a lot, though mostly listens to audiobooks. She doesn't have a favourite author, though leans toward the mystery genre. Zee also writes, other genres though under another pen name.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was high time she had a good phone call, especially with her line of work, and the call from Darwin asking her to dinner was Detective Anita Zac’s best one in a long while. The last case hadn’t exactly made room for self-care with a teen-murdering psychopath on the loose. After the depressing routine of crime scenes and endless periods spent in unfeeling investigation rooms, the greasy smell of Melty Eat, and the lively chatter of the patrons was a welcome change. As was the mouthwatering sight of her bacon cheeseburger delight being placed before her.

Wow, if I didn’t know any better, I would have thought you were eating gold, Darwin joked at the delightful moan she let out at her first bite.

She leaned back, to her side of the booth, putting a finger up to stop any more comments from him as she savoured the taste. It was how she liked it: the thick-cut bacon, the beef patty grilled to near perfection, the soft, melty slice of cheddar cheese. All brought together with soft, fluffy buns and a heavenly BBQ sauce with a recipe more elusive than the cold cases in the precinct.

It’s not my fault you have no taste for finer things, Oroez, she replied, pointing at his club sandwich.

They are the same thing, he argued, making her shake her head in disappointment.

No taste, she repeated, taking another bite and washing it down with her pop. She had been holding off on over-indulgent food for when she wasn’t staring down at decomposing bodies. This was why she now saw it fit to go for the most decadent one she could get her hands on while having a free night ahead of her.

Remind me why I asked you to dinner again. Darwin sulked, digging his stubby fingers into his meal.

My effortless charm, she said, running her slender hand through her black hair. If there was one thing she could never be found wanting for, it was her confidence. It helped a lot when making decisions, and there was no way anyone could take a spineless detective seriously, much less a female one. Her witty comeback earned a light-hearted chuckle from the brunette.

You’re unbelievable, was all he had to say. She grinned, looking up at him. It had been a while since they bantered like this. The serial murder case had kept her busy, and his being in the cybercrimes department made his face scarce. He still looked the same, except for the light stubble moustache he was strangely pulling off. Paired with his short, wavy chestnut locks and outfit choice of a jacket on denim, it gave him a casual, scruffy, yet put-together look. She had to say, she sort of dug it.

Thanks for the invite, by the way, she said, her tone half serious. Words couldn’t even begin to describe just how needed this break in her routine was. With the craziness of the past three months, she was due for an evening away from a crime scene.

His deep brown eyes sparkled, brightening his tan face. And what are the chances you might consider us doing it again sometime?

She paused mid-bite. She had been half expecting the question, though not this early on. She hadn’t fully decided if she wanted to officially call this a date, much less if she wanted to go on a second one. It had been hovering between them for a while, his gaze lingered too long and her subtle remarks that blurred the lines between friendly banter and flirting. But when he had asked her out to Melty Eat, his present question had been immediately anticipated. It’s a shame her sixth sense didn’t come with her reply.

Thankfully, she didn’t need to look for one; her phone rang just in time. She let out a string of curses when she saw the name on the caller ID.

Work, he stated rather than asked. A plus side of being in the same line of work is that it saved time wasted on explaining. She nodded, wiping her hands with the napkins before picking it up.

The call was straight to the point; her chipper mood was nowhere to be found after hanging up. She stood, the ambiguous outing over before it could begin.

I gotta go. I’m sorry about this, she said. He understood immediately, standing with her.

It’s fine. Is it okay if I drive you?

Sure. Hope your stomach’s strong enough. She looked back at her barely eaten burger wistfully. Something told her she might not be able to enjoy dinner anytime soon.

She walked out of the restaurant, noticing the slapping of rain drops over the black iron door as the smell of wet earth replaced the savoury smell of fried food.

Aww, these weather reporters never get it right, she said.

It’s November, Darwin said by way of explanation.

Of course, this was Monthel, a country in Europe, and it was the rainy season. She had to give it that, at least. But still. At least I wore my black boots, she said, glancing down to make sure she wasn’t about to step in a big puddle.

Here. She watched Darwin pull his jacket off, which he handed over to her.

But what about you? she asked.

I’m okay, he replied.