Passionate Retribution 3

By Amy Shannon

Carly Marshall, a private investigator in New York City, faces another emotional toll when someone so deeply close to her loses his life. Desperate for retribution, she is determined to find the one responsible for causing death and pain, while she has to deal with her own emotions of pain, grief and attraction for another man.

Carly and her family need to heal and move on with their lives while trying to find the answers they so desperately seek. Will Carly finally get her happily ever after or will retribution be too hard to pass up?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Oct 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215088883

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Passionate Retribution 3

Amy Shannon

Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

Essence Enterprises

ISBN: 9798215088883

2023 Digital Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

Passionate Retribution Series

Passionate Retribution

Passionate Retribution 2

Passionate Retribution 3

Passionate Retribution 4

Introduction

Carly Marshall, a private investigator in New York City, faces another emotional toll when someone so deeply close to her loses his life. Desperate for retribution, she is determined to find the one responsible for causing death and pain, while she has to deal with her own emotions of pain, grief, and attraction for another man.

Carly and her family need to heal and move on with their lives while trying to find the answers they so desperately seek. Will Carly finally get her happily ever after or will retribution be too hard to pass up?

1

CARLY MARSHALL STOOD near the mahogany casket, covered in the American Flag. She gently placed her single red rose on the casket. She dug her feet into her shoes to keep herself from collapsing.

Her brother, Terry Edwards, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and led her back to the chairs. He kissed her temple, and they sat down.

Carly watched as the men, dressed in dark black suits, folded up the American Flag and presented it to her. She looked at her brother and then at the flag. I can’t do this, she cried, as he held her close. Her mind drifted to two weeks ago … a shattered minute in time that brought her and her family to this moment.

Carly ran towards the burning building. Jack, Jack, she yelled.

Jared lifted his mask and turned around. Carly, where were you? he asked.

What do you mean? she asked as she stared up at her ten-story apartment building, as flames shot out of the top floors.

Jack is inside. He thought you were in the building, Jared said.

Oh, god, did everyone get out? she cried. My husband was in there. My friends. Peter. Derek. Where are they?

He put his arm around her. Derek was inside but he got out. He was alone in the apartment. Are you sure Elliot was inside?

I don’t know. I thought he’d be home by now. I was running late on a case.

His radio squawked incoherently. He lifted the radio to his mouth. Repeat? Ten four, he looked at Carly. They’re bringing Jack and Elliot out now.

How bad?

They didn’t say, he said. I’m sorry. They didn’t say. Jack is our Chief, Carly.

He’s been the goddamn chief for 30 years; he cannot die now. No fire has been able to get him yet! she spat.

Terry took Carly’s hand. I’ll help you through this, he said.

Carly looked at her brother. I need answers. Elliot’s death was not an accident. He didn’t die because of the fire. He died because he was murdered. The fire was set to cover his death. Dad and Derek are in the hospital, still.

I know, he said. Carly, I’ll do whatever I can to help you. I have made some contacts that I can call in, if you need favors.

She looked into his eyes. You’re a lawyer. You have contacts that I will need?

Judges, FBI, he shrugged. Marines. Once a Marine, always a Marine, so if you need anything.

I need my husband to be alive, she said. Terry, go on. I need to sit here for a few minutes.

Terry stood up and scanned the crowd for his partner, Dr. Steven Thompson. Their eyes met and he walked toward him. Steven looked into his eyes and touched his cheek. Is she all right? Steven asked quietly.

No and I don’t know how she will handle this. She married him five years ago and she should not be dealing with his death. She barely handled Tyler’s and he was her partner.

And former lover, Steven said. They were always close. Where’s Leo?

Over there, with Robin, Terry said. Elliot was his best friend and now, he’s gone.

Where is she staying? Her home was destroyed.

I think she’s been staying at the agency, but I’m not sure, Terry said as they focused back on Carly. She barely says a word, at all.

Carly stood up and walked over to the casket. El, you weren’t supposed to leave me this way, she leaned over and kissed the casket.

An older man, dressed in a navy-blue police class A uniform, walked over to her and sighed heavily. His medals that were across his chest seemed like they would weigh the old man down, but he stayed in militarily straight posture. He removed his cap and tucked it under his arm. Do you remember the day you broke my jaw? he whispered.

Yes, sir, she said. I do. I am still sorry about that.

Do you know what my son said to me?

No, she said. What was that?

As the doctors were wiring my jaw shut, Elliot looked at me and said that’s why I love her, she certainly packs a punch.

He said that? He said he loved me? she turned her head toward his voice. Her eyes noticed Leland Marshall’s worn, tired face as tears streamed down it and gently rested on his chin.

Yes, he couldn’t tell you, but he could tell me, Leland gulped, as he slowly turned his head and faced her. Find the man who murdered my son.

I will, she sighed stoically. If it’s the last thing that I ever do.

I still have influence in the force, so if you need my help, don’t hesitate to call me. I may have retired after you punched me, but I am still a police officer. He stood straight as his eyes met hers. Understand?

I totally understand, she said as they both turned toward Elliot’s casket.

2

CARLY STEPPED OUT of the limo and looked at her brother, after it stopped on Twenty-first Street. You go on. I’ll see you there later. I need to do something here. She walked over to the Marshall and Travers Private Investigation Agency. Her agency. The one she partnered with Elliot and Leo. She walked into the agency, but nothing was the same. She originally started the agency with Tyler Mathison. He was gone now. Dead. Murdered. Kyle Mathison was consulting with her, but he, too, was dead. Murdered. Agnes was no longer there. She died at the age of 98 last year. She had worked for Carly for years and worked until the day before she died. Carly missed her and knew she’d never be able to hire someone to do a job as well as Agnes did. She did hire someone, though. She needed an assistant to run things because she was no longer there. Leo was still there. He came on after Tyler died. He joined her and Elliot. Now, Elliot was gone. Dead. Murdered. He wasn’t just her partner, but her lover, her husband.

Carly looked toward her assistant. Jane, any messages for me? she asked. Jane was Agnes’ niece.

Jane, an older woman, wearing her silver hair in a tight bun, smiled at Carly. Um, just a lot of condolences. I didn’t know you would be here, Mrs. Marshall. I just came in to take all these calls and handle the cards and flowers. We also have several donations. What do I do with those?

I want all the donations sent to the burn ward at Mercy General. They can always use the funds. Also, set up an account at the bank for that. If anyone calls, that’s where they can donate, in Elliot’s name.

Yes, Mrs. Marshall, she said.

I’ll be in the office, she said. But I’m not working until Monday.

Yes, Mrs. Marshall, Jane said.

Carly walked into her large office that she shared with Elliot and Leo. The large office housed three large desks, four closets, a table and several chairs, two gun cabinets and a safe. Six years ago, she walked into the office after Tyler’s funeral and now, she was doing it for Elliot. Tyler had been her partner and after his death, his murder, Elliot and Leo bought in.

Both Elliot and Leo had retired from NYPD as homicide detectives. It seemed like a million years ago that Carly had been with the NYPD as Elliot’s partner, but after a vicious attack and the fact that she punched out her captain, she was released on disability.

Carly sat down behind her desk and lifted her wedding picture. Oh, El, I love you so much. Why the hell did you leave me like this? she sobbed.

She looked up as Peter Barker stood in the doorway. Peter?

Kiddo, I didn’t want to crowd you at the funeral, but I had a feeling I’d find you here.

Is it Derek? Is there any change?

Nothing yet, Peter walked into the room. All I can do is sit there and hold his hand.

Carly hugged her best friend tightly. Peter and Carly had been best friends since they were two. They lived next door to each other in the now fire-gutted building. Where are you staying?

Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I know you own our building. Do you know what’s gonna happen with it?

I have to talk to the insurance company. I think it may be easier to tear it down more than anything. I don’t know if it can be rebuilt. I will cover your losses for furniture and clothes, so don’t worry. I’ve been taking care of those who have been displaced and the insurance company is helping me with that.

Where have you been staying? they sat down in the chairs in front of her desk.

Tyler’s apartment, she said. When he and then Kyle died, it was left to me. I’ve only been using it as a safe house when I got rid of the other two. Besides the hospital, where have you been staying?

My office, he said. Hell, I have a sofa and I had to buy some new clothes. I even bought clothes for Derek. Silly, huh?

No, honey, it’s not. I didn’t think of it before, but you know, there is an apartment open on the opposite side of Tyler’s, I mean, where I’m staying.

Really?

Yeah, after I inherited the apartment, I invested in the building. So, it’s yours if you wanted it, same rent as before.

You sure?

Yeah, just come and look at it later. It’s lightly furnished but I’m sure Derek will put his spin on it.

Yeah, he will. You’ll see.

I’ll need him to help me with Tyler’s, I mean mine. I think I’ll be staying there for good, so I guess I do have to make it more like a home. I can’t shrine Tyler and I can’t shrine, Elliot. All I can do is miss my husband, she sobbed.

Peter put his arm around her. I know, kiddo. I know. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Thanks, she said. I don’t know how to do this, but I have to. I feel so numb right now.

I saw Leland Marshall talking to you.

Yes, he wants me to find his son’s killer.

Carly, you could just leave it … Peter stopped. You know what I was gonna say, I guess.

Peter, he killed Elliot. My father and Derek are in the hospital with burns on their body because of it. Jack is … he is in there because he thought I was in the apartment. I can’t leave it up to the police. I have to do it. I do.

It’s not your fault that Jack was there.

He thought I was home. Dad never goes into a fire. He monitors it from outside, where he’s safe. She heard the front door open and then Jane appeared in the doorway. Yes, Jane?

A Jared Duffy is outside. He wishes to speak with you.

He’s my father’s second in command at the fire house. It’s fine. Send him in.

Jared, wearing his dress blue uniform, walked into the office. Mrs. Marshall, he said.

Please, Jared, it’s Carly. I’ve known you for years. She smiled.

Jared nodded and removed his cap. I wanted to talk to you but if you’re busy.

No, this is Peter. Peter Barker, she smiled. Derek Walters is his husband.

Oh, right, I’m sorry. He nodded slightly.

Peter looked at Carly. I’ll get out of your hair.

Um, no, that’s OK. Carly, you told me to let you know when you can access your apartment. The only way upstairs is the stairs; obviously, there is no gas or electricity to the building. If I go with you, you can see if there is anything you can salvage. I don’t think so, but I do know that all apartments upstairs were fitted with safes and those look intact.

Oh, good, Peter said. May I come? My apartment is next door to hers.

I would change your clothes because it is quite sooty up there.

Sooty? Carly smiled slightly. Um, has CSU been up there to process where my husband was killed?

Yes, and it was cleared this morning. I don’t know if they found anything, but the scene is cleared for now.

Good. I’ll be there soon, she said.

Um, where are you staying now?

Oh, in the Algonquin Building on Twenty-Seventh street. Top floor apartment. It used to be Tyler’s, but he left it to me in his Will.

Oh, all right, he smiled. I can meet you there in an hour. I have to change, too.

Thank you, Carly said. I’ll be there. She watched him leave out of the office.

He seems nice, Peter said.

Yeah, he’s a good man, I guess. I don’t know him very well, she said. We better change. You wanna see the apartment?

Yeah, sounds good. Anything is better than the sofa in my office.

Come on. We can order you whatever you need for now, she said. And tonight, you and me, pizza, popcorn, wine, and a sappy, cry-baby movie.

Sounds perfect, kiddo. They headed out of the office as Carly nodded to Jane.

3

CARLY AND PETER followed Jared to the blackened tenth floor. Oh, god, she said. I didn’t realize.

Well, there are boards down where the fire burned holes in the floor. Just be careful where you walk. Both of you can visit your apartments. If you need me, I’ll be out here.

Carly looked at Jared. Do you know where they found my husband’s body?

In the kitchen area, he said. Your father got to him and then dragged him to the hallway. That’s when the ceiling came down on your father. He pointed to the ceiling.

Thanks, she said, as she looked up at the large hole in ceiling that exposed the bright sunlight. And Derek got out how?

Three fire fighters found him in the stairwell. He was going down.

Peter looked at Carly. I don’t know if I have anything worth saving, but I have to check the safe.

Go on, she pulled a plastic bag out of her pocketbook and handed it to him. I grabbed a few, so if you need more let me know. I’ll be in my apartment. She walked into 10-G as Peter walked down the hall toward his apartment.

Carly stood in the middle of her blackened out living room. The scent of smoke and soot still lingered in the air. Her life was in this apartment. She tried to control her thoughts and memories, but the feeling of Elliot was all around her. She walked into the large kitchen area. She could see a slight shadow on the floor. Damn, she whispered, as she turned around. She knew that’s where her husband lay dead. She wondered what his last thoughts were. Was he afraid? Oh, El, I’m