Silenced: PSV, #1

By Vivian Ireton

There is a serial killer loose in Chicago.  Social Worker Cassandra Welton and Detective Logan Trenton team up together to follow the evidence.  Will they be able to capture the killer before he strikes again?  Will Cassandra allow God to lead her to find the man He has for her?  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vivian Ireton
• Release date: Feb 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224283644

Book preview

Endorsements

T his novel is such a good read. The characters are likable, and you’re drawn in cheering for them to overcome as they face each new obstacle.  Watching as they work together to solve the mystery and bring justice is very satisfying! The cherry on top is how it’s all presented in a Christian framework, with faith in Jesus as an integral part of their lives. I was reluctant to put it down once I started it. It was well worth the time spent.

Becky Gentry

Couldn’t put it down. What a surprising twist!

Emily Stein

Copyright © 2023 Vivian Ireton

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 whether electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission, except for brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1- A Grizzly Scene

Chapter 2 -The Interview

Chapter 3 – Gender Reveal

Chapter 4- A Gutsy Lady

Chapter 5 The End of the Long Day

Chapter 6- Collecting Evidence

Chapter 7- Blurry Eyes

Chapter 8- Not Much to Go On

Chapter 9- Bump in the Center

Chapter 10- An Unexpected Offer

Chapter 11- A Quick Bite

Chapter 12- More Crime Tape

Chapter 13-Two for the Taking

Chapter 14- Getting to Know You.

Chapter 15- The Hunt is On

Chapter 16- A Picnic for Two

Chapter 17- A Breathtaking View

Chapter 18- Worship

Chapter 19- Girls’ Night In

Chapter 20- Mail Call

Chapter 21- Strange Turn of Events

Chapter 22- Picture Tells a Story

Chapter 23 – A Broken Heart

Chapter 24- Hide and Peek

Chapter 25- A Face to Find

Chapter 26- A Deep Conversation

Chapter 27- A Common Bond

Chapter 28- Alibi or Not Chapter

Chapter 29 - Killing in the Park

Chapter 30 -Murder Three

Chapter 31 -And That Makes Three

Chapter 32-Choices to Make

Chapter 33-Who is This  

Chapter 34-Which language to Use

Chapter 35- A Witness to One

Chapter 36- Murder Board

Chapter 37- A Night to Cherish

Chapter 38 Three or Four

Chapter 39- Where did it Go

Chapter 40- Warrants Wanted

Chapter 41- Arrested

Chapter 42-Proposal

Chapter 43- Confession

Chapter 44- A New Season In Life

To My Readers

I want to acknowledge God for the gift of writing He has given me.  He is worthy of Praise,

I want to thank my husband for supporting my writing and giving up some evenings for me to pursue my dream.

I also want to thank my Thursday night writers’ group, who helped me be a better writer, and my ASL teacher for her help.

Chapter 1

A Grizzly Scene

It should be a dark, dank night, Cassie thought as she looked at the crystal blue sky with not a cloud in sight. A slight breeze ruffled Cassie’s brunette hair. The breeze swept across her arms, causing the ruffled sleeves of her shirt to reveal her toned arms. The smell of roses drifted faintly on the wind. Birds were fluffing their feathers in the nearby fountain. Their songs were the only sweet sound on this day. The melody was disjointed from the scene before Cassie. The presence of the crime scene tape and law officers muted the usual sounds of Grant Park.

Cassie returned her gaze to the body that lay in the shadow of a tree. The woman was lying on her back, naked from the waist down. Her hair had been chopped into a ragged mop. Her hands were bound behind her with what appeared to be her pants.

It was the woman’s face that held Cassie’s attention, however. The perpetrator had painted a big clown smile around the victim’s gaping mouth. Where the tongue should have been, there was only a dark cavern. The tongue now resided at the center of the woman’s forehead, standing there like a digit that had grown in the wrong place. How is it staying up? Cassie thought as she stared transfixed. Tearing her eyes away, she followed the trail of blood from the tongue to the once strawberry-blond hair, which had now turned into a dark copper-matted nest.

As she looked away, she silently talked to her Father, "God, how can a person do this? What makes a person so sick that they feel they must be so destructive to another? Even as Cassie thought the questions, she knew the answer. Sin is prevalent in the world today. She knew that her Savior would come one day, and evil would not prevail. Until that day, evil would continue to permeate the world. As her thoughts turned toward heaven, she found herself wondering where the victim had stood spiritually and where she would be spending her eternal life. God, I hope she had a relationship with you," she whispered.

I wish you didn’t have to see this, the deep baritone voice slowly registered in Cassie’s mind. Detective Logan Trenton stood at her side. Cassie had been so engrossed in the scene before her that she hadn’t heard him walk up beside her.

Since you had contact with the victim two weeks ago, we thought you might be able to help us. We need someone who can tell us about her and any recent changes to her appearance.

Cassie looked at the man’s face, which loomed over her. While her five-foot-eleven-inch frame was not short, his six-foot-seven-inch height gave him a definite advantage. His brown eyes steadily held her green gaze with a hint of emotion in them. Cassie, unable to identify the emotion, answered him as her own feelings were betrayed by her voice.

The way she looks now is quite different than she looked when I saw her, she said with a tremor in her voice. Logan was quiet as he watched her, trying to regain her composure. Cassie hugged her stomach as if it ached. Please don’t let me throw up, she thought as her stomach started to roll.

Cassie brought her hands up to her face and wiped her eyes. The gesture seemed to be an effort to erase his gaze or maybe the scene in front of her.

Sorry about that, she sighed. I am not used to seeing my victims so ummm...dead.

Cassandra Welton was used to seeing the violence a person could do to another. The difference was as a forensic social worker and criminalist at the Hope Center, Cassie was used to seeing them alive. The woman on the ground in front of her had been a recipient of the HOPE Center’s services two weeks ago. She had been brought there after being beaten and raped. Cassie found her thoughts returning to that day as she stood looking at the victim.

When the EMTs brought her in, her clothes were torn from the rape. Her fingernails were manicured, and she had a cute haircut, although it was disheveled at first. I noticed that her hands were soft as if she regularly used lotion. Additionally, she was wearing perfume that emitted a faint, flowery scent. After I completed the examination, and she emerged from the room, it was evident that she had made an effort to look composed, considering the circumstances.

It sounds like you are very observant in your job, Logan remarked approvingly.

I must be, otherwise, evidence might be missed, and then justice would not be obtained for the victims. Besides providing a sense of safety and caring when I see them, the thing I want most for them is to have justice. I know that is the only way they will truly feel safe again. Cassie smiled sadly as she met Logan’s gaze. The sympathy she saw there touched her heart. He’s still able to feel for his victims, she realized as she held his gaze for a moment. As she pondered this, Cassie slowly turned her eyes back toward the victim, as her thoughts wandered to the first time she met her.

Chapter 2

The Interview

I know it is hard to talk about, Cassie told the young woman who sat on the examination table. Vicky Tanner’s cheeks were still wet from the sobs she had tried unsuccessfully to control moments before. Her sobs had reduced to silent tears alternating with soft hiccups as she tried to collect herself. Cassie had sat silently beside her on the rolling stool, holding her hand as she cried. Now, she gently pulled her hand away as she started to get up. I think she is in shock, Cassie thought to herself. She is not responding well.

Why don’t you get dressed and then go to my office. We will be able to talk more comfortably there, she softly stated.

Vicky looked at Cassie as a shudder went through her body. Her blue eyes displayed the agony she was feeling. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded and got down off the table. She picked up the soft blue sweater and the tan khakis Cassie had brought her. New underwear rested underneath. On the floor lay a pair of caramel sandals to complete the outfit. Her torn, bloodstained clothes lay in an evidence bag on the blue counter across the room.

Cassie walked to the counter where the evidence bags were laid. She picked up the four bags, which were already sealed and labeled. While Vicky got dressed, she would take them to the PSV intake officer. Cassie stepped out into the hall, letting the door click shut behind her. Going down the hallway, she stopped at the desk of the bubbly receptionist.

Nora, when Vicky comes out, would you please take her into my office, get her something to drink, and stay with her until I return?

No problem, answered Nora. How did it go in there? While she did not voice her concerns, her black eyes held a gentle worry about the young woman she had just met. Cassie cast a glance over her shoulder before she answered. I am not sure. She didn’t speak a word the whole time during the exam. She only met our questions with a blank stare. I am not sure she’ll be able to tell me what I need to know.

Nora gave Cassie an encouraging smile. If anyone can get her to talk, it’s you. You know God gave you a special gift to help people open up.

Cassie smiled gratefully at Nora for her words. Her friend, who could be a fashion model with her shiny ebony skin and statuesque frame, had the gift of encouragement, which was always appreciated on a hard day.

I hope He gives me the right words today, or I am going to be in trouble.

Now girl, don’t you go doubting our God, Nora retorted. You do your part, and He’ll sure enough do His.

Cassie nodded her head in agreement as she held up the evidence bags. I have to get these to PSV. Be right back.

As Cassie walked down the hallway, she thought about Nora’s words to her. She knew her job was to be open to the person she was interviewing and listen to what was said. It was God’s job to help the victim to talk. You’ve got a big job today, Lord, Cassie prayed as she walked. The verse from the Bible that said, "nothing is impossible with God" flashed through her mind. She knew He was big enough to help with the situation today.

The tan carpet ended at the set of ornate