Wage of Murder: Mac Morris Mysteries, #3

By A.M. Holloway

A serial killer exposes casino players to a deadly drug to satisfy a personal grudge.

How do you avoid something you can't see?

FBI Agent Mac Morris and her team are drawn into a chase when a US Senator asks her new boss to oversee his wife's murder investigation. That's when things turn personal for the team.

As they travel from state to state, several agents suffer from exposure to the killer's drug. Do they survive to see the case closed?

Buy now to join the chase for this elusive killer!

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.M. Holloway
• Release date: Feb 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9781956648089

Book preview

Prologue

Bells sound as the slots crown another winner. A lady jumps up and down, celebrating her win with high fives and fist bumps from fellow gamers. Then, she swipes the receipt from its holding place as she walks away from the winning machine. On her way to the window to collect her payout, she reaches down and plucks a five-dollar bill from the floor. She glances around to see if anyone witnessed her scoop up the money. Can this day get any better? She won at her favorite slot machine. Something she has dreamed of many times.

Her eyes scanned the area, landing on a man leaning against a slot machine several rows away. He grinned, but then looked down. Has he been there the whole time I played slots? Maybe he’s with someone, and our eyes just met for no reason.

The watcher continues his surveillance of the winner as she bounces up to the window and places her receipt on the ledge. The hostess takes the ticket and runs it through a scanner. Once the scanner proves the win, she congratulates the lady and pays her cash. The winner tucks her money into her shoulder bag before turning to leave.

While walking to the exit, she breaks out into a coughing fit. Every time she puts her hand to her mouth, the cough worsens. She leans on the wall for stability while waiting for the elevator to arrive. Finally, the doors open, and she enters the elevator. Just as the doors close, the man jumps on, apologizing for the delay.

She sees his face in the door’s reflection. How odd to have a smile on your face while riding upstairs in an elevator? She slumps against the elevator wall and prays she makes it to her room before collapsing.

The doors open, and she tries to take a step, but her legs stop working. It’s like her muscles won’t cooperate with her brain. The elevator spins, and she grabs hold of the wall as she slides against it.

She feels the man take her elbow as she looks up into his face. He says something, but she can’t understand it. Everything is spinning out of control as she pushes her head forward and down, hoping it will help. She gulps air, trying to figure out what’s wrong with her. The man points down the hall as if he wants to help. All she can do is nod her head, so she does.

With the man holding her elbow, he guides her down the hall. She recognizes her room and wrestles her key card out of her back jeans pocket. Exhaustion, dizziness, and muscle weakness overtook her body as she willed herself to make it to her bed.

The nice man helped her lay down on the bed, and he stayed to watch her eyes close. He took the remaining life out of the game-winner a little while later.

Chapter 1

The team’s celebration dinner ended late last night, so Stubin didn’t insist on meeting Mac and Spencer about their new assignment until this morning. Where are they? They should be here by now. Stubin paces as he waits.

Mac enters the office first and eyes Stubin’s facial expression. Her gut tightens. Good morning, SAC Stubin, Mac mutters as she passes him on the way to her desk.

Where’s Spencer? Stubin grumbles.

On the phone in the lobby, as usual, Mac grumbles.

Come to my office and bring Spencer with you. Now. Stubin barks.

Mac turned her computer on and clicked her email icon when Spencer appeared beside her desk. Stubin wants us in his office pronto, and he isn’t happy.

Spencer turns and walks toward Stubin’s office without so much as a glance backward to check on Mac. She reminds herself as soon as SAC Williams returns, she’ll request a new partner since Spencer’s phone calls continue. Mac can’t take another assignment with him taking confidential calls.

Mac had hoped they would have a few days’ downtime before their next case arose. She wanted to visit with SAC Williams after his wife’s surgery. Williams means the world to her, and she doesn’t want him to feel alone. Maybe this case won’t be as big as the last, where they chased an arsonist up and down the east coast.

SAC Stubin sits behind his desk while staring at a photo of a pretty face. Who is she, sir? Mac asks with a concerned tone.

Startled, Stubin raises his eyes to Mac and Spencer seated in the chairs opposite him. This is Erica Fornsby, wife of Senator Bennett Fornsby.

The duo waits for a beat while Stubin prepares his statement. Erica was visiting a casino in Delaware when her friend found her dead in her bed.

With that statement, all kinds of things came flooding into Mac and Spencer’s minds. Pictures of horrible crimes show up first. Do we know how she died and why it involves the Atlanta office? Spencer inquired.

Mac and Spencer share a glance. Neither has seen Stubin act this way before. He’s always forceful and robust, not sullen. When Stubin didn’t respond, Mac did. Why don’t we come back when you’re ready, sir?

Looking at the duo, Stubin states, I dated Erica before she married Senator Fornsby. We were together off and on for four years during college. This is a gut punch.

Oh, Stubin, I’m so sorry. Are you sure you want to be a part of it? If you’re too close, the bureau can assign another SAC. Mac offered.

Bennett Fornsby, Erica’s husband, asked me to look into her death. Even though she was in Delaware at her death, our office is taking over her case from the Delaware FBI office. Stubin paused before continuing. You two are the lead agents on the case. I’m still assigned to this office, even though I expect to hear something from Williams soon. I’ll see this case to its conclusion, regardless of where I’m stationed. Leave nothing out of your reports. I want the person who did this to Erica.

With that statement, Stubin passes two identical folders to Mac and Spencer. Both nod their heads in agreement and leave Stubin to his thoughts.

I didn’t expect that this morning. Stubin must have loved her. Wonder what happened between them? Mac questions as they peruse their folders. A color photo of Erica Fornsby is paper clipped to the left inside flap of the folder. The documents inside show the casino, her room, and the crime scene photos.

Spencer turns the pages in the folder around in different directions to get new perspectives. I don’t know what happened. They might have grown apart. You know how it is in college with everyone trying to find their path in life. Sometimes things happen, and you choose a different path than your partner. The casino picture slips to the floor. Spencer reaches for it, and as he raises himself to his desk, Are you ready to start the murder board? This investigation must be by the books. The result will be an arrest for Erica and Stubin.

I agree. A web search is my first stop to check on Erica and Bennett Fornsby, as it will provide us with background information on the couple. Stubin’s file doesn’t mention if Erica visits casinos often or if she might have been a target because of her husband. Mac plucked away on her keyboard, digging for information on the deceased victim.

An hour later, Mac printed off many pages of events the Senator and his wife attended, along with charities they support. Mac found no mention of children for the pair. The couple lives in a posh neighborhood, drives expensive vehicles, and dresses the part. In every photo, Erica sported styled hair and expensive jewelry. Is the jewelry the reason for her murder? Stubin’s file contained nothing on jewelry.

Spencer, does anyone suspect burglary as a motive? Erica wore expensive jewelry, but I don’t know if she wore the same pieces when she visited the casino. Have you called for CCTV for her visit? I’d like to get a look at her attire while she was on the gaming floor. Mac commented.

Not yet, but it’s on the list. We also need to speak with the Delaware detective. The first one on the scene should provide a new observation. The autopsy report wasn’t in the file either. Spencer jotted notes in his book as reminders. He picks up the phone and dials the Delaware detective. After five rings, Spencer leaves a message on his voice mail requesting a return call.

The duo walked off toward the conference room to begin the tedious task of starting a murder board when Spencer’s desk phone rang. He returns to his desk and answers it. Mac listens to the one-sided conversation and learns Detective Travis Spitz arrived on the scene to find Erica lying on her back in bed. It looked as if she were sleeping. Claire Sutton, Erica’s friend, found her in the bed after missing her on the gaming floor. They were traveling partners and shared a room. Claire didn’t notice anyone watching them while they were gaming. She mentioned Erica played slots while she played poker, so they were out of eyesight with each other for a while. Detective Spitz repeated Claire’s contact information to Spencer as the conversation ended. Then he said the room was spotless. The women planned to stay for several days. Their clothes were in the dresser drawers, not in suitcases, like most folks' travel. Spencer placed the phone receiver in its cradle as he wrote notes on his pad.

What do you make of that conversation? It doesn’t sound like a lot to go on, does it? Claire didn’t notice anyone watching them, and Erica appeared to be sleeping when she found her. Wonder who made the call to treat this case as a homicide if we don’t have the autopsy yet?

I guess the Senator feels his wife didn’t die of natural causes. Although, I’m not sure how he would know that since he’s not a doctor. Who should we interview first: Senator Fornsby or Claire Sutton? Mac asks with a head tilt. She had an uneasy feeling radiate through her body as she thought of the case. Who wanted Erica dead, and why?

Chapter 2

Spencer placed calls to Claire Sutton and Senator Fornsby requesting interviews. Claire agreed to meet at the FBI office downtown at 2:00 pm, followed by Senator Fornsby at 3:00 pm. The duo grabbed a bite of lunch and discussed the upcoming interviews with time to spare.

Mac ponders her feelings about this case, and she shares with Spencer. Do we know when the autopsy will take place?

I’ll follow up on it when we return to the office. Something about this case doesn’t feel right, but I can’t put my finger on it yet. Spencer states.

I agree, and I want to know the cause of death. Erica appeared too young to die without help unless she was sick, and no one knew. Is the autopsy here or Delaware? Mac questioned.

We’ll get those answers later. I have a lot of questions too. Both agents lowered their heads and finished their meals in silence. This case can be high profile because of Erica’s husband. The duo learned early in their partnership to eat and rest when you can because you never know what is around the corner.

Mac and Spencer walked to Stubin’s office before sitting at their desks. Stubin had his head in his hands when they tapped on the door. He looked up at the duo with sad eyes.

Come on in and take a seat. What can I do for you? I know you have questions. Stubin said with a sullen tone.

Spencer took the lead. We have interviews set for this afternoon with Claire and Bennett. Do you have the autopsy results yet? If not, why did this case come to us as a homicide?

A text message alert sounded, and everyone checked their phone. Stubin won that round. His lips emit a groan. The autopsy report is forthcoming. Delaware examined the body as they didn’t know Atlanta FBI would handle the case. Erica died on Wednesday after winning big at a slot machine. She loved slots, and she could sit for hours and play the same machine. The cashier that paid Erica said Erica broke out in a sweat while standing at the window. That’s the last time she saw or spoke to Erica. Everyone’s assumption is she went to her room to rest, and that’s where she died.

Do we know if this is a homicide or if she died of natural causes? Mac inquired.

It’s homicide. I feel it. Erica always questioned my food choices and lack of gym time. That’s not to say she was healthy because I haven’t spoken to her in years. But I can tell you she never touched drugs or cigarettes and only took an occasional alcoholic drink.

Spencer continued, send us the autopsy report when you get it. Have you requested the CCTV footage of Erica’s visit from the casino?

Yes, I’ve requested the footage, and I’ll send the autopsy results to you. The Delaware office is forwarding it to me soon.

Mac and Spencer walk back to their desks. As soon as they sit, they receive a call that Claire Sutton is waiting in interview room number one. The duo gathers their notes and heads to the interview room.

Claire sat on one side of a rectangular table with her head down. She held a tissue in her hands as they rested on the tabletop when Mac and Spencer entered. As soon as the duo sat, she moved her hands to her lap. Mac watched her movements and thought Claire was nervous. Is it because she is in an FBI interview room, or does she know something about Erica’s death?

Spencer opened his folder, produced a photo of Erica, and began the interview with questions about Claire’s relationship with Erica. Claire explained that she and Erica had been friends for years. They met in high school, but she moved away from school, and then, about five years ago, they reconnected when she returned to town. Claire never married because of her job. She is a heart surgeon and head of the cardiac care unit at Atlanta’s premier hospital. After Mac and Spencer gathered the background information, they moved to Erica’s death.

Claire stated she thought she was sleeping when she first found Erica, but Erica didn’t respond when prodded. Also, Claire admitted to performing CPR on Erica, but the attempt proved futile. Erica had been dead several hours before Claire found her. There were no signs of a struggle, but Claire noticed faint red splotches in her eyes.

Red splotches? Do you think someone suffocated her while she was in bed? Mac asked. Did anyone else have a room key beside you two?

I didn’t give a key to anyone, but I can’t answer for Erica. Why wasn’t your information about the CPR and red blotches in her eyes in your interview with Delaware Detective Travis Spitz?

I’ve spoken to him twice, and he questioned me more thoroughly the second time. The first time we met was right after I found Erica. I was in no shape to discuss anything. He offered to wait until I calmed down before interviewing me. We met through a webinar since I came home as soon as I could arrange for an airplane ticket. Claire explains as she twists her tissue in her hands. Her eyes bounce from Mac to Spencer and back again.

The rest of the interview was more of the same. Claire didn’t see anyone watching either of them as they gambled. When they travel to casinos, Claire plays poker while Erica plays slots. They’ve been doing this for several years. They always meet for meals and entertainment. She has no answer for Erica’s death.

One hour and five minutes later, Claire is on her way. As she walks down the hall, Senator Bennett Fornsby walks our way. Claire reaches out on his pass by, touching his arm, and whispering something to him. The shared glance between Claire and Bennett made Mac and Spencer do a double-take. Is there a relationship between those two?  

Mac and Spencer stepped to the interview room door as Senator Fornsby entered. Spencer asked the Senator’s protection detail to stand guard outside the door. Senator Fornsby nodded his agreement, and his guards stood on each side of the doorway.

Once the door closed, Spencer began the interview as he did with Claire, but he threw in a question that surprised the Senator. Spencer asked, What is your relationship with Claire Sutton?

The Senator cleared his throat before answering. Claire and Erica have been friends for years. The exchange in the hallway was merely a comforting gesture. We haven’t spoken since Claire called me with the news of Erica’s passing.

Claire notified you of Erica’s death and not the police? Mac questioned.

Yes. She wanted to be the one to call me instead of the police. A Detective Spitz was with her when she made the call. I didn’t find it odd at all since the ladies are close friends.

Mac jotted a note on her pad as Spencer picked up the questions about the red blotches in Erica’s eyes. But Senator Fornsby was unsure of the meaning, so Spencer didn’t elaborate. They needed more information before they questioned him about the causes of death. Next, Spencer changed topics and asked him about his relationship with his wife.

I’ll admit we have had a few problems over the years. Erica wanted children, but I didn’t. My charities are my children. I eat, sleep, and breathe them. We went to counseling to save our marriage.

So, Senator Fornsby, are you saying you saved your marriage? Mac asked with a head tilt. This guy gives off strange vibes. Mac couldn’t read this man, and she didn’t like it. These people come across as shady.

Senator Fornsby reiterated his marriage was fine, and he promised to stay in contact with the duo. Erica’s body will arrive at Atlanta’s airport tomorrow morning around eleven. He would be unavailable in the afternoon with funeral arrangements. Mac and Spencer stood in the hallway and watched him leave.

Spencer turns to Mac. Did he seem upset to you about his wife’s death?

No, not at all. Are we releasing Erica’s body to him for burial, or do we want our medical examiner to look at her first? Mac inquired.

I guess that depends on the results and Stubin. If the results show suffocation, I imagine Stubin would want our medical examiner to review the findings before releasing her for burial. However, he may just let it go. Let’s go talk with Stubin. Spencer slid papers into his file folder and grabbed his pad of paper before exiting the interview room.

Mac followed Spencer to the elevator with her mind swirling. She wanted to get a look at the CCTV footage from the casino. They might find something abnormal while Erica is at the slot machines. Also, Mac wonders if Claire knew of Erica’s marriage issues. After we speak with Stubin, I want to call Claire and ask about Erica’s marriage issues. She didn’t bring it up in our interview, so she might not have much to say, but I want to ask, anyway. The way she acted with Bennett says something to me.

They entered Stubin’s office with a head nod as he received an email. He grimaced when he saw the sender was the Delaware coroner. The duo nodded at him when he looked their way. Stubin inhaled deeply, then opened the email. The trio read through the file together. The deeper into the file they went, Stubin’s breathing became quicker.

Spencer commented, Stubin, you’ll pass out if you don’t settle your breathing. You’re hyperventilating.  

I know, but I can’t stop. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I never thought I would have to read Erica’s autopsy. Something about this isn’t right. Do you think Senator Fornsby would have anything to do with her death?

No one answered Stubin. Spencer and Mac wrote notes on their pads, and when they made it to the cause of death, Mac sucked in a breath. Erica died from a low dose of fentanyl and suffocation.

All eyes flew to Stubin, and his face told the tale. He couldn’t believe someone had murdered Erica. The love of his life. The one that got away. Why was she chosen? Was it a random selection?

Spencer spoke first, trying to calm Stubin because Stubin was bubbling on the inside. He’s furious with the world as he tries to reason Erica’s death. "Stubin, Senator Fornsby is