S.U.G.A.R.: How Sibling Rivalry Led To Murder!

By Lloyd J. Wheatley

S.U.G.A.R. is about the murder of quintuplets known as Sharon, Ursula, Gertrude, Annie, and Ruth. Their sibling rivalry and concealment of a shared dark secret come back to haunt them later. Now, in their professional careers. Sharon is a sexy and vivacious boutique owner who has affairs with willing men. Ursula, the bright and talented linguistic military officer assigned to a four-star general staff; Gertrude, the progressive activist and high school teacher; Annie, the brilliant trial lawyer who works in a powerful firm; and Ruth, a prison warden of a male institution that takes no stuff and is feared and respected by everyone in the prison.

Detective Bowers is a man who wants to have a serious relationship with a soul mate but keeps coming up short. He then meets an attractive woman downtown in an office building and feels she is the one. As they court, his thoughts of true love are a real possibility. Their relationship is suddenly cut short, as his dream girl has to leave and tend to her aging grandmother out of the country, thus ending their relationship.

Now free to focus on his job, Bowers and his partner Smiths set out to solve a cold case murder years ago that links their current case of the sisters who are currently being murdered decades later. The killer is very cunning and elusive and sets challenges for the police to such a level that Detective Bowers is almost killed for meddling in areas and accusing potential suspects who are so powerful that his superiors are afraid of them. But that does not deter Bowers from his solemn duty to catch the killer and solve the mystery of the sisters.

Bowers's life is spared on two occasions for reasons he will discover later in the most unlikely small restaurant in France. It is a classic who-done-it cast in the City of Baltimore, Maryland. Will Bowers get his answers? Will he catch the killer? See how this mystery ends in this action mystery-burning page-turner written by Lloyd J. Wheatley.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9780967252278

Lloyd J. Wheatley

Lloyd is an independent fictional writer and soon-to-be filmmaker. He has a master's degree in Human Resource Management, a bachelor's in Business Management, and an Associate's in Criminal Justice. He is a military veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He has over 40 years of experience in business and sold his company of 26 years recently in 2019 to put back on his writing cap. His first book "Blain Hawk U.S. Marshal -The Complete Trilogy, was used for study at Delaware State University. His Electrifying Sci-Fi and Religious fantasy thriller "The Promise Keepers" has several mind-bending twists. The current new release, S.U.G.A.R., is a murder mystery of quintuplets cast in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. A chess player, musician, and mentor, he loves music and talking with people about their interests.

Book preview

And Then There were Seven

It was December 1952. Wilson Chandler has been asked to join a small gathering at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) club. A Christmas party is located in Walbrook Junction on the West side of Baltimore. Wilson had just returned from overseas on the front line in the Korean conflict. He hoped to meet the sweetheart he left behind when he was drafted. But, as fate would have it, Sheila, his would-be fiancé, was nowhere around when he landed at the shipyard docks. Billy, his best friend, was there to meet him. Six months before he was to return, Sheila wrote him a Dear John letter. Wilson thought about her and felt he could make up with her. He had a spot in his heart for her and knew he could win her back if she heard him out. So convinced was Wilson about Sheila that he ordered a ring from S. and N. Katz Jewelries a year before receiving her Dear John letter. That all disappeared when he heard what Billy had to tell him.

Billy told him Sheila was pregnant with her second child. Wilson was shocked that she had two and wondered when she had the other. Billy told him the child was now two, almost three years old. Yeah, I know what you think Billy says. Forget about it. You’re not the father of that child. He looks nothing like you, bro. He looks just like his daddy. That’s right; you heard me as Billy helped Wilson by grabbing one of his bags and started with the slight dip and half-pimp walk he was famous for. He continued, Sheila was creeping all over the town on you, man. I tried to warn you as he pointed his finger in Wilson’s face. Billy looks up in the air and waves his hands with arms stretched out, saying to Wilson, And what would you say every time I mention her? Shut up, Billy. You don’t know anything. She said she was in love with me, and I’m in love with her! Billy put his arm down while tuning and looking at Wilson to see his reaction. He continued.

She was in love with your money and your Boy Scout attitude. It would be best if you were more like me. Knowing what she was doing behind your back with Earl and Ricky Waters made me want to kick that heifer right in the…… Well, it doesn’t matter now. You are not going to her house, are you? Hey Wilson, you’re not going there. Look at me, RIGHT? As Billy grabbed Wilson behind his neck and looked him in his eyes to affirm that he was serious about what he said, Wilson got on board with his thinking.

Billy continued and said you know she lied to you. She told everybody her first baby was yours. Even though she was saying that, everybody who knew anybody knew it was a lie because we all know It was the Water Boys. The problem is, which one? They both were Rat-Ta-Tat-Tat-Tin, that rump roaster bee-hind of hers. After Billy stops ridiculing Wilson and mocking him for his past feelings toward Sheila, Wilson is shocked and embarrassed to know what is happening. He may have had a soft heart, but not anymore. But Wilson is still, as before, a long way from Billy’s thoughts.

Wilson is a highly decorated sniper for the United States Army and had several confirmed kills to the credit that earned him two silver stars for saving several of his fellow troops in combat. Being there and learning to pull the trigger on an enemy changed him. It became routine and easy to decide when someone would die. When his tour was up, Wilson was asked to re-enlist. He chose not to, as he seemed to have lost a bit of his soul being there doing his job. He once told his commanding officer he wanted to go back stateside. He was honorably discharged and sent back home.

Airplane tickets from Korea to Friendship Airport were too expensive for an E-4’s pay, so Wilson took a ship back with all the rest of his fellow veterans. While on the ocean heading back, he had much time to think. He was preparing himself to ask Sheila to marry him. Now, with Billy telling him for the first time what was happening, Wilson’s mind was made up. Sheila is not the one for him. Like many others who returned, Wilson was much different from when they left. Wilson told Billy about the invite to the party and asked him to go with him because he didn’t know anybody except Oglesby, whom he met on the ship coming home.

They call him Bee for short. Billy looks at Wilson, smiles, and says, what I’m going to do with you, man? Of course, I’ll go. The two put out their thumbs, Billy whistled loudly, and a taxi stopped for them. A quick stop at Wilson’s mom’s house to drop off his bags and spend time with her and his brothers. His brothers are much older, and Billy, with Wilson, is considered the little brother of the group. The two were soon off to the party. Wilson kept his uniform on as he didn’t wear anything else for the past three years. He knows he will have to adjust. Besides, he got lots of attention in uniform. He thought this might give me attention over Billy with the women. Then he will see me work it, Wilson thought.

Once they reached the party location, Wilson felt much better as he and Billy had more time to catch up on what had happened while he was away and how many old friends were home or had passed away. As they entered the club, you could hear a swanky, upbeat tune of Jingle Bell Rock playing. It set the atmosphere for dancing. A blue light was in the middle of the floor with red single light bulbs along the wall. The white lights were around the bar area. The red light area had mistletoes hanging in certain spots. It was a reminder of Christmas and the right opportunity to sneak a kiss or two in a cozy corner.

Then Wilson hears, you made it! He turns, and there is Bee. Wilson introduces Bee to his best friend, Billy. Wilson turns his head, and a young lady stands ever so still and looks directly at him. So pretty is she? Wilson almost stopped breathing and choked on the soft drink of coke given to him as a complimentary drink at the door. Bee noticed Wilson’s reaction as well as Billy’s. After all of them stood silent for a second, which seemed like five minutes, Bee said to Wilson, this is my sister Maria. Wilson took his hat off his flat service member’s hat and nervously tucked the corner under his belt. Wilson reached his hand out to her. Maria took his hand as a gesture of kindness. Then it happened. They were struck by what came to be known as lightning as they looked at each other eye to eye without blinking for an actual five minutes.

Without coaxing, the two moved towards each other and began dancing as Etta James’s At Last queued up on the jukebox. A romantic Ballard that fit the moment as if it was planned. Bee and Billy were speechless as they watched the two dance but soon went on to enjoy the party. Bee and Billy got a lady partner and started dancing too. It was clear that Wilson and Maria were a couple, and three or more is a crowd. As the evening went on, Wilson and Maria sat at a table alone. As they asked one another questions, time went by quickly.

It was closing time, and Wilson had to say goodbye to Maria. She has to leave with her brother Bee. They had the family car, and it was very late. Wilson did not let her go but soon agreed it was unpleasant for a lady to stay out too late. Maria, taken by the undivided attention Wilson is dishing out, becomes more captivated with Bing Crosby’s tune. I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas, playing in the background. Maria thought to sneak out with him through the side door momentarily. Her better judgment came upon her. She gave him her phone number instead. She wanted to see Wilson again and did what any girl would do at love at first sight. Wilson quickly led her to the wall next to the table, and the two kissed passionately in the dimly lit red light for some time. The bartender belted out Last Call to let everyone know it was closing time shortly. The two stopped so as not to let things go too far. They both gathered themselves and made a promise to see each other. Wilson said yes, I would call on you. It will be tomorrow. Maria smiled and left with Bee.

Billy was outside whispering with a young woman on the side of the building. From the looks of it, she was trying to leave but still giving Billy some time. It was one of those I’m going to, but I don’t want to because of different things. She liked him as most women always did. Billy stood approx. 6’2 inches, dark skin, slim, and with a bass voice. He epitomized what we heard all women liked about men: tall, dark, and handsome. She looked like she wanted some serious chocolate. As the woman looked past him a bit toward me, Billy looked over his shoulder and then back at her, and then a little argument ensued between them. Billy approached me as the woman snatched her hand from him, put her coat over her shoulders, and walked away confidently.

I asked Billy what just happened with the women. Billy said I was handling it, and she was ready to go. Then she saw you. So, I asked her if she was into threesomes, and she went off. I was looking out for my boy. I guess she didn’t like the thought. Well, you know how it is. You win some, and you lose some while shrugging his shoulders. He confidently smiled and said while looking at me, there is always New Year’s Eve!

Billy Whistled, and a cab stopped. He told me to go home and that he would catch me some other time next week. He’s got to make a stop somewhere before he gets to his house. I said, let me guess, Viola, right? Billy just smiled and walked up the street.

Two years have gone by. Wilson and Maria are married. The year is 1953. Wilson was fortunate enough to work as a sandblaster for Bethlehem Steel manufacturers at the shipyard. He made solid wages and could afford a small single-family townhouse not too far from the hospital on Broadway and North Ave. Wilson liked the neighborhood as all the homeowners on Sundays would clean their white marble steps with Ajax bleach cleaner and let their actions sparkle in the sun. It symbolized pride to have those steps and keep them clean. So special they became that Life magazine wrote an article on them. Before long, the Chandlers are expecting their first child.

Maria’s best friend, Diane, warned her that the first child would be the hardest and said, " You have never experienced pain like that before. She continues while Maria looks up at her face in horror, but by the time you get to baby number two, three, four, five….Maria said I don’t think so, Diane. We can hardly feed the two of us. Having one child is going to be a challenge. We cannot have two, three, four, or whatever amount you say. I don’t think we will until we can afford it. Wilson is happy, I’m so glad, and that’s all that matters. We will find a way with this child. I know it.

The Chandlers, unaware of what was coming, assumed having a single child would be nothing more than a minor adjustment and not an inconvenience. Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Chandler will be the quintuplets’ proud parents. The medical staff at Johns Hopkins knows this and does not reveal the truth about her pregnancy to them.

The medical staff doesn’t want them to worry and possibly do something to prevent this miraculously historical medical event. It is an unusual case, and Maria’s physical and mental health depends on whether or not the birth would be successful. The hospital can get its donors to pay for the treatments, as Wilson can’t afford the payments.

Wilson Chandler is a World War II survivor. As a military veteran, the country is very proud of its soldiers. It is the least they could do to show appreciation for his sacrifice. Dr. Cosby and Dr. Katz, in particular, were spearheading the efforts for financial compensation so much that they, at times, would manipulate the bill to downright not record any records at all. Once the admin saw what they were doing, the rest got involved until the Veterans Administration picked up the total cost.

Maria worked until she couldn’t. The pregnancy began to take a toll on her. Like their excellent friends Darnell and Diane, she and Wilson thought this would be like any other ordinary thing. They had two children, and Diane seemed to do fine.

Wilson and Maria walked down Broadway to Johns Hopkins Hospital one freezing night. They were approached by a man who tried to rob them. The man had been drinking heavily, slurring his words, and staggering a bit. When he opened his coat, he pulled out a broken piece of glass shaped like a knife. The man had peed his pants. Wilson tried to reason with the man that this was his wife and they needed to get to the hospital. The man was careless and lunged toward Wilson with the broken glass. When he accidentally slapped Maria in the face with his other hand. Wilson punched him with a hard left hook to the body, then the head, followed by a hard right uppercut to his chin.

One of the man’s teeth popped out of his mouth from the blow by Wilson. As he hit the ground, a 1/2 pint of Seagrams 7 fell out of his pocket and broke in the gutter. Wilson looked at Maria, made sure she was all right, and calmly said; I bet you that will keep him from drinking. Maria, wide-eyed and mouth open, could not believe what just happened but soon smiled as she looked at her husband, feeling immediately safe and secure. At times, in and around the neighborhood, these incidents made Wilson do whatever it took to get a car.

The Chandlers finally make it to the hospital with not a moment to spare as Maria is going into labor. As they burst through the emergency room doors, Wilson made eye contact with the nurse at the desk, and she punched a couple of buttons on her console and then assisted Wilson. She told Wilson the doctors had been alerted.

As Wilson sat patiently drinking a cup of coffee, he was reminded of when he was a little boy. His mother always said you better learn to cook for yourself because your wife will have your baby one day in the hospital. If you don’t learn to cook, you’ll starve to death. Never could he have imagined that the day would come so soon.

Wilson laid back, thinking about his past. He looked up and saw the nurse coming his way along with three other doctors. They each have a smile on their face. The nurse tells Wilson to come with her and takes him to see his wife. She made a full recovery, and she’s looking forward to seeing you. But before we see her, please come with me. I want to show you something.

As they rounded the corner, Wilson was beginning to smile and let the nurse know that he appreciated everything she was doing for him. The nurse reached out her hand and acknowledged his kind words and then asked him are you ready? Wilson hesitated for a second as he rubbed his eyes. She said now you can turn around. When he turned, he saw five baby girls in a half semi-circle, holding each other’s hand, eyes shut and sleeping ever so peacefully. Wilson asks, Which one is ours? The nurse and doctors standing nearby said. All of them! Wilson looks back quickly, and he’s about to lose his breath. The nurse slaps Wilson on the back and forces him to breathe. Wilson looks shocked and worried until he turns and looks at the baby girls again. Wilson sees how beautiful and innocent they are and