Mistaken Identity

By Shirley J. Miller

Mistaken Identity is Book 4 of the Madison Sisters Investigation Series. For the past several years, Twin sisters Kari and Jade Madison of Boston’s Madison Investigations Agency solved several local investigations. In book 3, their work overlapped with the FBI and CIA operations in Russia. Now back in the United States, the sisters work closely with the Boston Police Department as they continue to solve local murders and missing person cases.
Their investigations often overlap with the 100+ Boston Gangs and the New England Mafia family. Family head Carl DeNunzio has a thing for Kari Madison. While Gary Owens, the police officer they are working with to solve his partner Ben’s murder, had unexpressed feelings for Jade. The murder case they are working on involves a missing federal witness which is how they meet Rocco, the sexy bounty hunter who Kari longs to know much better. Will they ever get together?
Follow Jade and Kari’s dangerous investigations to their inevitable conclusions as you get to know the sisters better - as well as the men in their lives. Who knew Boston could be so fascinating?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shirley J. Miller
• Release date: Apr 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224602551

Shirley J. Miller

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~About Shirley J MillerAs a child, aptitude tests always suggested that Shirley Miller should go into writing. In actuality, she spent her career years in advertising and marketing for Fortune 500 companies, where most of her writing revolved around describing product attributes and persuading sales.She always dreamed of writing fiction books but never had the time. Upon early retirement, she decided to follow her dreams. You will love her simple and direct style while maintaining the mystique and action among characters from start to finish.Her work is mostly fiction, so be sure you check out The Chicago Series and the Maxine Hart Series. Ring of Deception is a book Shirley and her sister Betty dreamed up - while hiking, no less - follow-ups being considered.Shirley has also written how-to books on some of her favorite hobbies. Be sure to check out Beginning Golf for Ladies, Golf Tips Up & Over - For Intermediate Players, Freelance Writing, Owning a Silky Terrier which resulted from her love for the breed. Having owned eight Silky Terriers over her lifetime, she even hired a special dog trainer to come to her home twice a week to teach her how to train the dogs.Though she never wrote about it, she wants to Thank You for reading her books and following her writing adventures. Without you, none of this would be possible, So Thank You very much. And keep on reading. Find some of her other books on Amazon or Smashwords by checking the links below.Any reviews will certainly be appreciated. It always helps to understand more of what readers want to see, so she can speak more directly to you. To follow Shirley Miller, and be the first to learn of new releases, please check the ‘Follow Me’ Button on Amazon. For a full list of all her current works, check out these links:https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LastFlightOut1

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jade and Kari had been back from their special Russian CIA assignment for almost two weeks and in that time things had been relatively normal. They quickly solved a missing person case and two robberies. Thinking things were back to normal, the twins were looking forward to spending a quiet weekend bike riding on some of their favorite trails.

It was a beautiful fall morning with the sun shining brightly. The many different fall color foliage were on full display. They had decided to take one of their favorite bicycle routes through the Boston Commons Park to enjoy the beautiful colorful leaves, the rolling green hills and perhaps to stop and people watch at their favorite duck pond.

They reached the pond around 11:00 am and got off their bikes and sat on the grass to relax and watch the swans and the people on this beautiful Saturday morning. They were laughing and having a good time as they discussed where they should stop for lunch when all of a sudden there was a commotion not far from them. People were beginning to gather as the noise level peaked and they heard screams. Curious as to what was going on, they moseyed on over there to check it out.

They were surprised to see two bodies lying on the ground face down having been shot in their backs. They were about to approach closer to investigate when the police arrived and took over the crime scene. As they stood on the side watching, they were shocked when the police turned the bodies. The two officers looked at each other in shock!

Oh! My God, Kari and Jade screamed at once. The on-scene police took immediate notice and walked toward them.

Do you know these people? they were asked as their stared at the bodies in disbelief.

My God. That’s Ben Stark and his new wife! they seemed to yell in unison. He’s one of yours. He’s with the Boston PD! We’ve worked several cases with him.

And you are? asked one of the officers.

Kari and Jade Madison. We have a detective agency over on Beacon Street. Ben and his partner Gary have helped us on many cases. Do you have any idea how this could have happened? Kari asked anxiously.

It looks like a regular gang hit. By the way, I’m Detective Harry Carson. I don’t usually work in the same precinct as Ben did. But he was somewhat of a legend here in Boston. We’ll get to the bottom of this. Thankfully, his wife is still breathing. We have an ambulance on the way. Hopefully, she’ll be able to tell us something if she wakes up.

Just as he was speaking, Ben’s partner Gary showed up at the scene and was obviously in shock to see his partner down. What happened? Gary quickly asked.

We don’t know yet. But it appears to be a gang hit. We found this next to the bodies. Officer Carson held up an evidence bag with a large cross on a heavy gold chain inside. There are letters on the back, but we can’t read them. We’ll have our forensic team look at it.

Both Kari and Jade went over to give Gary a hug. We’re going to help on this case, Jade simply stated. They finished up with the police at the scene and then the twins dragged Gary off to lunch with them. We have to talk, Jade said as they walked away from the scene.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Chapter 2

As the three friends entered Cheers Restaurant, they headed for a corner table at the back of the restaurant. They got seated and ordered three beers as the server dropped off the menus.

Was Ben working on a gang related case? Kari asked curiously. Will someone be coming after you, too?

Not that I know of, Gary responded. Ben actually had the week off as he wanted to spend time with his new wife, Natalie. I wonder if she’ll be able to shed some light on this. Damn. I hope she pulls through.

Maybe he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time! But I would bet there’s a lot more to it than that. Jade commented. We will open our own investigation as soon as we get back to the office.

Having lost their appetites, they discussed the case for a bit and then went their separate ways. The first thing Jade did when she got back to their office was to call her friend in forensics to find out what was written on the back of the necklace found at the scene. Kari, on the other hand, called Karen and Jack into her office to fill them in so the investigation could begin.

Jack, Kari began. Get me everything you can about the current gang activities. I need to know if any of the players have changed. Karen, would you please check the hospital to find out what shape Natalie is in, and find out how soon we can talk to her.

We’re on it, they both responded at the same time.

When Jade got off the phone, she pulled her long dark hair out of the ponytail she had worn to keep her hair out of her face when she was riding her bike. As she approached her sister, she began to tell her what she’d just learned from her forensic friend.

It seemed just a few days ago, the Feds had busted more than forty members of the Heath Street Gang on charges of drugs, weapons, and racketeering. Needless to say, those still free were not happy about the bust and began to look inward among the gang itself thinking they had a leak within their ranks. There was indeed an undercover officer involved, but Jade’s source did not know who it was so couldn’t be of much help in that regard.

Well, we know just from talking to Gary, that his partner Ben was not working on any case. So, his gang style hit probably had nothing to do with the Feds’ investigation. It could have been as simple as being at the wrong place at the wrong time. But Gary will not stop investigating until he learns the truth. Jade explained.

And we promised we’d help find Ben’s killer, Jade continued. So where do we start?

Good question, Kari answered. Let’s find out what we can about all those arrested. Gary said there was an undercover agent who may have been part of the arrest, and if not, then he’s still out there and he’s bound to be in trouble.

Gary told me that the gang used to be called the Jamaica Plains Gang and they operated out of the Bromley Heath Housing Development. It’s one of the largest public housing developments in Boston. Hence, I guess, the name changed to the Heath Gang. They are by no means transparent as the Feds have been watching them for two years trying to bring peace to that housing development and the rest of Boston’s streets. Jade repeated what Gary had told her earlier.

In the pursuit of more street fame, the gang had expanded their drug trade routes from their base in the projects outward to the rest of the state of Massachusetts and into Maine. Supposedly the gang had committed numerous murders and shootings, largely targeting the rival Mission Hill Gang and the H-Block Gang. It seems some innocent children got caught in the crossfire. Jade continued.

From what I’ve heard, the Heath Street Gang had about 150 members. That means almost one third of their number were arrested! That had to hurt! I bet they’re going all out to find the snitch, Kari added.

And our search for Ben’s killer is bound to cross their path somehow, Jade confirmed. I’m really afraid Gary may also get dragged into this. We really need to find out if that gang was involved with the hit on Ben and his wife, or if it was just a coincidence, Jade ventured.

I thought we didn’t believe in coincidences, Kari simply stated.

We don’t, Jade confirmed. So, let’s get started before we lose Gary, too.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Chapter 3

Their investigation led them to four gentrifying Boston neighborhoods – Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and South Boston. The four areas collided from the intersections of the Massachusetts and the Melnea Case Boulevards. This area had become known