The Murder of Bella Black

By Rod Kackley

Prepare to be enthralled by the chilling narrative of "The Murder of Bella Black" where trust becomes a deadly weapon. Overcoming her fear of needles, a young woman allows a man she trusts to administer an injection, oblivious to his sinister intention of sentencing her to an eternal, peaceful sleep.

 

Little does she know, a close friend who longs for more than friendship possesses the means to lull her into everlasting slumber. Blinded by her faith in him, she falls prey to his growing hatred, unacquainted with the impending tragedy.

 

In the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the lifeless body of the young woman is discovered, leaving the police perplexed. No signs of forced entry, no evident cause of death—sometimes young women simply fade away.

 

Yet, as the meticulous medical examiner examines her remains, an inconspicuous puncture wound smaller than a freckle on her arm comes to light, thrusting the investigation into full swing.

 

"The Murder of Bella Black" unveils a poignant and heartrending tale of a young woman's murder, while the resolute police department refuses to let her killer evade the clutches of justice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rod Kackley
• Release date: Apr 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224173143

Rod Kackley

It’s all about the story, as far as Rod Kackley is concerned. Whether it’s Shocking True Crime Stories or one of his many works of fiction. Rod wants to keep you turning pages and reading incredible tales of criminals, their victims, and their capture. Spoiler alert: No matter how long it takes, the bad guys rarely win. But it’s the criminal who is often the most compelling character. That’s true whether it’s “Mommy Deadliest,” the story of a woman who kills her children, or “The Murder of Thora Chamberlain,” the story of a teenage girl and her kidnapper. In Rod’s world of fiction, he spins yarns about “The Coffee Shoppe Killer, a woman who kills her lovers when they disappoint her. A teenage girl wraps a serial killer around her finger in “Go Big or Go Dead.” Then there’s “The Murder of Emma Brown,” where two young women go out to party one night, and one only returns home. Written in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Rod’s books and stories allow his readers to brush up against the world of crime without getting hurt. And it’s a heck of a ride!

Book preview

One

November 7, 2005

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Dave Smith's impatience grew as he stood outside the front door of one of his rental houses in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The setting sun cast long, ominous shadows that seemed to mock his need for haste. He had to retrieve the tools he had carelessly left behind during a recent repair. Still, something about this visit felt off, as if a storm was brewing behind that door.

Inside, a faint hum of tension lingered, swirling like a hidden current. This tiny house was the residence of an attractive young woman, a mere twenty-four-year-old college student who appeared to have her life in perfect order.

Wide bright smile. Dimples. Thick auburn hair billowed to the young woman's shoulders.

She was adulting, learning so many new skills. Her life ahead was already well under control.

But appearances could be deceiving, and Dave knew better than to trust first impressions. The uncertainties of dealing with young tenants always left him on edge, unable to decipher their true intentions.

With the zeal of a grizzled big-city cop trying to break a murder suspect's alibi on one of his favorite TV shows, Dave had interviewed countless college kids before.

Is this your first time away from home? he would ask, attempting to gauge their independence. Experience had taught him that the longer they had been away from their parents, the more reliable they tended to be as tenants. Yet, there were always exceptions—those unfortunate souls who reveled in destruction and chaos, turning his properties into ruins.

Grand Rapids was a city teeming with students, a constant influx of more than twenty-five thousand eager minds each late summer. Dave couldn't afford to ignore this market, especially when most of their parents footed the bill and were willing to pay any price to keep their children away from home.

But Bella Black, oh, she was different. Dave expressed his admiration for her attitude at a recent landlord association meeting, declaring, There's something about her. Not only was Bella a student at Grand Valley State University, but she also worked as a personal fitness trainer and dedicated her time to the Friendship Baptist Church in her hometown of Warren, Michigan.

That wasn't all—Bella's compassion extended to the animal kingdom. She volunteered at the John Ball Zoo Primate Sanctuary, caring for monkeys who had recently escaped the confines of laboratory research. Unbeknownst to Dave, Bella's devotion to these primates served a greater purpose, aligning with her long-term plans to join the Peace Corps in Africa after graduating. She hoped to study gorillas in Africa, fueled by a passion that burned within her.

John Ball Zoo was one of the many organizations Bella selflessly contributed to. She championed causes for the homeless, donated blood regularly, and even sponsored a child in Africa. Dave couldn't help but marvel at the extraordinary depth of this Grand Valley State University undergraduate.

Yet, as Dave stood there, an uneasy feeling gnawed at him. Something was amiss inside that house, and he couldn't dismiss it. Call it intuition, landlord's instinct, or a sixth sense—it didn't matter. Like that big-city police detective on TV who senses a lurking danger, Dave knew he must proceed cautiously.

Growing tired of waiting on the porch, Dave's impatience got the best of him. He pounded on the front door like a police officer, each blow reverberating through the silence, transforming him from a landlord into an imposing figure. The sound echoed like a warning, a harbinger of the turmoil unfolding. Finally, from within, he detected the faint rustling of movement, footsteps descending the stairs to answer his persistent summons.

Dave took a few steps back, retreating instinctively as he heard the door handle being clumsily manipulated. He didn't want to be too close when the door swung open, unleashing the unknown that lurked behind it.

Yet, even in his retreat, he couldn't deny the burning desire to reclaim what was rightfully his—a relentless determination that pushed him forward.

As the door cracked open, Dave caught a glimpse of a young man on the other side, likely a fellow college student. His glasses and dark hair were the only discernible features in the dimly lit doorway. The young man peered through the narrow opening, his face a mixture of apprehension and caution.

Dave's heart raced with a mix of anticipation and unease. The atmosphere seemed charged, like the calm before the storm.

Without missing a beat, the young man placed his hand on the door, preparing to push it open. But before he could fully reveal what lay beyond, he hesitated.

This isn't a good time right now. Could you please come back later? The young man's voice quivered with nervousness, a hint of urgency in his words. And then, swiftly, he closed the door abruptly, locking it with a resounding click of the deadbolt.

Why you— Dave's curse trailed into the air, a mix of frustration and confusion. The abruptness of the encounter left him reeling, his mind racing to comprehend the situation. What was happening inside that house? What compelled the young man to deny him entry?

Turning on his heel, Dave walked away with a sense of purpose that belied his genuine emotions.

His steps were measured, but inside, a storm brewed. Calling Bella would be his top priority tomorrow.

Yet, anger was only one emotion driving him.

Dave's mind wrestled with the possibilities as darkness settled over the town. Was Bella Black in danger? Was there something sinister concealed within the walls of his house? The fragments of his landlord intuition coalesced into a knot of apprehension, tightening with each passing moment.

The night sky loomed above, a vast expanse of uncertainty. Dave couldn't shake the feeling that his life had intersected with a web of secrets, and he was determined to unravel them. The fate of Bella Black, his reliable and responsible tenant, hung in the balance, and he would not rest until he discovered the truth.

Two

November 8, 2005

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Bella felt relief and dependency as she welcomed Connor Doyle into her home, once again. The blinding migraines had returned and become unbearable, and Connor, with his expertise as an anesthesia nurse, was her only solace. The injection of propofol he administered provided the much-needed relief, allowing her to find respite from the relentless pain that plagued her.

The events of the previous night echoed in Bella's mind. She had asked Connor to politely request her landlord, Dave, to return another time. Hoping for a smooth interaction, she promptly called Dave to smooth things over. Fortunately, she had managed to resolve any potential conflicts.

Bella considered Connor, more of an acquaintance than a friend. His constant presence had become unsettling. She had shared her concerns with