A rapist changes his targets from hookers to reputable women. Can frightened townspeople rely on the KCPD to solve the crimes?
Detective Jeff Taylor of the KCPD Vice Squad is determined to nab the latest serial rapist preying on the city. As the violence escalates, murmurs of negligence plague the force. Tired of the accusations against the police, Jeff ramps up the investigation. With the members of the local neighbourhood watch breathing down his neck, he and the Vice Squad are in a race to apprehend the suspect before anyone else is injured.
Reese Iverson owns the Cock and Bull British Pub, located in direct proximity to where the violence is occurring. Along with matching the reward money, he takes an active role in the neighbourhood group. He also has his eye on Jeff, and his interest there is more than professional. Can they work together to solve the case or will their different methods drive them apart?
Reader Advisory: This book contains detailed descriptions and references focusing on the aftermath of rape.
General Release Date: 28th November 2014
“Five women have been viciously attacked and we want to know…what are the police doing about it?” the chairperson of the Randolph Neighborhood Watch Committee directed her question to the front of the room.
Detective Jeff Taylor of the Kansas City Police Department Vice Squad met her gaze. Mavis Sweeny was six feet tall and formidable in a well-lit room. Her brown hair was about the same shade as his, but hers was even shorter than his neatly trimmed cut, and spiked on top with some type of gel. She sported several facial piercings and tattoos. He wouldn’t care to run into her in a dark alley. She came across as tough and he wasn’t sure he could take her in a fair fight. He smiled to himself and cleared his throat. “As I was saying, we’ve increased security in the area and tripled the police presence at night. We’re sending out daily safety tips on social media. We’ve had a great response to the free personal security classes offered weekly at the station. And we’re constantly publicizing the tips hotline. The reward to catch this guy is up to twenty-five hundred dollars.”
A murmur ran through the crowd of sixty or so people. “Twenty-five hundred bucks is nothing!” someone shouted.
Jeff shrugged. “I can’t do anything about that. Crime Stoppers offers a certain amount. We rely on the generosity of the public to raise the rest of the reward money. The department isn’t able to add to the funds.”
“The department doesn’t seem to be able to do much,” a man taunted. The room tittered.
“Admit it,” someone else called out. “The cops didn’t give two craps about this case when it was hookers being raped. Now that the sicko breached the lines of common decency by attacking a teacher, he’s finally got your attention.”
“That’s right! No kidding.” The crowd muttered sentiments of agreement.
Jeff sighed. There was a ring of truth to the comment. Four women had been brutally beaten and raped, but the cases hadn’t drawn much press because the victims had all been prostitutes. Two nights ago, a college professor had been attacked in the parking lot of the local community college. The middle-aged woman would live, but her scars would take time to heal.
He raised his hands to quiet the audience. “We take every incident seriously. Unfortunately, the cases weren’t connected at first because all the women didn’t come forward immediately.”
“You’re not denying that the police are taking the cases more seriously now that a reputable woman has been attacked.” The speaker had a British accent.
Intrigued, Jeff scanned the crowd to find the source of the voice. His gaze settled on a handsome man with thick, dark hair and a hint of amusement in his deep brown eyes. Since the subject matter wasn’t the least bit funny, he knew the fellow was toying with him. “We take every incident seriously,” he repeated, making eye contact.
The Brit studied him for a moment then allowed a small smile. “After the pimps complained? Or after Dr Martin was attacked walking to her car?”
He frowned. “We’re very sorry about what happened to Dr Martin. We’re giving her case the same due diligence that we’ve given each of the other attacks.”
The crowd snickered, but the man with the thick accent didn’t let the subject drop. “Why do you think the others didn’t come forward, Detective?”
Jeff gazed at him levelly. The police weren’t convinced all the victims had come forward yet, but he wouldn’t say that. In his years on the Vice Squad, he’d figured out that working girls were a tough breed. They put up with a lot before they complained. They had to, in their line of work. He chose his words carefully. “According to the victims, some of them were afraid. A couple of the women thought they deserved it.”
The man maintained eye contact. “Do the police think they deserved it?”
“Of course not,” Jeff snapped. “None of them deserved that horrific treatment.” He spoke with a conviction he truly felt. “You won’t find a person in the KCPD who’ll tell you otherwise.”
“That’s something, then. I’d like to double the reward money. I’ll contribute another twenty-five hundred to make it an even five thousand.”
Jeff blinked. “That’s wonderful. Thank you, Mr—” He’d hoped to get a name but the stranger turned to the fellow next to him and they were already deep in conversation.
He studied them for a moment, surprised to see a ponytail when the Brit turned his head. More curious than ever about the generous contributor, he realized he was staring when the man glanced back his way and flashed him a grin.
Jenna Byrnes could use more cabinet space and more hours in a day. She'd fill the kitchen with gadgets her husband purchases off TV and let him cook for her to his heart's content. She'd breeze through the days adding hours of sleep, and more time for writing the hot, erotic romance she loves to read.
Jenna thinks everyone deserves a happy ending, and loves to provide as many of those as possible to her gay, lesbian and hetero characters. Her favourite quote, from a pro-gay billboard, is "Be careful who you hate. It may be someone you love."
You can find Jenna on Facebook.
Reviewed by Inked Rainbow Reads
This short novel hit pretty much every one of my sweet spots: Police officers doing their jobs, hot British men, great sex, and an absorbing plot. I loved the interactions be... Read more reviews
Reviewed by Sexy Erotic Xciting Reviews
Ms. Byrnes crafted flaws and nuances which enhanced the story and the personality of the men. The realities of a service profession, age differences and societal stigmas, were aptly portrayed thr...
Read more reviews
Jenna Byrnes - Clitical interview
If you only had one word to describe yourself, what would it be and why?
Loving. I hope that’s a trait people will remember me for, especially my children and grandchildren.
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