Her Deadly End - A Murder Mystery - The Thief
A West Coast FBI K9 murder mystery thriller
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One chapter of the story dropped every Tuesday morning at 5AM PST
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HER DEADLY END: A Crime Thriller with a Twist
A brutal murder shatters the peace of Paradise Cove. As the body count rises, FBI Agent Tanya Stone and her K9 dog, Max, hunt for the twisted secret that lies buried beneath this small town. But the serial killer is lurking in plain sight, ready to strike again.
A deadly game of survival has just begun and FBI Agent Tanya Stone’s next decision could cost her life....
What you’ll find in this serialized story on Substack:
A strong-minded detective & her faithful German Shepherd K9
A cold-blooded serial killer with a haunted past
A small seaside town & an affluent neighbourhood
Dysfunctional & toxic family dynamics
Betrayals, deceit, & psychological suspense
A closed circle of suspects. The killer could be anyone
Unexpected plot twists & an explosive ending
All Rights Reserved. Copyright ©Tikiri Herath
*There is no graphic violence, heavy cursing, or explicit sex in my stories. No dog is ever harmed, but the villains always are…
Previous Chapter Recapped:
FBI Special Agent Tanya Stone, and private investigators, Asha Kade and Katy McCafferty, are having an early morning coffee at Cora's Corner Café, when a teenager tries to steal a bag of buns. Tanya catches the young thief, but feels sorry for his plight. Hudson Wyatt, a prominent figure in town, approaches them to de-escalate the situation, but something about him sends red flags in Tanya’s mind….
Her Deadly End - Chapter Four
AGENT TANYA STONE
The Thief
“Good morning to you, Cora.”
The suited man walked up to them, shoulders back, arms swinging, and a confident smile on his face.
Tanya sized him up. He was someone important in this town and wanted to make sure everyone knew it.
“There’s no need to make a fuss over a bag of buns.” He flashed a charming smile at the café owner. “Let the poor kid go.”
Cora narrowed her eyes. “Hudson Wyatt, you need to do something about this!”
Tanya raised a brow.
This is the most eligible bachelor of this town?
“The sheriff’s team is already on their way,” said Cora, crossing her arms. “It’s time they started taking these crimes seriously. I’m a small business. I can’t afford petty theft.”
“You called Sheriff Reginald for this? Come on, Cora. I’ll pay for the buns if you’re that out of pocket.”
“Hey,” came a voice from behind Tanya. “Would you like some coffee, sweetie?”
Tanya turned to see Katy extending her latte to the homeless girl.
“Sit with us.”
The girl didn’t object to Katy leading her toward their table. She seemed to have given up and accepted her fate.
“You gals better not let her out of your sight,” called out Cora. “The sheriff will have strong words if you do.”
Tanya went inside the café with Cora, Pat, and the suited man and his dog to settle accounts. She paid for the buns while the man convinced Cora to call the sheriff’s office and cancel the complaint.
When Tanya returned to the patio, the girl was seated between her friends, silently sipping the coffee.
“So, do you like the latte, sweetie?” Katy asked her as Tanya took her seat. “Not too sweet for you?”
The girl didn’t answer. Her eyes were downcast and her grimy hands clutched the cup like it was the most precious thing in the world.
Tanya pushed the bag of buns toward her with a grin.
“Got you a treat.”
The girl didn’t speak. She didn’t even look up. Her blonde hair dangled over her forehead, but she didn’t push it back. It was like she preferred to hide behind her matted locks.
Asha reached over and patted her arm. “You’re safe with us. We’ll talk to the deputies if they come, okay?”
The girl nodded, and a huge tear dropped on the patio table.
Tanya felt something catch in her throat.
Maybe this is the first time anyone has been decent to her.
But there was something odd about the kid. She had only spoken once when Tanya had wrangled her. Her voice had been deep, like that of a young man, not a teenage girl.
That was when Tanya noticed the Adam’s apple. Her eyes passed over the long, scraggly hair. That wasn’t real. It was a wig.
The kid’s hands were so jittery, the coffee spilled onto the table. Katy picked up a napkin and handed it to her. When the kid reached for it, the sleeve of her hoodie rode up, exposing an ugly red mark of a heart on the back of her hand.
Tanya sat up.
That’s not a tattoo. Someone branded the kid. Like they do to cattle.
Who did that?
Asha and Tanya locked eyes across the table. She had noticed it, too.
Asha pulled out her wallet and took out a hundred-dollar bill. She slipped it into the pocket of the kid’s torn hoodie.
“For lunch,” said Asha with a smile. “Maybe a new hoodie, too.”
Katy took a small travel kit from her handbag.
“I have a spare set at home, so you can have this one.” She leaned across to the kid and lowered her voice. “It’s got a packet of tampons in it, too.”
“Er, Katy.” Asha gave her friend a warning look. “I don’t think…”
“It’s okay,” said the kid.
Katy pulled back in shock, hearing the deep voice.
“I… I don’t need it. Thanks though.”
Katy put a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
“I dress like a girl because… because they’re looking for me.”
Asha, Katy, and Tanya exchanged a curious glance.
“Who’s looking for you?” said Tanya. “The cops?”
He remained silent, but his right leg was bouncing up and down, a sure sign of nervousness.
“What’s your name, hun?” said Asha.
No answer.
Tanya leaned across the table.
“I totally get you. I have a real name I don’t use any more either.”
The kid looked up, curiosity in his eyes now.
“My real name is Tetyana Shevchenko, but no one can pronounce it. So now, I’m Tanya Stone.” Tanya grinned. “I like my new name. What about you? What do you like to call yourself?”
“Jodie.”
“How old are you, Jodie?” said Asha.
“Seventeen, I think…,” He shrugged. “I dunno.”
“There’s no need to be scared, Jodie,” said Katy. “No one’s going to put you in jail for taking bread these days.”
Jodie’s face clouded in fear. “But they’re going to find me.”
“Who?” said Tanya, frowning. “The police?”
Jodie shook his head, and his voice lowered to a whisper. “They’ll kill me if they know.”
Tanya locked eyes with him. “Who will kill—”
An ear-splitting squeal of rubber tires came from the road, cutting her off.
Everyone swivelled around.
A red Porsche SUV was barreling toward them, its engine roaring like an angry dragon. It was aimed at the café’s front door.
Tanya’s heart raced.
“Watch out!” she shouted, grabbing the kid and Katy, and pulling them to the ground. “Asha, get down!”
They dove from the patio just in time.
The SUV jumped the curb, missing Tanya’s Jeep by inches. It crashed into the entrance. The ground shook like a mini earthquake had struck the county.
Shattered glass rained everywhere.
Inside the café, Cora screamed.
To be continued next week….
Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Question for you: Will Evelin survive this crash, do you think? Or will than man hunting her get her first?
*Chapters drop on Substack weekly. If the next chapter isn’t up yet, hang on. It’s coming in a few days!
NOTE: Canadian / British spelling is used here as the author is Canadian. The final completed book in bookstores will have American spelling.
Click here to read more stories from the award-winning Canadian mystery thriller author, Tikiri Herath.