The Black Rose

THE BLACK ROSE DETECTIVE CARLA MCBRIDE CHRONICLES BOOK 2 NICK LEWIS The Black Rose Kindle Edition Copyright © 2023 (As Revised) Nick Lewis Rough Edges Press An Imprint of Wolfpack Publishing 9850 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite A-5 #323 Las Vegas, Nevada 89183 roughedgespress.com This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, other than brief quotes for reviews. eBook ISBN 978-1-68549-208-3 Paperback ISBN 978-1-68549-209-0 CONTENTS Join the Rough Edges Press Mailing List Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Acknowledgments A Look at Book Three: Join the Rough Edges Press Mailing List About the Author JOIN THE ROUGH EDGES PRESS MAILING LIST It’s no secret that you love books as much as we do. If you join now, you’ll stay up to date on our newest releases, news and sales. For my wife, Bonnie, who has supported me with undeniable and unequivocal love from the day we said our vows on our wedding day. Through all our ups and downs, her love and faith never wavered no matter where my career took us. I will always love her “till death do us part.” THE BLACK ROSE PROLOGUE Although it was winter by meteorological standards in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region, the weather in Oakmont was anything but winter-like. The pleasant temperatures made it ideal for an evening run around Lake Catalpa. The beautiful park provided a walking and jogging path challenging enough for anyone. Following the topography of the lake, the jogging path bordered by thick brush gave way to a rocky shoreline. During the day, joggers enjoyed an assortment of flora and fauna indigenous to the area. However, those preferring an evening jog experienced a moonlit lake with twinkling stars gracing the dark sky above. On this enjoyable evening, a lady in hot-pink form-fitting spandex began her regular stretching and breathing regimen to warm up, juice up, for an evening run under the stars. As she completed her final stretching and breathing exercises, several individuals crossed the finish line. Ready to set a new personal best for three miles, she pushed the start button on her digital watch. Starting slow, she quickened her pace as her watch tracked her time. Her hot-pink spandex accentuated her well-toned sensual curves as she moved around the lake. Always wearing a baseball cap from her alma mater, her ponytail bounced randomly with each stride she took. After completing her first five-hundred-yards, two other joggers had just finished stretching and began their run around the lake. Focused on her pace, she was oblivious to the individuals trailing her. Glancing at her digital timer, a smile crossed her face. As she continued around the lake, she enjoyed the sounds of classical music through her earbuds while oblivious to her surroundings. Entering the home stretch, as she called it, her digital watch indicated she was ten seconds under her best time. Knowing a full out sprint would ensure a new personal best, she used every bit of energy and stamina she could muster. As she crossed the imaginary finish line, her arms extended upward, reaching for the stars, as she celebrated her triumph. Remembering those days from college, she screamed, breaking the serenity of the pristine evening. Her voice echoed throughout the trees and hills. As she gazed through an opening in the thick brush, the beautiful, mesmerizing moonlit lake seemed to celebrate with her. Grabbing her knees to catch her breath, she enjoyed the shimmering ripples as her imaginary audience applauded her. After a few cleansing breaths, she stood up, enjoying her achievement all over again. Arms fully extended toward the twinkling sky; her voice echoed one last time. As the shimmering waters turned to a glassy-like mirror, her encore was over. Enjoying the serenity and peacefulness of the moment, a bone-crushing jolt to her backside interrupted her final cleansing breath. Hitting the cold hard ground, the weight of her attacker violently squeezed the life out of her lungs. Gasping and heaving for precious air, her silent screams withered in the thick brush. Facedown toward the shoreline, with her arms pinned underneath her body, the pain in her chest was unbearable. Paralyzed and helpless, she prayed as the moonlit lake began turning a murky black. Feeling something around her neck, the assailant turned a ligature tighter and tighter, squashing her feeble pleas for help. As she began losing consciousness, a bright, soft halo appeared in front of her. Out of the corona, she recognized the diamond ring on the outstretched hand, reaching for her. As the halo dissipated, her hand latched on to it, and her physical body succumbed to the cold darkness of death. Before her soul passed into eternity, it hovered above her lifeless body. Her spirit observed her attacker turning her over and pulling down her hot-pink spandex past her knees, displaying her most sacred possession. Pausing for a moment, the attacker moistened his lips, observing her delicate and untarnished treasure. Inside his zippered vest, he pulled out an artificial black rose. While smelling its synthetic fragrance, its petals caressed his lips. Staring at his prize