Case of the Death Dealer - Audio Excerpt

 Late night at the Badlands 

Blackout excerpt - The Badlands

 

Chestnut Hill is located at the upper end of Philadelphia.  Its tree-lined streets and quaint little shops were far removed from the gritty mean streets of North Philly.  It’s a pretty safe bet that well-heeled Philadelphians who resided behind the walls of sprawling Chestnut Hill mansions have never heard of the Badlands.

 There are no tree-lined streets, specialty shops, or fancy cars, only a sense of disillusionment and reminders of abandonment.  Abandoned cars, abandoned homes but most of all abandoned dreams.  It was the perfect environment for drug dealers to set up shop.  Steele turned the corner and parked his midnight blue jag in front of an old, rundown restaurant that looked like it had been closed for years.   The trash-littered street in the heart of the badlands was deserted except for three guys on the corner.  Steele checked his watch, 12:50 a.m. He was early.  As soon as he got out of the car, the three rough-looking dudes approached him.  Steele backed up against the car so they couldn't surround him. 

“Gimme, your watch and your wallet,” said the biggest of the three men.  Without warning, he grabbed Steele by his coat collar.  Steele grabbed the attacker's arm, quickly spun him to the side and slammed his head onto the hood of the car.  Before the others could figure out what happened, Steele kicked the second guy in the balls and punched him in the face.  The two men hit the ground like sacks of potatoes.  Although Steele had been out of the detective business for a while his reflexes were still as sharp as ever.  The last man standing looked down on the ground at his dazed friends; when he looked up, he found himself staring down the barrel of Steele's gun.  

Alexander Steele was angry.  “Look, I don't have time for this shit.  I didn't come all the way down here to take out the trash, but what the hell, I'm early.  So, what's it gonna be? You gentleman can step off right now, or your folks can read about you in tomorrow's newspaper, in the obituaries.”  Before the guy could answer, a man came out from one of the abandoned storefronts.  “Mr. Steele, you okay?”  Steele glanced over at the two men slowly getting up from the ground.  “Yeah, I'm fine.”  He reached for his wallet and slapped a fifty-dollar bill on top of his car.  “You want my money; well, earn it -watch my car.  When I get back, it's still better to be here and it better be in pristine condition.”  The thugs looked confused; Steele sighed, “Just watch the damned car, and tomorrow go buy a dictionary!”  

Alexander Steele Series on Audio Books

Excerpt from Return of the Deadly Trio

 Excerpt from Return of the Deadly Trio

Brenda was eavesdropping on the conversation.  “It’s okay, Steele. She can stay with me.  As a matter of fact Tina, you can stay too.  These jokers don’t know me or where I live and besides, I got the Judge and a forty-five to protect us.  Don’t underestimate Shakia; she has asked me to hold her handbag a time or two.  That extra weight she’s caring ain’t no curling iron.”  Steele smiled as he turned to Shakia, “Is that okay with you, baby?”  Shakia managed a brief smile and kissed Steele on the cheek.  “It’s better than DC.”

Duce was not a patient man.  He wanted to get down to business.  “Okay, you love birds,  now that your domestic affairs have been sorted out, does somebody want to tell me what’s going on?  What’s the deal with the suitcase, and who is the Judge?”  Brenda laughed, I can’t tell you about the suitcase sugar, but the Judge is my rock wilder.  He decides who gets in or out of my place.  Nobody gets past him.”

Alexander Steele Murder Mysteries, Volume 2 

The Deadly Gamble

 The Deadly Gamble

Suspects

There's been a double murder on the grounds of Amber Hill Manor. Kevin Matthew's wife Melissa and pool boy Sam were found dead inside a locked shed.

Follow the clues and catch the killer(s) in The Deadly Gamble. A short story from the Alexander Steele murder mystery series.

Husband – Kevin Matthews

Doubled wife’s life insurance policy to six million dollars shortly after catching his wife having an affair with the last pool boy.

Sister in law – Daniela Matthews was also known as Kitty.

Professional high stakes poker player. Disliked her brother’s wife. Rumored to have had an affair with the pool boy who Mr. Matthews thinks is gay.

Maid – Audrey

Likes to play the Power Ball lottery. Would lose her job if the Matthews move to Florida.

Butler/cook – Antonio

Would also be out of a job.

Groundskeeper – Pablo

likes to bet on the horses. Owed Mrs. Mathews a large sum of money she threatens to withhold his pay until the debt was paid.

The Chauffeur – Chris

Will bet on anything Once placed a wager on how long it would take a bead of sweat to drop from a man's face. Had joked with the staff about killing the pool boy

Amazon http://amzn.to/29r8Dk9

also at iTunes http://j.mp/1sncUH2

Excerpt from Alexander Steele and the Legacy of Death

 Excerpt from Alexander Steele and the Legacy of Death

The dimly lit hallways in the rundown apartment building were painted blood red. It was clear from the stains, cracks, and writing along the walls that the apartment building was way overdue for a fresh coat of paint. Even though the rain had cooled things off outside, the hallway was hot and muggy.

Odors of cheap wine and urine permeated throughout the dilapidated three-story walkup.

Steele ignored the police sirens wailing in the distance. He walked by an old black payphone with a dozen or so phone numbers scribbled on the wall before climbing the rickety stairs.

Apartment 12 was at the end of the hall on the right. Not knowing what to expect he cautiously approached the apartment. As he drew his weapon Steele noticed the door was slightly opened.

An open door especially in this neighborhood was always a bad sign.

As if that wasn’t enough the foul smell coming from the hallway was suddenly replaced by the stench of a rotting corpse. As the sound of the sirens grew louder Steele considered the possibility that they may be headed his way. He had to move fast. The floorboards creaked as he crept into the small apartment. An old porcelain lamp with painted pink roses topped with a battered cream-colored lamp shade gave Steele enough light to navigate around the room. A small picture frame had been tossed into the small black wastebasket next to an old raggedy lounge chair. The toxic smell of death grew stronger as he moved towards the kitchen. Out of the corner of his eye, Steele caught a glimpse of flashing red lights from the window facing Germantown Avenue.

Moments later Steele’s suspicions were confirmed. After making a quick sweep of the ransacked efficiency apartment he holstered his Glock and stood over the lifeless body sprawled out on the kitchen floor. The victim had apparently been shot from behind.

Philadelphia’s finest were just outside the door. The corpse lay face down on the cold, dirty, gray tiled kitchen floor. Just as Steele was about to turn him over he heard a voice yell.

“Stop where you are and put both your hands up now!”

t.ly/GQkw

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Excerpt from Alexander Steele and the Legacy of Death

 Excerpt from Alexander Steele and the Legacy of Death

The dimly lit hallways in the rundown apartment building were painted blood red. It was clear from the stains, cracks, and writing along the walls that the apartment building was way overdue for a fresh coat of paint. Even though the rain had cooled things off outside, the hallway was hot and muggy.

Odors of cheap wine and urine permeated throughout the dilapidated three-story walkup.

Steele ignored the police sirens wailing in the distance. He walked by an old black payphone with a dozen or so phone numbers scribbled on the wall before climbing the rickety stairs.

Apartment 12 was at the end of the hall on the right. Not knowing what to expect he cautiously approached the apartment. As he drew his weapon Steele noticed the door was slightly opened.

An open door especially in this neighborhood was always a bad sign.

As if that wasn’t enough the foul smell coming from the hallway was suddenly replaced by the stench of a rotting corpse. As the sound of the sirens grew louder Steele considered the possibility that they may be headed his way. He had to move fast. The floorboards creaked as he crept into the small apartment. An old porcelain lamp with painted pink roses topped with a battered cream-colored lamp shade gave Steele enough light to navigate around the room. A small picture frame had been tossed into the small black wastebasket next to an old raggedy lounge chair. The toxic smell of death grew stronger as he moved towards the kitchen. Out of the corner of his eye, Steele caught a glimpse of flashing red lights from the window facing Germantown Avenue.

Moments later Steele’s suspicions were confirmed. After making a quick sweep of the ransacked efficiency apartment he holstered his Glock and stood over the lifeless body sprawled out on the kitchen floor. The victim had apparently been shot from behind.

Philadelphia’s finest were just outside the door. The corpse laid face down on the cold, dirty, gray tiled kitchen floor. Just as Steele was about to turn him over he heard a voice yell.

“Stop where you are and put both your hands up now!” t.ly/GQkw

 

11

Steele Clashes with Detective Audrey Washington after North Philly Shootout

 

Excerpt from Alexander Steele and the Case of the Missing Men

Steele glanced down at the headline, 

NORTH PHILLY SHOOTOUT LEAVES ONE DEAD TWO WOUNDED.  

“I’ve known you what;” 

Audrey put one hand on her hip and held the other in the air as if she were searching for an answer, 

“24 hours.”  

She held up her index finger,” 

you managed to drag me into your drama and I have only known you for one single day.  I left you several messages, why haven’t you returned my calls?”

“Calm down baby, if you keep this up you might bust a vessel of something.” 

Detective Washington took a deep breath then exhaled.  After composing herself Audrey calmly sat across from Steele.  

“Okay Steele, let me lay this out for you.” 

Before she could get another word out Sugar Bear appeared with a cup of coffee for the detective.  Audrey appreciated the gesture. She looked up at Sugar Bear and smiled. 

“Oh, thank you Honey Bear, but I don’t drink coffee.  You wouldn't happen to have any Jasmine tea back there would you?” 

Steele smiled as he shook his head. 

“It’s Sugar Bear and I thought Jasmine tea was something you bathed in.”

Realizing that Steele was having fun at her expense Washington replied. 

“It helps calm my nerves. And now that I’m stuck with you I may have to order it by the case. Sugar Bear chuckled as he left with the coffee. 

“Okay Steele, now that you’ve had your fun, it’s time for a little quiz.  In the last three days there have been three dead bodies.” 

Audrey pointed to the entrance of the club. 

“One on your doorstep. One outside of Laura's Lounge and the third after a car chase that ended at Broad & Olney. What do they all have in common?”

 Steele knew exactly what she was referring to.  

“Don’t strain your brain, Steele. The answer is you.  Don’t even try and BS your way out of this one.  We have several eyewitnesses that place you and your car at the scene.  Since the captain is short-staffed he has decided to saddle me with all three cases which means I’m gonna have to give up my bowling night to clean up your mess.  Okay Steele, tell me about the car chase.” 

Alexander Steele Murder Mystery Books can be found here.