Out Of Sync was born from a dream I had (which most of my works usually are). It is a murder/mystery filled with twists and turns with a young woman, who is a Forensic Psychologist, doing everything she can to bring down the psychotic killer who murdered her husband.
This book is close to my heart in that I also submitted it to my instructor in my novel writing course in University. She actually helped me edit the piece and encouraged me to get it published when it was all polished. I only submitted it to one publisher, Melange Books, who made me an offer right away.
The rest is history.
This book doesn't get the same attention as my other works that are geared more to a younger reader. But it has all the same elements my other books do: a focus on one's person's way of dealing with SPD, a highlight on the Native culture and a strong grandparent-type who offers wisdom, comfort and guidance.
With that said, I'm sharing the Prologue to the book and, in future weeks, will share more.
Please enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LOCAL NEWS
Accused Double Homicide Suspect to Stand Trial
BY CHONDRA KELLY, EDMONTON JOURNAL.COM
EDMONTON – Yesterday in Alberta Criminal Court, Judge Fernadette
Noseworthy ruled that there was enough evidence against double homicide
suspect, Marcus Harper, to go ahead with a trial.
Immediately after the Judge’s ruling, Harper lost control and not
only threatened his lawyer but also the Prosecution team as well. “This is your
fault,” he yelled at them. “I will get out. And you will suffer as I did. All
of you will suffer. You will know what it’s like to have everything taken
away!”
Harper, who had been brought into the courtroom in shackles and
restrained to the defense table with handcuffs, sprang at his lawyer, knocking
the table over, in an attempt to choke the man. It took the bailiff and three
police officers to remove him from the lawyer, with the assistance of a taser
to control him.
Harper was immediately removed from the courtroom and ordered back
to the Maximum Security Prison, where he had been held in isolation since his
arrest. Back when local TV stations broke the story last month, public outcry
for revenge grew intense, due to the brutality of his crime. And his antics in
the courtroom only seemed to confirm public concerns.
* *
* *
On his way out of the courtroom, the threats he directed to Cheyenne
McCarthy, the Chief-of-Police, William McCarthy’s wife, were the most chilling:
“I’ll save you for last, Dr. Lady. This isn’t the first time you’ve screwed
with my life. You’re gonna get what you deserve. And I’ll enjoy hearing you scream
for mercy.”
Cheyenne McCarthy is the Forensic Psychologist who played a key role
in bringing Harper down.
Harper is accused of gunning down two people, one, a young adult
male currently known as a ‘John Doe,’ and a Hopinachi woman believed to have been
in the later stages of pregnancy. Harper’s detached demeanor and lack of
remorse during his arrest and pretrial have sent angry ripples through the
community, creating an even stronger public outcry for justice for the three
lives he’s accused of taking.
When police had arrived at the scene of the shooting, Marcus was
found standing by the bodies smoking a cigarette—still holding the gun in his
hand—seemingly with no acknowledgment for what he had done or remorse.
“The man is sick,” one woman was quoted to have said outside of the
courthouse, shortly after court adjourned. “It’s about time this thing moved
forward so that guy is put away for good.”
Not all people are happy about the ruling, however. The leader of
the Hopinachi Tribe, Chief Longfellow, along other tribe members who had
witnessed the pretrial, felt that Harper would do better if he were returned to
his people and punished in their own traditions.
“His family has suffered too much through all of this,” Chief
Longfellow said, as he was led to his car by two fellow Hopinachi members. “We
all need to be at peace, including Marcus.”
The Prosecution team is currently preparing a statement for later
this afternoon.
Harper is without bail until his trial on the 15th of next month.
* *
* *
A week had passed since the pretrial. Those involved with Marcus’s
trial spent much time looking over their shoulders taking his threats to heart.
Even Cheyenne.
As per Judge Noseworthy’s order, Marcus Harper was held in solitary
confinement at the maximum security prison just outside of Edmonton until his
trial. He was also ordered to attend the Anger and Emotions Management program,
as requested by the Prosecuting team.
Even with the upcoming trial, and worries of Marcus’ threats,
Cheyenne had more important things on her mind.
The atmosphere was perfect: candles were lit, Michael Bublé crooned
from the stereo, baked gnocchi bubbled in the oven and a fruity, non-alcohol
wine rested in ice. Everything was ready, except William wasn’t home yet.
She glanced at the time as she switched the plasma television on to
catch the news. She didn’t like listening to the news—it always upset her. But
she kept it on just in case.
Even though she has a private psychology practice, her expertise in
Forensic Psychology and forensic sciences have made her a highly sought-after
expert for the District Attorney , especially on high profile cases. So
watching the news helps prepare her for any upcoming job she’d be forced to
take on.
6:45 p.m. Where was William?
He was one of those anally-prompt people who got ready, then waited
for everyone else. Cheyenne and William had made a promise to one another—once
the clock hit 6:00 p.m., they’d leave work at work and spend their evenings
together—except when those high-profile cases screamed for their attention.
As she checked on the gnocchi—fearing it’d been in the oven too
long—something caught her eye on the television. Perry, William’s partner, was
being interviewed by a local reporter. His face was white and expressionless as
his lips moved. A shot of adrenaline sparked like a wildfire from her stomach
out to her extremities. She reached for the remote to turn up the sound.
Perry’s rich Irish accent filled the dining room. “…he didn’t know
what hit him.”
What?
A reporter shoved her microphone in Perry’s face. “There’s
speculation the shooter was Marcus Harper, a suspect in the double homicide at
the convenience store earlier this month. Is that true, Detective?”
Perry rolled his eyes. “Darlin’, it wasn’t ‘speculation.’ It was
Marcus.”
Cheyenne felt nauseous. Where was William?
“And where is Marcus now, Detective?” Microphones and tape recorders
surrounded Perry’s head. “Is Harper back in custody?”
“Do ya see him around, darlin’?” Perry pushed the microphones out of
his way and turned to walk back to a squad car when another question stopped
him cold. “And what about Chief McCarthy,? What is his current status? Did he
survive the shooting?”
Cheyenne’s blood froze. Perry spoke slowly, his back facing the
crowd of reporters. “That information is private until family is contacted. You
know how it works, lass. If his wife wants to make a statement after that, it’s
up to her. No more questions.”
The scene switched back to the newscaster at the station. Her heart
thudding, Cheyenne stared at the television.
Did he survive the shooting?
The words echoed in her head. A knock at the door caused her to drop
the remote. She ran to the door and flung it open to see Perry’s grim face. He
said nothing—just held out his hand.
Finally he spoke. “Ya gotta come with me, love. Now.”
Cheyenne shook her head, backing away. “I’m not going anywhere until
you tell me what the hell is going on? Where’s William?”
“Just come with me, Chey,” Perry said. “I’ll tell you everything on
the way to the hospital.”
Cheyenne had enough sense to shut the oven off, pull the overcooked
gnocchi out and blow out the candles on the table. As she pulled her over-sized
sweatshirt on, she turned back to her surprise dinner table. Her eyes welled
with tears.
She left the positive pregnancy test in the middle of the table.
He’ll be back home soon…he has to be.
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