Calculated
by Renee Novelle
Synopsis
An investigative journalist gets an unlikely tip from a mysterious
informant. Dismissing it as impossible, she disregards the information and
drops the story. Until the informant turns up dead, as predicted.
Plunged into the murky waters of a seedy underground prostitution ring,
this psychological thriller provides twist upon dark twist in a story that
would ultimately pin the church and several government officials in the largest
murder cover-up the city has ever witnessed.
But is it true, or has the journalist merely been used
as a pawn in a greater scheme? And how many people is she willing to sacrifice
trying to figure it out?
Excerpt:
When she
arrived at the little facility her building provided, a quick look around
confirmed she was the only one there. Just as she’d hoped, and exactly how she
liked it to be. Smiling in satisfaction, she flipped on the television that was
perched on the wall, and turned up the music on her iPod as loud as she could
handle it. The multiple distractions would help her get through the extra mile
she was planning to conquer. With chilled water bottle in place, she cranked up
the treadmill to a nice brisk pace.
As her
breathing picked up speed and her muscles began to warm, Ana’s eye caught a red
flash along the bottom of the screen. Breaking News filled the bar, and the
too-chipper-for-their-own-good reporters were suddenly getting serious. Since
the volume was still muted, Ana couldn’t understand exactly what was going on,
only that they were showing the wide stretch of river that ran along the
outskirts of the city. She wiped the first beads of sweat from her brow, and
used the remote to turn the volume of the television higher while
simultaneously adjusting her music.
As the
reporters spoke, home-video footage of something floating in the water rolled
before her eyes. The camera zoomed in, the frame ever so shaky, and it became
clearly apparent that the “something” was a person - face down with long brown
hair spread out like a Catholic halo. It appeared another victim had been
pulled out of the water; the count was quickly tallying up. A young woman this
time, and possibly one who had gone missing the night before.
Ana’s pulse
skipped a few beats as they replayed the video over and over. There was
something familiar about the long, lean body. Slowing the treadmill to a stop,
she ripped the ear buds from her head to give the segment her entire attention.
...it
appears at first glance that the victim suffered from a deep cut to the throat,
and received multiple stab wounds to the chest...
The beads of
accumulated sweat turned cold on Ana’s brow. She immediately reached for her
phone and dialed Kylie’s number.
“What the
hell, Ana?” Came her friend’s groggy voice.
“Turn your
TV on. Channel four. Hurry.” Ana said, eyes transfixed to the screen in front
of her. “Recognize that face?”
...It’s
thought the victim may be one of the young girls recently reported missing. The
screen flashed candids of three possible women. All brunettes. All tall and
thin. All roughly the same age. Among them was a photo of Mara, just as Ana had
expected there would be.
But the body
was too bloated and disfigured to be absolutely certain, and an autopsy would
be needed.
... The body
will be taken in for processing where officials hope to shed more light on the
case in the near future. In the mean time, they’re cautioning residents to
avoid....
“Did you see
that?” Ana’s voice escaped in more of a demand than a question. “Please tell me
I’m seeing things.”
“Oh my
god...” Kylie whispered into the receiver, confirming the dread that was
building in Ana’s stomach. “Do you really think it’s her?”
“I know for
a fact it is.” Ana declared, the pull in her gut getting stronger by the
minute. “The autopsy will confirm it.”
“So, what
does this mean exactly now?”
“That maybe
I should have been listening a little closer when I was talking to Mara.” She
said with regret as she swiped her forehead with the back of her hand. “And
maybe I should have asked more questions. There’s a story here, I’m sure of it
now.”
“What are
you going to do?” Kylie’s voice was decidedly more alert now.
Ana shook
her head. “I have no idea.”
Though if she were to be truthful with herself
in that moment, she’d already made up her mind. Ana flipped off the television,
and left the little gym to get started.
About the Author
Formerly a freelance journalist,
Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both online and print publications
since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed
her writing to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She has launched
several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.
In 2013, Novelle returned to her
first love – fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle,
she has a publication schedule that includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense,
Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.
Though she received her
Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, she considers herself
a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic
quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy
obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is
simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She
believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where
you’re meant to be.
You can find
out more about her books and connect with her here:
Sales Links:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/394253
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