Alexander Steele Murder Mystery - The Deadly Gamble
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Death on the Delaware - Excerpt
The
KYW news radio theme played from her kitchen counter top radio while she put on
her red plaid jacket, burgundy scarf with matching ear muffs.
At
6:00 a.m. she donned her knitted gray cap and headed outdoors to take her
poodle Gladys for her daily walk along side the Delaware
River . The gray haired
retiree had no idea that she would soon feel another chill, one that she would
never forget. As she walked along the
frozen dirt path Gladys began to bark.
Mrs. Ferguson looked in the same direction as the little black dog. Dawn was breaking. It was difficult to see. She squinted as she peered towards the
water. Gladys tugged on her lease
causing her master to leave the path and tread closer to the river.
Mrs.
Ferguson caught a glimpse of something floating in the murky water. An old rotten log she though. The elderly woman’s curiosity had gotten the
better of her. She inched closer to get
a better look. Seconds later Mrs.
Ferguson screamed so loud she could have woke up the dead……….well almost.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Death on the Delaware Chapter One
An
Alexander Steele Murder Mystery
By
Larry J.
February
in Philly is always cold, but the polar vortex had made it colder than usual. The bone chilling deep freeze didn’t deter
Mrs. Ferguson from her morning routine.
The
KYW news radio theme played from her kitchen counter top radio while she put on
her red plaid jacket, burgundy scarf with matching ear muffs.
At
6:00 a.m. she donned her knitted gray cap and headed outdoors to take her
poodle Gladys for her daily walk along side the Delaware
River . The gray haired
retiree had no idea that she would soon feel another chill, one that she would
never forget. As she walked along the
frozen dirt path Gladys began to bark.
Mrs. Ferguson looked in the same direction as the little black dog. Dawn was breaking. It was difficult to see. She squinted as she peered towards the
water. Gladys tugged on her lease
causing her master to leave the path and tread closer to the river.
Mrs.
Ferguson caught a glimpse of something floating in the murky water. An old rotten log she though. The elderly woman’s curiosity
had
gotten the better of her. She inched
closer to get a better look. Seconds
later Mrs. Ferguson screamed so loud she could have woke up the dead……….well
almost.
Twenty
minutes later two officers in a police boat fished the lifeless body out of the
Delaware . It was clear from their expressions that this
was no ordinary corpse. Anyone who
followed politics or has watched the local news would have instantly recognized
that face. The body fished out of the
river was none other than Pennsylvania ’s
controversial congressman Earnest Holloway.
Everyone has skeletons locked away in the closet, but politicos usually
find a way to keep them locked away better than most. Congressman Holloway had more than his fair
share of enemies. His death was sure to
reveal more than a few dark nasty secrets.
News
of the Congressman’s death spread like wildfire. Soon reporters from across the country had
converged on the banks of the Delaware
where his body was discovered.
Across
town Alexander Steele was unaware of the Congressman’s demise. His dilemma was of the domestic nature. After loosing a bet to his girlfriend Shakia
Steele had just finished whipping up breakfast for two consisting of shrimp and
grits with waffles and coffee. Shakia
smiled as she took her seat at the table.
Still in her green night gown Shakia examined the food. “Very good Alex, I always knew you were good
with your hands. I should bet you more
often. After breakfast you can make good
on the second half of your bet.” Steele
was about to speak when the doorbell rang.
It was 8:45 a.m. on a Friday morning.
Normally Alexander Steele would be at his night club. Steele tightened up the belt on his tan robe
as he walked to the door. Shakia was
even more surprised when Steele opened the door and saw her sister standing in
the doorway. Shakia got up from the
table at her sister entered the living room “Naomi what are you doing
here? Is Mom alright? Is everything okay?” Shakia rushed over and gave her younger
sister a warm hug. “Mom’s fine, everyone
is fine. How have you two been?” Steele looked at Shakia then turned to Naomi
as she gently rubbed Steel’s shoulder, we’re great. What brings you to our neck of the
woods? Aren’t you supposed to be in
DC? Naomi looked puzzled. Haven’t you guys been watching the news? Steele picked up the remote from the sofa and
turned to MSNBC. Naomi was too impatient
to wait so she just blurted it out.
Congressman Holloway has been murdered.
She gestured to the TV. They pulled him out the river a couple of hours
ago. The three stood in the living floor
as they watched the footage of the Congressman’s lifeless body being pulled
onto the boat like fisherman hauling in a large tuna. Shakia put her hand to her mouth; oh that’s
terrible who would do such a thing?
Steele snickered, ha, really, take your pick. That guy had more enemies that Saddam
Hussein. Naomi turned from the TV to
Steele. Alex can I talk to you for a minute
…….alone? Shakia perked up when she
heard the words alone. “Well that’s not
the least bit suspicious at all sis.
What do you have to say to him that you don’t want me to hear? Realizing that it was a bad move Naomi
conceded the point and agreed to include her sister in the conversation. The three sat on the couch and Naomi began
making her pitch. You guys know that I
am the Senator’s assistant. Well you
probably also know that Congressman Holloway is; well was changeling my boss
for his senate seat in November. That’s
gonna move him to the top of the suspect list.
This is going to be a distraction to my boss Senator Green so he wants
to hire you to find out who murdered the Congressman.
The Senator had a fundraiser diner
at the Four Season Hotel last night that is why I am in town. After dinner he drove back to Washington . There is no way he could have murdered the Congressman.
Shakia tapped Steele on the arm and
tilted her head toward the kitchen.
“Alex can I see you in the kitchen for a minute” Naomi seemed even more
nervous than before. She strained to
hear what was being said in the kitchen but could only hear whispers. Shakia was beside herself. Alex, she’s lying. I could always tell. When she was 9 she broke a saucer in Mom’s
china closet and glued it back together without saying a word. I almost got blamed but my parents knew that
whenever she wiggled or tapped her foot she was hiding something. It’s a dead giveaway. Steele was about to confront Shakia’s sister
when her cell phone rang. Naomi reached
inside her right coat pocket and pulled out a black cell phone but didn’t
brother to look at the number, she simple turned the ringer off. Steele stroked the ends of his mustache and
sat next to his girlfriend. “That was
the Senator wasn’t it?” Naomi glanced down at her phone. “Yes, how did you
know?” Steele smiled, “that’s a $20.00 phone.
A woman in your position, your salary wouldn’t rely on a cheap phone
like that. I’m sure your other phone is
somewhere inside your handbag. My guess
is he’s the only one who has that number that’s why you didn’t brother to look
to see who the caller was. If I were a
betting man, Steele paused long enough to look over at Shakia; I would say that
you and the Senator are having an affair.
That’s why you were so sure he didn’t commit the murder. You two spent the night at the hotel
together. How am I doing so far?” Shakia shook her head and sighed as she
starred at her sister, “Lord Jesus what have you done. That’s why you didn’t want me in the room
when you and Alex talked. Please tell me
it’s not true.
“Shakia it’s not what you think. I knew you wouldn’t approve.” Naomi struggled to find the right words. After a moment of fidgeting in her seat she
held up both hands and blurted out “it’s complicated. Can we focus on the murder for now? I promise I will explain everything to you
once this mess is over.” Shakia crossed
her arms, leaned back on the couch and starred at her sister.
“You bet your ass we will”
Steele was equally put out by Shakia’s sister act of
deception. “Naomi, you know me so I’m
gonna be blunt. Tell me everything, no
hedging. If you lie to me again you’re
on your own and let’s be clear about one thing.
If the Senator murdered Holloway he’s going down.”
After an apology to Steele and Shakia Naomi began explaining
how she rented the hotel suite where the fundraiser was held. She told Steele that she and the Senator had
spent the night together and that he was driving back to Washington because he
would have been recognized it he had taken Amtrak.
Shakia took one look at Steele and knew it didn’t look good
for Naomi or the Senator. “Alex, its bad
isn’t it? Steele shook his head. “Yes, but it we move fast enough we can keep
it from getting worse.” He asked Naomi
who checked out of the hotel. She
explained that the Senator always left first and that she would wait 15 minutes
before leaving. Since the hotel has
automatic checkout she just dropped the key off and left.
Steele rushed to the phone and called his friend Stan. It didn’t take a detective to realize that
the voice on the other end of the call was not his best friend/computer
hacker. “Who am I speaking too” “Oh this is Christine who is this?” This is Steele, baby I’m in kinda of a rush,
can you put Stan on?” Minutes later a
groggy sounding man spoke into the receiver “Steele man do you know what time
it is?” “Yeah it’s time to get your ass
up. It’s after nine. I need you to get over to the Four Seasons
hotel. I need to know what areas their
surveillance cameras monitor.” Stan
yawned into the phone. “I don’t need to. I was just there last month. They only have cameras in the main lobby and
all the entrances and exits.” Steele
could hear Christine’s voice in the background “last month, why were you at a
hotel last month. Mr. you got some
explaining to do.” The sleepy voice on
the other end spoke again.” Thanks Steele”.
There was a sudden click and the line went dead.
Steele instructed Naomi to contact the Senator. “Tell him to be honest for a change and tell
the truth about him staying at the hotel and when he left. Just leave out the part about you being there
with him. The surveillance cameras will
verify him leaving. Once they see him
leaving the hotel they won’t need to watch the rest of the footage. They aren’t looking for you so they will
assume that he was alone.” Naomi looked
worried, “but he won’t have an alibi Steele.
Staying alone in a hotel in the same city won’t prove his
innocence.”
Steele motioned for her to calm down. “Baby steps, this is the murder of a
Congressman we’re talking about her. That
means a lot of rocks are gonna be turned over and a lot of dirt will come
out. If your boyfriend is driving a
government car then it is equipped with a GPS not to mention the Easy Pass
monitor that keeps a record of every time he goes through a toll. We’re not just talking about lying to the
local cops; we are talking about the FBI, a grand jury and possibly a judge. Sooner or later they will want a statement
from you but since you are near the bottom of the food chain hopefully that
won’t be for a while. In the meantime
you need to lay low. Stay with your
sister until I figure who the killer is.
Naomi looked over at an angry Shakia then back at Steele. “Do I have too? Can’t I stay here with you? Steele laughed and went to get dressed.
Part Two will be posted Tuesday
Chapter #2 Sex Drugs and Politics
Want more Alexander Steele
Case of the Death Dealer
Case of the Deadly Ring
Legacy of Death
Case of the Death Dealer
Case of the Deadly Ring
Legacy of Death
Alexander Steele Murder Mystery Trilogy
Author Larry J
Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.
Author Larry J
Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.
The Alexander Steele Murder Mystery series consist of the first three short stories set in Philadelphia. Philly native Lawrence Johnson aka Larry J. takes you into Philly's neighborhoods by way of his fictional,suave,detective Alexander Steele. The semi retired PI is the proud owner of the Mount Airy hot spot known as the Inner Sanctum. Steele has a problem. He just can't seem to put his past life of crime solving behind him. A seemly endless stream of new clients come to his club each with tempting new cases for the ever inquisitive private investigator.
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Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.
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#apple
Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.
http://j.mp/1sncUH2
Friday, September 5, 2014
Monday, September 1, 2014
Who is Alexander Steele?
Who is Alexander Steele?
Alexander Steele is a fictitious, street savvy, African American detective who grew up on the rough streets of Philly. Forget everything you know about gritty, skirt cashing, chain-smoking, broke detectives of the past. Steele (as his friends like to call him) is a unique breed of detective. When he's in the danger zone Steele fly’s solo but behind the scenes, he often relies on the computer expertise of his best friend/hacker Stan. With Stan’s assistance Steele has solved dozens of cases from Montreal to Mexico.
After years of car chases and matching wits, bullets and verbal jabs with drug kingpins, murderers, and terrorist the thirty-something private investigator is being prodded by his longtime girlfriend to "get out of the business before its too late."
As difficult as it has been the handsome P.I. has stayed true to his choice of committing to a monogamous relationship with interior decorator Shakia. In an attempt trade in his lifestyle of danger for a profession with a much lower causality rate, Steele opened a posh member’s only club in the Mt. Airy section of Philly. It was an unusual choice for a man who doesn't drink or smoke. Steele’s quirky, hefty; childhood friend Sugar Bear is the club manager. Sugar Bear competence as manager has never been an issue but his attraction to astrology and conspiracy theories often annoys Steele.
Shakia’s relief has quickly turned to frustration because the back booth at Steele’s popular club has turned into his new base of operation. Steele is approached by a never-ending stream of potential murder mysteries clients, some too good to pass up. It becomes apparent that his reputation will not die as quickly as the enemies he has put in the local cemeteries.
The series consist of six short stories and one novel with more n the way.
Philly detective Alexander Steele is hired to solve a double murder inside a mansion full of suspects. The victims were found inside a shed locked from the inside. The only thing he knows for sure is that the butler didn't do it.
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Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.
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Friday, August 15, 2014
Alexander Steele Murder Mystery Excerpts
Excerpt from Death Dealer
Later that morning Steele drove down to North Philly to an area known by the locals as the Badlands to meet Trench in his office hidden behind a restaurant aptly named the Greasy Spoon. It was a bright sunny day outside but it was clear from the grime on the front window that the sun’s attempt to brighten the inside was a lost cause.
From the moment Steele walked in the door it was evident that whoever was
responsible for cleaning the place had taken the last five years off. The dingy red and white sign in the corner read special, 2 eggs, hash browns, and coffee $1.50. Knowing that it was a front for Trench’s illegal activities in the back Steele shook his head as he entered. He murmured, “They should change the sign to leave your taste buds at the door.”
The half dozen zombie-like patrons didn’t bother to look up when he walked in. The
decor was early seventies with duck taped stools but the balding; cigarette smoking man in front of the grill was defiantly a product of the fifties. Never taking the cigarette from his mouth the sweaty cook turned around holding a spatula in one hand and plate of eggs and hash browns in the other. “What can I get you young blood?”
decor was early seventies with duck taped stools but the balding; cigarette smoking man in front of the grill was defiantly a product of the fifties. Never taking the cigarette from his mouth the sweaty cook turned around holding a spatula in one hand and plate of eggs and hash browns in the other. “What can I get you young blood?”
Steele chuckled as he thought, "Coffee, hash browns and eggs $1.50. Cigarette
ashes? No charge. Does that come with a side of Pepto Bismol? This place would be
a health inspector’s dream if one was ever bold enough to come through those doors."
Steele took notice of the bulge near the cook’s waistline under his dirty apron.
"That ain’t no fanny pack," he thought, this guy was definitely packing heat. The cook was doing double duty as Trench’s first line of defense; too bad he didn't do windows. Steele glanced at the plate of food and waved him off, “No thanks.” He pointed to the dark brown door all the way in the back. The man set the plate on the counter in front of the customer. Hanging directly over head was a swirly strip of fly paper that had done its job all too well.
“You Steele?” he asked. When Steele nodded the cook reached under the counter and buzzed him in. Steele passed by an assortment of boxes containing counterfeit merchandise from Trench’s suppliers. They lined the walls of his office in the back of the rundown greasy spoon diner. He counted three body guards plus the hired help.
The Deadly Gamble an Alexander Steele Murder Mystery
The Deadly Gamble Part One
The Deadly Gamble Part #2 will be posted tomorrow at noon.
The Deadly Gamble Part One
The Deadly Gamble Part #2 will be posted tomorrow at noon.
Posted 3 days ago by Larry Johnson
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