……… IN DEATH

I first met them six years ago: the disgustingly wealthy Irishman and his Lieutenant wife. We became friends and as new friends always do, we saw each other every night. In the beginning, I didn’t catch all the nuances, missed some details altogether but still I fell into the ‘obsession’.

Their past doesn’t matter to me. In fact, their past endears me to them. Both have murdered; and he, a thief as well. Both have issues. But, I am enamored, regardless. I’ve injected myself into their lives and walk their walk: straight and narrow now. Or so I’m led to believe. Their quirky friends are my friends. Their ‘mansion’ complete with manservant, and the lifestyle that goes along with it, has grown on me. And I like it.

I am a voyeur, I admit it, and I love every minute. I am eyes and ears into the investigations that consume the Lieutenant’s life, and I am a ‘tag-along’ at all crime scenes, including gruesome murders. We’ve solved many a case together, the three of us, and have escaped from some pretty tight situations. I am there, as well, in their quiet intimate moments. Moments I will not share with you.

He owns most of the Real Estate in the area including some property not on this Earth, if you know what I mean. I travel with them all over the Universe. And I like it.

Knowing them certainly has its advantages. I’m using them you say? So what? I get the pleasure of living a life I would otherwise never know, and they, well, let’s just say they receive a fair portion of the Lion’s share. And leave it at that.

Introduce you? Introduce you to death and to the underbelly of the beast? No? Introduce you to fine wine and high society then? You will not get one without the other I’m afraid, if that’s what you’re thinking. And besides, they’ve changed over the years. You can’t expect to just barge in and fit right in, although you could try. No. I think it best if you ease your way in. This way you are certain to come out of it ………… still breathing.

Still want me to introduce you? Yes? Very well then, but you must first get naked.

Naked in Death, that is.

For those of you living on another planet (pun intended), Nora Roberts writes the In Death series as J.D. Robb. If you haven’t already, you will not only get hooked on the stories but you will not be able to let go of any of the players. Even the bad guys are saturated and dripping in character.

 Futuristic suspense; romance

since 1995/G.P.Putnam’s Sons, a member of Penguin Group