Blood Sport

Rick Simonds

Description

MSP Detective Reed Sanderson is put in charge of a homicide task force in an attempt to solve a series of baffling deaths in the Pine Tree State. Because these deaths are seemingly without motive, he must determine if these are homicides before he can attempt to find the perpetrator. After he unlocks the mystery, he is confronted with a challenge more sinister; the abduction of his teen-aged son.

Sujets

• True crime

Informations

• Publié par: First Edition Design Publishing
• Date de parution: 18 avril 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781937520830
• Langue: English

Extrait

BLOOD CODE GETS RAVE REVIEWS


Blood Sport is the second book in the Reed Sanderson series and the first, Blood Code, was hailed by fans and critics alike as an exciting and entertaining breakout novel. Below are just a few of the many comments and critiques Blood Code generated.

“Simonds has an exciting and entertaining hit mystery here.” Kennebec Journal

“A terrifying tale loaded with suspense.” Waterville Morning Sentinel

“Simonds’ ‘Blood Code’ full of twists” Biddeford Journal Tribune

“From coach to novelist, the thrills continue.” Jeff Peterson, The Portland Daily Sun

“I read your book in one day and it was incredible.” S. Sheehan

“I started it yesterday and have been basically worthless to society until I finished it this afternoon. Your style reminds me of James Patterson in that it was a real page turner filled with surprises.” A. Lusby

“My husband liked your book and couldn’t put it down,” L. Griffin

“Edgy and tense, the suspense kept me turning pages well into the night.” Joe Loughlin, Asst. Chief of Portland, ME Police (ret.) and author of Finding Amy.

“I read your book in pretty much one night because I couldn’t put it down.” D. Bondeson

Blood Code is available in most major bookstores, on Amazon, or by going to either ricksimonds.net or bloodcode.us
ISBN 978-1-937520-83-0
Published by
First Edition Design Publishing
April 2012
www.firsteditiondesignpublishing.com

Copyright, 2012 by Rick Simonds



Cover Design – Bruce Robert Coffin
www.coffincreations.com

ISBN PRINT – 978-1937520823

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other – except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without prior written permission of the publisher and author.

Library of Congress Control Number
2012937422
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rick Simonds is known on many fronts. Blood Sport is his second novel after his breakout novel Blood Code was published in 2011.
In addition to being an English and Creative Writing teacher at the high school level he also serves as the color commentator for the NBA D league, Maine Red Claws on WJAB radio and Time Warner television broadcasts.
For 24 years he served as a college basketball coach and has been inducted into three athletic Hall of Fames. He currently resides in Maine.
DEDICATION

There are several individuals who I would like to acknowledge for their contributions to Blood Sport, albeit in very different ways, but two of them deserve special recognition.
The first is Katherine McGonagle, an immensely gifted young lady who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 2009. I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Katie in my capacity as a writing instructor, and I have no doubt that she would have made her mark, and her living, in literary circles.
Although her premature death prohibited her from having her work appear in print, with the permission of her father, Joe, I am including some of her words woven into chapter 3 to honor her memory. The words came from a piece that she wrote entitled The Greater Good and I took the liberty of incorporating them into my novel.
Katie, you were tremendously talented, charming, and destined for greatness. Most of all you are missed.
The second individual I want to acknowledge is Steve Brydon, a caring and courageous gentleman who has served for many years as the manager of Shaw’s Supermarket in North Windham, Maine. Steve was extremely supportive and helpful in the sale and promotion of my first novel, Blood Code, and I am indebted for his kindness and assistance. Early in 2011 Steve was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident and since then he has bravely battled the severe injuries he incurred.
One day, before the accident, I stopped by his store to thank him for all of his help and asked him what I could do to repay him. He replied, “Just name a character after me in your next novel.” Readers of Blood Sport will find a hard-working, successful, state trooper by the name of Steve Brydon within these pages. Like his namesake, he is a good man who is forced to deal with, yet overcome, adversity.
As a writer of fiction one is able to create talented, caring individuals who do wonderful things and are deserving of recognition. Occasionally, in real life, the same is true.
I would also like to offer special thanks to Lt. Brian McDonough of the Maine State Police who was not only kind enough to give me a tour of the MSP barracks in Gray, Maine, but also to patiently answer both my phone calls and questions.
Another individual, who once again has been part of the production team for Blood Sport, and deserves much credit, is Detective Sergeant Bruce Coffin, lead homicide investigator for the city of Portland, Maine. In addition to helping design the cover for Blood Sport, he provided a wealth of technical information and support.
To all of the above, I offer my sincerest thanks, admiration, and appreciation.
“ Every sin is the result of collaboration.”
--Stephen Crane
PROLOGUE

THE MURDER CLUB
ONE

Vince Fiorillo looked out of the bay window of his great room at the choppy waters of Casco Bay. Scattered patches of snow and ice clung confidently to the shoreline as winter begrudgingly held Maine in its clutches. He took a puff on his Montecristo A and without turning around began to address the two men who reclined in the Luke leather chairs behind him sipping on Courvoisier.
“Gentlemen,” he began, “I have been doing a lot of thinking and believe that we have come to a point in our lives where an in-depth examination is needed; an examination of where we are, where we are headed, and what we can do to make the journey more enjoyable.”
He turned toward the pair sitting before him and addressed them as he had done jury boxes many times before, with clear eyes and a stentorian voice that demanded respect. “We have more money than we’ll ever spend, have no one to spend it on, and don’t know what to do with our free time.”
Francis “Frank” Flynn and Caleb Morgan stared at the imposing figure but had no inclination to reply. At six foot four and well over two hundred pounds, Fiorillo towered above the others and with his wavy black hair combed directly back his appearance belied his age. They knew that Vince had not finished speaking and knew better than to interrupt his train of thought. What they didn’t know was what was coming next.
Fiorillo put his foot on the ottoman that sat equidistant between the two men and leaned in to finish making his point. He blew a series of concentric smoke circles into the air and spoke in a throaty whisper. “I think we need to commit a murder.”
Flynn shifted his drink from his right hand to his left and sat forward pausing to let what he had just heard sink in. “Surely you’re kidding, Vince. I mean you can’t be serious. Hell, I’ve spent most of my adult life trying to catch murderers, not be one.”
“Exactly Frank, that’s just the point. You spent almost forty years as a New York City cop, most of those as a Chief, so who better to understand what it takes to plan a murder, commit a murder, and most importantly, to get away with murder!”
Caleb Morgan rose to his feet, as much to escape the smoke circling his head as to be heard. Short, but with a stocky frame that reminded one of a running back, he ran his free hand across his bald head that had suddenly produced beads of perspiration. “But why, Vince? What is the purpose? What would we be trying to accomplish?”
“Each of us has been diagnosed with health issues of some concern and we don’t know how long we’ll be around. Think about it this way, Caleb. You have spent your life as a stockbroker. You have made a great deal of money and now that you are retired you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor just like Frank and I, but is that what we want to do with what’s left of our golden years – just sit around and wait for the grim reaper to come calling?”
“We’re all going to die, Vince,” Flynn asserted.
“Of course we are, but it doesn’t have to be tomorrow, and it sure as hell doesn’t have to be while playing shuffleboard.”
“Do you have someone particular in mind?” asked Morgan.
“No, that’s just it. The beauty of my plan lies with its simplicity.”
“Plan”…echoed Flynn. “You mean you’ve thought this all out?”
Fiorillo sat down on the leather sofa opposite the men but leaned forward so both feet were flat on the floor. “I believe that I have, gentlemen, hear me out. Frank, you better than anyone know this. What does it require to commit a murder?”
“Means, motive, and opportunity,” Flynn replied.
“Exactly, and which of these is the first thing that police are going to try and link together?”
“Motive. Most murders are committed by a spouse or someone in a relationship.”
“Therein lays the secret of our success. Don’t you see, by killing someone who has no apparent connection to any of us, someone totally random, the police would have no reason to suspect any of us as long as we are careful in the committing of these murders.”
“Murders?” said Caleb heavily accenting the second syllable. “Plural? Christ Vince, we come over to play some poker and now we’re planning murders.”
“Exactly my point Caleb,” said Vince leaning back into the sofa. Think about this, I know I have. Each of us has lost our wives by some means; both yours and mine are dead and in Frank’s case she ran off with another man. None of us has any children and, let’s be honest, each of us has bent or broken the law along the way in some capacity. We’ve known each other for almost five years now and while we’ve had fun playing some high-stakes poker once a week or playing a $10,000 Nassau when the course is playable, the fact is we’re all ill, we’re all bored and it’s time that we put a little spark in our lives.”
Frank Flynn hel