Robert Ellis: CITY OF FIRE, Chapter 7

The Murder House, Rustic Canyon, Early morning …

Lena finds semen on the carpet in the study. Her partner claims the coroner doesn’t think Nikki was raped, but instead, had sex with someone she knew. Then Rhodes finds the murder weapon, a 12-inch chef’s knife, in the dishwasher.  All of a sudden the case turns grim, and it looks like maybe Nikki Brant’s husband, James, is the madman, who in a rage, so brutally did her in ...

 

https://www.robertellis.net

Robert Ellis: CITY OF FIRE, Chapter 6

The Murder House, Rustic Canyon Park
Early morning, sunlight streaking through a light fog...
 

Lena needs a few minutes to deal with the brutality of Nikki Brant’s murder. She climbs over the fence behind the house and finds a spot in Rustic Canyon Park that the killer may have used to watch Nikki in her bedroom. She sees Stan Rhodes step outside. Lena met Rhodes a while back and had an immediate attraction for him. At the time, Rhodes felt the same way but was involved with another woman. Lena didn’t want to be the reason they broke up, and pulled out. Rhodes has resented her ever since, and avoided all contact. But today, in the face of a crime this horrific, things seem different…

https://www.robertellis.net

Robert Ellis: CITY OF FIRE, Chapter 5

Nikki & James Brant’s Bungalow

Los Angeles County, Early Morning

Lena has seen stab wounds like these while working narcotics. It’s called the juke, and is used by drug gangs who think the brutally will impress their friends. She and Novak show James Brant a photo of the victim’s face, confirming her ID as his wife, Nikki. The murder seems too bizarre, and Brant’s reaction, too real to suspect his involvement. The killer has to be a madman, some sort of freak. And Lena has no doubt that he will kill over and over again until he’s caught, or better yet, shot dead.

https://www.robertellis.net