Afterthoughts Read online

  Afterthoughts

  The First Book in the Mind Bending Series

  Expanded 3rd Edition

  Smashwords Edition

  Lynn Tincher

  Afterthoughts

  The First Book in the Mind Bending Series

  Copyright © 2013 by Lynn Tincher

  Third Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  ISBN: 978-1-936593-39-2 eBook

  ISBN: 978-1-936593-40-8 Paperback

  Annwyn Publicity

  125.5 East Main Street

  La Grange, KY 40031

  Cover Art: John Tincher, Dark Palette Productions, Copyright – 2013 Lynn Tincher

  Story Consultant: Peyton Skelton, Kilted Pictures

  Books by Lynn Tincher:

  Short Stores

  Trials

  Mind Bending Series

  Afterthoughts, Mind Bending Series Book 1

  Left in the Dark, Mind Bending Series Book 2

  Coming Soon:

  Buried Deep, Mind Bending Series Book 3

  Where There is Light, Mind Bending Series Book 4

  Winberie Journals

  Coming Soon:

  Awakening: Book 1

  Lost: Book 2

  Acceptance: Book 3

  For Emily, Aaron, Becca and Eric

  Without you, this would not have been possible. I want to make you proud.

  I love you all.

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank Terry, Laura, Cara, Tammy and Eric for your advice and editing abilities. You’re belief in me keeps me going. I’d also like to thank Dave Mattingly from Blackwyrm Fiction for believing in me and publishing the Mind Bending Series.

  A great big, huge thanks goes to Peyton Skelton for believing in me and this story. Thank you for your advice and story line development. You’ve made this adventure brand new.

  For all the rest of my friends, family, and the wonderful people I work with, thank you. I really appreciate your passing the word along.

  Prologue

  Detective Paige Aldridge pulled into her parking spot at the Louisville Metro Police Station. She turned off the car, closed her eyes and sighed. As she reached to gather her things together, her cell phone rang. “Oh Aileen,” she whispered as she let it ring one more time.

  Finally, she pushed the button to answer. “Hey girlfriend!”

  “Paige! How are you darlin’? Where are you right now? Is today the day you’re going back in right? Seems like it still maybe a little early for you to be back on the job?” Aileen said without taking a breath.

  Paige tried to find the opportunity to answer. “Yep. I am back to work today. It has been nearly two months since I was here full time. I need to be back here now. Get back to something normal.” Paige looks at her fingernails in an attempt to keep her hands busy

  “Well I guess you have to go back sometime. Please take it easy today. Knowing how stubborn you are, you are probably...”

  Paige cut her off, “...going to reopen Anthony’s case today? Yes, I am! You know as well as I do that his son didn’t kill him.”

  “Honey calm down. I am on your side here. But, your very own boss, the Chief of Police, has closed the case. I loved your brother-in-law as much as you did, but, wouldn’t it just be better to move on?”

  “Do you really think Richie killed Anthony? The kid was troubled but he loved his family! And I promised Sarah I would find the real killer! I... I wasn’t there when she needed me... I know I could have done more!” Paige started to sob a little as she fought hard to keep it together. She looked around the outside of the car to be sure no one could see her.

  Aileen tried to calm her down. “Listen this has been rough on all of us. You have been there. None of this is your fault. I think you should come over and we can get you some tea and...”

  “Aileen thank you but no, I have to get this started. I am the only one who can see this through. I know you mean well but I have to go in now. They are expecting me back on the job today. We will talk soon. I promise you.”

  “Paige! I think...” Too late. Paige hung up on her.

  Chapter 1

  A huge crowd was gathered in the ballroom at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky. Banners of red, white and blue were meticulously hung everywhere; on tables, hanging from the ceiling. Nets full of balloons also hung overhead, waiting to be dropped.

  Detective Paige Aldridge slowly walked toward the head table where her sister, Sarah, and her teenage nephew stood. Sarah looked as glamorous as usual while Richie looked like the suit would set him on fire. His gothic appearance was completely out of sorts in the blue suit and red tie. Paige smiled and hugged her sister while reaching for Richie’s hand. He took it and half smiled. Paige swore he blushed a little. She secretly wished that Richie had not dyed his hair black. She missed his red mop.

  A Wave 3 Newscaster stood to the side with the camera man bustling around her, pulling at cords and fidgeting with his lights.

  Paige’s brother-in-law, Senator Anthony Steckler, walked toward the head table as Sarah and Paige joined him.

  The cameraman finally was situated and the light flashed on. The newscaster began. “And here's Senator Steckler, awaiting the final results. His fight against the local drug scene will probably be what carries him through according to the exit polls. Beside him is his sister-in-law, Detective Paige Aldridge. She's the youngest officer to be promoted to Detective in Louisville history. Her uncanny ability to understand the criminal mind will no doubt help the Senator's agenda. And to her right is the wife of Senator Steckler, Sarah. Sarah is a lead surgeon at University Hospital. Behind her is the Senator's son, Richard…”

  Paige spotted her boyfriend, David, as he carefully made his way through the back of the room. She squeezed Sarah’s arm as she left to meet him.

  David kissed her cheek as she approached and whispered in her ear. “Paige, let Jay handle the stakeout tonight. You need to be here with the family.”

  “I am here with the family. But, if my partner needs me I will be there as soon as it’s over. Who knows, tonight may be the night that the shit hits the fan.”

  “You need more time, Paige,” he said as he grabbed her hand.

  Paige pulled it away. “Time for what? To feel sorry for myself?” She stared back toward her family.

  The Senator smiled at the crowd as he turned his back toward them to address Richie.

  “Don’t make a scene. I know you don’t want me to be re-elected, but I’m certain I will be. You have to be on your best behavior.” He said under his breath while leaning toward Richie.

  Richie shuffled his feet then glared at his father. “Whatever! Maybe you shouldn’t treat me like I’m five.”

  “I mean it. You can take your moody self right on home as soon as this is over. Until then, put a damn smile on your face, will ya?”

  “You don’t care about me. It’s all about the perfect family for the public. Well, I hate to tell you this, but your family ain’t perfect.”

  Suddenly the results are in and the balloons cascade down into the ballroom. As Paige moved along to try to get to the head tabl
e, her phone rang.

  “Jay, where are you?”

  Her partner was on the other line, “You know where I am, I need you damn it!”

  “Now?”

  “No, wait until the zombie apocalypse. Of course now! It’s all coming apart…”

  “Okay I will be there as soon as I can.”

  Paige hung up and reached the group just as Sarah also received a call.

  “Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.” She hung up and put the phone in her purse.

  She turned to the family just before they stepped up to the podium. “There’s an emergency surgery that I need to get to. However, I have a few moments. They are prepping my patient now.”

  “I need to leave as well. There’s a break in the case.” Paige added.

  Anthony nodded to them both as balloons continue to fall from the ceiling. Before anyone could get away, photographers force them all to bunch together for a family photo. With a determined face, Paige made a break for it waving good bye. As she headed for the door, she almost knocked over a brunette woman who was watching from the sidelines.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Paige said to her.

  The woman turned and walked away without a word.

  Sarah graciously excused herself from the room as Anthony positioned himself behind the podium to give his acceptance speech.

  “I’m overwhelmed with being given the chance to continue the fight against Kentucky’s growing drug problem…”

  Chapter 2

  Paige’s car screeched to a halt outside of a downtown building. She reached into the glove box and grabbed her gun. Exiting the car, she ran into the building like she’s been there a hundred times before. She flipped the door open and sprinted up the stairs. As she got to door number 32, she paused to catch her breath then opened the door. She let out a whistle and entered. The room was totally dark.

  As she closed the door she heard a gruff voice, “I am still not your dog!”

  “Yeah, I know that. My dog actually listens to me, and I don’t want to get shot… What the hell is happening now?”

  Her partner of two years, Jay Vittidini, smiled while looking through binoculars at a room across the street. “Yeah you might have actually been on time for once… By the way did he win?”

  “Yes he did. The results came in then I bolted.”

  “Good that solves two problems. Now you can get back to being a detective full time and Senator Steckler can help clean up these asshole drug lords.”

  Paige walked across the room and stared at Jay as he was in full surveillance mode. He was all set up in a comfy chair, a tripod with a used, but still impressive zoom lensed camera on it and some sound equipment as well. Jay didn’t stop watching through the binoculars.

  “What’s the sit rep?” she asked him.

  “These guys are as good as locked up. I got plenty on them while you were out on the town. Rodriguez and Smith are on their way back with arrest warrants. You should get ready to go arrest some people. The deal went down I tell ya.”

  Jay handed Paige some headphones and the binoculars. “Here, you listen for a sec. I need to pee.”

  “Thanks for sharing, partner!”

  “Oh I am sorry! Did I offend you delicate sensibilities? My most sincere pardon, your ladyship! I must go off to the powder room!”

  Paige laughed, “You jerk!”

  She put on a bullet proof vest and flipped out her badge that hung on a necklace. She threw on the headphones and grabbed the binoculars.

  She could see across the street. Two men were in a room having a heated discussion. One man, the one that appeared to be the head of the operation remained with his back to her. She couldn’t get a good look at them.

  “You will be responsible for distribution and collection in St. Matthews and Middletown, while we will continue to control Prospect and the eastern county.”

  “So it’s pretty much the same deal as before?”

  “No your group has more responsibilities.”

  “And more risk! If that clown gets re-elected then we will be more exposed while you get to sit back and rake in the cash.”

  “Well, I hate to break it to you but that clown was just re-elected and there wasn’t a damn thing that went right to prevent it! So just get over it and get to work. If you don’t like it you can just leap off of the Sherman Minton...” he took a breath and paced the room. “What did I do wrong? How could this have gone this badly? Ah, I know what to do.”

  Suddenly, Paige closed her eyes. She envisioned that one man was shooting the other. She could see the gun drawn and the finger pull the trigger. She threw off the headphones and took off, leaving Jay behind. She flew down the stairs and ran across the street and didn’t pause until she reached the door at the bottom of the stairs. As she placed her hand on the door just as a shot went off, knocking her back against a wall. She slowly fell to the street. She got a shot off as well, but missed, hitting the frame above the door. Both suspects pushed past her and ran down the street.

  Jay’s voice crackled over the radio. “Hey can’t you wait for me? I heard gunfire. Are you okay?”

  Paige slowly sat up, out of breath and pushed herself into a standing position. She was totally pissed off now.

  She reached for her radio and pushed the button, “I’m fine. But get here quick. They are getting away.”

  “On my way! Back up is almost here.”

  The sounds of sirens filled the air. Paige sat down on the curbside and waited. When Jay showed up, she pointed him in the direction where they escaped. He took off but continued to look back at Paige. She waived him off to show she was okay.

  Moments later, Jay returned empty handed to find Paige fighting off the other officers as they hovered over her to make sure she was all right. She refused their desperate pleas to get her to go to the hospital, however she did allow the EMTs to get a look at her. As Jay made his way to her, the press arrived wanting pictures and asking questions. Jay pushed them away and pulled Paige toward her car.

  “My God, you were shot! Are you sure you are okay?” he asked her. “Maybe you should take some more time off? Ya, know, deal with the added stress. You’ve been through…”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m fine … Stress? You don’t know about stress until you find out you’re suffering from amnesia after being found in a friggin’ ditch, half dead! This is cake!”

  Jay wished he hadn’t pissed her off. “All the more reason. You need to take more time and deal with that. It’s only been a ...”

  “What do you know? I thought you were on my side. You sound like David.”

  Paige shoved Jay off and stormed to her car. Jay’s mouth opened, trying to find a response. When none came he tried to chase her down. Too late. She was in and started her engine before he could get to her.

  Chapter 3

  Paige drove around for nearly an hour trying to blow off steam. She was sick and tired of everyone coddling her like a child and desperately wanted to get back to something normal even if that meant being shot. She stopped the car and laid her head on the steering wheel.

  After only a moment, she dozed off. Her thoughts drifted to someone who was pacing around her. His presence surrounded her. She could feel his eyes boring holes right through. The feeling of suffocation took over and she fought to breathe. Paige felt hands on her throat. Her lungs felt like they were on fire!

  Paige jolted awake, flung open the car door and threw up. As she collected herself, her phone rang. She could see it was Sarah.

  “Hey sis!” Paige answered.

  “Oh my God, Paige. Anthony… he’s dead.” Sarah was half sobbing.

  “What? What happened?”

  “I’ve called 9-1-1. I came home from the hospital and he was lying on the bedroom floor. I couldn’t… Oh my God, I couldn’t save him. I couldn’t bring him back to me!”

  “Sarah, calm down. I’ll be right there. I’m … I’m…” Paige looked around her and realized she had stopped her car only
a block away from Sarah’s house. She could see several police cars had already arrived. “I’ll be right there!”

  Paige jumped out of the car and ran for the Stecklers’ Estate. She pushed her way through the officers to get to the door. Richie grabbed her as soon as she made it.

  Hysterical, he sobbed, “I was asleep. I was in my room the whole time. I was.”

  Paige was a bit disoriented, “I’m sorry. I know you were. I know you were.” Before she could catch her breath, Sarah fell into both of their arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

  Jay arrived on the scene. He scoured the crowd to locate Paige without any luck. He asked a few questions of the officers as he worked his way around the yard. Finally, Jay found Chief John Waters and headed into the garage to talk. “So, what do you know?”

  Chief Waters looked at his notepad, “Sarah came home from the hospital this morning to find the Senator dead in the bedroom. It’s all preliminary, but it looks like the Senator was killed by strangulation. We’ll have to wait to find out for sure.”

  Jay nodded. “Have you seen Paige?”

  “Yeah, she ran into the house a few minutes ago.”

  “Thanks,” Jay said as he put his hand on Chief Waters’ shoulder. “I’ll go find her.”

  Jay worked his way into the house and up the stairs where the Senator’s body was found. There he found Paige with a host of officers and FBI agents in tow. He watched as Paige methodically made her way around the body. She looked closely at his neck, just as if it were any other case. Careful not to touch anything, she made every effort to take in every single detail.