March 15, 2022

Follow this private detective as she pushes to exposes a human trafficking ring in her hometown.

The case from last month is still far from over for private investigator Serena “Rena” Manchester. Not just because she found herself in yet another life-threatening situation, but because the fall-out still has not been dealt with by the authorities. Determined to see justice to the end, Rena steps up her investigation along with her new young attractive associate.

During a surveillance job, Rena runs into a very unpleasant woman from her past life as a reporter. A few hours later, when the woman falls to her death from a beach condo balcony, Rena finds herself switching directions with her investigation. The more she digs into her past news story, the more she starts to see parallels to her current case. Unfortunately, Rena is receiving more resistance from law enforcement and someone else is not happy about her digging around either.

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From Chapter 1…

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Friday, January 3, 9:43 pm

I was past ready for something to go down. Anything.

I gritted my teeth as my phone chirped for the third time in the last thirty minutes. Not what I had in mind. I didn’t even bother looking at the screen because I knew it was Trey Evans. A month ago, I’d selected the ringtone to single out his calls. Regret gripped me as I tried with all my might to focus on the task at hand. Surveillance work was my least favorite part of any investigation. The last thing I needed was for my sort of significant other to be working my last nerve.

We’d argued before I left town this morning. My long-time friend and current love interest claimed he supported me. But it was becoming obvious to me that my choice of profession as a private investigator got under his skin. He was a minister with a very prominent standing in our community. My cases often brought eyebrow raising, deep sighing and extended lectures on how I endangered my life.

I sighed deeply and lifted the glass of soda water to my lips. I really should have asked for coffee. The bar wasn’t that far from the lobby. Tonight, the wind whipped off the ocean outside, sending an icy breeze every once in a while when the lobby doors slid open. I’d been sitting at the bar for about forty minutes now, thinking for the tenth time that Trey may have been right. Maybe I shouldn’t have made the trip. Tonight was looking like a failed mission.

On top of that, I was losing a significant chunk of change from my checking account. The Grand Ocean Resort was one of the more luxurious hotels in Myrtle Beach. The resort offered special amenities like a full spa treatment. If this all went south, at least I’d sat in a hot tub or had a massage, which I hadn’t done in years.

My tense muscles were begging for relief as I turned my attention to the lobby again. Last week, I had conversations with the bartender and the waitress currently on the shift. Both told me what I needed to know about a regular patron who I was hoping to spot tonight. This week, there was a realtor’s conference going on and I was hoping I’d catch a glimpse of a certain real estate broker earlier. 

I’d seen several groups of men dressed in business attire, even at this late hour, but they weren’t who I was looking for.  So, I continued to wait. My phone’s screen lit up with a different ringtone. This time I answered it. 

 “Do you think this little get together is still happening?”

Amir Wright’s technical prowess had put my mind at ease, and I wouldn’t have ever considered tonight’s stakeout without his assistance. Something that Trey didn’t like either. Trey’s attitude turned cool whenever I mentioned working with my much younger associate. In fact, I’m sure that’s what sparked his insistence that I not be here at the beach.

I turned away from a trio of young women who’d appeared at the bar. They were dressed for a night out on the town, all adorned with black dresses and stilettos. I spoke softly into the phone. “I’m wondering the same. I haven’t seen our main candidate yet.”

Amir countered, “Didn’t both the bartender and the waitress mention first Fridays of the month? Maybe he decided on a new location.”

The group of women’s chatter was too much in my ear, so I walked away from the bar, and headed towards the lobby. “I hope not, but it’s almost ten o’clock. You think you can make it another hour?”

“Hey, I’m all in with you.”

On our first case together only a few months ago, Amir had been shot, on Black Friday of all days. While he was back in the swing of things, I knew sitting around in a hotel room with the surveillance equipment was probably not good for his body. Then again, the man owned a cybersecurity company. He was in his element, and I knew he wouldn’t have it any other way.

I scolded softly, “You really shouldn’t be doing this. Let’s wrap this up so you can get some rest. Plus, you know this old lady can’t hang too long.”

Amir chuckled. “Past your bedtime, huh?”

“Not really. I’m definitely disappointed though. Look, I’ll check in with you in a few. I’m going to take a stroll.” 

Ending the call, I glanced around again. I did my homework and prepared for this night for weeks, even through the holidays. It didn’t help that I was feeling slightly guilty about my argument with Trey. I really needed to return to my room and call him back. Never let the sun go down on your anger. That was something we both agreed to do.

The hotel was buzzing with activity, people arriving bedraggled from traveling or heading out for the local nightlife. I looked up to see a woman dressed in a fuchsia pantsuit walking in my direction. Our eyes connected and I immediately had the sense I’d seen her before. She was tall, thin like a supermodel, except this woman wasn’t a young thing. Her bobbed hair was almost a white blonde. She’d loosened her orange scarf so that it hung down, exposing a scrawny neck.

When she looked at me, recognition reflected in her eyes. I heard an audible gasp from her and was surprised to see her stop in the middle of the lobby. Curious about who she was and how she knew me, I paused mid-stride and faced her.

“Serena Manchester?” She spoke with a European accent mingled with a southern drawl.

I raised an eyebrow, because it was when she spoke that the cobwebs in my mind started to glide away. I knew this woman a long time ago, back during my crime reporting days in Charlotte. She was a major part of one of my most popular stories. Her appearance had been altered. I remember longer, dark hair and her face had been fuller. Time had aged the woman who was slightly older than me.

“Dina? Dina Huffman?”

Dina’s smile wasn’t warm and inviting, more like the kind you gave your worst enemy. Her gesture was meant to be polite, but she was not happy to see me. “You remember me? I look different now.” 

“I guess you had to make some adjustments after the trial.” Dina was accused of killing her husband, Brent Huffman, five years ago. I was convinced that she did it. She had the means and access. “Have you been here in Myrtle Beach all this time?”

Her eyes shifted behind me. “I’ve been to a lot of places, but I do have a beach home nearby.”

“Must be nice. Sounds like you’ve moved on pretty well.” 

Her eyes flashed as if she read my mind. “I know what you’re thinking. I want to remind you that I was acquitted. I have the right to live my life.”

I couldn’t wipe the smirk off my face. “Of course. I sat in the courtroom every day covering the trial. I’m well aware of how your super slick defense attorney twisted the prosecution case for the jury.”

Dina’s lips thinned. “He did his job. I’m sorry you’re still disappointed that an innocent woman wasn’t put in jail. I guess it’s because you were also the one to break the story about Brent. You had a vested interest in putting him away. Seems like you would have been pleased that no time was wasted in court on him and no taxpayers’ money had to be spent on his jail time.”

“His death was convenient. I’d been following your husband for over a year. Brent was quite the character. If I remember, money laundering was his thing along with a heroin addiction that everyone knew about.”

Dina’s eyes were cold. “I had nothing to do with his business dealings. I don’t miss him. He wasn’t a good husband. But I didn’t kill him.” Her eyes shifted behind me again as though she was watching for someone. “I’m sorry he died the way he did.”

Heroin laced with fentanyl overdose. The autopsy had revealed a prick in the neck. Murder.

As I recalled this tidbit of information, I narrowed my eyes. I’d never been convinced of this woman’s innocence. She’d clearly hated the man, only staying for the comforts of his wealth. “So, are you still claiming to know nothing about his overdose? You lived with him. You had to know his supplier or if someone was out to get him.”

“I told you I didn’t kill him.” Her eyes flickered on my face. “But I have my suspicions.”

That caught me off guard. “Did you ever share your suspicions with the police? None of this came out at your trial.”

“No.” She shook her head and dropped her voice, “I didn’t find out until much later. But soon, people like you will stop doubting me and that time in my life will truly be behind me.”

I started to ask her about this new information she’d found out, when I noticed Dina’s face. She openly eyed something or someone behind me. Her nervousness rubbed off on me. In an effort to see who or what had caught her attention, I turned my head. A group of suited men walked into the lobby. Three, young beautiful women trailed behind them. To my surprise, they were the same women who were sitting at the bar a few minutes ago. 

Oh no, these girls were the escorts.

I watched as the tallest one, a leggy blonde, broke away from the group, heading straight towards one of the men. At first glance, she reminded me of a much younger version of Dina. The man, with silver tinged hair around the sides, held out his arms as she reached for him. A smile stretched across his face, dazzling me from across the room. I watched as the young woman hooked her arms around his waist and whispered in his ear. She leaned back and stared intently into his face, as if he was the only person in the lobby. 

This man happened to be the one I was looking for tonight. My skin prickled as thoughts of my last case loomed. A young woman had been murdered. As I studied her life, I’d found some unsavory elements that led me here tonight. I was pretty sure the man that arrived was in the center of my investigation.

Dylan Jenkins.

I remembered Dina was next to me and glanced at her. Dina had been staring at the couple too, her stance stiff, as she clutched her large, designer purse in front of her.

Before I could ask her anything, Dina spoke, her words rushed. “It was good to see you again, Ms. Manchester. I have to go.” She took off behind the group of men, Dylan in the lead, all heading towards the lobby elevators.

I quickly dialed Amir. “Dylan Jenkins has arrived. I’m going to follow.”

Amir responded, his stressed tone reminding me of Trey’s earnest pleas earlier. “Follow? Rena, stick to the plan.”

Stick to the plan.

What if the plan needed to change?

My instincts shouted about running into Dina Huffman. She may have been acquitted of her husband’s murder, but Dina was no saint. And it was clear to me that Dylan’s arrival had raised her anxiety levels. As I headed towards the elevators, my heart raced with anticipation.