Godsend 8: The Value of a Woman (Godsend Short stories Series) by K. Elliott
Book: Godsend 8: The Value of a Woman (Godsend Short stories Series) by K. Elliott
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Authors: K. Elliott
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Chapter 1
SIXTEEN MONTHS AGO, Aaron Rockerson was suffering from extreme poverty. He was homeless, helpless, and hopeless. Life had been a lot better since then.
Sunset Boulevard extends from Hollywood to Pacific Palisades but does not quite reach the big body of water off the coast of California. Aaron’s new home was just off the bending, snaking boulevard in Brentwood. A gated estate with a long, wrap-around driveway on a slight incline. An eight-bedroom villa on 7.5 acres with perhaps one too many palm trees vying for attention.
Brian and Etceterra were in the theatre room on the first floor. The lights were on, and nothing was showing on the ten-foot screen. The comfortable, stationary swivel armchairs were leather - all twelve of them - and Aaron greeted his guests with his right fist inside his left hand. The 44 year-old white man said, “I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Godsend Investigation. However, this case may present a unique challenge for you, or may require a bit of deviation from your norm.”
Brian said, “We’d don’t deviate. We had good success because we stick with what we know.”
“No, no. I don’t mean...” He needed to explain things another way. Aaron was one of those early balding men. He was sharply dressed but wore no sports coat at the moment. “Look, I understand that your objective is to gather solid evidence against the person or persons responsible for my daughter’s murder. I also understand that I can do as I please with the evidence - turn it over to the police or do nothing with it.”
Brian said, “That’s absolutely correct.”
“Here’s the thing,” Aaron said. “I was informed that you guys may break a few laws if needed.”
Brian and Etceterra stared at Aaron without responding.
“I want the person responsible for killing Milana.”
Etceterra said, “You’ve paid your deposit and we’ve accepted the case, so we pretty much know that already.”
“Let me make it clearer for you. The person who killed my daughter, I want them here. In my home. I want this to be their courthouse and death row.”
Brian said, “Hmmm! That’s....that’s...”
“I’m offering a $100,000 bonus.”
Brian began shaking his head negatively.
“Make that a $350,000 bonus, if your evidence clearly identifies the killer. Leave him here with me, and your job is done.”
Brian said, “I don’t run Godsend; I’m just a private eye for the underground company. I’ll have to talk that over with the others who will be helping with the case.”
“How many will be on the case?” Aaron said.
“Four investigators and a case load assistant, but we also have a reliable FBI contact. We have enough resources to find the killer.”
Aaron said, “All right, six people on the job. I’ll pay a hundred thousand times six if you can influence Godsend to bring my daughter’s killer to me, unharmed.”
Etceterra said, “Unharmed? What does that mean?”
Aaron leaned forward in his seat. “I want the killer here, uninjured. It will be my pleasure to inflict all the pain I deem necessary. I don’t want to be robbed of that privilege.”
Brian thought about his cousin Echo. “And what if that isn’t possible? Sometimes suspects don’t talk or help us out without incident. In fact, I can just about promise you somebody is gonna get fucked up, regardless of how much money you throw at Godsend. What then?”
Aaron said, “In addition to your $75,000 fee, I will pay another $50,000 to your six workers. Each of them. That’s $375,000 if the killer is brought to me injured, $675,000 if he is unharmed.”
Etceterra said, “All of this is interesting, but let’s get back on track now. We’re here to ask you a few questions.”
“Of course.”
Etceterra said, “You seem to be doing very well, so why would your daughter want to work as a prostitute for an escort service?”
Aaron said, “She died nearly two years ago. I’d be stretching it to
SIXTEEN MONTHS AGO, Aaron Rockerson was suffering from extreme poverty. He was homeless, helpless, and hopeless. Life had been a lot better since then.
Sunset Boulevard extends from Hollywood to Pacific Palisades but does not quite reach the big body of water off the coast of California. Aaron’s new home was just off the bending, snaking boulevard in Brentwood. A gated estate with a long, wrap-around driveway on a slight incline. An eight-bedroom villa on 7.5 acres with perhaps one too many palm trees vying for attention.
Brian and Etceterra were in the theatre room on the first floor. The lights were on, and nothing was showing on the ten-foot screen. The comfortable, stationary swivel armchairs were leather - all twelve of them - and Aaron greeted his guests with his right fist inside his left hand. The 44 year-old white man said, “I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about Godsend Investigation. However, this case may present a unique challenge for you, or may require a bit of deviation from your norm.”
Brian said, “We’d don’t deviate. We had good success because we stick with what we know.”
“No, no. I don’t mean...” He needed to explain things another way. Aaron was one of those early balding men. He was sharply dressed but wore no sports coat at the moment. “Look, I understand that your objective is to gather solid evidence against the person or persons responsible for my daughter’s murder. I also understand that I can do as I please with the evidence - turn it over to the police or do nothing with it.”
Brian said, “That’s absolutely correct.”
“Here’s the thing,” Aaron said. “I was informed that you guys may break a few laws if needed.”
Brian and Etceterra stared at Aaron without responding.
“I want the person responsible for killing Milana.”
Etceterra said, “You’ve paid your deposit and we’ve accepted the case, so we pretty much know that already.”
“Let me make it clearer for you. The person who killed my daughter, I want them here. In my home. I want this to be their courthouse and death row.”
Brian said, “Hmmm! That’s....that’s...”
“I’m offering a $100,000 bonus.”
Brian began shaking his head negatively.
“Make that a $350,000 bonus, if your evidence clearly identifies the killer. Leave him here with me, and your job is done.”
Brian said, “I don’t run Godsend; I’m just a private eye for the underground company. I’ll have to talk that over with the others who will be helping with the case.”
“How many will be on the case?” Aaron said.
“Four investigators and a case load assistant, but we also have a reliable FBI contact. We have enough resources to find the killer.”
Aaron said, “All right, six people on the job. I’ll pay a hundred thousand times six if you can influence Godsend to bring my daughter’s killer to me, unharmed.”
Etceterra said, “Unharmed? What does that mean?”
Aaron leaned forward in his seat. “I want the killer here, uninjured. It will be my pleasure to inflict all the pain I deem necessary. I don’t want to be robbed of that privilege.”
Brian thought about his cousin Echo. “And what if that isn’t possible? Sometimes suspects don’t talk or help us out without incident. In fact, I can just about promise you somebody is gonna get fucked up, regardless of how much money you throw at Godsend. What then?”
Aaron said, “In addition to your $75,000 fee, I will pay another $50,000 to your six workers. Each of them. That’s $375,000 if the killer is brought to me injured, $675,000 if he is unharmed.”
Etceterra said, “All of this is interesting, but let’s get back on track now. We’re here to ask you a few questions.”
“Of course.”
Etceterra said, “You seem to be doing very well, so why would your daughter want to work as a prostitute for an escort service?”
Aaron said, “She died nearly two years ago. I’d be stretching it to
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