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Category: Suspense/Thriller/True Crime
Description: As dangerous and unpredictable as the July heat are the men chasing Judy. Can what you don't know kill you?
eBook Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc., 2011 March 2011
eBookwise Release Date: March 2011

Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [362 KB]
Words: 77867
Reading time: 222-311 min.

The question posed by the student's manuscript was the question a lover might ask--or a partner in some crime too heinous for her to consider. Yet, it couldn't be her life that it echoed or was it mimicked? Delta was silt piled up from years of the rush of water passing through, the rush of life flowing through it on its way to bigger things. Delta, the city now, not the river, was similar with the onrush of visitors or passers through on their way to something bigger. It occupied her mind. Why did she choose to join the silt and stay in this town where the river forked?

The prose on the page passed through the editing side of her mind while the other side thought of escape. But, escape to where, from whom or what? She'd only be found again. It had happened before. She still didn't know who or why, but she knew he was there, stalking her. Maybe this time she'd stand her ground and refuse to leave, stay put without running from some real--or imagined fear. Maybe this time, she'd take her life back.

There's a real horror in loneliness, but it's not the worst horror. It's no reason to put up with rage, twisted love or jealousy. There's that greed, so ingrained with all the rest it threatens to rot the soul from the inside out. Like a cancerous leprosy eating away at who you are, why you're here. He, that enigma from her past, was all that and more, that was the only thing she was sure of on a gut level. But who was he? No, she would not run again, not this time, not from this place. She liked it here and already felt a real sense of belonging.

Other Works From The Pen Of

Billie A. Williams

Death by Candlelight October 2002

Family dynamics have a far reaching affect. The abused wife is ready to resort to an elaborate scheme and at the same time the sister, Ruth Ord, has her own designs. When the two women's paths cross, their plans are altered. But Randolph Ord III still turns up dead.

It is now up to detective Sandy March to find the real killer. Is his judgment being compromised by the growing attraction he feels toward the newly widowed Danielle Ord? Both women have motive and opportunity; but a third figure emerges with ties to organized crime.

Candlelight and Shadows January 2005

The future looks bleak; Danielle's husband murdered; heart trouble in her premature infant son, David, forces her to turn to the senior Ord's for financial help. A revengeful serial killer stalks, threatens Danielle, and murders anyone connected to the Ord's; then kidnaps the infant. Can Detective March save the people he loves?

Skull Music June 2005

Revenge produces a serial killer; research produces a cover for terrorist activities. Reporter (CHARLIE WOLFE) unravels the webs of each while she battles her attraction to lawyer DAVID ASHBECK. Will she find the serial killer, stop the terrorists and reconcile her impression of lawyers with David before she loses her life or him?

Ghost Music of Vaudeville April 2008

Damien Callistrari orders his henchmen to remove the tenants of the old Keith Theatre Building.. Did he mean at any price, including kidnapping, arson, or murder? The residents refuse to be bought out. Will Charlie be able to save the theatre and her friends when money speaks louder than ethics?

When Damien's son falls in love with Charlie Wolfe, Reporter for the Ironwood Daily Globe, all bets are off. He is suddenly confronted with the evil man his father has become. Can Roberto stop Damien from destroying the theater, more importantly the lives so wrapped up in the memories of the Vaudeville shows that still haunt the walls of the beloved Keith Theatre --what will be the cost?

Knapsack Secrets May 2008

In a few days time, Audrey Fleta Hroc's 20 year career ends in disgrace, an 18 year marriage ends in divorce, and the home she has cherished for all those years burns down with her possessions in it, nearly taking he with it. Sometimes she wishes it had. Audrey Fleta Hroc alone, jobless and homeless asked, "Can it get any worse?" It does, much worse.

Small Town Secrets January 2008

Someone is bent on burning down Nettlesville, Wisconsin--a small, rural remote, community--one building at a time. The cause is arson, but with no suspect, no person of interest, Olga Corn Editor in Chief, owner of The Daily Nettle Newspaper, stirs the pot of unrest blaming Chaneeta, Town Chairperson, for allowing the town Constable to go on a month long vacation leaving the town under the protection of his female deputy Taaktu Tewsday.

A new deputy, also a new arrival in town, Hope Morgan Anderson, has ties to NYPD (The New York Police Department) will she be enough to assist Taaktu. At this point, no one knows that the new arrival is the illegitimate child of Chaneeta Morgan Bailey. No one accept Olga Corn, that is, who discovered the skeleton in Chaneeta's past that included this child,(now a woman), and an arrest on Chaneeta's record for armed robbery. Olga plans to use both to get Chaneeta thrown out of office.

Ancient Secrets September 2008

A novel of Sorcery, jealousy and legends tangles three unlikely adventurers in a drama of treachery. In an effort to return the necklace, stolen from the ancient goddess Ebony before the earth suffers her final blow, the team suffers through the only available path-- through the Valley of the Kings laced with trials. Pitted against one they had called friend turned fiend they must cling together to try to save themselves and, if legend is true, the world.

The Pink Lady Slipper October 2005

Trudy Moncha wasn't quite sure what to make of Yachne. Her talk of ghosts, witches and the devil bordered on extreme paranoia, zealot or something worse. Trudy wanted to assure her that she would not harbor evil, but that she was determined to renovate and open The Pink Lady Slipper in the near future. "I had intentions of restoring the Lady Slipper and turning it in to a bed and breakfast." There will be no evil in that. Ordinary families on vacation needing a place to spend the night will find haven at the Lady Slipper. That's what I have planned." She said hoping that appeased Yachne.

Wringing her hands and ready to bolt out the door at the drop of a pin Yachne bubbled over with foreboding. "Oh fine. Another evil den of iniquity. This place needs to be burned. Burned to rid us of its evil," Yachne said agitated, rising to leave. "I must get back. Pastor Joseph will be worried for my well-being."

Bed and Breakfast Murders January 2006

Trapped by a blizzard, no power, heat or telephone contact with the outside world, three murders, and an accident that nearly kills the Wells Fargo agent/guest have Trudy on edge. Then an unexpected wild snowmobile chase that send Trudy Moncha to the hospital to recover from frost bite has her wondering if the serial killer is the one who was chasing her. She is kidnapped from the hospital and held hostage by an insane pair who have their property guarded inside by a trained attack pit bull and outside by his counterpart a Rotweiler of similar intent, ready to tear her apart if she tries to escape, even if she could walk on her severely frost bitten feet. She is determined not to become another murder statistic. Every ounce of self-preservation, courage and ingenuity she can muster becomes her tools for survival.

Watch For The Raven July 2005

There was a ruckus in the marsh ahead. It sounded to him like a big black bear crashing through the woods. Charging straight at him. Josh quickly hunkered down in a mass of scrub oak. The beast charged right at his hiding place, crashing out of the woods storming at him like his tail was a fire. Snorting and puffing, the biggest buck he ever saw leaped over a fallen tree spattering mud and snow straight over Josh's head. An arrow bounced from his left shoulder. It caught on some brush and dropped to the ground. Josh heard footsteps, someone was tracking the deer. Panic held his stomach in its icy grip. He scurried deeper into the brush as he saw the tall Ute Indian.

"They'd as soon scalp a white man as look at him," his friend's words echoed in his head.

Fin, Fur and Fatal February 2010

A patrol car on its nightly rounds slowly passed going in the opposite direction. Garett's mouth went dry. He pulled his hat down tighter, not feeling at all like he'd like to explore what the cops might be looking for on this particular dock. He ticked his hat with his forefinger as a salute to the officers as he passed. Taking a deep breath of relief, he proceeded to drive out of the gate toward the freeway. Routine drive through, he repeated trying to convince himself to stay calm, not to look suspicious, not to do anything to attract attention to himself.

Money Isn't Everything May 2010

Money Isn't everything -- It isn't love, it isn't security, and it doesn't buy loyalty. It can be a tool, or a murder weapon.

Cauldron July 2010

"Cauldron's name seemed apt. the boiling turmoil that increased daily. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men "-- Tiffany knew. With the creaking of that door icy fingered shudders ran the length of her spine. Protection from the undead--the never tamed evil--Everyone knew there was no such thing as vampires?

Antique Armor September 2010

Is it murder, or suicide? Is it a curse on the Antique Armor or something else? Was Aunt Rosa, part of a criminal plot or an unwilling cohort?

Death, Diamonds, And Deceit October 2010

Ewando, South Africa is an enigma. Ex-FBI Agent, now teacher, David Hemingway sees greed and deceit? Do the unexplainable deaths cover the clues he needs? Diamonds, death, deceit, Africa.

JULY HEAT

by

Billie A. Williams

A Wings ePress, Inc.

Mystery Novel

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Dedication

.I would like to dedicate this book to the wonderful group who make up the Amberg Writers Group. Their talent and creativity are immeasurable. They are an inspiration and motivation, a delight and amazing to work with.

I would also like to dedicate this book to the Wings staff who help to make every book they publish as good as it can be. Thank you especially Pat Evans for your encouragement and guidance and editing skills.

I will donate one quarter of my royalties from the sale of this book to literacy programs, especially those teaching creative writing and reading comprehension in the schools.

One

"Where were you last night?" The student's written assignment for the Delta Community college class she taught began and it rang in Judy July like a question someone had asked her. Where was she last night? She was positive no one really cared to know, and she wasn't sure she was willing to tell herself, let alone anyone else.

Judy saw herself at the bedroom window--looking out into the darkness, knowing, feeling with certainty he was out there and he was coming for her. There was nowhere to hide.

The question posed by the student's manuscript was the question a lover might ask--or a partner in some crime too heinous for her to consider. Yet, it couldn't be her life that it echoed or was it mimicked? Delta was silt piled up from years of the rush of water passing through, the rush of life flowing through it on its way to bigger things. Delta, the city now, not the river, was similar with the onrush of visitors or passers through on their way to something bigger. It occupied her mind. Why did she choose to join the silt and stay in this town where the river forked?

The prose on the page passed through the editing side of her mind while the other side thought of escape. But, escape to where, from whom or what? She'd only be found again. It had happened before. She still didn't know who or why, but she knew he was there, stalking her. Maybe this time she'd stand her ground and refuse to leave, stay put without running from some real--or imagined fear. Maybe this time, she'd take her life back.

There's a real horror in loneliness, but it's not the worst horror. It's no reason to put up with rage, twisted love or jealousy. There's that greed, so ingrained with all the rest it threatens to rot the soul from the inside out. Like a cancerous leprosy eating away at who you are, why you're here. He, that enigma from her past, was all that and more, that was the only thing she was sure of on a gut level. But who was he? No, she would not run again, not this time, not from this place. She liked it here and already felt a real sense of belonging.

She returned again to her students' writings. "I met him on the stairs," the student wrote. But that's not where she met Ramon and she was now sure it was Ramon. If not, his name a name as fearful as that of the man Luke for sure. Were they the same person? She couldn't be sure--not at this moment anyway. The name seemed strange and unfamiliar. He wasn't from some Asian remoteness that planned their daughters' marriages long before they came of age. Her parents never bargained with her life that way. So why would he, did he think...?

The students filed in with muffled chatter, in most cases arms loaded down with books. She hadn't finished grading papers, but she'd make them a writing assignment before class began. She'd have time then.

"Class, fifteen minute writing assignment. Grab paper and pen. Here is your prompt." Judy stood and surveyed the room. Papers shuffled. A few moans protested her directions, but she didn't need attitude this morning. She needed space, time.

"If I went there a second time..." She looked at the blank stares as if she had suddenly become a two-headed monster and spoke in a foreign language.

"That's it?" SK was always the one to speak out.

Judy could see she was perplexed. She had little sympathy this morning. "That's it, pen to paper, fifteen minutes. Show me your unbridled talent, write like the wind."

She smiled and returned to her desk and her task. Their angst was nothing compared to hers. The phrase she had given them caught in her throat like a pill accidentally swallowed before she was ready and it was going down sideways.

Second chances... if only she could go back a second time. She would know now. But, there were no second chances, not in the real world--not with Ramon and the terror he brought to her life. Was he still part of what she was feeling now, the not knowing what or why she was running away? The timer ticked away loud seconds as she and her students tried to outwit the clock. Bodach, man or ghost. Were her fears her own bodach or her past? Was the threat this time all in her imagination? And what is a threat anyway but fear, self-imposed fright of an imagined situation or person? Get over it!

Judy wrapped herself around the task of grading papers in front of her. These students were good. She enjoyed reading their work. If only she could put up a wall in her subconscious mind to block the thoughts the students' penned words evoked.

As she finished Don's paper, a thought replaced her task-oriented perusal of his paper with an idea, a purpose for the class to pursue. She could enlist their help. As long as she couldn't remember who she was or where she came from, the fear that hung over her head--the dread that consumed her day and night--would rule her life. The sharp creative minds of this class may find her and drag her back from the abyss that offered no comfort or solace. She quickly organized the thought she had into a perfect plan.

The timer signaled that she and the students had a new path to pursue. "Please pass your papers to the front. Make sure your names are on them." Some with pens racing across the page were reluctant to let go of their story. "A story is really never finished, even after it's published." Judy wanted them to know this. She wanted them to know it was okay to stop and go back to it another time, or, as in most cases, move on to something new.