A 20th Century Murder Mystery
Romantic Suspense
Date Published: March 7, 2025
Publisher: Changeling Press
1974: Peace, love, sex, drugs, and murder -- at a commune in the mountains
of West Virginia.
Hope knew she should have killed Jesse the night he used her as his marker
in a poker game with Spike. When Spike won that marker, he stole
Hope’s heart. But Spike wanted more than a weekend with Hope. He
wanted forever. That was more than Hope could promise. A man like Spike, a
good man, would never understand the evil a bastard like Jesse was capable
of.
1989: Now he’s First Sergeant Sam Callaghan, and he’s
back.
When a chance meeting drops Fiona Donovan into the arms of Sam Callaghan,
West Virginia State Police, their past twists in on both of them,
threatening to tear apart their worlds, for better or worse. Hope -- Fiona
-- was the love of his life, the woman who can still rock his world with a
single kiss. When he’s around her, Sam forgets to think. But first and
foremost Sam’s always been a cop. If Sam discovers Fiona really did
murder Jesse, will he be able to arrest her? There are a few things in
love’s way -- like her dead husband’s missing body, over a
million dollars in cash, and the IRA…
Excerpt
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2025 Shelby Morgen
The asphalt felt slightly sticky with heat under his black oxfords. The air
in the administration building was already stuffy, though summer wasn't
officially here yet. Sam stood waiting at the front desk while the
receptionist called for a junior officer who would escort him back to the
operations building.
Brenda, his dispatcher, had asked him out a few weeks ago. A man couldn't
help noticing how well Brenda filled out that uniform. She wasn't Hope, but
she'd been there, been part of his life, every day for the last fifteen
years. If she hadn't given up on him yet, Sam decided, he'd accept. Hell.
Maybe he'd ask her. He wasn't getting any younger. Besides, there was that
betting pool the squad had going. He wasn't supposed to know about it, but
there was little in his barracks that escaped his notice.
"Can I help you, Officer?"
Sam pushed his smoke-colored sunglasses to the top of his head long enough
to let his eyes adjust to the relatively dim interior florescent lighting.
He looked down -- and down again.
The woman who stood behind the reception desk now had to be less than five
feet tall. She stood admiring him with pale blue eyes that were just a
little too friendly.
Where had she come from? How had she managed to simply appear right in
front of him? He really was losing his edge. "I'm already signed in and
stamped," Sam explained. He held out his fist so she could see the ink
that looked like a temporary tattoo across the back of his hand.
Her warm appraisal made him uncomfortable, like a piece of meat in a
butcher's display case. He always got a sick, guilty feeling in the pit of
his stomach when women looked at him that way. He slipped his hand into his
pocket, fingering a worn silver chain.
Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee...
He shifted his gaze away from direct contact with the woman at the front
desk, studying the pictures on the wall behind her. Anything but meeting the
woman's watercolor eyes. Anything not to encourage her.
The pictures held the usual faces. The Governor. The Commissioner of
Corrections. The names changed from one institution to another, but the
faces stayed pretty much the same. "Sam Callaghan, West Virginia State
Police. I'm waiting for --"
Except that one. Sam stopped mid-sentence as his eyes scanned the picture
again. Employee of the Month. "Fiona J. Donovan."
The woman blinked twice. "Excuse me?"
He was hardly aware he'd read the name aloud. Sam rallied himself, forcing
his breathing back under control, willing his pulse rate back to normal. He
turned his most charming smile on the little woman. Her badge said she was a
unit manager. Doris White. "I'm waiting for an escort back to
Interview, Ms. White, but I'd really like to see Fiona Donovan while I'm
here if you could arrange that for me."
Doris studied him for a moment longer, her smile fading. "Fiona's in
records, pulling some case files for me. I'll take you back."
Sam nodded curtly, dismissing the woman as if she didn't exist. Because,
for him, she didn't exist. His mouth went dry. His chest felt tight, as if
there were some great weight pressing on it. He slid his hand back into his
pocket. Hail Mary, full of grace...
The hall seemed like the longest walk he'd ever taken. You're just
imagining the resemblance. You've been wrong before.
The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women...
Why would she be here? He'd thought to find her in a restaurant, or a shop
somewhere or -- or anywhere else. Anything but actually working in law
enforcement.
Hope? A caseworker named Fiona Donovan? That can't be Hope. Not here.
Doris waved at a doorway where a sign on the wall said Records. "I'll
be around the corner in the copy room if you need me," she
offered.
Hope...
His heart was beating so fast it was bound to explode.
Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
He stood staring, drinking in the sight of her, waiting for her to feel his
eyes watching, waiting for her to look up, recognize him, call his
name.
Control. Get yourself under control. Slow, deep breaths. Can't let her see
you falling apart like this.
Her name was different, her hair was shorter, just past shoulder length,
but she couldn't change her face -- the face that had haunted his dreams.
She looked a little older, naturally, but not so much older. Not as much
older as he'd been feeling lately. She'd gained some weight, but only enough
to give her curves a fuller, softer line. He'd have recognized her anywhere.
His arms ached to hold her. He had to try three times before he could find
the voice to speak her name.
"Ms. Donovan?"
About the Author
Shelby Morgen loves writing offbeat tales that defy as many rules as
possible.
She likes chocolate with her peanut butter, suspense with her romance, and
kink with her sex, and she’s always had a hard time keeping murder,
motorcycles, science fiction, fantasy and paranormal from mixing with her
kink.
Shelby shares her belief in electronic publishing with her longtime friend
and partner, Bill, her husband of more than four decades.
Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & TikTok:
@changelingpress
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