CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright
Part One
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Part Two
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Part Three
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Untitled Document
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
From the Author
Heartless
(A Derek Cole Suspense Thriller)
T Patrick Phelps
Jabby House Publications
https://www.facebook.com/authortpp
Editor: Marjorie Kramer
Phoenix Rising Editing
Cover Designed by Nathaniel Dasco
Connect with the author on his Facebook Page.
https://www.facebook.com/authortpp
Copyright © 2014 T Patrick Phelps Writing Services, Inc.
All rights reserved.
CHAPTER ONE
2014
“I didn’t know where else to turn.”
Derek Cole hated hearing those words. In his line of work, he came to expect that his clients would feel this way, but each time he heard a client tell him that the only reason they contacted him was out of desperation, he cringed at being their last option.
“No one else would ever believe me,” his client said as he sat on the damp park bench beside Derek.
Derek preferred to meet his clients in parks in whichever city they happen to be. This city was Chicago and the park was Grant Park. He liked being outside and preferred meeting with clients in places that, if things took a wrong turn, he could have both quick access to an exit and enough people around to discourage ill-tempered clients from making a scene.
Or worse.
While Derek stood exactly six feet tall and weighed a solid 190, his light brown hair, clean-shaven face, and power blue eyes did not give him the intimidating looks that others in his line of work enjoyed. He had found himself in “challenging” circumstances with past clients when he used to meet with them in whatever hotel Derek was staying. He decided after one client gave him a broken nose and a slight concussion that outdoor client meetings in public places were better choices.
After receiving a call from this new client yesterday and after confirming that the “down payment” was safely deposited in his account, Derek purchased a one-way ticket from his hometown airport to Chicago’s O’Hare. Though Derek had visited the windy city a few times during his years working as a “freelance detective,” he hadn’t spent enough time in Chicago to learn his way around. What Derek did know was that Grant Park, like most every public park in America, would not offer any degree of suspicious privacy.
“You understand that you are paying my accrued fees whether or not I can help you, correct?” Derek said.
“Of course. Money is not an issue,” his client responded.
Derek liked it when money wasn’t an issue. He liked when clients understood that his services were expensive and didn’t barter over the final tab.
“You’ve been on the clock for the past sixteen hours.”
“Understood.”
“Good,” Derek said as he pulled out a moleskin notepad and fine point black pen. The moleskin notebook was a gift from his last client, given to Derek to replace his reliance on scraps of paper, napkins, and Egg McMuffin wrappers to serve as his notebook. “Please don’t vomit your whole story on me. Let me guide you through what I need to know. If I ask for details, then and only then do I want you to give me details. If I say ‘vomit,’ then feel free to tell me everything you know, including your opinions. Make sense?”
“Yes. Can we begin?”
“Start with your full name and how it was that you learned of my services.”
“My name is Thomas O’Connell. I prefer to be called ‘Thomas.’ My uncle, Roger O’Connell hired you last year. Says that you’re the best man for the job.”