The chronological order of my stories is as follows:
Todd & Melina series, Interludes 1-5, Sperm Wars series, Russian Roulette series, Case of the Murdered Lovers series, Case of the Murdered Chessplayer series, The Swap series, Interludes 6-10, The Murdered Football Player Series, Case of the Black Widow series, Teresa's Christmas Story, The Case of the Black Badge series, A Case of Revenge series, Teresa's Summer Race, The Trilogy series, Dark Side Of The Force series, Caught In The Act series, The Phyllis Files 1-2, Case of the Murdered Bride series, The Credit Card Caper series, The Phyllis Files 3, The Hot Wives Investment Club series, Seriously Inconvenienced series, Case of the Paper Trail series, Christmas Mystery Theater, The Porno Set Mystery series, The Medical Murder Mystery series, The Eightfold Fence series, The Phyllis Files 4, Pale Morning Light series, Silverfish series, Cold As Ice series, Secrets of Apple Grove series.
Sting of the Scorpion, Ch. 01-05.
Feedback and
constructive
criticism is very much appreciated, and I encourage feedback for ideas.
This story contains graphic scenes, language and actions that might be extremely offensive to some people. These scenes, words and actions are used only for the literary purposes of this story. The author does not condone murder, racial language, violence, rape or violence against women, and any depictions of any of these in this story should not be construed as acceptance of the above.
*****
Note: this chapter contains lesbian sex and interracial sex. If that is not for you, stop now...
Part 18 - Diana The Huntress
"This is Bettina Wurtzburg, KXTC Channel Two News!" shouted Bettina at 7:00am sharp on Friday, May 15th. "Channel Two News has learned that Judge Patrick R. Folsom has ruled in favor of the Town & County Council in the lawsuit by our competitor KSTD for Police evidence that is alleged to show the late Jack Burke in sexual situations with many women in the County!"
Bettina's eyes were sparkling and she was smiling brightly as she rubbed it in: "In his ruling, Judge Folsom made it clear that the Open Records Act does not apply to Police evidence, just as it does not apply to secret Grand Jury deliberations. Judge Folsom also took time to make the point that the concept of 'the Public has a right to know' is not a valid legal argument for evidence of this salacious nature. Judge Folsom also dismissed the case 'with prejudice', meaning that KSTD cannot refile any lawsuits over the Jack Burke sex tapes..."
The 8:00am broadcast of KSTD struck a decidedly different tone. "This is KSTD Five-Alive News!" shouted the gorgeous Indian reporterette, Priya Ajmani, whose eyes and voice showed anger. "Judge Patrick R. Folsom of the Superior Court denied KSTD's request for the release of the Jack Burke sex tapes, which the Town & County Police have buried under the label of 'evidence' to hide them from the Public!"
Priya showed why fighting the Media is like fighting the multi-headed Hydra: "In a show of judicial audacity, Judge Folsom took the case away from Judge Harry Nance and ruled upon it himself. Sources close to Judge Folsom say that he is sensitive to political issues and has designs on higher-level judgeships, including possibly the State Supreme Court. We have to wonder if Judge Folsom's ruling was influenced by the effect the Jack Burke sex tapes might have on the Town & County Council and the Sheriff's Department and Police Department. KSTD has already announced that they will be appealing this ruling to the Appellate Court, and with a win there we will be bringing you
all
the details of Jack Burke's life leading up to his untimely death..."
I had been staring at the television screen in MCD, listening carefully to Priya's comments. I suddenly realized that every other pair of eyes in the room were now staring right at me.
"What?" I asked.
"Oh, we're just waiting on you to tell us what really just happened there, Commander." said Sergeant Micah Rudistan cheerfully. He had happened to stop by MCD and was listening with us. I had to smile, not only at what he'd said, but at Rudistan's cheerful irreverence and openness in saying what everyone was thinking. The eyes still continued to look at me.
"Well," I said, "I'm not sure that I myself know every person who was on those tapes. But they are not people who should be trifled with in this County. Priya and KSTD have opened a can of worms, and a lot of influential people are letting the Council know about it. I will say this: Priya seems to know who is on those tapes, and she or someone guiding her really wants that information put out into the public light. I'll leave you guys to deduce from her comments just who it is she wants to expose."
With that, I hastily left the room and went to my office. To my total lack of surprise, Cindy Ross was right behind me.
"That was a huge hint you just gave them." Cindy said. "Daniel would be pissed if he'd heard it."
"He's pissed, anyway. And scared shitless." I said. "So... whaddya got?"
"An invitation from Rita." Cindy replied. "She wants me and Jenna to see her at Lashes & Lace tonight."
"Ooooh, lucky you." I said cheerfully. "Have fun."
"I'm sure we will." Cindy replied. "Rita says she has something about the Widow Athena Jones for me, but of course won't tell me... unless I come to her party at Lashes & Lace. It might be worth looking into over that Scorpion file, and...
what the fuck
?!?!"
She was on her feet, staring at my Trojan Horse. She had just seen the necklace around its neck.
"Yep." I said, glad to see Cindy's observational powers increasing. "We had a visitor in the night. You understand what that means?"
"That's the Zodiac symbol for Scorpio." Cindy said. "Scorpion... what the heck, Don?"