The Reluctant Killer (Chapter One)

I'm starting this novel from the beginning and adding a bit at a time between other posts. 

This way at least a few people might read it. Last week I sent a query email to an agent looking for novels. On her blog she had a list of books that she sold. I think my novel is the type that could fit in. But I'm not getting my hopes up.

The images are not actually in the book. They make a good way to set up the story for a post. I have to apologize for the print spacing and letter size. Once in a while it's off. I don't know how to fix it but it's still easy enough to read. The original copy is not like that, thank goodness. 

The Reluctant Killer

A Thriller of Identity and Evil

John A. Mallozzi

COPYRIGHT © 2021 by John A. Mallozzi

CHAPTER ONE

“In each of us there is another whom we do not know.

It comes over you like the night,

with black shadows.”

-Carl Jung

 Page 1 and 2

Tom Bianco walked down the street to his lover's apartment, cellphone to his ear, a package of flowers and a box of chocolates held in his other hand.

 "But we were supposed to get together at seven."

"I'm not ready to see you yet.  It'll take me about another hour or so," said Darsey.

"How about I wait in your apartment, if that's okay with you."

"I don't know. Just don't snoop around or touch anything."

"But I can't wait to see you. I think about you all the time."

That’s nice. Look, I better get ready."

"You don't sound too enthusiastic. in fact, you sound annoyed."

"You mean so much to me; being in love and getting me out of my depression. Maybe it's a little bit of an exaggeration, but you saved my life," he said.

“Oh, okay. Let me get ready. I can't argue with you right now. Maybe we can discuss our relationship after dinner.  Listen. I'm not going to drop you right now. I mean not just like that. We need more time together."

"What do you mean by 'drop me right now'?"

"Nothing, it's the first thing to come to mind. It really doesn’t mean anything." 

Page 3

 "I'm not trying to be a pest, but you mean everything to...," she hung up.

"Maybe I'm being a little too sensitive," he muttered to himself.

 

The front door of her apartment building is always unlocked, so Tom walked in. The doorbell and speaker intercom were on the right-side wall.

"You're here already?" she said, buzzing  open the inner door's lock.

Tom ran up the 2 flights of stairs to her  apartment and knocked on her door even though it was open.

"Let yourself in."

'I brought you some  flowers and box of  chocolate. Do you have a vase and some water for the flowers?"

"Just leave them there on the table.  I'll get to it later."

Tom took a seat on the sofa. He fondly remembered how they made love there. He looked around the apartment wondering what he could do to pass the time for an hour besides playing with his cellphone.

There was a dark leather covered diary on the living room coffee table.  It had a lock built into the front cover. The key was still in it.

Although he felt guilty he hoped that by looking through it, he could learn more about her and why she was becoming so cold to him.

On the first page in her own handwriting was a quote in large decorative letters.

"Love does nothing but make you weak!

It turns you into an object of pity and derision,

a mewling pathetic creature no more fit to live than a worm,

 squirming on the pavement after a hard summer rain."

Teresa Medeiros

page 4

The quote just made Tom even more eager to read the diary. Next, he quickly flipped through the pages. On the top of each page was someone's name, first and last; with a small photo beneath it .He imagined they must be old classmates or people from work or maybe some sort of club. But It was odd that all the photos were of men, no women.

The information written on each page included the date they met and the date they broke up.  Below was information about profession, income, possessions, etc.

Tom found it hard to believe  she was a gold digger with an obsession for details.  On the last several pages the photos had a thick black magic marker line diagonally through them. 

Even more embarrassing at the bottom of each page was an evaluation of the relationship. His own information was on the third page. The date when the relationship was over was not filled in.  But it meant she was still dating the two men ahead of him.

More personal information was included.  The man on the first page was. easily susceptible to obeying her and putting her in charge of the relationship by command or by deception.

Other information included warmth and friendliness; sexual ability and finding him attractive.

One was crossed out because he is clumsy with sex and not as wealthy as she would like,

Up front was a good prospect. He was a rich man but maybe a little older than she would like. 

page 5

His money still kept him in the running.

    As to Tom's evaluation, she wrote that his adoration to her was amusing, and he had good skill with sex. Not sure yet how wealthy he was.

Her plan was to string him along and let him fade away, while she simultaneously tried several other prospects.  If he rejected her first it would be okay. There were the others she was working on.

As soon as Darsey was ready to go, Tom confronted her with the diary.

"What the hell is this notebook? You are collecting lovers and comparing them until you find the most profitable and amusing. We are supposed to be a couple. You are nothing but a cold-hearted gold

 digger."

"I'll just have to cross you off my list" she said shrugging her shoulders and smiling.  He meant nothing to her.

Tom saw how she was not upset at all about the end of their relationship. He knew it was hopeless. 

[To be continued.]