Wicomico Slow Read online

  by

  Cameron North

  2019

  Contents

  Synopsis

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Wicomico Slow

  © 2019 By Cameron North. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN-13 (ebook): 978-1-7321153-9-2

  ISBN-13 (paperback):978-1-7340426-0-3

  This electronic book is published by

  WASP Publishing

  P.O. Box 1

  Kennedyville, MD 21645

  www.WASPpublishing.com

  First Edition – Sept 2019 - 1003.01

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. For information regarding permission, email WASP Publishing.

  Credits

  Editor: Randie J. Creamer

  Editor Julia Vinson

  Cover Design: May Dawney

  Synopsis

  Prepare to settle in for a slow romance, some Maryland crab, and a bit of murder.

  On the Eastern Shore of Maryland, life is often laidback, except for Clare Danforth, who is in her junior year at college and is busy between dual majors, a string of gruesome student deaths by a serial murderer named the Wicomico Killer, and a drunken night of sex with a fellow female student. As a Catholic, Clare hides her one-time gay mistake, but hiding who she is becomes increasingly more difficult after meeting Trooper Leigh Carver, one of Maryland’s finest.

  Leigh Carver is a tall, gorgeous, and totally gay police officer. As a young Maryland State Trooper, she works hard and loves her job, willing to sacrifice anything for her badge—including her sexual orientation. But her attraction to Clare forces her to confront her decision to serve in silence and to question whether it’s possible to have both duty and love.

  As the Wicomico killer escalates his kill rate, Clare and Leigh are faced with life changing choices. But will if they make them in time, before Wicomico Killer sets his sights on Clare?

  Acknowledgements

  To my content editor, Randie, you know how to keep me on track, especially in this genre. Thank you for all your guidance, teaching, and direction with this adventure.

  * * *

  I have the deepest appreciation and respect for my copyeditor, Julia. You're a gift to this author and a true friend. Thank you for all your dedication. I will be baking cookies all winter.

  * * *

  For the police knowledge, a huge thank you to Lindsey! All your insight and experience made such a difference in this story.

  * * *

  Finally but never least, to my beautiful wife, who supports and pushes me to keep writing, to keep trying, and to finish with success. All your love means the world to me!

  Chapter One

  I totally fucked up!

  Clare kept repeating the mantra like a drum beating a death sentence in her head. In truth, her impending judgment would send her straight to Hell for the sin she'd committed only four hours ago. At nearly three o'clock in the morning, she was perfectly awake, thanks to what had happened and the emotions hammering her body.

  With a glance at the smart phone's map route, Clare realized she only had another forty minutes on I-83 until arriving at her best friend's apartment. She was close to the Maryland-Pennsylvania state line and the small city of York. If anybody could understand her situation, it was Anna Woodman, who'd known her since high school.

  Tonight's unplanned, sinful event slowly crept to the forefront of Clare's mind. Panic started digging its claws into her chest and made the Jeep Wrangler feel like it was shrinking in on her. Unknowingly her foot pressed harder on the gas pedal just as the Jeep neared Hunt Valley's slower speed corridor.

  The sudden and sharp blue light streaking across Clare's vision silenced the difficult memories from tonight, only to be replaced with fear rippling through her body.

  "Damn it," Clare hissed and glanced down at the car's dash, which read eighty miles per hour. Her eyes cut back to the rearview mirror and confirmed the police car was after her. "This is just great." She signaled to move over to the right shoulder and carefully made her way onto it, then parked the car. "Not my week!"

  Tremors passed through Clare as she worked the car window's knob, and a few tears burned against her flushed cheeks. She switched on the overhead light so the officer would be able to see her. As she nervously waited for the trooper, she kept checking the rearview mirror and grumbled upon seeing the officer's figure slipping out of the driver's door. After another deep breath, Clare turned her attention to her open window where the officer filled the space. Realizing she was crying, she frantically wiped the tears and capped her distress.

  "Good evening, ma'am," the officer politely greeted after bending forward, her breath slightly taking form in the night.

  Clare stiffened, not quite expecting a woman's voice but finding feminine features studying her in the soft light. Tongue-tied, she barely managed a nod in reply.

  After a drawn silence, the officer cleared her throat and said, "I am Trooper Carver with the Maryland State Police, and I stopped you tonight due to your speed back there." She paused and her attitude shifted slightly. "I can see you're distressed this evening. For safety I have to ask if you are being followed, chased, or otherwise under harm?"

  Shaking her head, Clare finally found her voice and hoarsely replied, "No, nothing like that, officer."

  Trooper Carver placed a hand over her brimmed hat when the wind from a few passing cars pulled against it. "Then, I will need your license and registration."

  Jerked to life, Clare reached to her dash and noticed Trooper Carver used a flashlight, its beam tracking her movements. She took a deep breath to calm her frantic heart and fished out the license from her wallet, then opened the glove box. "Do you need my insurance?"

  "That won't be necessary, ma'am." Trooper Carver touched her hat when more cars blew past them. She then took the offered items and said, "Please remain here."

  Once the officer was gone, Clare released a low breath and touched her forehead. She tried keeping herself in check rather than allowing the officer, a stranger, to see her rampant emotions. When Trooper Carver stepped back out of the flashing patrol car and headed her way, she mentally prepared for a speeding ticket.

  Trooper Carver approached the open window and said, "Here are your items, Miss Danforth."

  Clare accepted the license and registration, set them aside, and continued focusing on the officer's serious features.

  "This is a warning for speeding." Trooper Carver handed out the printed document and added, "If you have any concerns, you may contact this number."

  After a nod, Clare looked up from the warning and studied Trooper Carver's stoic face. Then seeing a business card in the officer's hand, she was momentarily frozen by the unusual change in protocol. With her fingertips near the card, she opened her mouth to say s
omething but was cut off.

  "In the future, it is best not to drive when you are under stress as it impairs your abilities. Please make it to your destination safely." Trooper Carver released the card into Clare's waiting fingers and stated, "I will help you get back into traffic."

  Clare rubbed her thumb across the business card, feeling the embossed letters on it. It was a strange traffic stop, but Trooper Carver's concern seemed genuine. She remained quiet about the business card, assuming that they were being recorded by audio, video, or both. "Thank you, Trooper Carver." She hoped she expressed her sincerity to the other woman, who still had a concerned look for Clare.

  Trooper Carver tugged on her hat's brim, in silent reply before she marched back to her patrol car.

  Clare fumbled putting away the license and registration, repeatedly glancing in the rearview mirror at the dark police car. The business card weighed heavy in her lap until she picked it up. With only a second to study it, barely absorbing anything, she gently placed the card in the tray on the dash. Flicking the overhead light off, Clare waited for Trooper Carver's signal before pulling out onto the highway.

  As the distance grew between Clare and the patrol car's flashing lights, she calmed down. Her focus returned to the highway and the drive to Anna's home. If nothing else, the traffic stop diverted Clare's thoughts from tonight's mistake at college. Several times she replayed the interesting exchange with Trooper Carver, who had been both stoic and openly concerned.

  Trooper Carver appeared young, probably close to Clare's own age and most likely fresh out of the police academy. Under the tan hat, a few loose dark strands of wavy hair had caught her attention. But it was the image of Trooper Carver's expressive hazel eyes that captivated Clare.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  Clare tried cutting off her mental gibberish about the attractive officer. Unfortunately, her mind drifted back to earlier that evening. She could hear her college friends' voices, the laughs, and visualize the bubbly newcomer to her group of friends. Alcohol had primed Clare, and she could still taste the hoppy bittersweet flavor on soft lips.

  Turning up the radio's volume in hopes it would cut through the memories, Clare grappled with her erratic emotions and took measured breaths. "Get it together. Nobody saw anything," she said aloud to herself. For the rest of the drive, she focused on the music. It was enough.

  The apartment complex was a welcoming sight, and Clare parked in the first space she found closest to her friend's building. She nearly tumbled out of the Wrangler when she saw Anna standing by the door waiting for her. Clare took two wide steps and was engulfed in the strongest hug.

  "I'm glad you made it safely."

  Clare nuzzled her friend's neck. "Me too, Anna." She tightened her arms more. "Thank you for waiting up."

  Anna withdrew from the hug and gave her a sympathetic smile. "You're family to me." She cupped Clare's damp cheeks. "You've always been there for me." Her friend lowered her hands and motioned toward the black car. "Bring anything?"

  "Yeah." Clare went back to her two-door vehicle and reached to the back bench seat. She pulled out an overnight bag.

  "Come on. It's cold out here." Anna led the way into the apartment building.

  Once inside the apartment it was easy to tell Anna had been in her pajamas for hours. Clare felt guilty for bothering her friend, but there was nobody she trusted more.

  Clare went directly to the soft, brown sofa situated in front of the fireplace. She dropped the bag at her feet and sank into the comfy sofa, hoping to absorb the radiating heat from the warm fire.

  "What the hell happened?" Anna turned off the TV and faced her friend.

  Clare kicked off her sneakers and gathered her legs up onto the couch, as a soft tremble passed through her body and settled deep in her gut. For a moment, she studied her friend's rich Asian features and expressive brown eyes. Nearly six years ago they met at high school. Clare had been a freshman and Anna a junior.

  "I… I…." Again, Clare was shaking, the panic building in her chest.

  "Clare, what is it?" Anna covered Clare's clammy hands with her warmer ones. "Did somebody hurt you?"

  "No," Clare rushed out. "No... nothing like that." She steeled herself in hopes to have the courage to admit it aloud, especially to herself. She twined her fingers through Anna's longer ones. "I… I slept… I slept with…." Clare expelled a strained breath and stared at the space between them, then peered up at Anna's patient features. "I slept… with a girl."

  A heavy silence filled the small space, and Clare started fearing her friend's judgment until a softness filled Anna's eyes.

  "Okay."

  Clare blew out a breath then echoed, "Okay? I had sex with a girl, Anna." She went wide-eyed, and her voice held a frantic note. "I could literally go to Hell if my mother finds out. I swear she's the gatekeeper to Heaven!"

  Anna sighed and squeezed their hands tighter, offering comfort. "Have you told anybody other than me? Any of your college friends figure it out?"

  "No and no." Clare freed her hand and carded her fingers through her disheveled, wavy locks.

  "Okay so that's good." Anna nodded, seeming to think up a plan for her friend. "You don't have to tell your family."

  "Well, I have to go to confession." Clare's anxiety snowballed at the sheer idea of Mass this weekend. "I'll have to tell the priest." As a Roman Catholic since birth, Clare had it drilled in her head to follow the guilty religious walk. "God knows the priests probably talk."

  Biting her lip, Anna remained quiet and contemplative. "Skip Mass tomorrow." Just as Clare opened her mouth, Anna said, "It won't kill you to skip one." She paused when Clare went still. "Give yourself time to process this."

  Clare felt slightly absolved but rubbed her brow in worry. "If my family finds out…." She stared at the inches of space between them until Anna's soft voice brought her attention back.

  "Who says you have to tell them?" Anna asked with a slightly weak smile.

  Clare stared dubiously at her friend. They'd known each other long enough to understand what silent guilt did to Clare.

  "Just don't think about that right now." Anna squeezed her friend's hand, then stood up. "Something to drink?"

  Clare paled at the thought of alcohol, even if that wasn't on the menu. The damn beers had pushed her into this mess in the first place. "Just water." When Anna returned, she took the glass and enjoyed the cool liquid against her strained throat. Exhaustion was kicking in after such an intense day.

  "So, how was the sex?"

  Clare choked on the mouthful of water, nearly losing it into her lap, but managed to swallow the rest down, then started coughing hard. Anna patted her friend's back, snickering at the reaction. Clare swallowed more water before she gave a death glare to her friend, who had an innocent smile.

  "Just asking for a friend."

  Clare rolled her eyes and said, "It was bad. Like really bad." She cleared her throat to continue, her cheeks already flushed with embarrassment. "It was fast and sloppy… drunk."

  Anna leaned her side against the back of the sofa. "That doesn't sound horrible." The statement earned a second scold. "Was she at least hot?"

  "Anna." Clare growled, then slowly her shoulders fell. "I have her name and number in my phone." She cupped her forehead, vaguely recalling giving her phone to the girl, who was more than thrilled to enter her information into Clare's contact list. But Clare had withheld her own information. Not that it mattered, because there was no way that Clare was contacting her.

  Anna chuckled and patted her friend's knee.

  "I went with my friends to a party." Clare drew herself further back into the sofa as her mind relived the evening. "There weren't many of us there. Like fifty or maybe forty. We started out just drinking beers, then we played a few rounds of beer roulette." She paused after Anna's groan. "Yeah, I know." She sighed and shook her head. "The girl I slept with was playing roulette, too."

  Aria, a memory whispered to Clare. Ari
a was the girl's name, and it punched Clare low in the gut. While they dressed after sex, Aria had flashed a hundred-watt smile and urged Clare to text or call her this coming week. Slightly numb at the time, Clare had nodded and faked a happy face before Aria swept out of the room, leaving Clare with all her wreckage. Even now, she withheld a pained moan and tried keeping it together rather than crying on Anna. She had already shed too many tears tonight.

  Anna struggled with her smirk, but clearly lost control of it. "Did you outdrink her?"

  "I... I think so." Clare sipped more water before she continued the story. "That's probably how she got me upstairs into one of the bedrooms."

  Anna seemed in deep thought, but Clare knew it was just her way of processing the situation.

  "I was less drunk after it was all over. She gave me her number, begged me to text her, and ran off."

  Blowing out a breath, Anna remained quiet for a moment, then whispered, "She was really into you." She caught Clare's bright flush due to Anna's word choice. "Sorry."

  Clare only shook her head and looked expectantly at her best friend. With only a couple of years between them, Clare considered Anna like an older sister. In high school, Anna had been her honorary big sister during Clare's first year, an old tradition at the school. Anna had a liberal upbringing, unlike Clare's childhood, and their opposite personalities attracted them to each other, building a sisterly bond.

  "I honestly think it was an experience, Clare. A good one." With a raised hand, Anna cut off the onset of her argument. "Maybe there are things you need to deal with in yourself."