Paradise Found

Professional Reviews

"Paradise Found" is an unexpectedly enjoyable treat by Ms. Dahlia Rose. This is the first novel I've read by this author and it had a slightly dark and thrilling edge to it....This tale is a sensual romance with a quite a few suspenseful moments that keeps me turning the pages. I couldn't put this book down until I found out what happens next. All the characters, main and secondary, were quite entertaining and memorable; I especially enjoyed the camaraderie between Kelly, Danny and T.J. throughout they added some much needed lightheartedness to a dark and sometimes scary situation. A very quick romantic and mysterious read!

- Malaika Tamu "Sweet n' Sassy", Amazon Reviewer

Excerpt

He sat on his deck watching the stars come out over the lake when the call came in. When the phone rang, the head of his big black mastiff lifted and his ears perked up.

Heard it too, did ya, boy? he said. He knew it had to be something if it was being patched through from his office to his home. He debated with himself whether to answer the call even as his feet moved across the deck to the sliding door of his home.

What? The only word from his mouth in to the receiver of the phone was short and clipped. He listened while the person at the other end relayed the message.

Are you sure? He wiped his hand over his face and felt his beard was coming back in.

Jesus Christ! Ill be there in forty-five. Keep her there. He hung up the phone and cursed under his breath. Walking up the stairs, he muttered, I shouldve never answered the damn phone. But he knew that would have been pointless because they would have reached him regardless of the method. He walked into his bedroom to change.

* * * *

Forty-seven minutes later, he pulled into police headquarters in Charlotte. He looked at his watch and shook his head. He lived on Lake Norman for goodness sake. They are lucky he was there under an hour. All eyes turned on him as he entered the building. He knew exactly where to go. Danny Greywood saw him as he crossed the room and was already on his feet by the time he got to his desk.

Danny, nice to see you again, he said. Hows life been treating you?

T. J., you bastard, life is life. I just make the best of it, Danny replied with a huge grin on his face. Hows life on Lake Norman?

Its quiet, Im alone, and its what I like. As they shook hands, Danny looked into the face of an old friend, Lt. T. J. Chapel United States Army. They had been friends for years even after Danny left the military and joined the police force, and Detective Greywood knew the only guy that would be able to get a handle on this if one of his soldiers had committed the murder.

So, tell me what made you get me off my deck? T. J. asked

Some nasty business here, T-man. Seems a girl was found murdered in Freedom Park, tied up on the fence next to the base there.

Yeah, I got that, but what makes you think its a soldier?

The witness we have. She saw the guy, actually caught him in the act of positioning the body. He tried to chase her, but she ran screaming and flagged down a squad car, which leads us up to now.

As T. J. listened, he looked over the files and the pictures. His face went hard and cold at what had been done to the girl in the photos. No one should have to go through something like that.

The victim got a name?

Yes. We already identified her, her name is Sherry Mayes, eighteen, going to school at CCPC. Her parents have been notified, and were trying to keep details out of the morning news. Autopsy hasnt been done yet, but the sick bastard cut her heart out after draining her body of blood, but nowhere near where he was leaving her. The guy had her all dolled up, well, you see the pictures.

Yeah, I see. Where is the witness?

Danny pointed to the interview room. Shes been here for hours and hasnt complained, but shes stretched to the breaking point and wants to go home.

She can go after I finish talking with her, T. J. replied walking toward the room Danny pointed to. He looked through the glass of the door before entering. Inside, he saw an uneaten sandwich and arms full of hair.

She heard the door open and looked up. T. J. knew she probably was expecting to be told she could leave. Instead, she saw a military figure. It had to be disconcerting to see a guy dressed in his uniform standing there. Does she have a thing for men in uniform? He was sure he could see a womanly appreciation for him in her eyes.

Good evening, maam. My name is Lieutenant T. J. Chapel, he said. T. J. saw as her mind started to wander away from him and snapped it back into the present. Maam?

Oh, sorry, my mind went off in another direction.

I could see that, he said brusquely. Like I said Im Lieutenant. T. J.

I heard you the first time, Lieutenant.

Well, then, lets get to it, he said. You are Kelly Justine, twenty-nine years old, born in Barbados moved to the U. K. when you were sixteen, went to school there, and earned a degree in English, which you dont seem to use. You currently reside in the Camden Apartments, you live alone, and your parents live in New York. Is that correct?

Well, gee, I guess that sums it up. What color panties am I wearing? she asked sarcastically the fire was back in her just as quickly as it had left.

His gaze never left her face, and he said in the same serious and business-like tone, I wouldnt know, maam.

You seem to know everything else about me so I just assumed.

Its my business to know about you before I come in here, maam, and when someone accuses one of my soldiers

Now wait a bloody minute! I didnt say it was one of your soldiers. I said I think it was a soldier. I didnt accuse anyone of anything. I just told them what I saw, and if it was one your soldiers, he fucking attacked me. I didnt go over and say, Hey, throw me on the grass and try to kill me! And for goodness sake stop calling me maam. Im not sixty with a bun!

He looked at her sitting there, her eyes shooting daggers at him and sparking with anger. She had a temper, which probably helped her get away. Her lips were drawn in a tight line, but it doesnt hide the fullness of them. She was beautiful in a homespun kind of way. Her skin was beautiful the color some kind of whipped coffee drink, and it looked just as smooth. But he wasnt here to appreciate her looks or body. He was here to find out what she knew and get back to his lake and peace.

Ms. Justine . . . Kelly, T. J. said in a soothing voice, trying to get back on a friendlier path with her. I need to know why you think it was a soldier who killed that girl?

The way he was dressed for one. Camouflage from top to bottom and black boots.

He could have bought those from any army surplus store, he told her.

But his boots were shined, I mean spotless. Now Ive known a few military men, and I know for fact they keep their boots immaculate.

Shes right on that point. A soldier is trained. He carries that training with him all the time, he thought. What else, maam?

My name is Kelly, and the way he moved seem liked he was trained.

In what way?

When he came at me, he didnt just come at me. He moved like slow, deliberate, bent at the knees like a predator looking for the best way to strike.

T. J. looked at her when she stopped speaking, her eyes filled with fear as she remembered the attack. Luckily, he thought, she had the presence of mind to run and scream. Some women would have been too scared to move. But she had said enough to make him wonder if a guy in the service had done this killing, and now he would have to find out.

Thats all for now Kelly, he said as rose to leave.

Well, youre welcome, she said between her teeth, and he closed the door behind him.