First Killer

By J.A. Jernay

It’s 1902. Edward Russell Thomas, one of New York City’s wealthiest men, has discovered the pleasures of a new luxury item known as an automobile. While out for his first drive, he commits a horrible crime—and learns that justice comes in many forms. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.A. Jernay
• Release date: Oct 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536512090

J.A. Jernay

After leaving the foreign desk of the Washington Post, J.A. Jernay travelled across North and South America for nearly twelve months in search of adventure. A finalist in the F. Scott Fitzgerald Centennial Short Story Contest, Jernay has a keen eye for detail and a deep interest in foreign languages, local traditions, and, of course, gemstones.

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It’s 1902. Edward Russell Thomas, one of New York City’s wealthiest men, has discovered the pleasures of a new luxury item known as an automobile. While out for his first drive, he commits a horrible crime—and learns that justice comes in many forms.

Based on a true story.

First Killer

J.A. Jernay

NEW YORK CITY

1902

Carrying a riding crop in his left hand and his helmet in the other, the multimillionaire Edward Russell Thomas opened the door of his racing stables.

He wasn’t prepared for what he was about to see.

Before him, the row of fifteen stalls, the ones that he’d filled with the finest examples of fillies and mares, stallions and steeds, stood empty.

Their trough lay empty. The bag of wire brushes hanging from a hook lay empty. The entire room, even the whitewashed walls, was devoid of all the accoutrements that he’d grown accustomed to seeing since he’d purchased this equestrian extravagance.

At the far end of the stables, a teenage boy was washing the hardwood