Romance Is Dead

By Richard Guidice

Special Delivery!

Tom Bains brings packages to people as part of his job. After divorcing his cheating wife, he decides to make other women pay for her mistake. While making deliveries along his route in New York City, Bains starts killing attractive blondes that remind him of his ex-wife.

Detective John Napoli is assigned to the case. He is also given a new partner, Detective Maria Martinez. As the murders continue, Napoli works the crimes while trying to live a normal life. Napoli enjoys spending time with his family, as well as with his best friend, Tom.

Can Napoli stop the killer, or will Bains outsmart his friend and claim more victims?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456731007

Richard Guidice

Richard Guidice is a New York City native. His first book featuring Detective John Napoli, Romance is Dead, was a Finalist in the 2011 National Indie Excellence Awards. Writer's Digest Book Awards said the following about the Napoli books: Romance is Dead: "Richard Guidice has written a well crafted murder mystery. The writing is quick and easy and makes for a fast, enjoyable read. A good book to read at night to wind down from the day." Everyone's a Suspect: "The author did a good job adding red herrings in order to cast suspicions on several people. The story proceeds without much interruption and John's personality remains consistent." Murder Along the Shore: "I liked the hero, John Napoli, a great Italian-American. He was an excellent husband and father, and had a perfect personality for police work. Beaches are always fun and the author has done a good job making them visual to the reader." Death Song is the twelfth novel in the Detective Napoli series. In addition, five other novels are available. A Dangerous Windfall is a thrilling crime caper that will keep readers engrossed. The horror novella, The Cellar Dweller, is a frightening tale of revenge. The romance stories, Wrong Impression and Stolen Glances are also available as well as the suspenseful, Higher Education. The next Napoli novel, Death Tide, is scheduled for release in February, 2015. It is the exciting sequel to Murder Along the Shore. Richard is currently working on the next Napoli book and an erotic thriller. Visit http:bit.ly/txvWtv

Book preview

1.

A BRIGHT, SUN-DRENCHED SKY greeted New Yorkers on the late June afternoon. The morning clouds and haze had burned off, leaving a gorgeous day. Workers were having lunch in parks, children played in the streets, and women wore short skirts to highlight their tanned legs. While it was sunny and warm outside, it was cold and dark inside the mind of Thomas Bains. Bains was an average looking thirty-year-old man with brown hair and green eyes. He stood five-foot eight and weighed one hundred and sixty. Bains worked as a United Parcel Service driver, his route, the borough of Queens. He had been a driver for the past four years, and he was just making enough to get by. His rent for a one bedroom apartment in Kew Gardens was twelve hundred and fifty dollars a month, and he had received notice of a fifty dollar rent increase effective August first. Bains felt relieved that he didn’t have to pay any more alimony to his ex-wife, Dolores, since she had remarried recently. While Bains accepted their divorce outwardly, he could never do so in his heart. A price would have to be paid, and he knew just how he would make his collection.

Detective John Napoli worked in the 111th Precinct in Bayside, Queens. The handsome, thirty-year-old widower had been on the force for seven years, and had worked as a homicide detective for the last two. John was a local boy who was raised in the quiet, residential community of Howard Beach. Although he now lived in Forest Hills, his parents and many of his relatives still lived in the old neighborhood. John had a typical Italian upbringing: Sunday dinners with his folks, holidays with the entire family, and a strict Catholic morality. He had an older sister who was married with two children and a twenty-eight-year-old brother who still lived at home with his parents.

John had married his college sweetheart. They met while studying criminal justice at Queens College. Three years after graduation they got married and were ready to begin the American dream. John had already been a cop for a year, and Angela worked as a paralegal while attending St. John’s University law school at night. Their first two years of marriage were perfect, which was no surprise since their six years together before married life had been filled with romance and joy. Friends and family always told the newlyweds their union would last forever. John often joked, Yeah, as long as I don’t shoot her when we have our first fight.

It was late September when Angela told her husband that they would soon be having an addition to their family. The parents-to-be were ecstatic and could hardly wait for the baby to arrive. Two weeks later joy turned to unbearable sadness as John buried his lovely wife and unborn child. It happened on a Tuesday evening when Angela was driving home on the Grand Central Parkway. She had the radio on, singing to Bruce Springsteen’s, Glory Days, when she spotted the fast moving Buick. The cars collided and Angela’s vehicle went out of control, hitting a concrete wall. John felt as if his life also ended when the drunk driver took away his wife and their unborn child. That was four years ago, and the pain for Detective Napoli still existed today.

Carol Davis was a blue-eyed blonde in her mid-twenties. Her one hundred and ten pounds were well proportioned on her petite body. Carol worked as a systems analyst for a telecommunications firm in Manhattan. While things were good for her now, she had a difficult childhood after her parents divorced when she was six. Carol’s mother remarried three years later. Although Carol didn’t care for her stepfather at first, she learned to accept him as the years passed. By the time she was seventeen, Carol had grown into such a beauty that she had to fight off most of the boys in the neighborhood. Her older brother, Billy, always took care of the guys who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Billy was four years her senior, and Carol had idolized him ever since she was a little girl. They were tight siblings who were brought closer together by the divorce.

Carol went away to Syracuse University to begin her college studies. She majored in computer science and had a minor in mathematics. Her grade point average during her freshman year was a 3.7 and most teachers had high expectations for her. Carol’s social life was also very good; she had a boyfriend and belonged to a popular sorority. Near the end of the spring semester Carol spent the night with her boyfriend, losing her virginity to the man she loved. Carol went back to her mother’s house in Garden City for summer break. When she returned to school in September, Peter told her that they should date other people. At first Carol was deeply hurt, but soon realized the breakup was for the best. She also vowed never to give away sex so freely again. Three years later Carol graduated with honors, and had a job waiting for her in Manhattan.

Everyone was proud of Carol, especially Billy who was also doing well as a CPA at a prestigious accounting firm. Carol stayed at her first job for two years where she got essential programming experience.

She moved on to Telex Communications, where she worked as a systems analyst for the past three years. Her professional life flourished; she had a high paying job with excellent benefits, including tuition costs for her Master’s Degree. However, her personal life went from bad to worse during the time. Her mother had divorced her stepfather and started leaning on Carol for emotional support. While Carol had never been close to her mother, she couldn’t turn away from her during the hardship she faced. Then eighteen months ago Carol lost the person she loved the most, her big brother.

It happened on a cool, rainy night as Billy returned to his car. He had just driven his girlfriend home, and walked her to the apartment she shared with a roommate. Billy came back down with the car keys in his hand when he heard someone behind him. He saw two young men standing in front of the building. As Billy tried to walk to his destination, they blocked his path.

Can I help you guys with something? Billy asked hesitantly.

Yeah mother-fucker, give us your wallet and watch.

Billy felt fear rising within him, but didn’t want to show it to the hard-looking wise guys.

What if I don’t want to, he said with authority.

The larger of the two reached into his coat pocket and took out a knife. Then I guess we’ll just have to take it.

Okay, Billy said, take what you want, but don’t hurt me. Billy took off his watch and handed it to one of the muggers.

I knew you’d see it our way, the big punk said.

As Billy removed the wallet from his pants, the lowlife took the knife and plunged it into Billy’s chest. His partner grabbed the money from the wallet, as he glanced up and down the block nervously. After getting what they wanted, the duo ran down the darkened street like the cowards that they were. Billy collapsed on the sidewalk, as the blood rushed out of him. He tried to get up but couldn’t; the stab wound had caused too much damage. An elderly woman walking by with her poodle screamed when she saw the stranger. By the time the ambulance came it was too late, Billy Davis had died.

Carol was overwrought with grief for many months after her brother’s death. She couldn’t function and felt emptiness inside her. Everyone tried to comfort Carol, but she couldn’t understand why God would take someone as good as Billy. After a few months Carol’s life began to return to normal. While she still felt grief and pain over the loss of her brother, she knew Billy would want her to enjoy life and live each day to its fullest. Little did Carol know what awaited her.

2.

BAINS DROVE ALONG Bell Boulevard as the mid-day sun beat down on his truck. It was his regular run, although he also went elsewhere from time to time. As he stopped at a red light his mind wandered back to a month ago, when he first saw her. He had delivered a package to the beautiful woman, and soon afterwards a plan formed in his mind. When he noticed another package for her today, he could hardly contain himself. The name on the address label read: Ms. Carol Davis, 20-14 46th Road Apt 4B, Bayside, New York 11361. The small box was marked fragile.

While driving, Bains couldn’t stop thinking about his ex-wife who requested a divorce last year. As he thought about her, a rage grew within him that had to be set free. Bains double-parked his truck and walked to the building. Most people weren’t home at this time of the day. However, he knew this woman would be waiting for him because she missed the first delivery attempt of her package. She had called the UPS office, and asked for another delivery on June twenty-ninth. Bains would have returned anyway because United Parcel Service’s policy is to make three delivery attempts on consecutive days to their customers. The package was then kept at a local depot if no one accepted it after the final try.

Bains rang the buzzer to apartment 4B.

Who is it? a female voice asked pleasantly.

Hi, Miss Davis. This is UPS; I have a package for you.

Good, I’ve been waiting for it.

Carol rang back, and Bains opened the front door to the building. He noticed the lobby was well kept; the paint looked fresh and an expensive chandelier hung from the ceiling. He saw no security guard or doorman around. Bains got on the elevator and pressed 4. When it reached his destination he got off as an elderly lady with a walker waited to get on. He held the elevator door for her, and she smiled at him in a thankful way.

Bains walked along the hallway until he came to 4B, and rang the bell to the apartment. The door opened a crack, but was held back by a chain.

Hello. I have your package, Miss.

Oh, thank you. Let me take this chain off. Through her peephole, Carol Davis looked at the man in the brown uniform. She knew it was safe to let him in.

The door opened, and Bains stared at the gorgeous blonde standing in front of him. She had on pink shorts, a white halter-top, and a pair of Reeboks. She looked like she had just come from shooting an ad for an exercise club. One of those places where everybody drank juice, and looked at the other perfect bodies around them without ever breaking a sweat.

Sorry about the chain, you can never be too careful.

Yeah, that’s what I tell everybody.

Carol looked at Bains, and thought he had an ordinary face. However, there was something about his eyes she found appealing. The way they sparkled gave him an aura of confidence.

Here’s your package.

Thanks. It’s the Hummel that I’ve been expecting.

Don’t worry, I handled it carefully, the UPS driver said.

Buying the hand-made collectibles was a hobby of Carol’s. She had a collection of sixty different pieces scattered throughout her apartment.

Carol walked toward the door, hoping the deliveryman would follow.

Bains understood the unspoken message.

Sign for the package, and I’ll be on my way.

Of course, Carol replied.

She hurriedly wrote her name in the appropriate box.

Have a nice day Miss Davis.

Thanks, you too.

Carol opened the door and the UPS man walked out of her apartment. After she closed the door behind him, she opened the package. Inside was a figurine of a poodle standing on its hind-legs, begging for a treat. Carol smiled and thought it looked lovely, just adorable.

Bains walked back to the elevator with the rage alive inside of him. First he remembered his ex-wife’s face when she demanded the divorce last year. Then he saw Carol Davis as she led him out of her apartment. He felt as if he was being mocked by both of them. 4B, he thought to himself, I’ll have a very special delivery for you soon, bitch.

3.

AT SIX P.M., Detective Napoli left the precinct after a tiring day. He had just finished a homicide case involving the murder of an eighteen-year-old girl. Her crazed boyfriend had killed her in a fit of jealousy the night before. At times like this John wished he worked as a stockbroker or accountant, instead of one marred with violence. Generally, he liked his job and found satisfaction in doing something that helped others. Sometimes John felt the pressure of his parents dislike for his chosen career. His mother and father had learned to accept his being a cop, but they were never pleased by it. They always dreaded getting that visit from another officer, bringing them the news they couldn’t bear to hear.

John’s younger brother, Michael, thought it was cool to have a cop in the family. Since he lived in Howard Beach, a well known organized crime neighborhood, Michael was proud to have a brother who belonged to the NYPD. It showed that most Italian-Americans were hard working citizens, and not the criminals Hollywood liked to glamorize in films and television. John’s sister, Marie, and her husband, Steve, also supported him. Even his nephews looked up to their favorite uncle. John’s parents were the only ones who couldn’t understand why he wanted to be a police officer. They felt some relief when John became a detective, because they thought it was safer than patrolling the streets as a uniformed cop.

Detective Napoli smiled when the day ended; he looked forward to going out later that night. He wasn’t the type who enjoyed going to clubs or bars. Napoli only drank socially and didn’t want to meet anyone. John rarely dated, and hadn’t even had sex since his wife died. He never told anyone about it because he thought it was a personal matter not open for discussion. Tonight, John had dinner reservations at a popular seafood restaurant. He could hardly wait to get there and indulge himself. John also felt happy because he would be dining with his best friend, Tom.

Bains dropped off the truck at the UPS depot in Jamaica, Queens. He glanced at his watch and saw it was ten after five. He would have to hurry with his little project in order to get to the restaurant on time. He got into his 2005 Toyota Camry, and took Parsons Boulevard to Union Turnpike. In order to avoid rush-hour traffic on the Grand Central Parkway, he took Union all the way to Bell Blvd. It took him about twenty minutes to get to his destination. He had everything planned and knew it wouldn’t take long. Tom had changed out of his uniform and had on a pair of jeans, a black polo shirt, and sneakers.

Although Bains was short and didn’t weigh much, he was solid muscle. He got that way by working out at the gym five nights a week. A strict regimen consisting of forty minutes for lifting weights and a half-hour on the stair-master was followed. Additionally, he did fifty push-ups and one hundred sit-ups every night at home. Bains had been exercising this way for eight years and was pleased with the results. He always enjoyed it when a bigger man would mouth off and challenge him to a fight. The other guy always ended up shocked when Bains dropped him to the floor without a problem.

Bains parked his car around the corner from the building. No one walked along the street, signaling promising conditions to Bains.

Time to do it, he thought.

Carol Davis was preparing dinner for herself. She usually didn’t cook too much because her job often had her working late hours. Since she had the day off, she decided to make a home-cooked meal. Carol wanted to eat early because her boyfriend was coming over later. He had called to tell her that he was going to bring a DVD for them to watch. She told him to pick up Saw V because she felt like seeing a scary movie. Carol expected Matt to spend the night. They had been going out for the past nine months, and things looked like they might become serious. She had remained cautious at the beginning, not sleeping with him until three months into the relationship. Matt respected Carol’s decision, even though he felt frustrated at times. That was one of the things Carol loved about him, his ability to make her feel at ease. She thought Matt was a wonderful guy, and was thrilled to have him in her life.

Carol glanced at the clock and noticed it was already five-forty. Perfect, she thought, the pasta will be done in five minutes and then I can eat. A smile appeared on Carol’s face as she fantasized about what the rest of the night would bring.

Bains sat in the car for five minutes, collecting his thoughts and preparing for what he was about to do. He knew the first one would be the hardest. Bains got out of the Camry and started to walk toward the building. Nobody passed him as he reached the building’s entrance. He rang the buzzer on the intercom, hoping the woman was still home.

Hello.

The deliveryman heard the garbled voice at the other end. Hi Miss Davis; it’s UPS, Bains said.

UPS? a startled Carol Davis replied. You were here earlier.

I know, but when I got back to the depot I noticed another package for you in the back of the truck.

Really? I wonder what it is. All right; come up.

Carol buzzed the intercom on her side, and Bains entered the building.

He went to the elevator, saw no one else around, and got on. As he pressed 4 a slight smile appeared on his face. Bains could hardly wait to do it. The slow moving elevator brought him back to reality. Bains felt like he would explode when the elevator finally came to a stop. He turned to his right when the doors opened, moving purposefully toward apartment 4B. After he rang the doorbell he heard movement inside.

Carol walked to the door when she heard the bell. She looked through the peephole and saw the deliveryman from before. He was out of uniform, but she recognized his face.

Hello Miss Davis. I have your other package here.

Just one moment please.

Carol unlocked the deadbolt and took off the chain. When she opened the door she saw Bains dressed much differently from earlier that day. The young woman had a puzzled expression on her face as she glanced at the man.

Oh, the UPS driver said, I changed out of my uniform before I left the depot.

Why are you bringing me a package if you’re not working?

I pass by here on my way home so I thought I’d drop it off for you. That way you wouldn’t have to stay home another day and wait for it. I should have seen it on the truck and given it to you before. It’s my fault, Bains said apologetically.

Well, that’s very nice of you, Carol said. She considered herself lucky that the guy would do such a thing for her. I’ll take the box and sign for it. I’m in a hurry, you caught me in the middle of dinner.

I bet you have a lot to do, a pretty woman like you, Bains said.

Carol glanced at the man, and noticed something strange about the way he looked at her. His eyes had a different glint in them now than they did earlier that afternoon. In fact, the driver’s green eyes looked menacing to her.

The frightened woman nervously said, My husband will be home any minute.

Oh really, Bains said. How come your name is Miss Carol Davis if you’re married?

Carol tried to remain calm, but she couldn’t stop her heart from beating faster. She wished she hadn’t let the man back into her apartment.

She told Bains, He’s really my live-in boyfriend, but I consider him my husband.

Yeah, I bet you do. You’ll probably break his heart too, won’t you bitch.

As Bains moved closer to Carol, her eyes grew wide in terror.

Listen, I appreciate that you brought my package over. Now if you’ll please leave, I’m not feeling well.

I’ll leave, but not until I give you a special delivery.

Bains slapped Carol hard across the face. After the initial shock wore off, Carol screamed as loud as she could. Unfortunately all the windows in the apartment were closed, and her neighbors weren’t home to hear her cries for help.

Please don’t hurt me, I’ll do anything you want.

Bains shook his head and grinned. You stupid bitch, I don’t want to fuck you. I want to kill you.

Carol started to run, but Bains knocked her down.

Please don’t. Why do you want to kill me? I don’t even know you.

Yeah, but I know you and your kind. You lying, filthy bitches have to be taught a lesson, the madman shouted the words angrily.

Bains put his hands around Carol Davis and began to choke the life out of her. She struggled, but his strength was too much. Bains applied more pressure until Carol crumbled to the floor. When the killer knew the woman was dead, he removed a red rose from the box he brought with him. He crushed the flower and put it on Carol’s body, along with a typed index card. The card said: The first was fun, there’s many more to come.

Bains walked out of the apartment and left the building. When he got back to his car, Bains thought the first one wasn’t so hard after all.

4.

JOHN MET HIS best friend at the restaurant a little before eight. The two hadn’t seen each other in almost three weeks and they had a lot to catch up on. John got to the restaurant first, and reminisced about his friend as he waited. John and Tom had been best friends since the third grade, when they lived two houses apart from each other. The pals were in class together throughout Catholic grammar school. They then attended an all boy high school, known for its academic excellence. Their friendship remained strong even though Tom didn’t further his education as John had. As they became adults, the chums were always there for each other. Tom helped John get through the ordeal of Angela’s death. Last year, John gave his buddy emotional support during his difficult divorce. They usually got together every week for dinner, movies, or drinks. The friends also went away every July for a long weekend to the Hamptons.

Napoli stood at the bar when Tom walked in.

Hey buddy, I hope you haven’t been waiting too long.

No, I got here about ten minutes ago.

The two men shook hands.

So, how have you been, John?

All right. It’s been the same old thing; work, work, and more work. How about yourself?

Same old shit. We’ll talk during dinner; let’s see if our table is ready.

Tom approached the pretty Asian hostess, who showed the men to their table. The woman had on a white blouse and a short black skirt, which caused Tom to stare at her as she walked away.

After she left Tom turned to John. Man, would I love a piece of that. What a great ass on her.

Come on Tommy, be quiet. She might hear you.

I wish she would; I’d fuck her from now till Tuesday. Hey John, you should have seen this great looking Japanese girl that I banged two weeks ago.

John didn’t show much interest in his friend’s crude comments, but Tom went on with the conversation anyway.

Yeah, she had a great ass just like that one. She was only twenty-two, and she did everything to me. I went out with her three times, fucked her a dozen times, then told her never to call me again. Tom laughed.

You really are amazing, Tommy. Do you know that? John said.

You know me, I don’t let them get too close. I say bang them until you’ve had enough, then get someone new. How about you John, fuck anyone lately?

No Tom I haven’t, and I’d rather not talk about it.

"I forgot, you’re mister pure. You never talk about fooling around with girls.