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    Fifty Shades of Dead
    Fifty Shades of Dead
    Fifty Shades of Dead
    Ebook177 pages2 hours

    Fifty Shades of Dead

    By Louise Hathaway

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    About this ebook

    Three young librarians get together for a girl’s night out at the movies to see Fifty Shades of Grey where they meet a handsome stranger who bears a striking resemblance to the film’s main character. He invites them to dinner, but only one goes with him—a vulnerable blonde who has just been served divorce papers. A few days later, her body is found behind an abandoned house in the 9th ward. Was he the one who killed her? That's what New Orleans homicide detective, Yvonne Dauphin, must find out in this gripping murder mystery.

    5 Star Review:
    "Great Read. I enjoy detective books. This one was extra special. Drama. Action. Adventure. And a little Mystery and Romance all in one."

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLouise Hathaway
    Release dateJun 17, 2018
    ISBN9780463451618
    Fifty Shades of Dead
    Author

    Louise Hathaway

    Louise Hathaway is a pen name of a husband and wife writing team. They write in several different genres including murder/ mystery; romance, travel, time travel, and literary criticism.

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      Book preview

      Fifty Shades of Dead - Louise Hathaway

      Fifty Shades of Dead: A New Orleans Mystery

      by Louise Hathaway

      Copyright Louise Hathaway 2018

      Smashwords Edition 2018

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used without the written consent of the author, except for brief quotes in reviews.

      Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal.

      Please respect the hard work of this author.

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

      Chapter One

      On a humid night in May, three friends were getting together for a girls’ night out. They were going to an upscale movie theater on Canal Street, New Orleans’ dividing line between the historic French Quarter and the business district. Many older city dwellers remembered shopping in the street’s department stores and donning their Sunday best, complete with hats and gloves, to do their shopping. In the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, thousands congregated on the street to watch Carnival krewes roll by in their decorated floats.

      The three friends were young librarians who worked at the county law library. One of them was a blonde twenty-seven-year-old named Evangeline. She was looking forward to being with her fellow librarians again. Earlier in the day, she had been served divorce papers and told herself that she must face the fact that her marriage truly was over. Her husband wasn’t coming back; he didn’t want her anymore. She and her girlfriends were having glasses of wine in the theater’s bar section waiting for the time that Fifty Shades of Grey would start when she asked her friends, Wouldn’t our patrons be surprised to see us here?

      Her friend Renee answered, Not exactly something that Marian the Librarian would do.

      Or Ruth Harrison, Reference Librarian, Evangeline added.

      Who’s that? their younger friend Elise asked.

      She’s a character on the radio show, A Prairie Home Companion.

      Never heard of it. Feeling left out, Elise, told them, Can we please talk about something else? I totally can’t relate.

      You’re really dressed to the nines tonight, Evangeline, Renee told her friend.

      Evangeline had just bought a new dress the day before and was wearing it for the first time. It was white, off the shoulders, low necked, and fit her like a glove. She told her friend, I changed my clothes when I got home from work.

      I can’t see you wearing that at the library.

      Evangeline tried to adjust the neckline of her dress. Is it too much? I just wanted to play dress-up. I thought it would make me feel better.

      Don’t worry about it, hon, Elise tried to reassure her. You look beautiful.

      Thank you. She took a sip of wine and tried to think of something to say.

      Renee was slightly older than she was, and at times treated her like a younger sister. She asked her, Have you protected your assets now that your husband wants a divorce?

      I think so. I have my own checking and savings account. The house is still in both of our names.

      Aren’t you afraid that he might kick you out once you’re officially divorced?

      He can’t.

      You bought that house together. It’s part yours.

      I know that. You don’t have to remind me, you know.

      I’m just worried about you.

      Evangeline patted her friend’s hand. That’s sweet.

      Renee couldn’t stop worrying about her friend and asked, Have you changed your will?

      I don’t have one.

      What about your life insurance?

      I haven’t been able to keep up with the payments, so the company is canceling it.

      Elise chimed in. Renee, can we please change the subject? I feel like you’re picking on poor Evangeline.

      I have her best interests at heart.

      Thanks. I appreciate it. I really do, Evangeline answered.

      Wanting to change the subject, she asked Elise, What’s been going on with you lately?

      Well, I’m starting to get the hang of being a reference librarian, but I’m so afraid I won’t have the right answers to the patrons’ questions, and they’ll complain about me.

      Just remember not to give them legal advice; only point them to the right reference materials.

      I need to remember that.

      Renee warned her. The library doesn’t want to get sued if we give them the wrong answer.

      Would people do that?

      It’s been done at other law libraries.

      Now I’m even more nervous.

      Try not to be. The patrons are usually very patient. The fact that you’re young and pretty will make your life easier.

      You think?

      Yeah. Wouldn’t you agree, Evangeline?

      Evangeline didn’t answer. She was staring at a good-looking man standing at the bar who was wearing a well-tailored blue suit and a white shirt that had cuff links visible below the sleeves of his jacket. She checked him out from head to toe, drinking in his height, thick hair, and handsome face.

      Sipping some whiskey, he looked around at the other people in the bar.

      Renee noticed him, too. Look at that guy over there. He could be a stand-in for Christian Grey.

      Evangeline couldn’t take her eyes off him and was surprised to see that he was staring right back at her. He raised his glass in a toast. She was flabbergasted and wondered, why is he choosing me? There are several more attractive ladies in the room.

      Elise told her, That handsome guy likes you.

      I think he feels sorry for me, she replied.

      Renee asked, What? Are you kidding? You’re a beautiful, smokin’ hot 27-year-old woman who’s back in the dating game. This is your lucky night!

      She laughed. Get out of here. I know nothing about him.

      Renee suspiciously asked, Why is he alone? Doesn’t he have any friends?

      Before they could say anymore, Elise noticed that the movie was about to start and said, We better leave now or there won’t be three seats together. Come on.

      Evangeline took one last look at her gentleman admirer as she and her friends left the bar.

      He entered the theater and sat alone in the last row watching, then left when the credits were rolling when the movie was over. When the crowd let out, he waited to see Evangeline again.

      She was asking her friends how they liked the movie when she almost bumped into him.

      Oh, hello again. I’m sorry, she told him.

      No need to apologize. There was an awkward silence between them until he asked, How did you like the movie?

      She blushed, afraid to admit that she liked it.

      He told them, It’s a pleasure to meet such beautiful women. Would you ladies care to join me for dinner? There’s a new Italian restaurant that just opened near my job.

      Evangeline asked him, Where do you work?

      I write restaurant reviews for The Times-Picayune.

      She thought, Ooh, he must be smart if he’s a writer.

      I’d love to go to dinner with you, she boldly answered.

      Surprised by her rare forwardness, her friends raised their eyebrows and looked at each other.

      Elise suggested, Why don’t you two go without us? We were planning to go hear some live music tonight.

      We were? Renee asked.

      Elise rolled her eyes and looked at her friend. Yeah.

      Okay, Okay. I get it.

      Thanks anyway, Elise told him.

      Have fun, he answered. A faint smile twitched on his upper lip.

      Watching her friends walk away, Evangeline had a bad feeling and didn’t know why, but tried to reassure herself, hoping that this relationship would work out, unlike her last disastrous one with her husband.

      ******

      She and her mysterious admirer walked to the parking lot of the movie theater and he opened the passenger door of his black Mercedes for her. Once they were both inside his car, he looked over at her and shook her hand. My name is Nathan Jackson, by the way. What’s your name?

      Evangeline Monroe.

      Evangeline. What a beautiful name. Just like that poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

      I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with that poem.

      Honey, you’ve got to stop apologizing to me. There’s no need to. The two of us are simply a man and woman who just met. You need to live in the moment.

      I guess you’re right. I’ll try to remember that.

      He patted her leg to reassure her and then slowly pushed up her dress so he could see what she was wearing underneath it. His car was under a parking lot light, and he could see that she had garters on that held up her white silk thigh highs that were trimmed with white lace.

      Mmm…I love the look of these.

      She liked it when he snapped one of her garters playfully.

      You look just like a sexy model.

      She blushed. I’m hardly that, she answered, then took a deep breath, trying to live in the moment as he had told her to do.

      We’d better get going before I get carried away.

      Okay, she answered, slightly disappointed.

      He started up the car engine and pulled out of the parking lot. They rode in silence for a while and she enjoyed the air-conditioning. The day had been especially hot and humid, and the library’s air conditioner had broken down once again.

      He interrupted her thoughts and suggested, Instead of going to that Italian restaurant, I have a craving for Commander’s Palace. Is that alright with you?

      Are you kidding? I’d love to go to Commander’s. I haven’t been there since my wedding reception.

      Oh. Are you married? He sounded disappointed.

      No. Not anymore. My husband recently filed for divorce.

      He shook his head. You must feel awful. Why would someone want to divorce a pretty girl like you? You’re so attractive. And I love your smile.

      She hadn’t felt this good in a long time and told him, Thanks. Once upon a time, I think my husband did want me. Problem was, as the years passed, he changed. He was unfaithful to me. Time and time again.

      Sorry to hear it. That rotten bastard.

      I guess he wanted to make a change.

      Well, if you want my advice, I say good riddance. He’s not the right guy for you.

      She started crying. I guess not.

      He put his hand on her knee and gave it a gentle pat.

      Don’t take it personal, honey. I’m glad he’s out of the picture. How else would I have met you? Now, I get to have you all to myself. You’ll be my girl.

      Thank you. It gives me hope. She repeated his words in her head: "You’ll be my girl."

      When he talked in such terms of ownership, it made her smile. It was nice having someone wanting her again. Her self-confidence had taken a serious beating the last year with her husband—soon-to-be-ex-husband.

      While he drove, he put his hand further up her leg and she liked the way it felt.

      He played a Roxy Music cd and when the song I’d Do Anything to Turn You On, Evangeline sang along.

      He asked her, Would you really?

      You mean, do anything to turn you on?

      Yeah.

      I’d give it a try, she answered, trying to sound carefree.

      He gently rubbed her leg. "Umm…I have half a mind to cancel our

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