A Day in the Life of Chris Landers by LynDee Walker

Feb 12, 2015 | A Day In My Life

Devil in the DeadlineShifting the car into park, I let my head thump back against the cool leather of the seat.

My phone bleated another text arrival, and I knew without looking it was Aaron White. The last three messages he’d sent skated through my thoughts.

Not your average Saturday Night Special murder vic. Meet me at the old power plant at Belle Isle.

Where are you?

Landers. NOW.

This new one was probably less polite than the last.

I put one hand on the door hitch and pulled, the hot dogs we’d grilled for dinner roiling in my gut. I didn’t want to see the murder scene that would freak White out.

I loved being a cop. Almost everything about it—from never knowing what the day would bring to the sense of having done something good for the world when a conviction came back on some dirtbag I’d hauled in.

The gore, I could do without. Twenty minutes ago, I was listening to my kids laugh while they blew bubbles on the back deck.

Now I was trying to gather motivation to go see a corpse.

Some Saturday night.

The phone buzzed again as I climbed out of the car and I sighed. “Coming, boss.”

I picked my way through the woods, past a gaggle of reporters—vultures, always at every body dump—and into a building that would give Freddy Krueger nightmares. I glanced through the holes in the walls at the eerie play of the moonlight over the water and rocks and shivered in the summer air.

What the hell were we into now?

“Jesus, man, what took you so long?” White called from overhead. I looked up to find a hole in the ceiling, him looking down through it at me and a fifteen-foot extension ladder.

“Sorry, boss. Got here as quick as I could.” I hauled in a deep breath. I hate ladders.

Not my day.

I put a foot on the bottom rung and started up toward White.

“This is going to be a mess,” he said as I climbed. “Caucasian female, fairly young—coroner says early twenties.”

“Cause of death?” I focused on his words, clicking bits of information into holes and refusing to look down.

“Fillet?”

My head snapped back. “Come again?”

“You heard me.” White’s mouth disappeared into a thin white line, and he offered a hand to help me off the ladder. I took it, then ran my fingers through my hair and shook my head.

“Where?” The room we were in was bare, save floodlights that belonged to the department and some graffiti on the walls.

“Back here,” he motioned for me to follow him down a narrow hallway.

I swallowed hard when I smelled the blood.

Harder when I saw the altar.

Thirty seconds of looking was enough to make me question my career choices. Another thirty, and I was ready to go after whatever psycho could do this to another human.

I turned to White. “It looks like freaking Charles Manson has been here.”

He nodded slowly. “What if it’s a serial, Landers? Tell me it doesn’t fit.”

Except he knew it did.

“Damn. Who called it in?”

“Couple of street kids. They were pretty shaken up. Ambulance came to take them to St. Vincent’s about fifteen minutes before you got here.”

“Hurt?” I furrowed a brow.

“Not that I could see. Just in need of a shower and a bed and maybe some sleeping pills.”

“I’m on my way.” I bolted back for the ladder. Anything was better than standing still while there was a nutcase on the loose.

I sped to the hospital, rushing up to psych and back to the rooms where they’d put White’s witnesses.

And got nowhere. The guy wouldn’t even look at me.

I texted White and tried the girl again. Not a word. That I could understand, anyway. She was crying too hard to talk.

I strode back into the hall to keep from yelling, banging a fist into the wall. My phone buzzed.

“I’ll be home in a little while, baby,” I said as I pulled it out.

But it wasn’t my wife. It was White. Telling me there was a reporter on her way up to try to get something out of these people.

And not just any reporter. That nosy broad from the Telegraph.

Dammit.

What a day.

You can read more about Chris in Devil In The Deadline, the fourth book in the “Headlines in High Heels” mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first book in the series is Front Page Fatality.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on February 19 for the chance to win a copy of Devil In The Deadline. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes.

About the author
LynDee Walker’s award-winning journalistic work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the nation.

Her debut novel, Front Page Fatality, is an amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 bestseller, and was nominated for the Agatha LynDeeAward for Best First Novel. DEVIL IN THE DEADLINE is the fourth in LynDee’s “Headlines in High Heels” mystery series. The fifth arrives October 2015.

LynDee adores her family, her readers, and enchiladas. She often works out tricky plot points while walking off the enchiladas. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is either playing with her children, working on her next novel, or admiring beautiful shoes she can’t wear.

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69 Comments

  1. Betty
    Betty on February 12, 2015 at 1:03 am

    This sounds like a great book and I love the cover. Thank you for the review and contest!

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 8:47 am

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Betty! I adore my cover art—Henery Press has some talented folks in their nest. 🙂

  2. Jen
    Jen on February 12, 2015 at 1:29 am

    Devil In The Deadline sounds like a great book. Thank you for the giveaway.
    myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

  3. bookwoman
    bookwoman on February 12, 2015 at 2:21 am

    Love this series. Congrats on the new one

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 8:48 am

      Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy them—just finished the next one yesterday. 🙂

  4. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on February 12, 2015 at 2:28 am

    I think Devil in the Deadline is the best in the series; they just keep getting better and better. Looking forward to the release of # 5 to see what Nichelle and her cronies are getting into next!

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 8:49 am

      Thanks so much, MaryAnn! I’m working on getting it shined up for y’all to read. 🙂

  5. holdenj
    holdenj on February 12, 2015 at 8:02 am

    Enjoyed Chris’ excerpt. Can’t wait to read it, thanks for the chance to win!

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 8:50 am

      I’m so glad you like it! I love being Dru’s guest, because writing from the point of view of other characters in the series is so much fun. 🙂

  6. Mark
    Mark on February 12, 2015 at 8:48 am

    Nice! Enjoying the different narrative; it’s a departure from the others in the series while retaining the same vibe

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      Thanks, Mark! I love writing for Dru because I get to be inside the other characters’ heads for a while. 🙂

  7. Sheila K.
    Sheila K. on February 12, 2015 at 8:54 am

    Sounds like a devilishly good read!

  8. Anita Miles
    Anita Miles on February 12, 2015 at 9:00 am

    SOUNDS LIKE MY KIND OF READ

  9. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on February 12, 2015 at 9:06 am

    This looks like one you can’t put down. Thanks for the offer.

  10. Gram
    Gram on February 12, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Another one for my t-b-r list…

  11. Mary Jane Hopper
    Mary Jane Hopper on February 12, 2015 at 9:11 am

    How do you pick an excerpt for your blogs? Wow!

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 12:15 pm

      One of the things I love about writing guest blogs for Dru is that they’re not exactly excerpts—this is fresh material, written from the viewpoint of a character other than my protagonist. It’s fun to see the story from someone else’s point of view. 🙂

  12. Debbie Carnes
    Debbie Carnes on February 12, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Sounds like a fun read , looking forward to it

  13. MaryB
    MaryB on February 12, 2015 at 10:14 am

    Fun series. Thanks for the chance to win.

  14. carlrscott
    carlrscott on February 12, 2015 at 10:48 am

    Such a great vignette, so cleverly written. I’m sure the book is just as good, thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      Thank you! I had fun writing this piece (and writing the book). Good luck in the contest!

  15. Barbara Hackel
    Barbara Hackel on February 12, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Wow! After reading that excerpt all I can say is wow! I have to read this series from beginning to the current book asap. I have seen the books online and totally miss-guessed about them. Love the shoes and can’t wait to read how they tie into the story! Thanks for picking this selection Dru! And thanks to LynDee for sharing with us! I appreciate the chance to win a copy!

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 12, 2015 at 12:19 pm

      Aw, thank you Barbara! I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them. The shoes play a role in all the books, but not one that overwhelms the story. Have a lovely weekend, and good luck in the contest!

  16. Kristine
    Kristine on February 12, 2015 at 11:38 am

    I can’t wait to read the book, it sounds terrific! Thank you!

  17. kaitcarson
    kaitcarson on February 12, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    What a great book. I’ve met Chris before, of course, so it was nice to encounter her again today….off to the Amazon store!

  18. cjreynolds52
    cjreynolds52 on February 12, 2015 at 1:25 pm

    Love the sound of this one. Can’t wait to try it.

  19. Debbie S
    Debbie S on February 12, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    I hadn’t read this series but after what I just read above, I have got to get started, this sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win.

  20. Linda MH
    Linda MH on February 12, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Looking forward to reading this book. Sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 13, 2015 at 7:55 am

      Thanks for coming by, Linda! Good luck in the drawing, and I hope you enjoy the book!

  21. Anita Yancey
    Anita Yancey on February 12, 2015 at 3:26 pm

    I love that cover, and the book sounds amazing. Thanks for the chance to win it.

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 13, 2015 at 7:56 am

      Thank you, Anita! I love the covers, too. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in, and good luck in the drawing!

  22. MaryAnn Forbes
    MaryAnn Forbes on February 12, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    The Devil in the Deadline may be the best in this 4 book series. I love Nichelle and her cohorts & the circumstances they find themselves in. So looking forward to the release of the 5th book in this great series!

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 13, 2015 at 7:57 am

      Aw, thanks, MaryAnn! I’m about to open Cover Shot and start prettying it up for y’all. Have a great weekend!

  23. Laura
    Laura on February 12, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    This is a great series.

  24. Victoria
    Victoria on February 12, 2015 at 5:05 pm

    This story sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway.

    • LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker)
      LynDee Walker (@LynDeeWalker) on February 13, 2015 at 7:58 am

      I had a lot of fun with it, Victoria—I hope you enjoy it! Good luck in the drawing!

  25. rochf
    rochf on February 12, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Loved the previous installments and am looking forward to this one as well

  26. kayk597
    kayk597 on February 12, 2015 at 8:43 pm

    This sounds like a fabulous series. It has just gone on my must-have list. Thank you for the chance to win it.

  27. cyn209
    cyn209 on February 12, 2015 at 11:18 pm

    another series waiting for me in my TBR pile….

  28. Kaye Killgore
    Kaye Killgore on February 13, 2015 at 12:38 am

    I would love to read this book

  29. Patricia Allen
    Patricia Allen on February 13, 2015 at 8:37 am

    Can’t wait to read this book, looks so fun. 🙂 thanks for the giveaway.

  30. Kicha
    Kicha on February 13, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    The first book in the series is on my Amazon wish list.

  31. Anita Miles
    Anita Miles on February 14, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    I would love to read this book

  32. Betty Jo English
    Betty Jo English on February 14, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Devil in the Deadline sounds intriguing. Would be a good book to cuddle up with in wintery weather. Thanks for sharing.

  33. Sha
    Sha on February 14, 2015 at 5:23 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. Devil in the Deadline sounds great!

  34. MaryBeth McKetchnie
    MaryBeth McKetchnie on February 14, 2015 at 5:56 pm

    How have I missed this series? Now I want to read all of them. Thanks for the giveaway, and thanks for making me aware of another author whose books I’m looking forward to reading.

  35. Becky Fare
    Becky Fare on February 15, 2015 at 2:39 am

    Sounds like a good one.

  36. jagjhd
    jagjhd on February 18, 2015 at 11:20 am

    All the best with #4. Look forward to having it in hand.

  37. kris mihalov
    kris mihalov on February 18, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    Devil in the Deadline sounds like a great!

  38. Karen Terry
    Karen Terry on February 18, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    I like the sound of this book. It sounds like a great read.

  39. Michelle Fidler
    Michelle Fidler on February 18, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Sounds like an interesting book.

  40. shaun
    shaun on February 18, 2015 at 10:05 pm

    Love the title. Great cover as well. Read some reviews on goodreads and am intrigued.

  41. Dru
    Dru on February 19, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    Thanks LynDee for commenting and interacting with my readers.

    Contest is closed.