Lori Daniels Mystery: Pillow Talk

by Tom Preschutti

Overview

"A hard-hitting, no-nonsense, crime thriller." -IndieReader

Pillow Talk is the first book in the original trilogy for the Lori Daniels Mystery series and has been re-edited and rewritten for better content.

Police Detective Lori Daniels has a knack for picking the wrong guy as a lover. This complicates her next big assignment.

One former lover from high school is now the front man for a major illegal drug distributor. Another former lover is the captain of the Police Internal Affairs Division, who vows to have Lori kicked off the police force, even if it means framing her as a gang informant. Her present lover is the hotshot detective from another precinct, who is super successful in bringing down the drug gangs, and also has a super ego to match.

Strategies devised by the State Police, City Police, Internal Affairs, and a Drug Gang, including using moles and informants, all go haywire. In the end, the trust between friends, along with steady and reliable police work, leads to the capture of a major drug lord.

"Full of action and numerous dead bodies." -Midwest Book Review

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684332656
Publisher:	Black Rose Writing
Publication date:	05/23/2019
Series:	Lori Daniels Mystery , #1
Edition description:	2nd Second Printing ed.
Pages:	170
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.43(d)

About the Author

After working 34 years in the construction management industry, Tom Preschutti has started a new career, writing. He writes what he likes to read, romance mixed with mystery and suspense. His ambition to be a writer started in high school but was put on hold. Having a steady income for raising a family took precedence over everything else. He lived all his life in Pennsylvania and now lives in a rural area north of Philadelphia.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

First Raid

"You picked the wrong guy again, ..."

Police detective sergeant Lori Daniels droops her shoulders on her tall, athletic body, puts her head down, and shakes her short ash blonde hair.

"... but you'll survive as you always have," consoles Detective Sergeant Brenda Cervetti, Lori's best friend.

Having first met at the Police Academy, Brenda and Lori have shared a lot of experiences. Helping each other through the bad times and celebrating each other's joys, but mainly just being there as close friends do.

When in a crisis situation, they both seem to know how the other will react. Lori looks over at Brenda and thinks, "Is it the fundamental urge of self-preservation as to why she has Brenda by her side when being the lead going into a bad situation?"

The police van they are riding in hops on the uneven pavement as it goes through an intersection on the way to the raid of a suspected hideout for the Irish Boys Gang.

The jolt helps Lori get into her professional mode. Straightening herself, she starts reviewing the last minute instructions. "Heads up Red Team, as you are aware, we expect about a half dozen perps at the warehouse, but be advised there may be more. Reports indicate they are well armed. Use caution."

In the pre-raid meeting, floor plans, gotten from city building codes department, were used to plan the operation. Lori continues, "I will be point on the entry. Ramirez you will take up the rear to guard our backs and hold the door. Taylor will stay with you ..."

Police Corporal Jason Taylor is a tall African American man with a muscular physique, sharp eyes and an angular face, looking much younger than his 45 years of age. He is the oldest and most experienced member of the team. A half-hour earlier, during the pre-raid squad conference, he took Lori aside to say, "With all due respect Sergeant I think I should be with you in the lead squad."

Lori had taken no offense at this questioning of her judgment. Smiling she said, "There is no doubt you are the best in the squad at this sort of thing, Jason, but you take too big a share of the risks. The younger members have to learn and to do that they must be put in harm's way. This time you will be on defense."

"... Lingle and Stetzler will fan out to the right, Morgan and Riccini will go left. Cervetti, Hayden, and Boris will join me pushing forward. The other doors are being covered by Blue Team."

The van stops a block from the warehouse and Red Team exits the rear then jogs into position. They quickly assemble in a defensive formation near the warehouse door.

A message on the earbuds confirms that Blue Team is also in position. A rush of adrenaline hits Lori. She looks at her cell, 3:00 AM; then she gives the go.

The report from the 13th precinct gave a detailed layout of the warehouse, including the location of the lab and where the drugs are stored. Usually, the info on a target is not that precise, but this raid is initiated by Police Lieutenant Detective Mike Costner, recently promoted hot shot of the 13th. Costner has built up a reputation over the past year of finding good leads that reap big caches of drugs. His rep also says he has an ego to match.

Officer Taylor inserts the pry bar between the jamb and door yanking it open. Red Team rushes into the warehouse, fanning out across the floor. The large expanse is dimly lit by overhead lights. Crates and boxes of all sizes cover the vast floor area. Because of this, the officers will have to be extra careful in their sweep. A perp could be hiding anywhere.

Guns drawn, Lori takes point, followed by Brenda, Officer Bill Hayden and Officer Regina Boris. Lori quickly, but deliberately, moves down the main aisle that is wide enough to be used by forklift drivers during the day. The squad encounter no resistance and the four get to the back of the warehouse before the other two squads. The aisle ends at a "T," intersecting with a similar wider aisle.

Lori silently signals the squad to a halt. Moving slowly ahead, she then peers down each direction of the cross aisle. Again silently, she directs Boris and Hayden to the left. She and Brenda go right toward the suspected location of the lab.

Lori and Brenda advance about fifty feet down the aisle. Even through the dim lighting, Lori sees a closed door that leads to the suspected lab location. She tries to keep her anxiety and excitement in check as they carefully approach. Turning to give instructions, Lori sees Brenda's eyes widen. Suddenly a blast from behind breaks the silence. Brenda's shoulder jerks sideways and she is spun around with force. Immediately another blast rings out and the chest impact throws Brenda to the floor.

Horrified by her friend being hit, a blind rage fills Lori. She wields around and starts squeezing off rounds in the direction of the gunshots. Even in a rage, Lori's keen senses allow her to pick out details. A tall, overweight figure wearing jeans and a gray hoodie now turns his 45 automatic towards her. Because she is still in motion, Lori's first two shots go wide, but the third round hits the perp in the lower abdomen. The fourth, fifth and sixth rounds shatter his upper chest. The guy is dead before he hits the floor.

Lori immediately moves to Brenda, who is still prone on the concrete floor. As she reaches down to tend to her friend, the door to the lab bursts open. Three figures rush out and quickly scatter into the maze of crates and boxes.

Talking rapidly into her shoulder mike Lori shouts commands, "Morgan, Riccini, three perps are headed your way! Officer down! Officer down! Get a bus here now! Blue team, perps on the move, enter the building."

Boris and Hayden arrive at Lori's side and quickly set up a defensive position to protect Brenda and Lori.

Brenda shakily raises herself on one elbow, "The vest took both slugs, I'm okay." Lori signals to Hayden to stay with Brenda. "Regina, you come with me to go after the three rabbits."

As Lori turns, an explosion rips through the warehouse. The lab door flies off its hinges with debris and boxes hurling across the floor. A rank chemical smell fills the air as smoke starts pouring from the lab. They all feel their lungs begin to burn. Lori points at Boris and Hayden, "You two help Brenda out of here, now! I'm going after the rabbits."

While following the trail of the three perps, Lori hears up ahead a single shot that is answered by automatic weapons. She recognizes the automatic fire of the police rifles. Slowing her pace, she cautiously moves forward.

Rancid smoke keeps billowing from the lab trailing Lori as she moves up one of the aisles. Suddenly, a voice calls from her left, "Daniels."

Lori whips around to the sound of the voice. Out of the shadows, a tall figure emerges. "You certainly got that perp. Where is it in the procedural manual about pumping four slugs into a suspect's chest? I don't recall that chapter," Lieutenant Mike Costner whispers sarcastically.

Facing Lori is one of the most handsome men she has ever seen. Mike Costner is tall with brown hair cut a bit long for a cop, well built, all muscle. By the grin on his face, she can tell he's used to high-pressure situations. His swaggering approach tells her he's extremely full of himself. "Lieutenant Costner, I'm guessing," she replies. Then adds, "Why weren't you at the pre-raid conference?"

More automatic fire erupts.

Pointing down the aisle, Costner smiles saying, "Let's finish this first. Then we'll talk about how you are going to convince me not to testify about you using excessive force." He moves off towards the gun fire. Lori follows.

As they get to the end of the aisle, the scene before them presents itself. The converging of Costner's Blue Team from Precinct 13 with Lori's Red team has cornered a half a dozen perps behind a pile of large crates. Sergeant Earl Shahidi of the Blue Team meets them and gives a quick sitrep of their position.

Costner then says, "I want to try something that may save a lot of shooting. Tell Blue and Red Teams to hold their fire and make no advance on the perps. "

Shahidi rises from behind the crates to survey the area before giving the order. Suddenly, a torrent of bullets blankets their position. Splinters of wood from the crates fly in all directions. Lori instinctively jumps up and pulls Shahidi out of harm's way, dragging him behind a large wooden crate. Now in a sitting position, Shahidi, wide-eyed and breathing heavy, nods to Lori in thanks. After a few seconds the barrage stops as the Red and Blue Teams answer the salvo, then Shahidi radios to both teams to hold their fire.

As the rancid smoke from the lab explosion starts to reach their position, Costner calls out, "This is police Lieutenant Michael Costner. You men are cornered with no way out. Throw out your weapons, walk out slowly with your hands in the air and you can avoid dying. You've got 30 seconds to comply. Because in 31 seconds, we are exiting the building and locking the doors. You'll either die from the smoke or get burned alive."

"Hope it works," Lori says smiling at the ploy used by Costner. She is starting to like this guy.

Several silent seconds pass, then a voice, "Alright, here are our guns." Weapons start being tossed from the makeshift barricade. "We're coming out. Don't shoot," the voice is a pleading command.

"No one will shoot if your hands are empty and in the air," Costner yells.

One by one the trapped men start coming out with arms raised. The smoke from the lab fire is starting to cover the entire warehouse and approaching sirens can be heard. Fire can be seen engulfing the crates and boxes along the aisle that Lori and Costner just came down.

The suspects are quickly cuffed and led out to awaiting vans. The firemen are running into the warehouse to try to control the blaze.

On the outside, with police and firefighters scrambling about, Lori can sense Costner behind her, a little too close.

"I'll need to consult with you about this operation before making my report. Especially, the possibility of excessive force being used," he whispers.

They both know that he has no authority to evaluate her performance. Lori would have normally told the guy to take a hike, but something about Costner makes her smile. She answers, "A consultation before submitting reports sounds okay. Is there any other reason for your request, lieutenant?"

He smiles and says, "After this raid's debriefing session, would you like to get a cup of coffee?"

Lori finds that she can't stop smiling and says, "I would, but I want to check on Brenda to see how she is doing."

"Brenda?" Costner asks.

"Sergeant Brenda Cervetti, she took one in the vest during this raid. Could I get a raincheck on the coffee?" Lori explains.

"No problem with the raincheck." Handing her his card, he adds, "Call me to let me know how she is doing and to set up coffee."

As she turns, Sergeant Shahidi walks up to her saying, "You took a chance jumping up like that and pulling me behind the crate. You saved my life in there sergeant. Thanks."

"We watch each other's backs. That's what good cops do," Lori replies humbly.

Shahidi smiles, then looks directly at Lori and says, "I have been in combat, before being a cop. What you did was very brave."

The raid de-briefing is at the Precinct 13 squad room. Lori is a bit surprised that Mike Costner does not sit next to her. She feels a twinge of jealousy that he is sitting in the back between a female officer from the 13th and Regina Boris of her squad. It surprises her that she feels even more jealous when Costner leans towards Boris and says something to her. Boris smiles and nods.

"Maybe it's wondering about her friend Brenda that is messing with her," Lori thinks.

When Captain Richard Lefler enters the squad room to begin the de-briefing session, Lori immediately gets into her "professional" demeanor, including blocking out any thought of Costner.

As team leaders, Costner and Lori are eventually left alone with Captain Lefler to evaluate some details of the operation.

Upon leaving Costner reminds Lori, "Definitely let me know when you can meet up. Okay?"

Lori gets that same warm feeling again and can't stop smiling. "Okay," she says.

Double Date

Lori pulls her SUV into a guest parking spot at the tall apartment building. Taking the bag from the front seat, the contents clink as she gets out of the car. The Halon parking lot lights cast an orangey glow as she walks to the back door of the building. Pressing the button on the microphone to the right of the door, she says, "It's me," after a voice says "hello."

The lock clicks and Lori swings the glass door out as she enters. The brightly lit corridor leads to a bank of two elevators. She gets one quickly and goes to the sixteenth floor. At the door numbered 1645, Brenda greets her after a "shave-and-a-hair-cut" knock.

Once inside, Lori holds up the paper bag saying, "Thought we should double date tonight." She walks over to the kitchen island and places the bag on the counter. Pulling out a bottle of Pinot Grigio, Lori announces, as she looks at Brenda, "For your pleasure, let me introduce you to Mr. Timberlake." Taking the second bottle of Moscato out of the bag, Lori announces, "And for my date, meet Mr. DiCaprio."

With a big smile, Brenda applauds saying, "A perfect double date! We have not done this since we used to smuggle wine into the dorm at the academy. Great idea!"

Lori looks at Brenda with a bit of concern. "You seem a bit stiff from that shot to your vest. Take a seat. I'll get us a couple glasses," Lori tells Brenda.

Brenda takes a seat at one end of the large sofa in her living room. Lori momentarily follows carrying two large stemmed glasses brimming with wine. She also sits on the sofa.

Looking directly at Brenda, Lori asks, "You doing okay?"

Brenda takes a sip of wine. "Just a little sore. That's all. It's nothing. This wine will quickly ease that condition."

They both salute with their glasses and take a much bigger sip.

"I'll tell you one thing that was definitely more fun when we were at the academy, dating," Brenda declares.

Lori nods her head in agreement. "Dating was fun back then. Now it's a big hassle."

Brenda smiles and they clink glasses. "Thank you for coming over. This is great! Why haven't we done this more often?" she ponders.

Lori thinks about this for a few seconds, then says, "I know. We get caught up in so much stuff now ..." She lets the thought fade.

A few minutes go by with neither saying anything. Because they are such close friends, the silence is not awkward, but natural. They each take a few more sips of wine.

Brenda says, "Getting through the academy was so much easier because of our friendship."

"Yeah, the instructors called us the three musketeers ... or was it stooges?" Lori jokes.

"Have you heard from him? I haven't," Brenda says as she gets up to pour herself more wine.

Lori looks up at Brenda. "No." She also gets up and walks to the kitchen island.

"It's been years." Brenda re-fills both their glasses.

Lori takes another sip of wine. "I treated him badly. Back then I wanted excitement, not commitment. Ellis seemed too ..."

"Nice," Brenda finishes Lori's thought. "Commitment and loyalty don't seem so bad now. So many of the guys are such assholes," Brenda adds.

"Yeah, I've certainly met my share of those," Lori agrees.

As Brenda opens a kitchen cabinet door, she says, "I've been saving these for the right moment." She then holds up a family size bag of Cheetos10 and adds, "We need these."

"Wine and Cheetos, why didn't I think of that!" Lori applauds.

They return to the sofa. Brenda takes two DVDs out of the end table drawer and holds them up to Lori. "Which way we heading tonight? 'Friends with Benefits11' or 'Titanic12'?" Brenda asks.

Lori pretends she is in deep thought, then says, "Friends. After all, it's your place, and he's your date tonight."

While Brenda prepares to put on the DVD, she says, "Oh, by the way. While I was at the emergency room getting checked out, the good Sergeant Shahidi of the 13th dropped in to see if I was okay."

"He's a good man. Handled himself very professionally today," Lori adds.

"He had very good things to say about you ... like you saved his life! Girl, why didn't I hear about this from you?" Brenda kiddingly chides.

Lori deadpans a stare at Brenda. "All in the line of duty. Nothing more."

Brenda continues, "Mmm hmm, well, the fine Sergeant and I are going on a date Saturday. So thank you for saving his ever-so-nice butt."

They both laugh. Each takes a sip of wine and a handful of Cheetos as the movie credits begin to roll.

Lori and Costner

The sky is just starting to get dark as Lori walks to the Dining Car1 diner. Costner is waiting outside at the front steps.

"Glad you good make it, Lori," Costner greets her with a broad smile.

"I was looking forward to it," Lori replies smiling.

(Continues…)

---

Excerpted from "Pillow Talk"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Tom Preschutti.
Excerpted by permission of Black Rose Writing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

---

Editorial Reviews

"Full of action and numerous dead bodies." –Midwest Book Review

“…an ingenious, inventive thriller and page-turner about power, drugs, sex, corruption, and secrets that can destroy.” –Authors Reading

From the Publisher