TALKING ROCK Legs, a thirty-something single mother, has had enough of entitled rich men using her for their own purposes. To match her hot body, she creates a confident, in-charge alter ego determined to turn the tables and exploit them. She desires a life of wealth and power and when she meets Charlie Webb, a timid lawyer who is the nephew of a member of the Georgia State Senate, she realizes that 'high life' may finally be within her grasp. Her plan is to use his lack of confidence, his connections, and his ambition to make him a Senator and then marry him. To accomplish this goal, she uses her knowledge of a serial killer who operated in Georgia, Jim Coleman, who killed wealthy fathers and their sons with such skill that the murders were considered suicides. By targeting a random family first, to set the scene and to test Charlie's abilities and commitment, she then moves on to his uncle, the person she needs to eliminate in order to have Charlie appointed to fill his vacant Senate seat. Legs tips off Bill Dean, a prominent newspaper reporter, to ensure all suspicion is placed exactly where she wants it - on Jim Coleman. While the Georgia Bureau of Investigation follows the evidence on a wild goose chase, Legs and Charlie are on the fast track toward making all of their dreams come true.

Talking Rock

By Raland J. Patterson

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Raland J. Patterson
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4389-6112-5

Contents

Chapter 1. A Chance Encounter.............................1Chapter 2. Next Date......................................11Chapter 3. Plan Completed.................................15Chapter 4. Breakfast Meeting..............................23Chapter 5. Surprise Party.................................27Chapter 6. The Party......................................31Chapter 7. Supplies.......................................37Chapter 8. The Gun Show...................................39Chapter 9. An Upset Father................................45Chapter 10. A Plan Comes Together..........................47Chapter 11. Second Phone Call..............................49Chapter 12. Plan's First Step..............................51Chapter 13. Reward For A Job Well Done.....................59Chapter 14. New Revenge....................................61Chapter 15. The Plan Worked................................63Chapter 16. A Senator's Wrath..............................67Chapter 17. The Witness....................................71Chapter 18. The Boys Are Back In Court.....................75Chapter 19. A Pact.........................................77Chapter 20. The Next Step..................................81Chapter 21. The Reporter...................................85Chapter 22. Judge's Chambers...............................89Chapter 23. Another Call...................................93Chapter 24. Time To Kill...................................95Chapter 25. A Killing......................................99Chapter 26. Bill Dean Acts.................................103Chapter 27. Suspect List...................................105Chapter 28. Senator's Secretary............................109Chapter 29. Alibi..........................................113Chapter 30. New Suspect....................................117Chapter 31. Change In Plans................................121Chapter 32. Jim's Frustration..............................123Chapter 33. Another Call...................................125Chapter 34. The Set Up.....................................129Chapter 35. Dalton Sheriff.................................131Chapter 36. New Leads......................................135Chapter 37. Irene Johnson..................................139Chapter 38. Wedding Dress..................................143Chapter 39. Car Search.....................................149Chapter 40. A Visit With The Senator.......................151Chapter 41. Wedding Day....................................157Chapter 42. The Honeymoon..................................161Chapter 43. Guidance.......................................165Chapter 44. Finding A Truck................................169Chapter 45. Picking Up The Truck...........................173Chapter 46. The Fbi........................................179Chapter 47. Recon The Route...............................183Chapter 48. Trial Run......................................185Chapter 49. Second Attempt.................................189Chapter 50. The Police Report..............................193Chapter 51. Finding The Killer.............................197Chapter 52. I Want A Lawyer................................199Chapter 53. The Story......................................203Chapter 54. Hospital Room..................................207

Chapter One

A Chance Encounter

In a run-down bar just outside the Atlanta city limits, a tall blond directed the bartender, "Joe, give me another beer, you wouldn't believe the horrible week I've had."

"Legs, you know my name isn't Joe. Why do you keep calling me that?"

"Felix, give me a beer, just doesn't have the same ring to it."

"You can call me Joe if you'll tell me your real name," he challenged.

"What makes you think my real name isn't Legs? Legs doesn't have a lousy job, kids and a mortgage."

He laughed. "Have it your way. Here's your beer."

Seeing a well-dressed man sitting in a back booth, she asked Joe, "Who's that guy in the back?"

"Never heard his name, but I think he's a lawyer from Cartersville. He comes in every six months or so when he needs to get drunk. He's had six vodkas so far."

"He wants to get drunk quickly. Do you think he wants some company?"

"Drunks usually do."

She observed him for a moment. He was sitting in a large, maroon leather circular booth made to seat at least eight people. She chuckled, realizing that the booth would have been a real status symbol for the bar when it was in its heyday - at least twenty years ago. She couldn't understand why he chose that particular booth unless he thought it was the best; therefore, he didn't care that he was taking up so many spaces. Taking a deep breath, she walked up to him and said, "It looks like we're the only people here. Do you mind if I join you? I don't like to drink alone."

He looked up to see a striking woman with a firm, athletic body. "Please join me, but I won't make very good company. My name is Charlie."

She slid in beside him and said, "Just call me Legs. Why don't you think you would make good company?"

"My job always sucks, but today was worse than usual. I was up for senior partner of our firm, but my wonderful uncle, the Senator, promoted another guy."

Touching his hand, she asked, "Why would your uncle do that to you?"

"Oh, he says it was the best thing for our law firm. He says the new guy increased our business by 30% this year." Slurring his words, he asked, "What kind of excuse is that? I've been there ten years. I took over my father's part of the business when he died. The new guy wouldn't think I was promoted because I was his nephew, would he?"

She looked at the well-dressed drunk and mumbled, "Rich kid, weak kid."

Not understanding what she said, he asked, "What'd you say?"

"Oh nothing, just thinking out loud. What did you do before you took over your father's business?"

He looked at her like it was a stupid question and said, "I didn't do anything after law school. My family was rich. Why should I work?"

"I guess if you don't have to, it's okay. But if that's the case, why was this promotion so important to you?"

"Respect! I'm not getting the respect I deserve. One day, I'll show them. I'll show all of them. I could be just as good a Senator as my uncle. He can't live forever."

With that statement her interest was piqued. She ordered them another round and sat quietly watching while Charlie drank himself into a stupor. She studied the man before her. He had a receding hairline with curly hair. It was obvious he was vain because he refused to let his sideburns grow and, in an effort to appear younger, dyed his hair an unnatural jet black. Unfortunately, all of his efforts actually resulted in making him look as if he had a Brillo pad on the top of his head.

As she watched and listened, she began to realize that maybe her ship had finally come in. It was obvious to her Charlie was a weak, insecure man. With a little luck and a lot of planning, she just might be able to ride this horse into the winner's circle.

As she looked over at the pathetic little man, she knew he was in no shape to drive home. She'd been matching him drink for drink, so neither was she. She shook him hard and said, "We need to go home. Where do you live?"

Barely able to talk, Charlie slurred, "I'll show you. My car's out front."

"You're in no shape to drive! Your uncle would...