Ice Cold Blood

Table of Contents

Ice Cold Blood

Chapter One | Back From Vacation

Chapter Two | Getting Resettled

Chapter Three | Back on the Job

Chapter Four | New Opportunities

Chapter Five | Body Guard

Chapter Six | It’s a Girl

Chapter Seven | The Stalker

Chapter Eight | A new Home

Chapter Nine | Another Bomb

Chapter Ten | Another Bomb

Chapter Eleven | Melody is a Model

Chapter Twelve | Another Shoot Out

Chapter Thirteen | A New Partnership

Chapter Fourteen | Marcus comes home

Chapter Fifteen | Selling The House

Chapter Sixteen | Moving to the New House

Chapter Seventeen | Another Cheater

Chapter Eighteen | Moving to New House

Chapter Nineteen | Catching the Cheater

Chapter Twenty | The Cheater Retaliates

Chapter Twenty One | The M&M Grand Opening

Chapter Twenty Two | It All Comes to a Head

Ice Cold Blood

Melody decides not to take the Job with the local police in Lewisville. The chief of police had been asking her many times to join their ranks. Being pregnant she has decided to stay as a PI. The FBI would also not be an option at this time either.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to an actual person’s, living or a dead or actual event is purely coincidental.

Chapter One

Back From Vacation

It was late spring in 1999 Melody and her husband Jim just got back from a vacation after the last case. Back in their home in Lewisville Texas, they were just settling back in. For the last month, they spent most of their time in safe houses in Lake Dallas and Corinth. The job with the FBI would require 6 months training in Quantico Virginia. Being pregnant and considering the rigors of the training Melody decided that was not an option at this time.

I was remarking how I would have to spend a week just cleaning up and dusting. The cobwebs were everywhere and all the moving around most of their belongings was scattered all about. The office also was in disarray and would need cleaning. The phone rang and I answered it. Banion residence, may I help you? Yes, possibly you can. Chief how are you doing? We just got back from vacation. Well it sounds like your vacation went well, how is the weather in Bermuda? You must have ears everywhere, Yes Bermuda was just fine and we had fun. Well one of our officers retired last week, I would have called you but I knew you were away. There is a position open and I really want you to accept it. Just a minute Cheif, let me speak to my husband. Melody, I know how you like the PI thing, I really believe you will be happier doing that. It’s your decision. Well, Chief I believe I will continue as a PI. I believe at this time with the baby coming it will be better. Okay Melody, if you change your mind down the road you know I will be happy to have you. I managed to get most everything put up while Jim was checking the outside. I heard the lawn mower start up and I guess he decided it was too high. I need to find that boy who did my lawn last year so Jim doesn’t have to. It was getting late and I went to the fridge and checked for something quick I could prepare. I tossed a few science projects out that had gone bad while we were away. In the freezer, I found some shrimp and I decided shrimp cocktails and scampi with some white rice. I made up the cocktail sauce and put some butter in a frypan to melt slowly on low. When the butter melted I tossed in some minced garlic and browned it a little, then I added the shrimp while I put the shrimp around the edge of the cocktail glass. It was ready in just a little and I went out and waved at Jim, making a motion that it was time to eat. He shut off the mower and headed for the door. We ate the shrimp and the rice with butter on it. I have not done that in a while and  Jim enjoyed it also. He went back out to finish mowing while I cleaned up the kitchen and did the dishes. I had a load of laundry running too. I suspect it will take at least three loads to get it all done. We spent the evening on the sofa watching TV and cuddling. After the news went off we went to have a shower. We both got in together washing each other’s back and having a little sex play in the shower. After drying off we went to bed and finished what we started in the shower. Jim is a wonderful lover and he knows just how to please me. I fell asleep at his side soon after we made love.

Chapter Two

Getting Resettled

We spent our Saturday cleaning and reorganizing the house. It took most of the day. But by the time dinner time came around we were both happy with our progress. I was tired and so was Jim so we just ordered a pizza. There was a six pack of beer in the fridge and I had two frozen mugs in the freezer.  When the pizza got here I cracked open two cans and poured them into the mugs. I would like to have more than just one but then I am pregnant. After I cleaned up we watched TV until after the news then went to bed. I think I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Sunday morning we were up at 8 am. Jim and I took turns in the shower. I picked out one of the new outfits I bought a few weeks ago and Jim got the three-piece suit I bought for him. We got to church in town for services. Everyone was glad to see us back. After church, we went to Dennys as usual. The main subject of discussions was about the shooting and all the stuff that went on with Bert. Some actually remembered him from school. Sad someone like that sets to do harm to others but in the end, he lost everything including his life.  We left Denny’s and Jim drove home. You know Jim, I know they are curious about the incident. I was just not very comfortable reliving it. Melody you would be callous as a rock if you weren’t I have replayed it in my mind many times, I don’t know if I pulled the trigger to harm him or prevent him from taking someone else's life. I like to think the latter but then I was really angry at him. He made threats on my husband. Melody it might be wise to talk to a friend of mine, he is a psychologist. I am not saying there is anything wrong with you however you did go through a lot of stress and I believe he can help you. I will think about that Jim. Meanwhile, I don’t want to think about it. Can we go to a movie to get  my mind off of it. Very good idea, there is a comedy, Ten Things I hate about you I would like to see. It’s playing right here in town. Well Let’s go., After the movie, we went to El Chico for dinner and then settled in at home. After the news we went to bed, both of us have a big day tomorrow.

Chapter Three

Back on the Job

The alarm went off at 6 am. We got up took turns in the shower and had cereal for breakfast. We left the house together headed to different locations. I headed for the office and Jim off to the hospital. I was cleaning up the office when the mailman arrived. He had a whole box full of mail for me to go through. I put down the duster and sat at my desk opening the mail one letter at a time. There were several bills and I put them in the inbox to be dealt with later. One letter was from a woman wanting to hire my services. I put that on my desk. I will call her later. Today I just want a calm relaxing day cleaning and catching up on things. I came to a handwritten letter and opened it. Inside it read; "Melody, you don’t know me I used to go with Bert. All he ever did was go on about you. He was absolutely obsessed with you. I finally could not take it any longer. I so I left him and he threatened to kill me. I moved to Chicago to my sister's house where I could feel safe. I loved it in Lewisville and the job I have here in a small doctors office I know I can do better there. Can you please look up where I can find a decent apartment down there that will not cost me an arm and a leg. I have gone to school here and got my degree in nursing. I am an RN now up here. I would like to seek a job there doing the same thing. Please call me at 773-555-2845 ask for Diane. I guess Bert was more messed up than I knew. I picked up the phone and dialed the number. A woman answered, Dr. Jones office. I would like to speak to Diane. Just a moment. Elevator music started to play. Then another woman came on. I am Diane, who is this? I am Melody of Melody’s Investigations, you wrote to me. Oh good, yes can you help me I really would like to get back to Texas, My mother is not doing well. I explained my position in the letter. I would need an apartment with 2 bedrooms at least. Well, I can look around for you and see what I can find. I will pay a finders fee if you can help me out. I have money to make a new start there I just can’t get time off to look. I will help you, by the way, how did you know about me? My Mom told me all about you and the trouble you had there with Bert. Okay, that explains it. I will get back to you soon. She thanked me and the line went dead. I went back to the mail and most were advertisements. I went back to cleaning and putting things back where they belonged. It was getting near noon and I was ready for a break when my phone rang. ,Melody’s Investigations. This is Doctor Banion. Then he laughed, Are you stopping, by for lunch? I would like to run something by you. I am on my way and I am, hungry, I am eating for two you know. Jim giggled and said see you soon"

Chapter Four

New Opportunities

I got in my car and headed to the hospital. After parking near the front, I went in and headed straight to the cafeteria. Jim was already there I grabbed a tray and got the salad and a ham and cheese sandwich. I got a cup of coffee paid and sat down next to Jim. There was another doctor sitting at the table I recognized him because I have seen him there before But I did not know his name. Melody, this is doctor Holliday. Please don’t laugh it really is his name. I know I had a silly smile on my face. I extended my hand and shook his. There is an office opening up the doctor is retiring, we have the opportunity to get into this office to start our own practice. I just would like to include you in this venture as a silent partner. If we pool our money together we can swing this easily. The office needs a few upgrades but it is a bargain. I assume you want me to help finance this venture? Yes Melody, it will help get it all going. Okay, I am in how much do you need? Well, the total startup with upgrades and the purchase of all his patients will be 40,000 dollars. I can kick in 15 thousand John has 15 thousand he can put in leaving 10 thousand for you. We can finance the new equipment on a payment plan. Jim, John, I have 30 thousand in CD’s and they should be mature this month. How much is the new equipment? John looked at Jim If she will put in 20 thousand then we will have a three-way partnership. Jim smiled, Melody, you are full of surprises. I did not know you had the CD’s Well I almost forgot I stared that a long time back and in the mail today I got a letter saying the CD’s will mature in two weeks. Jim looks like we have a deal. I will have my lawyer friend draw up an official contract and I will call the doctor in Flower Mound and tell him we are going ahead with this. Oh I have a question, will you need an RN over there? Well, Melody we will need at least two. My friend wants to join us she is an RN we will need another. John said. Jim asked, Do you have someone in mind? I told him about the latter I got in the mail and the lady's plight. John said it will be at least thirty days before we get this operation going. If she can get here by then we can put her on. Looks like we have a plan then, Jim added. He, looked at his watch We need to get back to work, see you later maybe we can meet at your house and go over details, Jim. I smiled and got up, and went back to my car. I got back to the office around 1:00 pm. First thing I did was look up apartments. There were some available in the better part of town and they were reasonable. One was 400 a month with utilities. Unfurnished though, but I don’t know what she has to get started. I dialed the number she gave me and this, time Diane answered. Diane this is Melody again, I found a two-bedroom apartment you may get into., It’s 400 a month utilities paid. I also have a job for you and you can start as soon as my husband and his friend get their new office open, that should be in about, thirty days. There was silence then she said, you’re kidding right? no, I am not, joking with you. Melody you seem to be able to work miracles. I will put in my notice here today and