Three years ago, Scott Drayco left the FBI after an incident involving his partner, Mark "Sarg" Sargosian. Now a freelance crime consultant, Drayco often helps law enforcement on cases, but he never imagined his estranged former partner would turn up on his doorstep, pleading for Drayco's help. A co-ed at an elite Washington, D.C., private college has been murdered, and the victim's friend - Sarg's own daughter Tara - might be the next target.
The killer left behind a puzzling music code at the crime scene, and Drayco soon learns he has two things in common with the murdered girl - a music background and synesthesia. The case takes an even stranger turn after a second murder and a second music code, with signs pointing toward a possible ritualistic killing. Then, Drayco himself starts receiving coded messages and becomes llocked in a deadly game with a madman where only one of them may come out alive.
Genre: FICTION / Mystery & Detective / GeneralDIES IRAE has sold over 1,500 copies in six months across all platforms. Its highest rankings in the Amazon store thus far:
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,198 Paid in Kindle Store
#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Good & Evil
#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Classical
#2 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Good & Evil
The man framed in the entryway must have come straight from work, wearing a traditional FBI suit and tie. Unless something had changed, those regulation-looking shoes were a pair of Justin cowboy boots disguised by the man’s slacks. His jute hair still sported a military cut, grayer at the temples, but everything else was the same as Scott Drayco remembered.
Neither of them moved for a moment as a jump-cut-movie of memories played in Drayco’s head. What would the soundtrack for that be? Something noirish with shrieking violins, to match the staccato beats of the pouring rain outside.
He waved Agent Mark “Sarg” Sargosian inside. “Better come in before you melt.”
Sarg entered and stood just inside the door as he looked around. “Think I’ve come to the wrong place. A Spartan would feel comfy here. And is that pine air freshener?” Sarg’s tone was joking, but his right hand curled and danced at his side as if fingering a hat.
“Got tired of tripping over things. I have a piano, sofa, refrigerator and microwave. What more do you need?”
“According to Elaine, quite a bit. We traded in a perfectly good bed for one of those giant four-poster canopy things. With matching dresser and nightstand.” Sarg tugged on his ear, a nervous habit that also hadn’t changed.
“How did you get here? I didn’t see your car.”
“In the shop. Took the train to Union, then a cab. It’s waiting down the block.”
“Don’t expect to be here long, I take it?”
“Depends on you. And your answer.”
