A Killer's Reflection E-Book

Cheryl Bannerman

• Herausgeber: Cheryl Denise Bannerman
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 155

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

A gripping psychological thriller that takes you inside the mind of a serial killer.

The birth of a serial killer emerges in the projects of New York in A Killer's Reflection. Raised in the midst of chaos, drugs, alcohol, and sexual abuse, Douglass Randall Coleman Jr. didn't have a fighting chance. He learned early on how to use his good looks and sexuality to charm others into getting what he wanted, and then sever the relationships in blood.
After years of chasing this killer, detectives wonder how many more must die before they have enough evidence to trap him in his own web of lies.

In the end, YOU decide whether it was the abuse at the hands of his mother or another childhood tragedy that put him over the edge and turned him into the killer he is today.

Leseprobe

© 2018 Cheryl Denise Bannerman. All rights reserved.

2nd edition

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1977597793 (sc)

ASIN: B0762KSXHD (e)

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Table of Contents

Copyright Page

| A Killer’s Reflection | 2nd edition | By | Cheryl Denise Bannerman

Chapter One - Childhood Drama

|Chapter 2 – The Teenage Years

|Chapter 3 – Out On His Own

|Chapter 4 – The Rollercoaster Ride

|Chapter 5 – A Visit Back Home

|Chapter 6 – An Angel in Disguise

|Chapter 7 – The First

|Chapter 8 – Moving On

|Chapter 9 – A Fresh Start

|Chapter 10 – The Good Life

|Chapter 11 – Just Desserts

|Chapter 12 – Meet Dr. Olivia Reed

|Chapter 13 – Tara’s Story

|Chapter 14 – Let the Good Times Roll

|Chapter 15 – Body Count

|Chapter 16 – Doctor – Patient Privilege

|Chapter 17 – The Investigation

|Chapter 18 – Closing-in On the Suspect

|Chapter 19 – The Payment for Betrayal

|Chapter 20 – The Jig is Up

|Chapter 21 – The Final Showdown

| A Killer’s Reflection

2nd edition

By

Cheryl Denise Bannerman

People like to say that the conflict is between good and evil. The real conflict is between truth and lies.

~ Don Miguel Ruiz

Prologue

“Huhhhhhh, huhhhhhh, huhhhhhh, huhhhhhh!” The small boy breathed heavily, trying to catch his breath. His back pressed up against the metal fence alongside the alleyway so hard that he knew he would have diamond imprints on his back when he arrived home.

He had done something bad again, and his adrenaline was racing. Spots of blood still stained his small hands. Yet, he was smiling.

There was something exhilarating about getting away with murder, so to speak. He was sure the small dog would be okay. Anyway, he had been provoked, he had to defend himself, and there was no choice. There was never any other choice.

He wondered if his mother was home and what she was making for dinner. He would rush into the bathroom before she could see him and wash up. “Have to be clean and handsome for mama!” he murmured. He knew he was her favorite. Her straight ‘A’ Honor student with his father’s good looks, so she says. Not to mention, the ability to neva do any wrong. He was her joy, her love, and most importantly, invincible. The boy smiled again before taking off for home.

Chapter One - Childhood Drama

11-year-old Douglass Randall Coleman Jr. walked up to the 12-story brown brick building that he called his home with a spring in his step and a smile on his face. His hands were still bloodstained, so he kept them in his pockets. He noticed his brother out front on the basketball courts and yelled his name. His older brother, Charles, now 16, gave him a nod and a ‘Sup!?’.

Douglass continued up the walkway to what society named 'the projects of the inner city,' better known as the “Boogie Down Bronx.” As he approached the front entrance, he flashed his ever-so-charming smile to the young girls on the step. They blushed and giggled in return.

Stepping into the elevator, he held his breath from the stench of urine as he waited until it delivered him   to the 7th floor. Lucky number seven, he thought. And as usual, I’m just as lucky. His mama was in the kitchen making dinner, and he could slip into the bathroom before she noticed how dirty he was. He yelled out, “Hey mama!” and quickly ran down the narrow hallway.

Before Sandra Louise could turn around, Douglass was gone. She wanted to scoop him up and squeeze him tightly as soon as he came home. His report card had come, and he'd made the Honor Roll with six A's and one B unlike his brother Charles, who'd barely passed with five C's, one D and one F. She knew it was wrong to have favorites, but she couldn't help herself. Douglass was the star athlete, the winner of the Science Fair, runner-up in the National Spelling Bee, and so much more. He looked just like his daddy, and that, to her, was his best trait yet. So handsome and charming. When he flashed his winning smile, she always melted. All the girls loved him too, even though he was only eleven.

Doug looked in the mirror and flashed his winning smile...practicing for his mama. There was something in his reflection that made him wonder about his immortality. How much could he get away with undetected? Hmmmmm.

Forcing himself to look away from the mirror, Doug ensured his hands and face were clean and changed his shirt. He was ready to win mama’s heart all over again. As soon as he opened the bathroom door, he ran smack into her.

“I was just about to come in there and find out what was takin' my handsome man so long,” said his mama.

“Sorry, mama, I had to go to the bathroom really bad,” said Douglass. “Dinner ready yet?”

“Not just yet, my handsome man. Give yo' mama some sugar first! I am so proud of you!” she said as she squeezed his thin frame. “You made the Honor Roll again! Did I say how proud I was of you?” she asked as she chuckled and grinned.

“Boy, you look more like yo' daddy every day. He was so charmin' and handsome. Always had on the latest styles with some fancy hat. Ha!” said his mama.

Doug didn't wanna hear about his daddy or about his charm or good looks. Fuck that nigga! he thought to himself. He ain't neva did nothin' for mama or me. Duckin' in once in a while to take me out or sleep with mama, and then runnin' off the next mornin'.

Doug and his father always had a strained relationship because of the fact that when he wasn't around, it was bad; and when he was around, it was worse. Just the thought of him made his skin crawl and his fists clench.

“So what's for dinner?” he asked his mama.

“One of your favorites, of course! You know I always make your favorites. You are my special little man. I love you so much,” she said, smothering him with kisses and hugs. “Please don't ever leave me. Okay, Douglass?”

“You can count on me, mama,” he replied; but inside his stomach was churning. He wanted to scream and run away from the smothering. And that glassy-eyed look that she gave him when she looked into his eyes made him nauseous. It was the same feeling he got when he thought back to the memories of him and his father, when he was around four.

Charles rushed into the apartment and sat down at the dinner table, asking what was for dinner.

“We are having Douglass' favorite! It's a celebration. He made the Honor Roll again! Now hurry on and wash up,” said his mama.

“Why do we always have to have Douglass' favorite, and why are we always celebrating him and how GREAT he is? I'm sick of it!” he yelled as he stormed down the hallway to the bathroom.

“When you do something great, then we’ll celebrate you!” yelled Sandra as she stood behind her son's chair, stroking his curly hair.

Charles continued yelling from the bathroom. “I do a lot of great things, but you don't notice! You're too busy doting over Doug! And what about all the trouble HE gets into? You completely overlook it like it doesn't matter!”

Charles' face was red as he re-entered the kitchen. He was about to explode and was tired of having this argument night after night. He was seriously considering going to live with his grandmother...permanently.

“Everyone gets into a little trouble now and then.” said Sandra. “He’s a boy. And those were all just misunderstandings. Those people just 'i-deed' the wrong boy. Douglass would never vandalize a property or hurt an animal. He loves animals. Right, Douglass?”

Doug smiled his winning smile and replied “Of course!” to his mama's question. Although he hated to be called Douglass, he responded anyway. He didn’t wanna be like his dad, Douglass Sr. In his mind, he was Doug.

Charles' eyes were burning a hole through Doug in contempt. He was not buying it. He would have to work harder to get mama to see the real Douglass. In reality, Doug hated animals and could easily rip them apart with his bare hands. When the coldness of hatred ran through his veins, he could destroy anything or anyone. Mama kept a damn zoo in this apartment, from turtles and cats to dogs and hamsters, and he could barely breathe from the smell or keep himself from puking.

Douglass reflected back on his mother’s words about loving animals. He thought to himself, “No, I definitely would not use the word Love. I'm so sick of that word. Especially from people. No one really means it, yet they use it all the time...Except when it applies to me. Yeah, I...Love...ME.”

|Chapter 2 – The Teenage Years

Age 13

“Ungh, ungh, ohh, ahh, yeahhh, ungh, uhhhhhhhhh!” Doug grunted aloud as he finished his daily jerk-off. He loved it when his mom and Charles weren't home. It was better when he didn't have to hold it in. He was finally a man, and it felt great. Not that girls hadn't been checking him out already, but now he was gettin' some action. He could charm a girl into letting him see her titties, her pussy, or ass. He could even talk them into letting him touch or lick them.

His hormones were raging, and he could not contain himself, sometimes. He would have to masturbate several times a day to calm down, and even though sex was all he thought about, he was still making his mama proud with his grades. He could get whatever he wanted with a ‘wink and a smile.’ And even if there were obstacles, such as a 'No', he would still get what he wanted. One way or the other.

Tameka Jenkins found out the hard way last July. After playing in the community pool with the other kids, they went inside the building to go home and change. Since the elevator was broken for the third time in two weeks, they took the stairwell.

Doug could not help but notice how Tameka, also 13, was filling out that bikini. Damn, his penis was hard just thinking about seeing her naked. So he worked his charm and was soon getting the signal to “go.” Tameka was grinning from ear to ear from his compliments and was moving closer.

Although Tameka was grinning, she was all nerves inside. She was a virgin and had heard rumors about Doug. She didn't want to lead him on, but didn't want to disappoint him, either. She really liked him...ever since last summer.

After more charm and five minutes of French kissing with plenty of tongue, Doug made his move. First, he slipped his hand under her bikini top, and when she responded, he began to suck on the nipple.

Before Tameka knew it, he was on top of her without his swim trunks, trying to rip her bikini bottom off. Tameka screamed and tried to run away. The last words she said were, “Doug, no!” before she lost consciousness.

A friend of Tameka had found her older brother on the courts, and they called 9-1-1. Tameka was found in the stairwell naked and bloody, with Doug long gone.

In the end, Tameka suffered contusions and abrasions to the face and body, a concussion due to a sharp object striking her head, a broken rib, and severe vaginal tearing.

With no one in the projects talking, the case soon went cold.

Age 15

The officer stood with the boy at the door of the apartment with a look of boredom on his face. He's seen this sort of thing all the time; particularly with this kid: A single mother trying to raise boys on her own, usually with some type of habit, and the boys end up in the streets raising themselves.

The officer knocked again.

Four minutes later, a woman appeared at the door as if she had been asleep. She stood up straight, startled, and said, “Douglass! Are you okay?”

“Yes, mama, I'm fine,” said Doug as he stepped into the apartment to stand next to his mama.

The officer knew there would be no discipline here. He briefly summarized the charge of assault with a boy down the street. They were fighting on the playground because the boy had called Doug a ‘mama's boy.’ The boy had suffered a broken nose. The boy’s father would be pressing charges.

The officer explained that this was Doug's second charge on his record; the first being shoplifting. He would have to stay out of trouble, or he would risk going to a juvenile facility.

Sandra nodded in agreement and shut the door to the apartment. She hugged her son, pushing his face into her breasts and stroking his curls. The only thing she could think about was how “worth it” the difficult nine months of pregnancy had been with her son. It was so worth it.

After a few minutes, Doug felt sick and pulled away from his mama. He smiled his winning smile, talked away any concerns about what the policeman was sayin' to her, and reassured her with a kiss.

Sandra could not be swayed by anyone but her son, and of course, his father. She looked into her son's eyes in a way that always frightened him and said, “Who wants ice cream?”

Doug knew he had won. He was back on the ‘favorites’ list. He would beat the charges again, and his mama would continue to love him unconditionally...no matter how high the stakes.

He will get the guy’s father not to press charges, just like he did before and it would all go away. Everything always goes away.

Age 17

It was like a pillow was being held over his face. He couldn't breathe, his vision blurred at times, and he kept getting these headaches. He had to get out of this apartment. Things were just too bad.

He had taken up a new habit in addition to girls. Weed. Doug was smoking weed with his brother all the time, including before and after school. Sandra was popping more pills than ever for her “condition,” and that meant more doting on Douglass. Her stroking on my hair is worse than a million spiders crawling all over my body. I don't like being touched anymore. Ever! Even when I'm doin' some chic, Doug thought to himself.

Anyway, I'm about to graduate, and I have to figure out what the fuck I'ma do afterward. I can't stay in this tiny ass apartment with my mama. And I can't live in the projects for the rest of my life, that's for damn sure.

Charles is moving out this weekend wit his girl. He graduated a few years ago. His girl got a good job and money, and she put the apartment in her name. I like the sound of that! Some bitch who got her shit together.

Some dude came by the school the other day from the military, and I took his card. I think I'ma call him up.

Doug enrolled in the Navy that August. Although his mama was sad to see him go, she was proud at the same time. It was a new beginning for Douglass.

Age 18

5 am Morning Drill, KP duty, five-mile hikes, and constant training on the high seas was enough to put Doug over the edge, but he pressed on. Having those superior pricks up in his face constantly barking orders was testing his self-control, but he was determined to see this test of strength through. At times they would yell with such force that they would spit in his face, and he would have to fight back the urge to wipe, wash, and disinfect right there on the spot.

He was meticulous in how he kept his quarters and his uniform. Shoes were shined every morning, and his head was shaved for maximum neatness and order. If he could just stick to this regimen, he could get out of here in four years without a hitch.

Although his grades were still high, he was having a hard time focusing in his classes, as well. His mind told him that the students around him were examining him, thinking he was 'strange' and trying to read off of his paper during exams.

“Every day I am constantly dealing with peers' jealous behaviors and comments, roommates stealing my stuff, and conflicts over women. I even started locking up my stuff during the day and at night,” Doug mentioned to a peer on the ship. (More than a peer, supposedly, but a friend.) Kyle was almost like a brother or confidant to him. Kyle didn't look at him strangely or judge him when he told him his deepest feelings. In fact, he sometimes had the same thoughts, feelings, and urges as him. He was the closest male friend Doug had ever had. And, in a strange way, he felt a physical closeness or bond to him that he could not describe, although he would never let Kyle know this.

Doug's headaches were getting worse as the years went on. He suffered from not only strong paranoia, but was also hearing voices in his head. His pride and past experiences had caused him to distrust doctors at a young age, and he believed that asking for help was a sign of weakness. At least, that's what his dad used to instill in him; so going to some shrink was not an option.

Kyle had another solution. He wanted to help his friend. A few pills here and there would help maintain the situation and keep him leveled (while still allowing him to function normally, of course, without causing suspicion). Everyone did it. The pills were easy to get and were not that costly.

Although Doug was no stranger to Jack Daniels or any other bottle of the alcohol persuasion, drugs other than weed were new to him. He was hesitant at first, but eventually the mental anguish was just too much to bear, and he gave in.