An Unladylike Murder Read online

  An Unladylike Murder

  A Jessica Sloan Murder Mystery

  Frederick Wysocki

  An Unladylike Murder is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and events are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 by Frederick Wysocki

  All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced, copied or transmitted save with the written permission or in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1956 (as amended).

  Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damage.

  ISBN-13: 978-0-9913756-6-0

  Dedicated to Denise Wysocki

  Also By Frederick Wysocki

  Frank Moretti Thrillers

  The Start-up: A Frank Moretti Thriller (2014)

  A Timely Revenge: An Anthony Rizzo Novel (2014)

  Blood Rivals: A Frank Moretti Thriller (2015)

  No Time For Fools: A Frank Moretti Thriller (2015)

  The Arabian Client: A Naomi Dolphin Thriller (2016)

  The Reluctant Spy: A Frank Moretti Thriller (2017)

  Happy Hour Murders (2017)

  Is This Goodbye?: A Frank Moretti Thriller (2018)

  Separate Honeymoons: A Frank Moretti Thriller (2018)

  Jessica Sloan Murder Mystery

  An Unladylike Murder: A Jessica Sloan Murder Mystery (2019)

  Tourist X: A Jessica Sloan Murder Mystery (2020)

  If you would like to be informed about forthcoming books by Frederick Wysocki, please visit his web site at www.frederickwysocki.com/contact

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  Chapter 63

  Chapter 64

  Chapter 65

  Chapter 66

  Chapter 67

  Chapter 68

  Chapter 69

  Chapter 70

  Chapter 71

  Chapter 72

  Chapter 73

  Chapter 74

  Chapter 75

  Chapter 76

  Chapter 77

  Chapter 78

  Chapter 79

  Chapter 80

  Chapter 81

  Chapter 82

  Chapter 83

  Chapter 84

  Chapter 85

  Chapter 86

  Chapter 87

  Chapter 88

  Chapter 89

  Chapter 90

  Chapter 91

  Chapter 92

  Chapter 93

  Chapter 94

  Chapter 95

  Chapter 96

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Frederick Wysocki

  Chapter 1

  Monday

  Jessica Sloan was waiting for her promotion ceremony to begin. Her new boss was apparently running late.

  At twenty-seven, Sloan had already logged over five years with the San Francisco Police Department. During that time, she’d patrolled the underbelly where the hardcore leather bars, porn movie studios, bathhouses and drug dens tried to hide.

  Law-abiding citizens never get to see me.

  When her old boss, the Captain of Metro Operations, Fred Hodge, told her she was being promoted, she’d been elated.

  Jess had chosen the Homicide Department even though she knew that killers covered the entire gamut of human weaknesses, from those who let their emotions get the best of them to those who preyed on others to satisfy a hunger.

  They say Homicide is the hardest department, but I want it.

  She knew those in the shadows “watched your every move, determining if you should be their next pleasure.”

  Whatever your pleasure; it’s available in San Francisco.

  For her big day she’d traded in her police uniform dark blue shirt, pants and hat for a smart dark blue jacket crafted of fine Italian wool twill with matching slacks and a white blouse.

  I finally get to wear regular clothes.

  Jessica felt it was the nicest of the loose fitting pant suit outfits she’d bought herself as a reward for earning her promotion.

  The lining on my jackets will wear out from my weapon but my back’s going to thank me for no longer having to lug around a thirty-pound belt.

  Now all she had for protection was her Sig Sauer, secured in a hidden holster and the backup on her ankle.

  Today’s brief ceremony was the start of the big step.

  Lieutenant Brown finally entered the room. No smile, no apologies for making Jessica wait.

  Fred Hodge cleared his throat, then smiled at Sloan. “For the past five years, you’ve displayed excellent communication and people skills. In the classes you’ve taken, you’ve come in the top ten percent each time. Jessica Sloan, you’ve earned the right to become the youngest female ever promoted to the position of Homicide Detective within the San Francisco Police Department.” Fred’s eyes moved to the third person. “Lieutenant Susan Brown is your new commander.”

  With an asymmetric smile that could only be described as grin-and-bear-it, Lieutenant Brown handed her a gold badge. “Welcome to the Homicide Department, Detective Sloan.”

  Jess couldn’t help but beam. “Thank you, Lieutenant Brown.”

  She took the badge and ran her finger over the shield bearing the city’s seal. It depicted a sailor, a miner, and a ship passing under the Golden Gate Bridge. Above them was a rising Phoenix.

  I’ll be the only female Detective in the Department.

  Which means I’ll have to fit in with older guys who hate technology and openly dislike having to work with females.

  Hodges leaned in and half whispered. “At least you’ll have a female boss.”

  Sloan had already been warned about her new commander.

  “Brown has a reputation for being a hard ass man masquerading in a woman’s body.”

  Without further pleasantries, Lieutenant Brown took charge. “Since you’ve shown an aptitude
for adapting to technology, I’m sending you on a two week training course on the department’s soon to be installed artificial intelligence database. The training will prepare you to be the first detective of the future, here in the most technologically advanced city in the world.”

  Another reason for them to distrust and dislike me.

  Jessica forced a smile. “May I ask whom you’ve chosen to be my partner?”

  Lieutenant Susan Brown’s eyes avoided hers. “Well now, you’ll be happy to know that he’s got the best close rate in the department.

  Damn.

  Once Hodge told her that she’d aced the final test to become a detective, Jessica had spent time in the rumor mill learning about the men she might end up being partnered with. “Are you talking about John Cutter?”

  Please tell me I’m wrong.

  The first time Cutter had been pointed out to her, he’d been hitting on a young female officer.

  The comment about him had stuck with her. “I heard his wife took him to the cleaners in their divorce.”

  Brown was surprised. “I see you’ve heard of him. But don’t worry, he’ll show you how cracking a case has been done traditionally while you teach him how to use the new technology. I’m expecting to see the two of you develop a great synergy.”

  Lovely. I’m supposed to train a stubborn old goat that probably hates women because his wife just fleeced him.

  Sensing Sloan wasn’t sold on Cutter, Brown added, “Don’t worry, Sloan. If Cutter resists, he’ll be retired.”

  Jess glanced down at the Phoenix rising from the flames on her new badge.

  San Francisco is the technology center of the world and we are about to use some of that technology to make the Homicide Department more effective.

  They’ve picked me to help them get there.

  “Can I please clarify what you’re expecting of me, Lieutenant?”

  “Go ahead and ask.”

  “You want me to be the lead in proving that the new system works and to help convince the old boys to get on board, or retire. Is that about it?”

  “That’s correct. And one last thing Detective Sloan, D.F.U.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re being given a once in a lifetime opportunity, don’t fuck it up.”

  Chapter 2

  Monday Morning – Two Weeks Later

  Jessica had spent the last two weeks in Palo Alto, learning how to use the new iPoirot system that the SFPD was about to install.

  She felt pumped that she was well prepared to show the rest of Homicide how the new system could speed up identifying murderers so they could be arrested.

  Once it’s fully operational it can vacuum up data from all kinds of disparate silos of information, aggregate, then sort and analyze it before presenting it graphically.

  It was a big day and Jessica was anxious to get started. She decided to drive her car into the city, instead of taking BART, the Bay Area rapid transit system.

  I finally get to meet John Cutter and show him my new skills as a detective. Hopefully, he’ll be open to the technology.

  As she approached the city she glanced at the golden hills with their sporadic oak trees and listened to her iTunes playlist anticipating the fog that often engulfed San Francisco.

  Since it was summer, she knew that some days the fog didn’t make it past Golden Gate Park until noon.

  As the highway curved, she saw it was a clear day.

  It’s a good omen.

  As she entered the Hall of Justice, Jessica glanced down at her charcoal grey stretch jacket with matching slacks and black blouse.

  Gotta look good.

  When she entered the Homicide Department, she reported directly to Lieutenant Brown’s office.

  “Close the door, Sloan.” Brown seemed nervous. “I understand you did well in the training. This morning, I’ve scheduled a session to introduce iPoirot to the entire Department. It’s downstairs in the training center and I’d like you to attend and listen. Afterwards, come back upstairs and I’ll introduce you to your new partner.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant Brown.”

  Jessica found an empty seat at the back of the room. She was interested in seeing how iPoirot was introduced and how the other detectives reacted.

  Lieutenant Brown took the podium. “A major software company from Silicon Valley has donated new technology to the San Francisco Police Department. One of their representatives is here with us this morning.”

  What it can do, once it’s fully operational, is going to be nothing short of amazing.

  Everyone applauded politely.

  “Before we begin, everyone should have found a non-disclosure agreement sitting on their chair. Please sign it and pass it to your right so we can gather them before we begin.”

  Cutter raised his hand. “Why?”

  Lieutenant Brown chuckled nervously. “Because we can’t have you telling one of the company’s competitors iPoirot’s secrets, now can we?”

  Jessica Sloan watched as the Detectives signed the agreements and passed them down.

  Detective John Cutter was sitting with fellow detectives Jose Garcia and George Lee.

  John is slouching more than sitting in that chair. He doesn’t understand what the system can do for him.

  Once the forms were collected, a company representative from the software developer took the podium. “The new system is called iPoirot in homage to a famous detective who was smarter than most… I’m sure you’ve all heard about Artificial Intelligence and how we will soon have self-driving vehicles, smart delivery systems and autonomous robots to do our bidding. With iPoirot, that same artificial intelligence is the foundation for the next generation of law enforcement data-mining tools that I like to call the police department’s dream.”

  The representative paused for effect. “As you all know, there are too many silos of information out there that you either currently can’t access or it takes months to sift through. iPoirot will access that information for you then connect the dots. You’ll discover prime suspects much faster.”

  George Lee spoke up. “How are we supposed to access the information?”

  “With new hardware that each of you will receive today.”

  Jessica watched as heads nodded and a few detectives actually smiled.

  “Among other things, this system can ingest video from smart phones, surveillance cameras, in-vehicle cameras and the next generation body cams which we will also be giving to each of you today.”

  George Lee spoke in a loud voice. “What about security?”

  “Your existing system is an old PC desk-based network. iPoirot is a state-of-the-art cloud-based solution that was designed to be used in the field and therefore works with all mobile devices including iPhones and iPads as well as Android and PC-based tools. And trust me, iPoirot is much more secure.”

  The representative held up a black thing about the size of a lapel pin. “This clips to whatever a detective is wearing. When you touch it, the recording starts, allowing you to capture and automatically upload everything that is said and happens, into your department’s database cloud. In turn, it will populate the murder book for the case you’re working on. Once iPoirot has helped you find your person of interest, the information will then be made available to the District Attorney. We are estimating an eighty percent reduction in the amount of paperwork from what you currently have to fill in.”

  Sloan knew that would be a huge plus for every detective.

  As the words registered, the level of noise in the room increased.

  She noticed that John Cutter was rubbing his forehead as if he was realizing the flip side of what was being presented.

  Now the Brass can review everything we do and use our screw ups against us in our reviews.

  This is more like Internal Affair’s dream system.

  Lieutenant Susan Brown stepped forward to speak again. “It takes a lot of money to make technology work, and as you all know, it's something that la
w enforcement doesn't have much of these days. I’m proud to tell you that we have been selected to be the first detective squad to use this next generation technology of database powered with artificial intelligence. It will allow us to better search, analyze and share information. It is being installed today. Once we have proven that it works, it will be rolled out to other major police forces throughout the United States.”

  Brown paused for applause.

  When there was barely a smattering, she held up about an inch of papers. “I know that all of you would rather be catching criminals and not filling out forms. Well, this technology will dramatically cut down on what needs to be entered. I was told that it might in fact be closer to a ninety five percent reduction in paperwork. This will change your job from being primarily a data entry clerk with part-time work as a detective into being a full time solver of murders. Imagine if you will, that iPoirot is a room of faceless analysts, doing your grunt work for you. It vacuums up everything that is in disparate silos of information. It will access emails, texts, social media mentions, browser histories, GPS histories, financial documents, police records, airline reservations and even telephone call history.”