Beyond A Reasonable Doubt - Meet the Supporting Cast

Now available for Pre-Order. Like all my books, I like to give my fans a chance to pick up new novels as cheap as possible. I've set the pre-order introductory price at $.99. See links below. Release date is April 17th, so stay tuned for a huge release party involving New York Times and USA Today best selling author, M. A. Comley. We'll have some great prizes and lots of fun. If you missed the earlier posts of "meet the good guys" and "meet the bad guys" you might want to take a quick look. I've rated this book R for language, violence and rape. If you're offended by any of that, you may want to pass on this one as it's much stronger and more graphic than my usual novels. Join me tomorrow for Blunders or Bloopers and out-takes.

THE SUPPORTING CAST

My fans who have read earlier novels realize it's unusual for me to limit myself to just the protagonist and antagonist, but normally include a supporting cast that weaves sub-plots into the novel. The supporting cast for Beyond became some of my favorite characters of all time. A few of them I'm sure will find their way into spin off novels of their own.

Clifford Beaumont ~~ No one works in Corpus Christi without feeling the political power of Clifford Beaumont. Rumors associate him with the mob, but no one has ever proven it. His hands have been clean for a long time, but they're about to get dirty. Real dirty.

Favorite Quote ~~ “They all say that, son. But everybody talks. All you’ve got to decide is how much blood you want to lose before you do it.”


Drago ~~ Former henchman for Marcus Dade. A dark and mysterious man.

Favorite Quote ~~ “You can call me Tom. It’s a good name.”


FBI Agent Carl Starks ~~ Another dark and mysterious man, playing both sides. A very dangerous game.

Favorite Quote ~~ "Take care, Miss James, and don’t trust anyone.” His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. “Even me.”


Gregory Artusa ~~ Henchman for Marcus Dade. A perfect example of the darkness of night, a natural born killer whose instincts were to kill first and ask questions later.

Favorite Quote ~~ “Doesn’t have to go down this way, David.”



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Beyond A Reasonable Doubt - Meet The Bad Guys

I've rated this book R for language, violence and rape. If you're offended by any of that, you may want to pass on this one as it's much stronger and more graphic than my usual novels.

THE BAD GUYS

Michael Elkins ~~ Corpus Christi's up and coming golden boy. Michael wants to follow in his father's footsteps, all the way to the Supreme Court, and he doesn't care who he has to step on or betray to get there.

Favorite Quote ~~ I don't really have a favorite quote from Michael Elkins, but here's a scene that should tell you a lot about his character and just how vile he is.

Michael kept his back to her as the scotch kicked in, placating his tattered nerves and easing the rage inside. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad thing after all. Public sympathy would be on his side—and he’d have the inheritance. He wouldn’t have to worry about begging for campaign funds. He needed to think fast. Jenna would start asking questions soon, and he wasn’t prepared to answer them yet. A small smile played around his lips. A mother’s death was supposed to be a horrible thing, but in that case, it just might be a blessing in disguise.



William Elkins ~~ Former federal judge. Gambling addict, womanizer, and a true disgrace to the robe he wore for so many years.

Favorite Quote ~~ Once again, I have no favorite quote from Judge Elkins, but here's a small scene that gives you some insight into his character and his ego.

“You let that judge talk to me like I was some common criminal. Me! The lousy son of a bitch. When this is over, I’ll see he gets his, just like all the rest of them.”



Marcus Dade ~~ Handsome, rich, and attorney for the upper echelon of criminals. Marcus was a very interesting character to write. There were times when I wasn't sure he was a bad guy, and times when he turned my stomach. One thing I was sure of, he didn't like loose ends, and he would stop at nothing to make sure there weren't any.

Favorite Quote ~~ I'm not sure I would call this a favorite, but it was a little bit redeeming.

He had nothing but contempt for Michael Elkins, a spineless little shit that had chosen the wrong side.


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Beyond A Reasonable Doubt - Meet the Good Guys

There were so many things I loved about writing this book, but above everything else was the characters. So I thought I'd introduce them and share some of my favorite quotes from the book. I've rated this book R for language, violence and rape. If you're offended by any of that, you may want to pass on this one as it's much stronger and more graphic than my usual novels.













THE GOOD GUYS

Jenna Patience James ~~ Jenna became a prosecutor because she believed crime should pay with the strongest penalty the law allows. A strong advocate for victims, and formidable presence in the courtroom. She'll do whatever it takes to find evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.

Favorite Quote ~~ “Rape is nothing like sex. It’s a violent, angry, and terrifying robbery of your body, mind, and emotions.”

Jake Savior ~~ A sexy Corpus Christi police officer and sometimes hot head. He's waited 28 years to take down the judge that set free the man who killed his mother.

Favorite Quote ~~ “I’ve waited twenty-eight years to get you, so you know what I’m gonna do, Judge? I’m gonna spread the word around the jail that you’re a former judge. Prisoners don’t like judges. With that information making the rounds, even an old ass like yours is gonna see some real action. You’ve spent your whole life fucking people. Let’s see how you like it.”

Harry Redmond ~~ Jake's partner, who has had a secret crush on Assistant DA Jenna James for five years. A Choctaw Indian who still believes in the old ways.

Favorite Quote ~~ “You have the right to remain silent. If you give up the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will result in me beating the shit out you.”

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PROLOGUE

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me…

But He wasn’t with her.

She leaned against the cold steel door, her eyes closed in prayer. “Father, why have you forsaken me? What sins have I committed that you would punish me this way?”

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood.

“Fiank-o!” she screamed.

Her eyes flew open, and she spread her hands in front of her. Blood rimmed her manicured nails. Out of the corner of her vision, she saw the blood-soaked blouse plastered to her chest. So much blood for such a tiny body.

Ripping at her blouse, she mewed like a wounded animal. “Then take my eyes, so I no longer see the blood of my child on my hands. Take my ears, so I no longer hear the shrieks from below, the clanging of the chains.”

Silence met her cry. God was no longer listening. She sank to her knees and ripped at her hair, bordering on madness. How could they do this to her? Had she not served them well for more than ten years?

“You know what you must do, Aggie. I have seen the feux-folet. She is the child of Diablo, and she has cursed you.”

For a moment, rage blocked the pain squeezing her heart. “You!” Her eyes filled with hatred, fists clenched at her side. “You brought this upon us with your superstitions and your curses.”

“Mwen pòv zanj pèdi—you know I speak the truth. I was here when she was born without life, her body blue, her soul already beyond this world. Five years have come and gone. As she grows, so does the evil. They warned you this day would come.”

The old woman’s words washed over her like a river of ice, extinguishing the fire of her rage, leaving only a cold, still emptiness.

“I begged them, Mother. Begged for her life as her blood seeped through my fingers. I have served God, and I have served the spirits. But they have forsaken me.” She raised tortured eyes to beseech the old woman, her efforts met with stony silence and beady eyes filled with accusation. “I begged them!” Her voice tapered to a whimper. “She is only five. I have lost Catherine. Must I lose Mary also?”

The old woman knelt beside her. Taking her right hand, she pried open the fingers and closed them around the cold steel of the knife. “You can’t cure a mad dog, Aggie; you can only put it down. You disobeyed. You have been punished. Now pick up your cross, and carry it.”

The silence in the room was broken only by her whimpers; the old woman had left as quietly as she’d come. The knife lay heavy in her hand, just as the task before her lay heavy on her heart.

She rose and opened the door to the basement, ignoring the shrieks and clang of the chains. Her feet descended the steps slowly, the old woman’s words echoing inside her head: You can’t cure a mad dog, Aggie; you can only put it down.