Lapsed Values
by
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Raye focused on sprinkling in only part of the detergent so it wouldn’t over suds. She closed the lid and selected the gentle cycle. She placed the required number of coins into the slots and pushed the holder in. About the time she felt the holder return Raye looked over toward the dryers noticed two baskets of folded laundry sitting on the floor over toward the end of the row.
“That’s funny,” Raye said aloud. There had been no cars in the parking lot and there was absolutely no one around. Who would leave clean folded laundry unattended in nice baskets like those? They were out in plain sight where any one could so easily make off with them.
Raye went back up around the end of the bank of washers and warily approached the baskets. She didn’t want to get caught peering at someone else’s’ laundry, but she was curious to see what kind of clothes were in them. As she neared the laundry baskets, she suddenly remembered that there was a public restroom down at that end in an alcove. The door was semi-hidden by the bank of dryers, and it dawned on Raye that someone might be in there using the restroom. If they came out and caught her eyeing their laundry they would think she was up to no good.
Raye moved on down where she could see the top of the restroom door. It was slightly ajar so she thought she might have been wrong about there being someone else around. As she moved closer where she could see the floor near the door it was then that she saw a dark red flood coming out from under the door.
“Holy Shit! Oh my God!” Raye gasped as she slapped her open palms up beside her face. She realized immediately that she was looking at blood. She was afraid to go further, but she simultaneously felt impelled to do so.
“Who’s there? Who in the hell is in there?” Raye croaked. There were no sounds, no noise coming from that black slash that was the door crack. There was no advancing of that black pool that was, without a doubt, a lot of blood.
“By God, I’m calling the cops and you’d better get the fuck out of here, right now!” Raye screamed as she flew toward the front of the laundromat and out the door. She had made a fast, informed decision and overrode the desire to approach the pool of blood. She had always heard law enforcement officers give advice to the public to not put themselves in danger. A good Samaritan these days called 911as fast as possible and let the experts respond. Besides she knew no one could be alive with that much blood gone from their body.
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About the Book
Lapsed values
is a murder mystery with contemporary characters that must face life
situations created in part by their personal choices and values systems. It is
a tale of alternative lifestyles and those who find meaning in their day-to-day
lives through their work, families and other relationships. It demonstrates the
importance of reflecting on life choices and to not be swayed by thoughtless
deeds and impulsive actions that might betray them, and in the end betray the
betrayer.
Carl and Gusta both want a baby.
The main barriers are their chosen alternative lifestyles and values. How can
they overcome these barriers and be true to themselves?
Ted Smith and Ron Case must find
out the identity of the murder victim before they can even consider finding her
killer. This takes too much time and the trail is growing colder by the minute.
Raye
wants to know if she is truly a career woman of the nineties or whether a true
romance has come along and ruined her independent lifestyle forever.
About the Author
S. A. Walsh has spent her professional career in the administration and management of health care organizations. She has worked extensively throughout Northern California and currently teaches at a university in that area. She draws from her long career experiences for the fictional situations she creates and forms her characters from the fascinating task of observing hundreds of people.