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10-30: Payden Beck Crime Thriller, #1
10-30: Payden Beck Crime Thriller, #1
10-30: Payden Beck Crime Thriller, #1
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10-30: Payden Beck Crime Thriller, #1

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In every murder investigation, there are rules—how fast you learn them can mean the difference between life and death.

  • WINNER: Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Winter 2020 - Best Crime Fiction
  • FINALIST: Page Turner Awards 2021 – Screenplay Awards

"With some utterly believable characters, a unique storyline and a well-paced mystery, this is a heart-stopping tale that will enthrall any reader." ~ Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, Anne-Marie Reynolds (5 STARS)

Payden Beck begins his career as a police officer, eager to serve. At the end of his first week, his field-training officer, Richard LaMont, invites him home for dinner, introducing Payden to his eccentric, much-younger wife, Ana. Ana approves.

Richard is called away to work during Payden's visit, but Payden is happy to stay and watch over Ana. Their weekend is pleasant, sterile. Richard approves, as well. But, when Richard is found dead in his home Monday morning, Payden's time spent with Ana—and their chemistry—make Payden the prime suspect.

The more Payden learns of Richard's life—with Ana's assistance—the deeper the mystery of Richard's murder becomes, and every revelation leads to greater confusion. Things can seem perfect... even when they're inescapably horrifying.

EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS the first novel in the award-winning "Payden Beck Crime Thriller" series, from the same author who brought you such greats as fiX, Home, and Missing Pieces. And be sure to follow right up with the next books in this series: Dormir, Bad, and Go. [DRM-Free]

 

LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 1, 2019
ISBN9781622532155
10-30: Payden Beck Crime Thriller, #1
Author

Michael Golvach

Ever since I was able to read, I’ve had a book (or a comic book in the early days) in my hands or on my person. I grew up in a non-digital age, in a home with one telephone that everyone shared, one television that no one watched, and in which movies were a luxury. Aside from radio theatre, books were my best non-human friends. My love of reading never died. When I was 8 years old, I drew my first series of comic books. They were terrible, but I still love them. To me, they represent the moment the wise-old-man inside my little boy’s head finally made me aware that I loved to create. As it turned out, I enjoyed writing much more than I enjoyed drawing, but I’ve spent most of my life doing some form of creative work. And when not, I’ve worked some boring jobs in very creative ways. To this day, I love to write and to share my creations with others. I’m the guy who will watch a good movie twenty more times, if it means I get to introduce it to someone else and participate in their joy of discovering something entertaining or valuable. I can’t be quite so intimately participatory with my own writing, but I do love to know that I’ve brightened someone’s day, made them think, feel or—at the very least—provided them with a welcome distraction for a while.

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    Book preview

    10-30 - Michael Golvach

    Copyright

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    ~~~

    10-30

    Payden Beck Crime Thriller – Book 1

    Copyright © 2019 Michael Golvach

    ~~~

    ISBN (EPUB Version): 1622532155

    ISBN-13 (EPUB Version): 978-1-62253-215-5

    ~~~

    Editor: Becky Stephens

    Cover Artist: Sam Keiser

    Interior Designer: Lane Diamond

    ~~~

    PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

    At the end of this novel of approximately 73,158 words, you will find two Special Sneak Previews: 1) DORMIR by Michael Golvach, the second book in the Payden Beck Crime Thriller series, and; 2) INLET BOYS by Chris Krupa, the first book in the PI Kowalski series of detective murder mysteries from Down Under. We think you’ll enjoy these books, too, and provide these previews as a FREE extra service, which you should in no way consider a part of the price you paid for this book. We hope you will both appreciate and enjoy the opportunity. Thank you.

    ~~~

    eBook License Notes:

    You may not use, reproduce or transmit in any manner, any part of this book without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations used in critical articles and reviews, or in accordance with federal Fair Use laws. All rights are reserved.

    This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only; it may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to your eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    ~~~

    Disclaimer:

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or the author has used them fictitiously.

    Books by Michael Golvach

    ~~~

    PAYDEN BECK CRIME THRILLER

    Book 1: 10-30

    Book 2: Dormir

    Book 3: Bad

    ~~~

    OTHER BOOKS/NOVELS

    Bloody Gullets

    fiX

    Home

    Missing Pieces

    Transmissions

    ~~~

    mikegolvach.net

    What Others Are Saying about Michael Golvach’s Books

    ~~~

    10-30:

    "Michael D Golvach’s 10-30 is a ‘Riveting Crime Mystery.’ Payden Beck has graduated from the police academy and is starting his first week under one of the most experienced officers, Richard LaMont. At the end of the week, LaMont takes Payden home to meet his younger wife, Ana, and when LaMont is called into work, Payden stays behind to look after Ana. The weekend passes in peace but on Monday morning LaMont is dead, found at his own kitchen table. While Payden cannot be a suspect, things are about to take a nightmarish turn for him. LaMont was a very private man and, together with Ana, Payden is about to find out why. Nothing is ever as it seems and secrets can never stay hidden forever. The deeper Ana and Payden slip into the investigation, the more confusing things become and events take a horrifying turn. Will they solve the mystery of Richard’s death? What they uncover in their quest could put their lives in danger.

    "Michael D Golvach’s 10-30 really did make for riveting reading. This is a thriller that takes you on a journey you will never forget, a story with many twists and turns, a great deal of suspense and not a small amount of intrigue. It is an intense read, not one you should take your attention off for a single minute and, believe me when I say it, this is one story you will not want to put down. Mr. Golvach uses descriptive prose that puts you right there in the middle of the action. As the mystery deepens, you are pulled deeper and deeper in so there’s no getting out until the end. With some utterly believable characters, a unique storyline and a well-paced mystery, this is a heart-stopping tale that will enthrall any reader." ~ Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite

    ~~~

    Dormir:

    "I was excited to see Golvach’s contemporary crime novel, Dormir, pop up on Reader’s Favorite review list; doubly so when I saw Payden Beck (he of 10-30 fame; the novel that introduced Payden to a worldwide audience) was the lead character. I’ve read several novels and stories by this multi-award-winning author and none have disappointed—au contraire. Golvach digs deeply into his character’s psyche to bring out those traits of good and bad that everyone carries within. Payden isn’t an angel, far from it, but like most people he overcomes his inner devils with an innate sense of right and wrong, a strong belief that victory over evil requires fighting fire with fire, no holds barred where self-sacrifice is a given. Dormir is a faced paced crime thriller and at the same time an innocently pure love story between an old man and a thirteen-year-old girl much wiser than her age. Few novels can create the strong emotional response that brings tears to my eyes, Michael Golvach has written a story that did and this isn’t the first time he’s done it. I first ‘met’ Michael through his short story horror collection, Bloody Gullets, a fascinating psychological and bloody horror feast. He surprised with his crime thrillers and impressed me with his versatility in crossing genres while always working in an emotionally charged undercurrent. I can’t wait for his next surprise." ~ LAS Book Reviews

    ~~~

    fiX:

    "Golvach’s skill in creating an illusory scene that reeks of reality is unparalleled by anyone I’ve read in the past, except the indomitable Edgar A. Poe. His characters come alive as everyday people with talents and shortcomings, trying their best to survive a hostile environment and eventuality that grows weirder and more complicated with every turn of the page. So much goes on, so fast in this story, it’s impossible for me and my meager talents to describe. How Golvach keeps it all together and pulls every unimaginable facet into a tightly woven, beautifully executed story is beyond me. But you can trust me on this; you will never see what’s coming, and that makes FiX a must-read story for every fan of paranormal/horror thrillers, crime mysteries and, believe it or not, a love story." ~ Lex Allen for Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards

    ~~~

    Home:

    "A slick, stylish and disturbing supernatural thriller, Home is the latest release from Michael Golvach that once again sees him delving into the darkest depths of the human psyche. Delivering an exacting plot and noir narrative underlined by magical realism Golvach sets out to engage our senses and does so with consummate ease. A superb example of how to manipulate readers on an emotive level Golvach’s Home veers between the haunting and brutal and when it comes to originality it doesn’t get any better.

    "Avoiding the temptation to concoct prescriptive characters he shows us, without compromise, the depth of their conflict and the totality of their emotional angst in uncompromising prose and pin-sharp dialogue that brings Alexis, Marlon and Anson to life. On the immediate level Home might lean towards paranormal romance but with Golvach modulating tension and pace rapidly gathering momentum Home works well as both supernatural thriller and paranormal suspense as he weaves illusion and reality in a way that is both cutting and clever. There’s no wanton wittering with Golvach and from the very first page, readers will find themselves settling in for a genuine page-turner." ~ BookViral Reviews

    ~~~

    Transmissions:

    "I’ve read several of Michael Golvach’s novels and short story collections. From gruesome horror to mind-boggling mystery to twisting, turning plots in detective/crime stories. Each of these novels and stories contained everything a reader could ask for... characters that you hated, loved or felt indifferent to, scenes that reflected great amounts of verisimilitude, as well as plot and sub-plot lines that kept you on your toes while turning the pages as fast as you could eager to see what’s next. I’ve lost hours and hours of sleep, but it was always worth it.

    "Transmissions is different. Oh, it has everything mentioned above. It’s a page turner, it’s a wicked ride through terrifying scenes of the occult, time and space; a story that is horrible and beautiful rolled into one—in other words, a typical Golvach novel. What made it different is the romance. As stated in the synopsis, it’s a romance from afar; a romance of memories and lack thereof. It’s a genre bending mystery, horror, occult, love story that, for the life of me, defies adequate description. It’s a story that Alfred Hitchcock or Rod Serling in his ‘Twilight Zone’ would present, and it is a story brilliantly orchestrated and narrated as only Michael Golvach can." ~ LAS Book Reviews

    BONUS CONTENT

    We’re pleased to offer you not one, but two Special Sneak Previews at the end of this book.

    ~~~

    In the first preview, you’ll enjoy the Prologue and First 2 Chapters of Michael Golvach’s DORMIR, the next (second) book in this Payden Beck Crime Thriller series.

    ~~~

    ~~~

    OR GRAB THE FULL EBOOK TODAY!

    YOU’LL FIND LINKS TO YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER HERE:

    PAYDEN BECK CRIME THRILLER Series at Evolved Publishing

    In the second preview, you’ll enjoy the First 2 Chapters of Aussie author Chris Krupa’s THE INLET BOYS, the first book in the P.I. Kowalski series of detective novels from Down Under.

    ~~~

    ~~~

    OR GRAB THE FULL EBOOK TODAY!

    YOU’LL FIND LINKS TO YOUR FAVORITE RETAILER HERE:

    PI KOWALKSI Series at Evolved Publishing

    Table of Contents

    Copyright

    Books by Michael Golvach

    What Others Are Saying

    BONUS CONTENT

    Table of Contents

    Dedication

    10-30

    Prologue

    I

    II

    III

    IV

    V

    VI

    VII

    VIII

    IX

    X

    XI

    XII

    XIII

    XIV

    XV

    XVI

    XVII

    XVIII

    XIX

    XX

    XXI

    XXII

    XXIII

    XXIV

    XXV

    XXVI

    XXVII

    XXVIII

    XXIX

    XXX

    XXXI

    XXXII

    XXXIII

    XXXIV

    XXXV

    Epilogue

    Special Sneak Preview: DORMIR by Michael Golvach

    Acknowledgements

    About the Author

    What’s Next?

    More from Evolved Publishing

    Special Sneak Preview: INLET BOYS by Chris Krupa

    Dedication

    For Ute Maria Golvach,

    No son ever had a better mother. Thank you for always being there for me.

    God Bless You.

    Prologue

    My name is Payden Beck and I am not a good man.

    I don’t know if my condition is hereditary or if I’m simply a product of my environment, upbringing or any number of variables. I only know I exist to serve myself. As we all do at the most base level.

    I can’t honestly say I’ve ever been happy. But I think I might have been once.

    That was quite a story. Stories always end.

    And, while some people on this earth derive meaning—take away some good or some lesson—from events that occur to them or they make happen, for me every story’s end is a zero-sum game. Nothing is gained without something lost. Sometimes it works contrary to consensus. Sometimes what’s gained is the negative. The game is the same, nonetheless. The rules don’t change to suit any man.

    I was raised by a father who was a good man. My mother never existed to me. She left my father long before I can recall and my father was always the loser, where the game was concerned. But he taught me, through his actions and words, how to be a good and decent human being. And he encouraged me when I mimicked his actions and regurgitated his philosophy. I never told him he didn’t make a difference. I never told him it wasn’t his fault.

    If you can feel sympathy for me, and you don’t believe my initial statement to be true, you may be right. I lack the properly-functioning moral compass most people take for granted. And I do try to impersonate my father. To act like the good man he was. Perhaps, one day, the repetition will break me and turn me into the good and decent human being he wasn’t pretending to be. I only know what I feel and what my mind tells me is true.

    My name is Payden Beck and I am not a good man.

    One day, this world may prove me wrong. I doubt that will ever happen. I don’t feel good about it and I don’t feel bad about it. I simply accept it. It just is.

    My name is Payden Beck and I’m still waiting.

    I

    Payden Beck sat in the passenger seat of the city police cruiser with his field training officer Richard LaMont. They’d barely spoken a word since they’d been slapped together, almost as an afterthought, during morning roll call at the beginning of the week. Payden had shown up on his first day where they’d told him to and when they’d told him to, feeling exactly how they’d told him to. Aside from meeting a few other rookies who shared his misery, nothing much had changed in his first five days on the force.

    The salty bulldog Payden had been stuck with, Richard LaMont, didn’t like to talk. He just did. And he did with enthusiasm that crossed the border of disturbing. He didn’t have stories to tell about himself or the job. He didn’t have advice to give him except bone up on his typing skills and keep his eyes open, watch and learn. Though he was a homicide detective, Richard only talked about himself in the sense that he was a police officer, like everyone else on the force. Richard was older, in his mid-fifties, and close to the finish line but he wasn’t interested in grinding out his days and making it home to what the other, more experienced, officers at the station called his ‘little girl’. More like his ‘little woman’. A beautiful wife who was far too young for him, at twenty-three years, according to those definitely-interested officers. The running joke was if the job didn’t kill him, she would. He was in no shape to keep his young, energetic wife satisfied in bed. Why she married him, no one knew. No one, in fact, had any idea how they’d found each other.

    Payden considered asking Richard about the pictures of himself and his wife he kept on his desk. About why she wore spot make-up in all of them. Always in different places. Especially the ones where it looked like she coated it on her arms and around her collarbones. But he didn’t want their relationship to start with mixed feelings, confusion or doubt and, according to the talk he heard around the station, Richard was a personal guy. Which meant he didn’t like to talk about his home life either.

    Today, he would have asked one of the other officers at the station—probably his academy friend, Bryan Verrill, but certainly not Bryan’s FTO, Franklin Dodge, who treated him like garbage for no reason—about the beautiful young woman in the pictures, but Richard had arrived early. Right when Payden worked up the guts to open his mouth and pretend he belonged there.

    At twelve thirty, they’d just finished eating a quiet meal together. Payden brought a sack lunch but threw it away when Richard advised him if he wanted to be a real cop he’d grab a dog or two with him around noon and quit eating the kind of food food ate. When noon rolled around that day, Payden wasn’t surprised Richard hadn’t been talking his way around suggesting he was going to buy him a ‘welcome to the precinct’ meal. If he hadn’t had money on him, it wouldn’t have been the worst thing that ever happened. Tossing the lunch he’d made from food that looked like it might not be going bad may have saved his life.

    They cruised the streets with the radio on. Police radio only, though the car picked up all standard bands. Richard found the constant back-and-forth between dispatch and other cars on duty soothing. They’d yet to receive a call in their neighbourhood, though Richard guaranteed Payden they would before the day was out. He’d been right every day so far. In his words, the city they worked in was a sewer he wouldn’t wish on a rat.

    So what do we do when no calls come in? Payden asked as he looked out the window. I only ask because, no offence, I’m getting a little bored watching you do our job. Not that you don’t do it well.

    We serve, Richard replied, tapping the police radio to make sure it was working. You know that. And how is watching me do my job boring? You want to be out there, fucking people up. I can see it.

    Payden turned to face Richard. No, I mean what do we do when no calls come in? No disturbance, no cat stuck up in a tree. Nothing.

    Does that happen? Richard pulled the car to the side of the road. Right next to a house that looked abandoned, though six or seven teenage males wearing bandannas and over-sized plaid shirts were enjoying the comforts of the front porch. I’ll tell you what, Beck. I’ve got a broom in the trunk. If you want, you can get out and sweep the fucking sidewalk. Serve this community like you’re so desperate to. And, though Richard had finally said something that confirmed he had a limit, there was no anger in his voice. Nothing that indicated he was annoyed by the volume of stupid questions he’d been asked over his years as an FTO. Or we could just walk up on these wannabe gangsters and take their money.

    Payden looked at the youths on the porch. No, Richard—

    My mother calls me Richard, kid. How many times do I have to tell you?

    I’m sorry. All I’m saying, Dick—

    What the fuck did you call me? Richard’s eyes went dead and his shoulders tightened up.

    Payden moved his head back an inch as he felt himself sweat. I didn’t call you anything. That came out wrong. I just—

    Richard smirked. Shut the fuck up, kid. I’m just busting your balls. How long before you stop pissing yourself? Payden looked at him, nonplussed, as Richard stared out the front windshield and chuckled. Did the switched-up code seven fuck with your head that bad?

    The code what?

    Lunch, Richard said, patting his stomach. You get a bad dog in you?

    No. Payden’s eyes flitted around. Not sure where to look. I was just making conversation. It’s getting lonely being here with you.

    Richard looked at him for a moment, trying to keep a stiff upper lip, and let out a genuine laugh. I’m not much of a people person.

    The police radio squawked. We have a two seventy-three D. Two seven three D. Four seventeen Westwood. Four one seven Westwood. Any available units.

    Richard pulled the portable radio from his belt and spoke. Car four eighty—zero four eight zero—on it. We’re in the area. The voice from dispatch double-confirmed and Richard muttered a ‘ten-four’ as he holstered his radio and pulled away from the kerb.

    Two seventy-three D, Payden said, patting his gun. That’s bad, right?

    You tell me, kid. Didn’t they teach you that bullshit in the academy?

    It’s domestic, right?

    Richard patted Payden on the top of his head. Correct. He chuckled. Just say what it is. Only use codes when you’re fucked and got no time to talk. And for shit like ‘ten-four’ that never goes away. Thank truckers, country music and that one piece-of-shit movie.

    So it’s—

    Domestic abuse. Violence, Richard said, throwing his cap in the back seat, motioning for Payden to do the same. You want to see some action? Can’t wait until next week? Get rid of the cap, kid. Most it’ll ever do for you is make you chase it on windy days.

    Payden threw his cap in the back. Keeping his smile on the inside. Loving the actionable advice. Thanks, Dick.

    Richard turned on the lights and sirens. Another useful piece of advice. Turn on the blinkers and horns when you need to get home on time for supper. Payden smiled. I know this couple. The old lady’s okay. She’s a doper. Her old man’s a woman-beating piece of shit. I’d take his ass down a back alley, blow his fucking brains out and write it up as self-defence, but his woman loves him, so keep an eye on her while I take care of him. Because she’ll start swinging if I lay a finger on him, no matter how bad he’s fucked her up this time. Their relationship is beyond me. Richard paused. You can still hold tight, kid. No need to get your hands dirty today. You’ve got your whole career to swim in the sewer.

    Payden shook his head and replied as Richard turned to look at him. I’m ready.

    Richard nodded. Still a glimmer of light in his eyes as they made time. His name is Anthony. Call him Tony. I have him. Her name is Sabrina. Call her ‘ma’am’. If you call her by her name, the situation will escalate.

    Why?

    He’ll assume you’re fucking her. They both smell like backed up toilets. I don’t think you could get it up for her if you’d been cut off for years, but he’ll think you’re doing her.

    Do we do a drug sweep? Payden pulled out his notepad and Richard patted his hand, pushing it down. No?

    No, Richard said as they pulled up to the residence. Another shack covered in flaking paint. Red and green. It’s not our responsibility. We’re here on a domestic. Narcotics wasn’t called in. He looked at Payden and bobbed his eyebrows. If you want to do the narcs’ job for them, that’s up to you. They’ll fight you for credit, though. They’ll win. And you’ll still end up writing the scene report.

    Payden nodded. No need.

    That’s my boy, Richard said as he undid his seatbelt and they exited the vehicle. Be ready for anything. Who do you have?

    Sabrina. Richard gave him a sideways glance. Ma’am, I mean.

    Richard nodded, took a deep breath and pounded on the door. Strangely, though the walls of the house were coming apart, no sound was audible outside. Last piece of advice for now. We don’t ever call each other by name unless the subject already knows us. Start simple. Officer. First name. Last name. If they insist, badge number. Never offer information without being asked.

    Yes sir, officer. Understood. Thank you, sir.

    Tony, Richard yelled through the door. It’s Dick. Hearing nothing, he whispered to Payden. Go around back. Watch that door. I’ll call for you. Payden nodded and moved to the back of the house. Open up. Let’s make this problem go away. He paused. I’ll give you to ten to indicate you understand me or open the door. Then I’m coming in.

    Richard wiggled the front door’s knob lightly. Feeling it turn too far as the door creaked open.

    Stay out, Dick, Anthony yelled and Richard moved to the side of the door. This is between me and my woman.

    An incident was reported, Richard shouted. I have to make sure everything’s okay. I’m going to come in and we’ll—

    Richard dropped to his knees and covered his head as a hole appeared in the front door and a second-storey window in an abandoned house across the street shattered. A deafening blast followed.

    As he shook his head, he heard another voice. Payden’s. Put the weapon down. No, ma’am. I can’t leave until Tony puts down his gun.

    Richard bashed the door open, still standing to the side. Everything secure, officer?

    Everything secure, officer, Payden replied and Richard stormed in through the front door.

    Anthony stood, pointing a revolver at his girlfriend’s head. Shaking his own as she sat on the floor.

    Call your boy off, Dick, Anthony said.

    Richard glanced at Sabrina. She, like Anthony, was looking rough. Probably beautiful before the dope became her god. Her body and face were various shades

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