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Click for more detail about Double Dippin’ by Nicole Garrett Double Dippin’

by Nicole Garrett
Writers Pen (Sep 01, 2008)
Read Detailed Book Description

Five lives collide on an explosive, nonstop rollercoaster ride through life-altering territory. A year ago, none of them could have known that one would be in jail, another dead, and all their lives turned topsy-turvy. Murders, kidnappings, sabotage, cover-ups, blackmail, and conspiracies catapults them to stunning heights, then bullets them down low, ultimately crashing to an abrupt end—some land on their feet, while others end up on their faces. Appearances can’t be trusted because they are all Double Dippin’ on more levels than one. Double Dippin’ follows episodes in the fast-paced worlds of a group of Chicago elites. The novel alternates the narrative between these friends, spouses and lovers until the specter of murder raises its head in this complex and vividly drawn world. Who will get out alive? Who will not? Will it be Jazz, the happily married, successful attorney? Or will it be her husband Chase, an artist with a past that he’d rather forget? Maybe a tragic fate will strike Shaun or his bubbly housewife, Asia, who is desperately trying to hold her life together. While there’s Amber, a mystery lady with a murderous past that is trying to tear her life apart. In the end, whatever happens will change each and every one of their lives forever.

An Excerpt from Double Dippin”

 

Chapter 1

Overkill

will define herself. naturally. will talk/walk/live/& love her images. her beauty will be.

Haki Madhubuti

 

Amber  October 2005

 

I look at the hand-written instructions that I’ve been given. Clear and simple. Objective: One assailant. Bedroom, first door on the right. Bring him out alive.

I put on my ski mask and night goggles and take my Glock 9mm out of my hip holster. I slowly crack the door to the house and peek around to make sure no one is lurking in the shadows before entering.

Quietly stepping inside, I squat down with my back against the wall and thoroughly scan the living room, dining room, and kitchen. When I’m certain that the coast is clear, I stand up and tiptoe on cat’s feet to the first room on the right.

The door is ajar and the TV goes off when I approach it. I try to look in, but it isn’t open wide enough; however, I hear a drawer on the left side of the room sliding on its rails.

I quickly push the door, drop to the floor and aim the gun in the direction of the moving drawer. The assailant is standing there with a gun already pointed at my head. I roll just in time to miss being shot. I pull my trigger.

Suddenly, an armed man pops out of the closet. At the same time, another one appears in front of the bathroom door. ’Oh, shit!’

There was only supposed to be one, I think as I dash behind the bed for shield. After they’ve shot their first rounds at me and are reloading, I stand and shoot the two of them.

The lights flick on. The marquis above all three life-size props, each with two bullet holes to the head, flashes the words MORTALLY WOUNDED.

’Amber, you were supposed to shoot them in the shoulder,’ she yells as she does everyday that I make it to this stage of the practice.

I lift my gun and fire three times, shooting each prop in the shoulder.

’Done,’ I smirk at the new status report on the marquis which now flashes POST-MORTEM SHOULDER WOUND.

I walk towards the door, so that I can leave the simulation suite. My headache, earache, and toothache are coming in loudly clapping and laughing.

’Well, well, well, if it ain’t the Black Widow Spider seeping her poison onto everyone in her path again. That’s what you call overkill.’

I look at the contemporary equivalent of the Three Stoogers. ’Well, well, well, if it isn’t Moe, Larry, and Curly believing that personality is a character trait afforded to the beauties, but not for the geeks,’ I motion my hand at them, ’who believe that being annoying and obnoxious will suffice.’

I attempt to go around them, but Moe reaches out and touches my stomach. I grab Moe’s wrist and twist his arm, flipping him on his back before I bring both my elbows up and drive them down with force on Larry and Curly’s shoulders. They fall to their knees as I step back and put my foot on Moe’s neck.

’Don’t ever put your fucking hands on me again. Got it?’ I look down on him and twist my foot on his neck before removing it.

Curly, who’s still on the floor holding his shoulder, looks up at me in pain, ’But we didn’t touch you. So what was that for?’

I beam my Black Widow smile, ’Just don’t like you. That’s all.’ I step around them and leave the simulation suite and head up to my room to shower. They continue to be idiots in my absence.

’Man, what size you think her waistline is?’

’No bigger than a twenty-four, I bet.’

’I’m telling you, looking up at her with that five inch stiletto on my neck was turning me on.’

’Hell yeah. Shit, she can put her foot on my neck any day.’

They all laugh.