Audiobook Narrator Sample: Crime Thriller Mystery Series. Female Lead
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Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Young Adult (18-35)Accents
North American (General) North American (US Midwest- Chicago, Great Lakes)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
Chapter Three. Adele stared through the window pane of the break room on the second floor of the police station watching the street. She hadn't even bothered to turn on a light, preferring the darkness, watching the night move on the other side of the glass for her. It was as if time had frozen. She felt glued to her chair, her hands shaking badly where she clasped them in her lap. No one else was in the break room, an empty couch, an untended vending machine, an abandoned microwave were a little more than props in the dark room behind her. She stared through the window as headlights flashed against the glass. Small droplets of rain tempted the night sky, the clouds above paris, not yet deciding to drench the nighttime pedestrians and drivers. Adele twisted her shaking hands in her lap again, closing her eyes briefly as another flash of headlights illuminated the inside of her eyelids. She hated this, hated sitting here doing nothing while that little monster pranced around the interrogation room, just one floor below. But what could she do? Nothing? She couldn't change the laws of France. Couldn't change their extradition policies. She should have demanded a closer look at robert's case, should have forced Executive Fuko to allow her closer access. She knew the agent investigating robert, Henry's murder. A good agent by the name of Marie Louise. One of the older investigators. The fledgling DGS I had recruited at its inception, but still agent Louise. Hadn't found anything to tie physical evidence to the spade killer. If anyone had, he wouldn't have been left uncuffed. They would have been arresting him that very moment. Instead, he had been allowed to sit across from her taunting her. She shivered, staring out the window into the nighttime streets, desperately running through her options. Angus was dead. The grief of this hadn't even settled yet. In a competition among shock, Rage and pain. She at least now knew which one occupied most of her thoughts She should call Angus sister. It would be the right thing to do. But what would she say? What could she sorry? Benny? But your brother is dead because of me and no, he didn't go easy. How tortured for hours. Mm hmm. All because of me because of stupid, useless little Adele. She twisted her hands again, her skin so cold to her touch. Perhaps it wasn't the room though the chill almost seemed to come from within as if her very blood had decided to turn to ice. She opened her eyes wide again, watching the city on the other side of the window, almost willing it to rain if it rained the streets would clear clear streets meant fewer people, fewer people meant less danger. She couldn't keep everyone safe. Every car, every pedestrian, every cyclist, each one passing by beneath the night and the safety lights only gave her more anxiety. Each of them had a responsibility. Each of them nearly out of reach, her hands unclassified in her lap and she leaned forward, the wooden chair creaking from the motion. She held her head in her hands, feeling a loose strands of her blonde hair poking between her fingers, causing them to itch. She had to connect the painter to roberts case she needed to call Angus a sister. She had to make sure her father was safe. He was in paris after all. A jolt of panic flashed through her. What if that was the spade killers next destination? What if he finished what he started? He'd already gone after her father hunting him. The sergeant had been too quick, Too strong for the small monster, though he'd thrown the man bodily through a window. If Adele wasn't much mistaken, the spade killer still had a bit of a limp, though he'd been sitting, he preferred his right side. She smiled despite herself. Not a humorous expression, nothing mirthful about it, simply a leer. The same sort of Lear he'd fixed on her across the table. Her father had won that round, had thrown the little rat as he called the man out his window. The sergeant wasn't even scared. She wasn't sure anything could scare her father. The door suddenly clicked behind her. She felt another presence entered the room. She didn't flinch, didn't move, hoping with the lights off, the figure behind her would just take the hint and find another break room Instead, though she heard the door shut again. The lights remained off, but footsteps approached from behind her. She sighed, lifting her head from her hands and half turning to see who was disturbing her ruminations. American princess! Are you okay? John's voice spoke in the dark the moment she heard it, Adele went stiff. The last person she wanted to see her like this was john, he was so strong, she had to be strong, but now everything was crumbling around her. She couldn't keep it together. Agent Renee would have known how he would have figured out a way to keep her safe. He had been the first person to lay eyes on the spade killer after all, he'd even saved a victim. A factory worker, john had done what Adele had never managed to. And now there she was trembling in the dark and there he was coming to check on her. She felt in a rational flair of frustration, but just as quickly it faded as a warm hand pressed to her shoulder. She stared at where john's thick, callused fingers rested. He didn't say anything further. Standing there, the warmth of his hand against her, his shadow stretched over her, encompassing her much smaller form in its entirety, as if his very shadow wanted to embrace her to protect her. He always did. That didn't he protect john was hardly the nicest nor softly spoken. He was gruff, dangerous, downright rude at times. But people who saw this and didn't look further were mistaken. It had taken Adele sometime, but she knew Agent Renee, She knew john. He would give his life in a heartbeat to keep her safe. He would give his life to keep her happy. She knew this much. He'd done it again and again. Ruff, speak rude gestures, uncouth rule breaking. All took a backseat to the sheer loyalty of Renee. She stared at where his fingers rested, feeling a sudden urge to cry. But something else about john, his strength required strength. It demanded it. What was that phrase again? Iron sharpening Iron robert Henry had often quoted this to her. No, she murmured at last, sitting in the dark, surrounded by the shadow of her partner. I'm not okay, john grunted. I wouldn't be either. She turned fully now, staring up at him, meeting his eyes. The tall Frenchman looked down at her, not smiling, not frowning, just watching his lips didn't participate in the expression at all. Rather seeding the role to his eyes. These glinted fixed on her, full of compassion, but also as deadly as she'd ever seen. A killer's eyes, but a different type of killer. She had a monster on her side too. A strange thought. one. She would never speak out loud, but it was true. She knew it. She'd seen it, john was dangerous but dangerous on her behalf. I have a coffee, john said quietly. He nodded towards the microwave. She glanced to spot a single styrofoam cup sitting on top of the appliance. I'm okay, she murmured thanks. So john said carefully, leaving his hand on her shoulder, but peering out the window Now the traffic lights illuminated, the scar creeping up from his chest, along his neck to the underside of his chin like ivy. His handsome, bold features stood out against the dark break room. A single strand of his bangs had fallen past his left eye dangling against his cheek. He reached up, brushing the hair back, but it fell again a second later and he left it. So, Adele replied, nodding. So he's here now. We know him. We'll be watching him. Everyone will. He killed Angus. I who, I'm sorry. I don't know that name. Angus. He was an old friend of mine. The little demon flew to the States just to kill him. Just so he could watch me here, john let out alongside, causing the strand of hair to lift and fall again. I see. Damn it! Adele just nodded, biting her lip, feeling a sudden welling of emotions. You cared for this, Angus? Adele looked at john, not like that. Not anymore. I wasn't asking for me. I was asking because I'm worried about you. This monster has been hunting everything you love. We don't even have his real name yet. We're still looking his prints. Aren't anywhere. Not at robert's crime scene either. Adele murmured. Nothing anywhere. Nothing to tie him to the case. Right, I heard statute of limitations. Oh, Adele john sighed, his chest, rising and falling. I'm very, very sorry. She reached up, gripping his hand as if holding onto a lifeline. Her fingers pressed against his and they remained motionless. John standing. Adele have turned in her seat away from the window, presenting her silhouette to a Parisian night. He's thought it all out, john murmured, hasn't he? He knew we couldn't charge him new. We don't extradite. He knows what he's doing. Why did he come back though? Why turn himself in at all to taunt me? Adele said without a note of doubt. That's all I can see it in his eyes. That's why he's here. That's what he wants to cause me pain. That's what this has all been about. He likes watching me suffer. She winced suddenly where john's hand seemed to have subconsciously tightened on her shoulder. Sorry, he said quickly, rasping and lifting his hand, he left, his fingers trailing against hers, his hands hovering above her shoulder the same way hers had back in the interrogation room, the same way she was so accustomed to watching before the large man acted. I maybe there's another way to handle this john said beneath his breath. Perhaps we're thinking about this the wrong way. Adele turned fully now twisting in her seat, staring over the back rest. What do you mean John's hand is still hovered exactly what you think? I mean. Adele you would do that. She said, rasping lee for for what? Justice for justice. John sighed. Perhaps not. But for you. Yes. Yes I would. Adele could feel tears threatening her eyes again. She wanted to hug john Renee to scream against his chest. But what would that help? Angus was dead? Her mother dead, robert dead. Her father attacked all of them because of her. Because of her failure to solve the problem. If it came to that, she would do it. Not john, she wouldn't allow another person to ruin their life on her account. I thank you, john. She patted his hand, rising shakily to her feet. But no, not that way. John shrugged, turning and taking a sip from the coffee. He brought her as he did. His phone suddenly began to ring. Adele watched, frowning as john lifted the device over the last week. He'd been receiving calls from his child's mother searching for alimony payments. She hadn't even known john had a child, he hadn't told her, hadn't wanted to introduce her now though John frowned and said yes. In paris, yes sir. Right away where? Italy John paused, shifting from foot to foot. She's here with me sir. He paused a moment longer studying Adele as if gauging something. He exhaled for a moment. Just listening, suggesting the person on the other end was speaking for a prolonged duration. Who is it? Adele murmured john mimed a big nose and wiggled his eyebrows up in town. Adele snorted, Fuko. The executive was calling about a case, she whispered john bobbed his head. No sir John said quickly. She's fine. I can ask her. Yes, yes, I'm sure. Thank you sir. Then he hung up. Adele placed a hand on her waist and with her other reached out, snagging the coffee cup from john's hand and tipping it back. Well, she said, Was he checking on me? John shook his head. No. A case came up in italy. He wants me to take it. You just you Well, do you want to come, john said, hesitantly. I don't mind dealing with this one on my own. Where is it? Adele? Murmured Tuscany. Not too far, John paused as Adele took another steaming sip of coffee. The bitter taste against her tongue, rousing her. Actually. Maybe it might be a good idea, he said, he reached out, flipping on a light switch. Adele winced against the sudden bright glare. There's nothing you can do here, john said, still watching her. They'll keep an eye on the little rat around the clock. If you try to watch him, he'll recognize you. And if you just sit around, you're going to go insane. I am not. You're practically insane already. Adele. We both know. I'm the more even keeled of us too. Ha ha! She said, Downing the rest of the coffee with one Gulp before hissing through her teeth. That'll be the day. I can help. Don't, don't go on your own, she said, her voice shaking all at once, john watched her eyes narrowed. I'll be fine. I know, she said reflexively, but this of course was a lie. She didn't know. She knew no such thing. Agent Renee was in danger because of her. She'd put him there smack dab in the middle of a killer's crosshairs. She couldn't let him fall into danger. She couldn't let him go off on his own. Not without keeping a close eye on him. That was exactly what the little killer would want if she separated. He'd hunt her boyfriend just like he'd hunted angus. She couldn't keep an eye on everyone, but she would try still. Her father had gone around with the spade killer once. Would the little rat really want to try again. Besides, john was right. There was nothing for her to do here. Not now. Not while they kept surveillance on the killer. Besides, nothing would help Adele get back on track, like putting another killer behind bars a mind in motion, stayed in motion. Eventually she would have to hope he'd screw up. And in the meantime, she'd contact Agent Louise, demanding every single file the old agent had on robert, Henry's case. She would find the connection. Louise had missed. She had to sitting around paris with that leering man, just a floor below would only great at her like sand a case would distract her. Help her focus. She needed a win badly. A reminder that she could do this. The spade killer was just another little monster, wasn't he? Perhaps catching one of his kind would help her subconscious believe that her mind was screaming, she could beat him, she would beat him. She just needed a win under her belt. On the plane. She requests Louise's files plus it would give her every opportunity to keep a close eye on john. She stared up at the tall man, studying his features so familiar. Now she remembered the first day they met, the way he'd given her lip. Even then she thought him handsome, but sharp edged. Now now he was all she had left john and her father. Everyone else was dead. She patted john on the arm. I'm coming with you, she said emphatically did I hear correctly? Italy john side, massaging the bridge of his nose just once, he muttered, I wish we could have a case in our backyard. Adele flinched but decided not to point out the obvious. They did have a case in paris a cold one where, exactly? Adele said, tossing her styrofoam cup into the waste basket as john pushed open the break room door and began to move into the hall, leaning tower of Pisa, john said over his shoulder. Someone was hung not two hours ago. Adele wrinkled her nose, feeling her curiosity rising above her swirling sense of foreboding, her stomach still twisted. It felt like a block of ice had settled in her gut. She could solve this. She knew she could. If she caught this killer, she would catch the spade killer. It almost felt like a premonition of sorts, but also as she moved after john, she felt the all too familiar sensation of instinctual interest rising in her. Why would they call us? She said, allowing the distraction to replace other darker thoughts. A french tourist, john said with a shrug. Fuko is sending the file now. Apparently our Frenchman was hung from Holy ****. From the tower. Yes, throttled to death from an italian landmark locals are investigating. But seeing as he was french john waved a hand in a circle as if to say, etcetera, Adele nodded, falling into lockstep with her partner as they moved down the stairs towards the front sliding doors. Adele refused to look over her shoulder as they reached the first floor, refused to glance in the direction of the interrogation rooms, refused in any way to react to the many eyes watching her fixated on her movements. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction. She was a spectacle now, even among her colleagues, just like the painter had wanted his grotesque artwork displayed for the world to see, and though he hadn't cut her to ribbons as he did his other victims, the pain he'd rot still stung in other ways. Adele kept her chin, high eyes fixed on the sliding doors, john Renee didn't reach out, didn't try to hold her hand or put an arm around her, he wouldn't have insulted her in this way, not with everyone watching. Instead, though, he stepped a bit closer scowling now as he moved next to her, The two of them heading towards the door. A case in Italy would have to do, serve as a distraction. The closer she kept, john, the safer he be, she would send someone to watch her father also. In the meantime, she wouldn't be idle either. She pulled her phone from her pocket. Who are you calling, john murmured beneath his breath. Agent Louise! She replied quietly, I need everything he has on robert's case, john let out a long sigh. She couldn't tell what prompted this. Even glancing up. His expression was indeterminable. They moved through the glass doors out into the night, beneath a sky, threatening rainfall that never came promises to oneself were dangerous things, hidden oaths beneath the surface. Adele wasn't the superstitious sort, but part of her was nearly certain if she could catch this murderer in Italy then she would catch the spade killer. And if not she shivered, pulling her jacket tight in the parking lot. It wasn't worth considering the alternative