Read Rejection: Publishing Murder Mystery (Lou Drake Mysteries) for Free Online

surprised when Rufus was not there to greet him. A whine and a jingle came from behind the closed bedroom door. Had he shut the dog in the bedroom all day? Orland didn’t want to think about the stinky mess he would have to deal with if he didn’t get Rufus outside in time to do his nightly business.
    “Hang on Rufus,” he said as he strode down the short hallway. “I’m coming.”
    Orland pushed open the door and flicked the switch on the wall, but the light did not come on. The jingling noise repeated itself from deep in the dark. Paul felt an odd sense of foreboding.
    “Rufus?”
    Only the jingle came in reply. Orland took a step. “Rufus?”
    A chemical smell struck him in the face. His eyes stung and he stepped back. Almost instantly his head swooned and Paul dropped to his knees. As he fought to stay conscious he felt the wet tongue of his dog as it licked his face.
    * * *
    The pain started in again as soon as Orland regained consciousness. His throat was raw, his back ached like hell, and his groin was throbbing in agony. He tried to reach around to investigate what was going on with his privates but his hands were bound behind his back.
    That’s when he knew he was in major trouble.
    His heart pounded as his instinct to escape kicked in. He tried to stand but he could only squirm in desperation. He was bound with duct tape at the mouth, arms and legs. Orland had the insane thought that it was going to hurt like crazy when he ripped the tape off. Then he wondered if he would ever get that chance, and he writhed even harder.
    “It’s okay Rufus,” an unfamiliar voice said. “We’re just about ready here.”
    Orland stopped struggling and lay panting frantically through his nose. He looked around and realized he was home. It was still night, or very early in the morning. He struggled but could only flop and jerk in fear. His thrashing awoke his other senses and Orland’s body spasmed with agony as his limbs screamed for relief. Sweat poured out of him and created patchy slicks where his naked skin touched the tile floor. He took a severe breath through his nostrils. Salty perspiration tortured his eyes and he coughed against his parched tongue.
    What the fuck is happening? He tried to yell but it came out as a series of muffled grunts. God help me, he silently screamed. Rufus eyed him with worry and the assailant patted the dog’s head and whispered soothing assurances. Orland moaned and the dog wagged his tail.
    “Stay Rufus,” the figure said.
    The dog walked in a nervous circle and settled on his haunches once again.
    Torturous pain roiled up and down Orland’s body. His shoulders screamed from the constant strain. He had never wanted a drink of water so badly, but there was no relief for his raw, dry throat. He surrendered to exhaustion and lay still in his misery.
    “Almost done, Rufus,” the figure said. “Not to worry boy, it’s okay.”
    The attacker grabbed the helpless Orland by the arm and dragged him across the floor. Orland found himself staring up at a yellow rope that was looped over the chin up bar he used every day to help stay in shape.
    His assailant tugged downwards on the rope. “What do you think, Rufus?” he said. “That should hold his weight.”
    No! Orland tried to howl, but it came out as a guttural “Nnngg!”
    Rufus just looked back and forth between the two men.
    The attacker grabbed Orland by one arm and forced him into a sitting position. Orland winced at the sharp agony from his bound hands and his raw throat. He sobbed in hopeless desperation as he reluctantly came to the conclusion that he was about to die.
    “We’re just about there,” the killer said to the dog.
    Orland turned his head and looked at Rufus, who met his stare with pitiful doubt in his eyes. The dog yipped and took a step forward, but the attacker hissed at him to be quiet. Orland cocked his head when he realized Rufus was not wearing his choke chain or his collar. Orland dropped his chin and