Tag: technology

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Life

Are We Too Reliant On Technology?

we’ve come a long way when it comes to the technological advances in the world we currently live in. while a lot of us may consider things like phones, computers or tv, there are a lot of other technological steps forward that we tend to rely on, and others that are relatively new.

AI writing is one of the things that is arguably new enough to not really be as widely used yet, but no so new to hopefully surprise most people reading this. so much so, are the advances in this area that i decided to see just what an AI generated article on being too reliant on technology might look like…. and here it is:

Are We Too Reliant on Technology? Time to Reflect

In this fast-paced digital era, technology has become an integral part of our everyday lives. From the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, we are surrounded by screens and gadgets. While technology has undoubtedly revolutionized the way we work, connect, and learn, it’s worth questioning whether we have become too reliant on it.
Are We Losing the Human Connection?
One of the primary concerns with our growing dependence on technology is the potential loss of genuine human connection. Social media platforms and messaging apps have made communication more convenient than ever, but are we sacrificing meaningful face-to-face interactions? It’s important to strike a balance between virtual and in-person interactions.
Digital Detox: A Necessity?
Think about the last time you disconnected from technology for a prolonged period. It can be surprisingly refreshing and liberating. Taking regular digital detoxes helps us re-establish a healthier relationship with technology. Rediscovering hobbies, spending time outdoors, and connecting with loved ones can have a profound impact on our well-being.
Finding a Balance
The key is not to demonize technology but to use it mindfully and purposefully. It has the power to streamline processes, provide valuable information, and improve efficiency. Nonetheless, it’s critical to set boundaries and be mindful of the potential downsides of excessive reliance.
The Future
As technology continues to evolve, it’s essential to adapt and find ways to integrate it into our lives without losing sight of what truly matters. Cultivating tech-literate but also emotionally intelligent individuals will be crucial in navigating the ever-changing digital landscape.
While technology undeniably enhances our lives in many ways, we need to evaluate our levels of dependence and ensure it doesn’t hinder our ability to live fulfilling, connected lives. By finding a healthy balance and embracing conscious technology use, we can harness its potential while safeguarding what makes us uniquely human.

While I cleaned that up just a little so it was a bit more readable in terms of structure, that is word for word a copy and paste from the AI created article. pretty good right? so is this a good thing, or a bad thing? maybe if you’ve followed several of my articles you would hear the difference in tone, but someone just checking in for the first time wouldn’t, and putting that together took me a grand total of about seven minutes… instead of the further at least fifteen it has taken to slap the rest of this together.

so, are we heading towards a way too automated society from creativity to job security? or do you think this is only a good thing? words to ponder indeed (and these last few paragraphs were actually my own).

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
classic debates Life

Apple Vs Android | Classic Debate

Estimated Reading Time: 7min

If you ask people this question, it can sometimes elicit some very serious reactions.

People on the side of Android will swear black and blue that the operating systems, hardware and tech in general are better on all fronts. Apple people will have pretty much all the products, have them all able to link together and point out the good features of theirs while pointing out that more people have apple chargers hanging around their homes rather than android… So, who’s right?

Well, when it comes to things like this it’s always going to be personal preference, but let’s look at some of the reasons why this is such a highly debated idea…

Android

My very first phone was android – though it wasn’t called that at the time. The debate over which was better was still in infancy as flip phones had become the major players (boy, I’m old). But as the iPhone 3 came out and we all decided if it was worth paying the money for an iPhone, that’s what I started with.

People who have android phones, LOVE android phones. I have heard people (and people very close to me, let me tell you!) who will absolutely to their dying breath claim that android is better. The main reasons I hear is the camera is much better quality, the operating system is better, more intuitive and easier to use, and that the phone’s themselves actually change and have more variety (opposed to Apple and their tendency to release an almost exactly the same phone every year).

While I can see the reasoning behind these claims, I have yet to really see that much of a difference in terms of how easy an operating system is to use. This is something that is always going to be a challenge to learn when you first switch between (even going from Apple to Android requires learning a new system). I could believe the camera part and even agree the range is definitely better for Android. But is that worth swapping everything you own so that your phone will no longer link with your other devices?

Apple

Apple was the first phone I ever got that was a plan, rather than Pre-Paid. It was a heck of a lot of money, and it was only when I got my first real, full time job that I could afford it. But man, I loved it at first setup. I have no shame admitting that I am an Apple person. I have computers, phones, tablets, watches and TV devices…. yeah, I’m one of those.

Some Android people have told me to come over to their side, trying to convince me it’s better over there, but I just don’t want to make the leap. Let me be clear, I’m not one of those people who has to have the newest model the day it comes out – actually I’m usually quite a few models behind (right now I am about 4 models behind the new release and very happy with the phone I have). But, I do like my Apple products.

Some of the main reasons people claim Apple is better, include the ability to link all your devices and having access to the same chargers for multiple products. Yes, you can do that in some form with Android, but Apple seems to do it really well. Apple is sleek, has a certain look about it that I just like. It is just as pricey as Android these days (sorry guys, but have you seen the prices on some of those Samsung and other Android models!?) and I am willing to forego as good of a camera, for the familiar operating system and sleek synchronicity. It also does actually have a great and easy to use operating system, hardware and overall look that I think is what you want from a phone!

Outcome

Until one or both of these go out of business (unlikely on both fronts really), I think we’ll be having this debate until the end of technology…. whatever side of the fence you’re on, I’m sure you have your own reasons that each is good (or bad!).

So, to keep the debate rolling, share in the comments which side you’re on – Apple or Android… Make your case!

See You in the Adventures
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction The Murder App

The Murder App | FINAL

A serial killer, technology, and a detective determined to find the truth. Come along on a murder mystery adventure, with the LAST INSTALMENT of “The Murder App” – Chapter 10!

Detective Steven Evans laughed aloud. A cruel, cold sounding laugh as Ella pushed against the restraints. Now that the blur from her head had cleared, she realised that she was tied to a metal chair, in the middle of a basement room. The Murder App killer that she and Steve had been chasing the last few weeks, the one that had killed several woman – including someone she had known in university – was standing in front of her. Her partner was a killer.

‘Steve, what are you doing? Let me go and let’s talk about taking you in.’

Steve laughed again, this time stopping suddenly and returning his face to a deadpan expression. ‘You know that’s not how this ends.’

‘Why then? Why do this Steve?’ She manoeuvred her hands and felt the restraints loosen a little. Obviously, Steve had tied them in a hurry.

‘Because, you found my blood at Jessica’s crime scene.’

Recognition must have crossed her face, because Steve nodded and leaned in closer. ‘There really was only two options for me. Run, or kill you – the only other person in that house who noticed, or mentioned the blood splatter.’

‘Someone else will find it, it’s still over Steve.’ She felt the restraints shift again, and she wriggled discretely until one of her hands was free.

‘Ah, but I’ve already taken care of it when you left. As you said, you could smell the bleach in the house, so one more touch didn’t do any difference.’

‘So now, you’re going to kill me?’ she asked, releasing her second hand and keeping them in place. She wanted to take Steve by surprise.

>>>Get a copy of my ebook KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

Before he could reply, Ella lunged forward and the gun Steve had been holding slammed to the floor. They rolled and fought for control, but Steve was stronger. He pinned her down and she reached up towards him, landing an open handed hit to his cheek. As he recoiled and pulled back his hand for a response, Ella spotted the gun just within reach.

Without thinking, she reached for it just as the impact of his fist landed on her face. The pain sliced through her, but she ignored it as she raised the gun and fired into Steve’s side. Once, twice, three times. The man jolted and fell off of her, and she gritted her teeth as she raised up onto her knees. Blood trickled from his mouth as he tried to crawl away from her. She didn’t let up, shooting him again – this time in his chest twice.

The man who had been her partner fell to the ground – his eyes open just like Jessica’s. Rage and fear was his last expression. The one that her partner, who was supposed to be catching the killers, would have forever. She dropped the gun and looked around the sparse room. Steve had left her phone on a metal table at the other end of the room, and Ella crawled towards it. Still in pain, she dialled for backup and sat alone in the room while they traced the phone.

Steve lay across from her, dead. She’d killed her partner. She’d gotten justice for those women, but she’d had to kill a man to get it. If only he’d turned himself in when the blood had been found – or chosen to run. But he hadn’t. He’d forced her to take things into her own hands.

When backup finally arrived, she’d answered several questions, and had gotten the all clear from the paramedics. Ella let an officer driver her home. The blur of thanks, and walking to her front door melted away at the sight of Ted in the doorway. When he noticed her, the bag of rubbish in his hand dropped and he sprinted into her arms. Picking her up, Ella didn’t complain as he carried her into the house, and onto the couch. Making sure she was okay, he moved into the other room and left her alone.

She would tell him everything that had happened, of course. She would go over all the details, and release the pain in tears, but right now, she was silent. The events of the night washed over her as Samson cautiously approached, licking her hand that hung over the side. She smiled and patted his head as tears started to fall. Sounds of Ted making food in the other room started, with scents of her favourite soup filling the house.

It was over. She had found the Murder App killer, lost her partner, and experienced the trauma of abduction and killing all in one night. Now, it was time to be with her family. Her dog; her husband; her home. She would have time to process it all later. The Murder App case was closed, and she could finally put it to rest.

I hope you enjoyed the final instalment of the Murder App!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction The Murder App

The Murder App | NINE

A serial killer, technology, and a detective determined to find the truth. Come along on a murder mystery adventure, with The Murder App – Chapter 9!

The coffee shop wasn’t too crowded, but not empty either. A few couples were hunched over and quietly talking with each other at a few tables around her. Ella could hear the communication of her team in the inner ear device, but didn’t dare respond. If anyone overheard her talking to herself, she might scare away the potential killer.

What were the odds that the first person she met up with was really the Murder App killer? It would probably be a false alarm, and she’d have to do this over and over again a few times before they really stumbled upon him. Hopefully before he killed another innocent woman. In any case, she waited with a cup of coffee already ordered, and half drunk. He was late.

This guy was either a flake – and not the guy they were after – or he was making her wait. Why would he do that? A test to see if she would react a certain way when he finally showed up? Did he take one look at her and decide she was too much of a challenge?

She needed this one to be the one. The sooner he was off the street – or internet as it were – the better. As she was contemplating calling it quits, a car slammed into another right outside. Both driver’s got out and started yelling to each other, but before she or her team could react, a sound behind her startled her. Before she could turn around, Ella felt a sharp pain slam into the back of her head. The edges of her vision started to darken and blur. The outline of a figure came into her view, but before she could focus on who it was, the world went black.

>>>Get a copy of my ebook KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

Ella felt her head throb before she opened her eyes. Slowly the memory of the car accident, the coffee shop, and the hit on her head came back to her. She flew her eyes open and groaned at the pain. The room was dimly lit, but the blow to her had been hard, and she was feeling the pain.

‘Ah, you’re awake.’ The voice was somewhat familiar, but Ella was still too blurry to recognise it. The shadow of a man slipped into her view from the side, back lit by the strange lighting. The room she was in started to come into focus, and Ella took in what she could. A basement. She was pretty sure this was some kind of basement room, with a swinging light above her, and standing light in the corner. The one in the corner was the only light on in the room.

The man moved towards her slowly, twirling what looked like her gun in his hand. ‘You know, I didn’t want things to end up this way Detective.’ He knew who she was. The whole encounter had probably been a trap. Ella wished she could recall the voice, but things were still fuzzy. She wasn’t even sure words would form yet if she tried.

‘You know, the women in this town are far too picky,’ the man continued, moving closer. ‘They never seem to want the good guys. They never want the ones who will genuinely care about them. A Tom Hanks to their Meg Ryan. They’d rather have a Captain Sparrow.’ The man stopped walking and Ella felt the final fuzz in her head clear as he cautiously stepped into view. The twisted smile on his face was not what she’d grown accustomed to seeing on her partners face.

‘Steve?’

I hope you enjoyed this instalment of the Murder App.
Come back next time for the LAST chapter!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction The Murder App

The Murder App | EIGHT

A serial killer, technology, and a detective determined to find the truth. Come along on a murder mystery adventure, with The Murder App – Chapter 8!

Ella walked through the open door of another house. Another crime scene, another body, another life robbed of potential. As she moved into the kitchen, the struggle for this killing was evident. Jessica Town had put up a fight.

‘I see you made it,’ Steve said as he stood upright from his crouching position beside the body. They hadn’t cleared it away yet, and Jessica lay with the classic red tie around her neck. Bruising was already forming, and her face was forever halted in a position of rage and fear. She had fought to come out on top, but ultimately the man who killed her was stronger.

‘Yes. What do we have? Leave any evidence this time?’

Steve shrugged with a small shake of his head, ‘Nope. This guy is still leaving no forensic evidence behind. And we checked the dating app for Jessica Town, but he’s already removed any and all communications and profiles for himself. Again.’

Ella dropped down to look closer at the woman. The woman who thought she was just meeting up with someone for a date. Someone who could have potentially been the one for her. The one that would complete her – if that was even possible. She struggled to find her breath, but a small splash of red caught her attention just underneath the sink cupboard doors.

‘What’s that?’ she asked quietly. Most of the other officers had already moved out of the room to inspect other aspects of the property and log their finds. Behind her, Steve had heard her question and joined her. ‘What’s what?’

‘It looks like…’ she pushed her face closer to the spoltch, then nodded as she decided it was what she thought. ‘It’s blood.’

‘Probably the victims I suppose,’ Steve said with a sigh as he stood.

Ella shook her head, ‘I don’t think so. She has markings under her fingers from a fight with the killer, but the hands look clean. Almost as if someone bleached them right before he left, plus I could smell it halfway down the block.’ She stood and pulled out her phone. ‘He drenched the place.’ As she was dialling, Steven put a hand over hers and smiled with sad eyes.

‘Ella, go home. I’ll call this in.’ He shrugged and motioned to the woman on the ground between them. ‘I know how hard you’re taking this one, so let me handle it from here and get some rest.’ She was about to argue when he held up a hand. ‘I promise, if you want to you can go back to the office, or go home, or do whatever you want. I will keep you fully updated, and make sure you’re in the loop if anything urgent comes up.’

Reluctantly, Ella thanked her partner and left. Driving to the office, she wasn’t quite ready to go home yet. Ted had been amazing to arrange everything, but the murder had put a damper on her mood. She may as well try to get some work done while she could. Pulling up her dating profile on the office computer, Ella checked her messages. Most were from obvious hook up attempts, a few genuine seeming contacts, but the final one caught her attention.

A new profile, looked like he hadn’t been on the site for very long. His answers made him look perfect, his pictures made him look perfect, but something was off. Something about the look in his eye looked staged. Something about the answers felt forced. Ella clicked onto the message again and read through it carefully.

He’d seen her profile and thought they’d hit it off. He wanted to meet for coffee, as he preferred face to face contact over silly online dating. Would she meet him tonight?

Carefully considering the options, Ella finally sent him a message and agreed. As she was emailing her boss, she got a response. He would be there in an hour, and was excited to meet her. Ella sent the email and let a few officers around her know about the meet up, and that she was going home to get ready. Now she just had to tell Ted.

>>>Get a copy of my ebook KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

As she walked into their house, Samson slammed into her in an excited greeting. Ted was hanging back until the dog had been given enough attention, then kissed her and smiled. ‘Nice to see you home again so soon. I thought with another body you’d be holed up in the office for the night.’

She hesitated, but decided ultimately she needed to just blurt out the truth as soon as possible. Noting her pause, Ted raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. ‘What is it?’

‘I’m going on a date tonight.’

He raised both brows at the statement and she smiled softly. ‘It’s not a real date. It’s a sting for the Murder App killer. I think this is the guy. I think we can end it all tonight.’

‘You’re meeting up with a serial killer for a coffee date? That seems safe,’ Ted said, moving away from her. His back facing her, Ella felt a familiar guilt settle over her. Ted would never outright ask her not to put herself in danger – he respected her and her job too much – but she knew he was concerned. Any rational husband would be.

‘I know. But the team has been notified, and they’ll be running surveillance. It’s all perfectly safe.’

‘I suppose Steve will be in the surveillance van outside too,’ Ted said with a soft chuckle.

‘Actually, he’s seeing some evidence to the forensic lab, so he might be a little late. But we have a good team besides my partner, Ted.’

With a small shrug, Ted leant over and kissed her again. This time, it was lingering and mixed with emotions. The one he gave her when he was truly worried if he’d see his wife again. She exhaled deeply and moved towards the bedroom. ‘I have to get changed.’ Turning, she waited until her husband was looking into her eyes before she added, ‘I promise I’ll be safe.’

I hope you enjoyed this instalment of the Murder App.
Come back next time for another chapter!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction The Murder App

The Murder App | SEVEN

A serial killer, technology, and a detective determined to find the truth. Come along on a murder mystery adventure, with The Murder App – Chapter 7! 

Ted was waiting at the front door for her as Ella pulled into their driveway. She was almost 45 minutes late for their date night, and hadn’t called yet. They’d agreed that if she was more than 15 minutes late without calling or sending a text, that he’d wait until it hit 60 minutes, then call the station.

She’d made it in time for him not to make the call yet, but she’d cut it closer than she had in a while. When Ella was on a big case, sometimes she lost track of time, but after a particularly complex one, Ted had stayed up half the night sure that she had been shot and not told. They’d decided then to put the rule into place.

She smiled and shrugged as she got out of the car. “Sorry I’m late. I was going to send a message, but it was easier to just book it back home and be a bit late.”
Ted, in his usual fashion, shoved his hands in his pocket and grinned at her as she used the remote locking key to secure the car. “It’s okay El, you’re not that late. Are you ready for tonight?” When she reached the door, they kissed hello and he pulled the door closed behind him.

“Yes. It’ll be nice to take my mind off my case load tonight. What are we doing?” She looked around them. His car wasn’t parked where it normally would be beside hers, and she tried to deduce what his plan was. He took her hand and led her down the pathway. “We’re taking a walk to start.”

She smiled and allowed him to lead her down their picturesque street, walking in comfortable silence. Often her mind drifted back to the cases on her desk, but Ella had gotten better at pushing those things aside and focussing on her husband when she needed to.

>>>Get a copy of my ebook KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

This house had been their dream home. They’d found it three years ago, and it was surrounded by the most beautiful street. The houses around here weren’t as new, which meant they had more character. Not so much though that they were falling apart. So it was a nice combination.

They also had the benefit of large leafy trees that lined the streets, almost completely blocking out the sun in the middle road. It gave them an incredible sense of country living, even in the heart of the city. They turned the corner that led to the small park nearby, and Ella stopped walking.

Ted had arranged a table, chairs, and elegant decor to be placed at the side of the park with large rose bushes rising up towards the sky. A violinist started playing when they came into view and Ted pulled her forward, holding out her chair for her.

Not able to say anything, Ella put her hand over her mouth and shook her head. Ted smiled and nodded. “I know right! I thought you needed something special right now, so here we are.” He pulled out his napkin and laid it across his lap. “Good?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down to get a giggle from her.

“Yes,” she finally said, putting her own napkin over her work clothes. Not even a chance to change, she suddenly felt very underdressed and un-date like. Even if it was her husband on the date. “You did good Ted.” As a waiter appeared from somewhere hidden beside them, Ella forgot all about the case. She forgot her concerns for another body, her obsession of Devon Smith, and everything else on her plate right now. All she focussed on, was her incredible husband, and the meal he had ordered.

As she laughed, and talked about the misadventures their dog had gotten into today with Ted, she almost didn’t hear the phone in her pocket ring. She almost missed the vibration, and ringtone that she had allocated to the station. It seemed almost to echo through her laughter, and she finally heard it. Her face fell as she looked at the caller ID and hit the answer key.
“Strong.”
“Ella,” Steve sounded flat, and she held her breath. “We have another body.”

I hope you enjoyed this instalment of the Murder App.
Come back next month for another chapter!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction The Murder App

Murder App | SIX

A serial killer, technology, and a detective determined to find the truth. Come along on a murder mystery adventure, with The Murder App – Chapter 6! 

Ella tapped her sleek black boot on the floor of her and Steve’s office. As she stared at the unmoving screen before her, she vaguely heard the door open and close. A coffee mug clinked down beside her, but her eyes remained on the screen.

“You’re welcome,” Steve said with mild irritation. Ella would have apologised for being rude. She would have apologised for not looking up. She would even have apologised for not speaking for the past two hours. But this was more important.

When they’d returned to the station, they had coordinated with Cyber and done a full search of the man who had sent her the message. His name was Devon Smith. It sounded fake, but there was a large digital footprint that went back decades.

He was thirty-three, and had several social media pages, each with many “friends” and obvious connections. But there was still something about him, and the message he had left her, which felt off.

“Any movement?” Steve asked from his own desk across from hers. Their shared office was somewhat reminiscent of the one in Scrubs, when Elliot and JD had to share a tiny closet as an office as Co-Cheif Residents. The comparison brought a small smile to Ella’s mouth, and she quickly flicked a look up at Steve.

“Not yet. What about the research on Devon Smith?” Before the answer, Ella’s eyes were back on her screen. As Steve went over the lack of new information, she continued studying the mans profile. She had sent a reply email, encouraging the interaction, but he hadn’t replied yet. So, it had been up to Ella to check out his dating profile.

>>>Get a copy of my ebook KIDNAPPED Entanglement >>>here

“Ella?” Steve’s prompt sounded like the third or fourth time, and she looked up. Having clearly missed a question, Steve’s cup was halfway to his lips and he was shaking his head, brows furrowed. “Did you hear me?”
She shook her head and rolled her shoulders, finally peeling her eyes away from her computer. “Sorry, no. I think I’ve been looking at this profile for too long. Do we have anything else interesting to follow up on?”

Steve sighed and put the mug down, leaning forward. “Are you doing okay on this case? I know it started out personal, and I just-“
“Steve, you don’t have to finish the sentence.” Ella cut him off and stood up, stretching out her stiff muscles. She looked down at her watch and caught the time of 6.00pm, frowning.

She grabbed her jacket off the back of her chair and quickly logged out of her work account. “Because it’s personal, is why I’ll be more thorough than any other Detective. You know that,” she smiled as she pushed her arms into the sleeves, picking up her phone. “I have to go. Date night with Ted.” She made her way to the door, then paused as she remembered the coffee cup that Steve had just brought in for her.

Almost reading her mind, Steve shook his head and chuckled. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll drink a cup for each of us. Enjoy your date night, and I’ll call if there’s anything new.” She smiled at her partner and kept her hand on her mobile phone in the jacket pocket. “Okay, thanks.”

As she signed out, and left the building, Ella went over what they knew in her mind already. They were almost due for another victim in a day or so if the killer kept to his normal schedule. She had hoped they’d already hooked him, but it was feeling less likely. The last thing she wanted, was to get a call about another body.

They felt so close, but so far.

As Ella opened her car door in the police parking lot, she got a tingling sensation roll through her body. Somebody was watching her. She could feel it. Quickly pulling her attention up and over the window of the car, she tried to scan the area around her. It was deserted.

Shaking off the feeling, Ella got into her car and put it in gear. Maybe she had just imagined it. Maybe the case was getting to her.
Maybe she’d take a different, more complicated route to get home tonight anyway. Just in case.

I hope you enjoyed chapter 6 of The Murder App.
Come back next month for the next part of the story!

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace

Categories
Fiction The Murder App

The Murder App | FIVE

murder app 5

A serial killer, technology, and a detective determined to find the truth. Come along on a murder mystery adventure, with The Murder App – Chapter 5! 

Ella let the sounds of the store around her fade as she stood, watching the attendant go through her account.

She had been there a few months ago.

She thought she remembered the man she sold it to.

It was an unusual purchase, and he had a charming quality about him.

Ella needed this to be the guy. This case was already weighing heavily on her – physically and emotionally.

The ties that their killer was using had definitely come from the stock numbers in this store. They had confirmed it. Ella had a strong feeling of disgust that such a purchase could have gone through unchecked. That nobody thought it odd to have a man buying a bulk order of 50 red ties. But she understood the sales clerk’s position. She had believed his story about being a private designer wanting additional stock.

It wasn’t her fault. Not really. Still, the pain behind the consequences ate at Ella’s heart like a flesh eating virus.

“I can sit down with a sketch artist if you want,” the sales clerk’s voice brought Ella back into the present. She was lightly dusting her hand against Steve’s, while he quickly scribbled her comments. The swift strokes of his pen – mimicking the vein that now pounded in the side of his neck – made the words unintelligible.

Ella rolled her eyes as he casually glanced up, leaning his elbow on the counter and returning her gaze. “Well, thanks for your time. We’ll be sure to send someone by.”

Trying not to gag, Ella cleared her throat instead at his emphasis on the word ‘someone’.

It was typical of Steven to flirt with a cute witness. Ella had always considered it more than a little unprofessional, but Steven had a way about him. It negated the traditional creepy of a guy that hit on everyone, and replaced it with an impish charm.

They hadn’t got anything particularly helpful about the man who had made the purchase. They’d still get the sketch done, then compare it to suspects they got during the investigation. For today though, it was unhelpful. They had to start again. To go back to the dating app, and hope their honey trap caught a fly.

Ella needed something now. She had to get this guy.

Peeling herself away from the flirting fest, she opened her phone and pulled up the Love Connection app.

Over the last two days, she’d received several winks and messages from potential suspects. But one by one, Cyber had dug into their personal information and weeded them out. No red flags. 

>>>Grab the eBook version of my book – “KIDNAPPED Entanglement” HERE

Another message bobbed up and down with a notification, waiting for her. Ella pulled it up and scanned the man’s profile.

He was cute, in an off beat kind of way. He had short blonde hair, and wore narrow glasses without subtle black frames. They suited his face well, and gave him a disarming appearance.

Opening his message, Ella caught her breath as she read over the words.

“I hope you don’t consider me presumptuous, but you are beautiful. Would you consider meeting at the Bright Sun shopping centre in South Melbourne on Monday?”

She was currently standing in the Myer department store of the Bright Sun centre. She quickly looked up and subtly scanned the crowd around her. Surely he wasn’t here – watching her already. Keeping tabs on the women he reached out to.

Right? It had to be a coincidence.

She looked back at the message and noted that it had come through in the past half hour. She moved quickly back to Steve and the shop attendant, politely pulling him away.

“Hey, watcha do that for? We were vibing, you know.”

She ignored the comment and thrust the phone at him instead. “I just got this message on Love Connection.”

Steve was struggling to keep up with her brisk pace as she headed back to the parking lot where they’d parked their unmarked car. They had to get back to the office and dig into this guy more thoroughly. Even if it was just a gut feeling, Ella wanted to go through this guys life with a fine tooth comb.

“Okay,” Steven said, handing back the phone. “But this could be just a coincidence.”

Ella gave a half-hearted nod. “It could. But I don’t believe in coincidences. Especially not on a murder case.”

I hope you enjoyed chapter 5 of The Murder App.
Come back next month for the next part of the story! 

See You in The Adventures!
Christy Grace