Who is murdering the Eastern States Football League officials in Vanmer, Pennsylvania? And why is the killer using Vanmer Vipers’ helmets as murder weapons? Johnny Knight, photojournalist for the Independent, takes on one of the most dangerous jobs and responsibilities he has ever attempted. As he begins to unravel clues about the Helmet Killer murders, he uncovers a gambling ring involving numerous Viper players and a real estate mogul with a town full of secrets. And what about the missing money from the first victim, a whopping nine hundred thousand dollars? Is a Viper footballer paying off his steep gambling debts by murdering well-to-do officials? Along the way, Johnny falls in love with two very attractive and different men -- the sexy owner of McMuscles Gym, Matthew McDestin, and the jockish running back for the Vanmer Vipers, Beckley Roarke. Both have a piece of Johnny's heart, and both really don't want to share Johnny. So what's a detective to do when he's seeing two hotties at the same time? Can Johnny piece together the puzzle of murder and bring the Helmet Killer to justice, putting Vanmer at peace again?

Double Coverage

Who really wanted to run in the rain? If anyone did, they were insane. I wasn’t very pleased when Phil Candorelli, one of the ESFL’s best officials, told me to meet him outside Vanmer Stadium at Gate C. He said during our short cell conversation, “I need to run. Wear a pair of shorts. You’ll find me at the entrance in fifteen minutes. Don’t be late.”


Phil was about five-nine, weighed as much as a leaf, wore designer glasses over almond-colored eyes, a running outfit, and didn’t look at all impressed with my arrival at Gate C. He failed to shake my hand and didn’t say hello. Instead, he said while bolting away from me, beginning our run, “Keep up with me, Johnny. I’m not slowing down for your sake.”


Chapter 37