“And it looks like the grandkid’s ticket to freedom as well,” Kevin added.
I took a deep breath. “Well, shall we?”
“In for a dime, in for a dollar,” Kevin replied.
I slipped down the ladder and turned on my cell phone light. Kevin joined me and did the same.
The tunnel that lay before us gave me the creeps.
There was no doubt that the tunnel dated back to the prohibition years. The old timbers shoring up the sides were rotted with age, and the air had a musty, moldy smell.
“We’re in this far,” Kevin said. “We might as well see where it goes.”
We moved cautiously into the depths of the tunnel. Suddenly, Kevin grabbed my arm. “Shhh! Listen.”
We heard voices ahead.
The tunnel curved, and when we peered around the curve, we saw three cell lights like our own. They were illuminating a pile of rubble, shattered timbers, rock and dirt. Some time in the past, the old tunnel had collapsed and the grandkids could go no farther. They were trapped.
“I’m not surprised,” I said. “Every time the rivers flooded, this tunnel was underwater, maybe for weeks at a time. It’s amazing that it’s lasted as long as it has.”
I called out. “Mario, Angelo, Lucia. End of the road. There’s no way out for you. The cops are outside. Put down your weapons and let’s put an end to this.”
Their response was a volley of shots in our direction. Kevin and I hit the dirt as the concussion from their guns echoed through the tunnel.
I felt something brushing against my face. I shined my light and to my horror, saw dirt and sawdust falling on us from the roof of the tunnel.
Kevin saw it at the same time.
“Holy crap! We have to move. NOW!”
I made one last effort to persuade the grandkids to surrender. “Please come out! It’s not safe!”
My plea was answered with another volley of shots.
As the reverberation echoed through, more debris started raining down on us.
Kevin grabbed my arm. “MOVE!”
We had just reached the base of the ladder when we heard the rumble and crash behind us. We scrambled up the ladder and had just rolled onto the floor when smoke and dust billowed out of the entrance to the tunnel.
The old tunnel was no more. Decades after it was constructed to provide an escape route for bootleggers, time and the elements had taken their toll.
Most likely, the tunnel had been constructed by Cosmo’s father. How ironic that its collapse had taken the lives of his great-grandchildren.
EPILOGUE
Two days after our harrowing escape, Maggie met the appraiser and a week later the property was set to close.
With the discovery of the secret passage in the pantry of the house, we gave Martin Donnegan the opportunity to back out, but he was having none of it. In fact, he thought the passage was pretty cool and only enhanced the historical value of the property.
I had promised him I would help him claim the skeleton of his great-grandfather from the morgue. A week after closing, what was left of Leroy Donnegan was laid to rest under the old willow tree in the back of the property. Maggie and I were invited to the service.
Justice isn’t always served immediately. Sometimes it takes the Lady in the white robe some time to balance the scales.
The original owner of the Benton Boulevard mansion was more than likely responsible for the death of Leroy Donnegan. Now, almost a century later, the mansion is owned by the great-grandson of the victim. Justice has been served.
Maggie’s 6% commission on the sale of the house amounted to $11,100, and my fee as successor trustee was $15,000. Twice that amount wouldn’t begin to cover the anguish and peril we experienced to earn it.
Little did Dad know when he volunteered my services to Cosmo on his death bed, that it nearly cost the life of his own son and daughter-in-law.
And poor Cosmo.
He knew that Angelo was lazy, Lucia was a drunk, and Mario was a gambler. His dying wish was that their inheritance from his estate might be enough incentive to help them mend their wicked ways. But it wasn’t. In fact, all that it did was bring to the surface another underlying character flaw --- greed. All three were willing to kill to get their hands on their grandfather’s cash.
After all the bills were paid, the three charities that Cosmo had named, the Veteran’s Tiny House Program, The Hope House for battered women, and the Salvation Army, each received a check for roughly $60,000. There’s no doubt in my mind that the money will do more good with those charities than in the hands of his grandchildren.
My name is Walt Williams, and I’d like to offer a word of advice.
If anyone ever asks you to be a successor trustee --- run!
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I’m seventy-six years old, and as I look back on my life, I can truly say that I have only one regret.
Like Walt, I owned a very impressive collection of baseball cards.
As soon as I was old enough to push a lawnmower, I started my little lawn mowing business. When the money hit my hand, I was off to Mrs. Flood’s candy store to buy packs of Topp’s baseball cards. Five cards and a wad of gum for a dime.
By the time I was in high school, I had over 200 cards.
During my Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years, I worked as a stock boy and sacker at Bob & Vic’s United Super in Blue Springs, Missouri. My dad was the head meat cutter.
At that time, the Kansas City A’s were still playing at the old Municipal Stadium. The Rodeo meat company put a baseball card in every pack of weenies. The Rodeo salesman was a friend of my dad. Every time he came into the store, he would slip me a few cards. By the time the summer was over, I had the whole set.
I graduated from high school in 1961, and was preparing to go off to college in the fall. As a new grad, going off to school, I figured I was pretty hot stuff. Since I was no longer a child, I should put away childish things, so dummy me --- I gave my baseball card collection to the kid who lived next door.
THAT is the one regret in my life.
So, Randy Shackelford, if you’re out there somewhere, I want my cards back!
If this sounds a lot like the scenario in the story you just read, you’re exactly right, and if you have read all of Walt’s adventures in the previous thirty-six novels, you’ve probably figured out that Walt is my alter ego. Except for the murders and mayhem, I experienced pretty much everything else that has happened to Walt.
As long as I’m still kicking, Walt will be too!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author, Robert Thornhill, began writing at the age of sixty-six and in nine short years has penned thirty-seven novels in the Lady Justice mystery/comedy series, the seven volume Rainbow Road series of chapter books for children, a cookbook and a mini-autobiography.
Lady Justice and the Sting, Lady Justice and Dr. Death, Lady Justice and the Vigilante, Lady Justice and the Candidate, Lady Justice and the Book Club Murders, Lady Justice and the Cruise Ship Murders and Lady Justice and the Vet won the Pinnacle Award for the best new mystery novels of Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Summer 2012, Fall 2012, Spring of 2013 and Summer 2014 from the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs.
Many of Walt’s adventures in the Lady Justice series are anecdotal and based on Robert’s real life.
Although Robert holds a master’s in psychology, he has never taken a course in writing and has never learned to type. All 47 of his published books were typed with one finger and a thumb!
His wit and insight come from his varied occupations, including thirty-three years as a real estate broker. He lives with his wife, Peg, in Independence, Missouri.
Visit him on the Web at: http://BooksByBob.com
LADY JUSTICE TAKES A C.R.A.P.
City Retiree Action Patrol
Third Edition
This is where it all began.
See how sixty-five-year-old Walt Williams became a cop and started the City Retiree Action Patrol.
Meet Maggie, Willie, Mary and the Professor, Walt’s sidekicks in all of the Lady Justice novels.
Laugh out loud as Walt and his band of Senior Scrappers capture the Realtor Rapist and take down the Russian Mob.
http://amzn.to/16lfjnY
LADY JUSTICE AND THE LOST TAPES
Second Edition
When corrupt politicians, the Italian mob and a dirty cop collude to take over a Northeast neighborhood, Walt is recruited for the most bizarre undercover assignments of his new career.
When conventional police work fails to solve the case, once again his band of scrappy seniors come to the rescue.
In the process, the amazing discovery of a previously unknown session by a deceased rock ‘n’ roll idol stuns the music industry. What should be a joyous occasion soon turns dark as lives are threatened.
All of your favorite characters, along with two lovable additions are back to help Walt in his quest for justice.
Their adventures and misadventures are sure to keep you captivated – and splitting your sides!
amzn.to/1twzOfq
LADY JUSTICE GETS LEI’D
Second Edition
In Lady Justice Gets Lei’d, Walt and Maggie plan a romantic honeymoon on the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, but ancient artifacts discovered in a cave in a dormant volcano and a surprising revelation about Maggie’s past, lead our lovers into the hands of Hawaiian zealots.
http://amzn.to/15P6bLg
LADY JUSTICE AND THE
AVENGING ANGELS
Second Edition
Lady Justice has unwittingly entered a religious war.
Who better to fight for her than Walt Williams?
The Avenging Angels believe that it’s their job to rain fire and brimstone on Kansas City, their Sodom and Gomorrah.
In this compelling addition to the Lady Justice series, Robert Thornhill brings back all the characters readers have come to love for more hilarity and higher stakes.
You’ll laugh and be on the edge of your seat until the big finish.
Don’t miss Lady Justice and the Avenging Angels!
http://amzn.to/1xXrYdY
LADY JUSTICE AND THE STING
BEST NEW MYSTERY NOVEL ---WINTER 2012
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
In Lady Justice and the Sting, a holistic physician is murdered and Walt becomes entangled in the high-powered world of pharmaceutical giants and corrupt politicians.
Maggie, Ox Willie, Mary and all your favorite characters are back to help Walt bring the criminals to justice in the most unorthodox ways.
A dead-serious mystery with hilarious twists.
http://amzn.to/1gS4JMA
LADY JUSTICE AND DR. DEATH
BEST NEW MYSTERY NOVEL --- FALL 2011
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
In Lady Justice and Dr. Death, a series of terminally ill patients are found dead under circumstances that point to a new Dr. Death practicing euthanasia in the Kansas City area.
Walt and his entourage of scrappy seniors are dragged into the ‘right-to-die-with-dignity’ controversy.
The mystery provides a light-hearted look at this explosive topic and death in general.
You may see end-of-life issues in a whole new light after reading Lady Justice and Dr. Death!
http://amzn.to/H20Erx
LADY JUSTICE AND THE VIGILANTE
BEST NEW MYSTERY NOVEL – SUMMER 2012
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
A vigilante is stalking the streets of Kansas City administering his own brand of justice when the justice system fails.
Criminals are being executed right under the noses of the police department.
A new recruit to the City Retiree Action Patrol steps up to help Walt and Ox bring an end to his reign of terror.
But not everyone wants the vigilante stopped. His bold reprisals against the criminal element have inspired the average citizen to take up arms and defend themselves.
As the body count mounts, public opinion is split.
Is it justice or is it murder?
A moral dilemma that will leave you laughing and weeping!
http://amzn.to/1d3FLK6
LADY JUSTICE AND THE WATCHERS
Suzanne Collins wrote The Hunger Games, Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World and George Orwell wrote 1984.
All three novels were about dystopian societies of the future.
In Lady Justice and the Watchers, Walt sees the world we live in today through the eyes of a group who call themselves ‘The Watchers’.
Oscar Levant said that there’s a fine line between genius and insanity.
After reading Lady Justice and the Watchers, you may realize as Walt did that there’s also a fine line separating the life of freedom that we enjoy today and the totalitarian society envisioned in these classic novels.
Quietly and without fanfare, powerful interests have instituted policies that have eroded our privacy, health and individual freedoms.
Is the dystopian society still a thing of the distant future or is it with us now disguised as a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
http://amzn.to/15P5LEE
LADY JUSTICE AND THE CANDIDATE
BEST NEW MYSTERY NOVEL – FALL 2012
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
Will American politics always be dominated by the two major political parties or are voters longing for an Independent candidate to challenge the establishment?
Everyone thought that the slate of candidates for the presidential election had been set until Benjamin Franklin Foster came on the scene capturing the hearts of American voters with his message of change and reform.
Powerful interests, intent on preserving the status quo with their bought-and-paid-for politicians were determined to take Ben Foster out of the race.
The Secret Service comes up with a quirky plan to protect the Candidate and strike a blow for Lady Justice.
Join Walt on the campaign trail for an adventure full of surprises, mystery, intrigue and laughs!
http://amzn.to/19f3XVZ
LADY JUSTICE
AND THE
BOOK CLUB MURDERS
BEST NEW MYSTERY NOVEL – SPRING 2013
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
Members of the Midtown Book Club are found murdered.
It is just the beginning of a series of deaths that lead Walt and Ox into the twisted world of a serial killer.
In the late 1960's, the Zodiac Killer claimed to have killed 37 people and was never caught --- the perfect crime.
Oscar Roach, dreamed of being the next serial killer to commit the perfect crime.
He left a calling card with each of his victims --- a mystery novel, resting in their blood-soaked hands.
The media dubbed him 'The Librarian'.
Walt and the Kansas City Police are baffled by the cunning of this vicious killer and fear that he has indeed committed the perfect crime. Or did he?
Walt and his wacky senior cohorts prove, once again, that life goes on in spite of the carnage around them.
The perfect blend of murder, mayhem and merriment.
http://amzn.to/1aWGg3K
LADY JUSTICE
AND THE
CRUISE SHIP MURDERS
Best New Mystery Novel – Summer 2013
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
Ox and Judy are off to Alaska on a honeymoon cruise and invite Walt and Maggie to tag along.
Their peaceful plans are soon shipwrecked by the murder of two fellow passengers.
The murders appear to be linked to a century-old legend involving a cache of gold stolen from a prospector and buried by two thieves.
Their seven-day cruise is spent hunting for the gold and eluding the modern-day thieves, intent on possessing it at any cost.
Another nail-biting mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and laughing out loud the next.
htt
p://amzn.to/16VjURw
LADY JUSTICE
AND THE
CLASS REUNION
For most people, a 50th class reunion is a time to party and renew old acquaintances, but Walt Williams isn't an ordinary guy --- he's a cop, and trouble seems to follow him everywhere he goes.
The Mexican drug cartel is recruiting young Latino girls as drug mules and the Kansas City Police have hit a brick wall until Walt is given a lead by an old classmate.
Even then, it takes three unlikely heroes from the Whispering Hills Retirement Village to help Walt and Ox end the cartel's reign of terror.
Join Walt in a class reunion filled with mystery, intrigue, jealousy and a belly-full of laughs!
http://amzn.to/17S9YE0
LADY JUSTICE AND THE ASSASSIN
Two radical groups have joined together for a common purpose --- to kill the President of the United States, and they're looking for the perfect person to do the job.
[Lady Justice 37] - Lady Justice and the Living Trust Page 10