by B. A. Savage
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FROM THE B.A. SAVAGE
Alex French Series
Book 1
Into Darkness
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNR86F0
Book 2:
The Scorned
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L4T3MHO
Book 3:
Dangerous Game
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LNR8966
Book 4
Deception
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LR0O7S8
Book 5
Extortion
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LZFW3Z4
Book 6
Suspicion
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBQNWNI
Book 7
Skyjacker
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N0DGUH6
Book 8
Judgment
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NDJ9ULU
Book 9
Suicide
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NQJ5L5Q
Book 10
Psychopath
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O3YPP8G
Table of Contents:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter One
I had a feeling today was going to be a great day, but boy, I was wrong. It all started with a phone call from my girlfriend, Jennifer Long, and went downhill from there.
"Randall Stone’s investigation, help me."
"What do you mean help, is something the wrong, Randall?"
"Jennifer, I haven't had a client in three weeks."
"Well, I'll take you to dinner tonight; will that make you feel better?"
"No, I'm not hungry. You couldn't just send the money, could you?"
"No, go ahead and starve. I will take David. You remember David, don't you?
"Yes, your ancient boyfriend."
"Mother told me he's a very nice guy. David owns a business and everything."
"You tell Mister David no dice. Get dressed, honey, I'll be home.
"I am waiting."
I went to the bathroom and shaved, brushed my teeth, and put on a clean suit. I switched off the lights and someone walked through the door.
"Randall Stone?"
"Yes, but I'm about to leave. Come back tomorrow."
"This won't wait until tomorrow. My name is Richard Lewis."
"What can I do for you?"
He smacked me across the head with something hard and everything went black.
Chapter Two
I open my eyes to the sound of a cell phone ringing.
"Hello!"
"Randall, where are you? You said you were coming home an hour ago. What happened?"
"Jennifer, I took a nap."
"I don't believe you."
"Would you believe five guys beat the hell out of me?"
"Honey, it could be another unhappy client."
"Well, he was big and punched me when I wasn't looking."
"Maybe it was David Jones. He got upset when I said I couldn't go to dinner with him."
"No, this guy is young."
"Randall, did some guy hit you?"
"Yes, and I have the bruises to show you."
"Why?"
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I am going downtown and talk with Lieutenant Morgan. I will see you later."
Chapter Three
It took me five minutes to pull my ass up and another 15 minutes to drive to police headquarters.
"Hello, Randall, how's it going?"
"Vic, I don’t feel too well.”
"Well, Randall, what happened to you?"
"Someone knocked the shit out of me, and I need to find out why."
"What can you tell me about him?"
"He said his name's Richard Lewis."
"I know him. We have been looking for Mister Lewis since he jumped bail on a trafficking charge."
"Know where he might be now?"
"If I did, he would be in jail. How did you get mixed up with him?"
"I wish I knew. He just came into the office and struck me on the head."
"Are you sure it was Lewis?"
"That's what he said."
"What did he look like?"
"He was a big guy and wore a leather coat."
"What about his face?"
"I couldn’t see his face because the lights were out."
Vic pulled a file from his desk. "Here, you can look over his file."
"So you are looking for this guy?"
"Yeah, I'm told he's still in the city."
"What about the trafficking charge?"
"Lewis was arrested during a traffic stop. Deputies stopped him after midnight on Halloween night for a trafficking offense. He was driving an Oldsmobile on the Center Parkway area. Lewis had in his possession Valium, marijuana, and cocaine. A search of his vehicle turned up a plastic bag containing 21 grams of heroin."
"What do you know about Lewis’ background?"
"Lewis use to work for Tim Jones, the gambler. Narcotic detectives think Tim was Lewis’ supplier, but Lewis wouldn't say."
"Who put up his bail, Jones?"
"Yes, we thought Jones had killed Lewis after he bailed him out."
"Don't worry, Vic, he's still alive. I have the bruises as proof. What about Tim Jones, you think he would know where Lewis is hiding?"
"Hard to say, if he did, he'd try to kill him. The D.A. tried to get something on Jones for a long time. If we find Lewis and he testifies against Jones, he would probably walk on the trafficking charge."
"I see where you're going; Vic. Lewis had Jones bail him out and goes into hiding before Jones kills him. That would make him twice as hard to find."
"Are you going to look for him?"
"Yeah, might as well. I don't mind getting bitch slapped, but I like to know why."
"Be careful, Randall, you’re dealing with some dangerous people."
Chapter Four
I left the police department and drove north on Limestone Street. The fresh air made my jaw feel better but my ego hurt all the way to the Gentlemen’s Club. Once inside, I saw a bouncer standing in the hallway.
"Hello, Mister Bouncer."
"Hello, little man."
"Your boss here, sir?"
"Maybe."
"Is he in his office?"
"Maybe."
"Is he alone?"
"I don't know."
"Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. I just love these long conversations, don't you?"
"Maybe."
I walked to the back of the clu
b. As I passed the bathroom to the office, the smell of urine coming from the toilet hung heavy in the air.
"Hello, Mister Jones."
"Well, Randall Stone. Don't you know how to knock?"
"Your boy, Richard, didn't knock when he entered my office an hour ago."
"Well, have a seat. It's not every day that I get a visit from a hotshot private eye. Now, tell me, what the fuck are you talking about?"
"Mister Jones, Richard Lewis used to be on your payroll. Where is he?"
"So, you're looking for Richard? Well, join the crowd."
"And you just don't happen to know where he’s hiding?"
"That's right, I put up his bail and that fucking bastard skipped. I didn't like that."
"Go on."
"Richard cost me a lot of money. I sure would like to have a talk with him."
"If Richard is caught, you could be in hot water."
"So? I have been in hot water before."
"Well, you can always kill him."
"I never liked your smart ass mouth, Stone."
"I'm sorry, I am working on it. But he was selling your drugs."
"Well, Stone, I didn't have anything to do with the drugs he was carrying. I'm an honest business man."
"Jones, has Lewis ever mentioned my name around here?"
"Maybe, why all the interest in Richard?"
"I owe him something, that's all. I like to pay him back."
"Sorry, can't help you, pal. Here, try this."
"What is it?"
"The address of Richard's old girlfriend, Barbara Ray. She won't talk to me; maybe she'll speak to you."
"Well, I'll give it a try."
"If you locate Richard, give me a call. I’d still like to have a little talk with him."
"Yes, I will, if he's in any condition to talk."
Chapter Five
I left the Cotton Club and went across town to Barbara Ray’s apartment. Jones said she was a one-time girlfriend of Richard. When she opened the door, I had respect for Richard’s taste. She had the kind of figure that drives men wild. Barbara had curves from her head to her toes and everything in the right places.
“Hi, are you a plumber?” she asked in a sexy tone.
“Do I look like a plumber?”
“How should I know? You’re cute."
“Well, thanks, so are you.”
“I guess they could have cute plumbers.”
“I don’t see why not. But I’m not one of them.”
“That’s too bad. I have tried to get my plumbing fixed for three days. Well, if you’re not a plumber, what do you want?”
“I want some information.”
“I’m no stool pigeon.”
“Would you mind if I come inside?”
“It depends. Are you a gentleman?”
“It depends; do you want me to be a gentleman?"
“You look alright. I wish you were a plumber.”
“At times, I do, too.”
“Come in. What’s on your mind?”
“Richard Lewis.”
“Oh, you must be a cop. I use to date cops. Sometimes they are mean. Who did you say you are looking for?”
“Richard Lewis.”
“Oh, that’s right. I use to date Richard.”
“Where is Richard now, Barbara?”
“I don’t know. We broke up, Richard and me. He was always hitting me, messing up my makeup.”
“Do you know any of Richard’s friends, who might know where he is now?”
“Yes, I know one guy, Jack Reed. Jack and Richard use to hang out every Friday.”
“Where do they hang out?”
“How would I know?”
“Wishful thinking, I guess.”
“What does that mean?”
“Barbara, never mind. Do you mind if I borrow your phone?”
“No, I guess not, but don’t be long. The plumber might call back.”
“Okay, this will only take a minute.”
“Homicide, Lieutenant Morgan.”
“I have a problem. Do you know a guy named Jack Reed?”
“Yeah, Randall, I know him. He used to be a small-time drug dealer.”
“How do I get in touch with him?”
“Last I heard, he had a legit job working at a car lot on Manchester Street.”
“Thanks, Vic. I’ll call you if anything comes up.” I hung up the phone and looked at Barbara. “Thanks for your help, Barbara.”
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I have a business appointment."
"Do you have time for a drink? You look like a gin man to me."
"Barbara, no, thanks. Drinking turns me into a bad boy, and I'm sure you don't want that."
"Well, drop in again, any time."
Chapter Six
Barbara had few brains and many curves. The kind you hated to leave but Jack Reed might lead me to Richard Lewis, and Richard was number one on my mind.
In the hall outside Barbara's apartment, as I walked down it, I had the strangest feeling someone was watching me. Two seconds later, that strange feeling became something familiar. Somebody hit me in the head from behind.
The walls spun around, and I spun around with them. But on the way down, I caught sight of what hit me. An enormous blackjack, sticking out of a large hand inside a black leather jacket.
Chapter Seven
Richard had caught me off guard again. He crept up near me and nailed me in my office and two hours later, he kicks my ass again.
"Hey, Mister Stone, wake up. Come on, sit up. You alright?" Barbara asked.
"I guess, my head feels like a mashed potato."
"I heard a noise outside. You were lying on the floor. So I drug you inside."
"Thank you again, Barbara."
"Who hit you?"
"Your old boyfriend."
"That asshole. What's he have against you?"
"Barbara, that's what I'm here to find out."
"Let me fix you an ice pack for your head."
"No, thanks, Barbara."
"You shouldn't get up yet."
"I'll be alright. Where is the phone book?"
"Here it is."
"Barbara, this is what I'm looking for, Toyota Auto Sales, 400 Manchester Street."
"Are you going to see Jack?"
"Yes."
"He won't talk to you. He can smell a cop a mile away."
"Well, I have ways of making a person talk."
"Besides, maybe Richard isn't even in town. Maybe Richard went back to New York."
"What did you say?"
"Maybe Richard is gone back to New York, that's where he lived."
"Does Jack know that?"
"I guess so; Richard is always talking about New York City."
"Okay, I have to go."
"You aren't going to drive in that condition, are you?"
"Sure, I'm too dizzy to walk."
Chapter Eight
I stepped out into the hall. This time, I looked carefully around to make sure it was safe. The hallway was empty, and that made my head feel better.
Ten minutes later, I arrived at Toyota Auto Sales on Manchester. I stopped outside took a deep breath and entered the small building on the left side of the lot.
"What can I do for you?"
"My name’s Henry Tucker, from New York City."
"You need a car, Mister Tucker?"
"No, I already have one."
"What can I do for you?"
"I'm looking for a guy named Lewis. His first name is Russ, Randall, what's that guy's first name?"
"I know a Richard Lewis."
"That's it, Richard. The guy I'm looking for is Richard Lewis."
"You have the wrong place. Now leave."
"That's what everyone tells me. I sure wish I could find that fellow. I just want to give him the money and go back home."
"Did you say money?"
"Yes, that what I said, money. You see, my brother, Steve, is a lawyer, Richard's father's u
ncle died and left Mister Lewis some money."
"Mister Tucker, how much money?"
"Well, I don't know. Steve said it was enough where Mister Lewis wouldn't have to work again."
"I guess that's a lot?"
"I guess you are right."
"Mister Tucker, don't bullshit me. I don't like bullshitters."
"No, pal, this is the honest truth."
"You have the money with you?"
"No, but I have this document I'm supposed to watch him sign. Then my brother will send him the money."
"Wait a minute, Mister Tucker. You stay right there."
Chapter Nine
So far, so good. Jack went into a back room, and I heard him dial. I couldn't hear the conversation, but I knew he was talking to Richard. A few minutes later, he came back.
"Okay, Mister Tucker. I will take you to see Richard."
"Thank you, my friend. But I don't want to take you away from work. Just tell me where I can find him."
"No, Mister Tucker, I can't do that. Richard said to bring you to him. The car lot can wait, now move."
I started to break his face, but the pistol he carried in his hand changed my mind.
Chapter Ten
We walk through the car lot to a dark-colored pickup truck. Jack tossed me the keys and climbed on the passenger's side. A smile crossed his face as he pressed the cold barrel of the Saturday night special against my neck.
"Okay, Mister Tucker, we are going to take a little ride."
"I don't mind taking you for a drive, pal. But do you need that pea shooter pointed at my neck?"
"You just drive."
"But what if we hit a bump? My brain could be all over this beautiful leather seat."
"I said drive." he replied, sticking it harder into my skull.
We drove down Manchester Street over the railroad tracks, past Morton's High School, and out Newtown Pike to the warehouse section of town. We drove back to a little storage unit building.
"Blow the horn, Mister Tucker." he said, shoving the gun under my chin.