When the man was safely in cuffs, I approached Robert. “Great job!”
He grinned. “You were undercover all along, weren’t you?”
I nodded. “And thanks to you, the good guys win again.”
About that time, one of the German Shepherds ambled up, stuck his nose in my crotch and gave it a good sniff.
At that moment, I didn’t really care. At the end of the day, we were all still in one piece and Lady Justice had prevailed using an old author, two knitters and a fiery little woman with a cane.
Like Robert said, “You can’t make up stuff like this!”
EPILOGUE
It turned out that we were both right.
Mark Davenport and his Homeland Security Team took out ten members of the terrorist sleeper cell at the St. Pat’s Parade. The bad guys were in two convertibles, posing as the O’Reilly Clan and the O’Sullivan Clan. Each car had explosives in the trunk.
At the Raspberry Festival, our canine friends sniffed out six boxes of C-4 spread throughout the auditorium.
If the terrorist’s plans had gone undetected, the loss of life would have been catastrophic. The amazing thing is that we might never have known in time if it weren’t for Yasser al-Kassar’s heart attack. Hundreds of hearts are still beating because the heart of one man ceased to beat.
The heart.
It can be so many things to so many people.
In the strictest sense, it is the organ that pumps oxygen and life sustaining nutrients to every cell in our bodies. Without it, we are toast. That aspect of the heart became very important to me when Liz Crane informed me that my heart was broken and in need of repair. Suddenly, everything else in life became secondary because without the heart, there is nothing else.
At that point in time, a group of strangers, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the nurses and the technicians, became the most important people in my life, for without them I might have been taken from the people that I loved the most and were closest to my heart.
There it is again --- closest to my heart.
If we look at the symbolic meaning of the word, it can be used to describe the essence of who we are.
Well over a thousand songs have been written with the word ‘heart’ in the title, and each one has a specific connotation.
When Hank Williams sang Your Cheating Heart, he was talking about someone whose morals were questionable, while Waylon and Willie were crooning about a Good Hearted Woman.
It can be a term of endearment as in the 1954 ballad by The Spaniels, Goodnight Sweetheart, or it can be a symbol of despair as in Elvis Presley’s Heartbreak Hotel.
If someone is said to have a broken heart, it might be in the literal sense as in my prolapsed mitral valve. On the other hand it might be like Beatrice McCloud who laid her head on her dead husband’s chest and died of a broken heart.
I know one thing for certain. After my chest was cracked open, I had a new appreciation for the people who work hard every day to save the lives of those with broken hearts.
I also have a new appreciation for others who, like me, have gone through that dark valley and fought to live another day, and I have a greater appreciation for the love of my life who stood by me throughout the ordeal.
My name is Walt Williams and I am thankful that I have been given a new lease on life so that I may continue to fight the good fight and give Lady Justice a helping hand.
The author, just out of open heart surgery, January 15th, 2015
The author’s first steps after surgery, January 17th, 2015
The author at the Raspberry Meadows Craft Fair March 13th, 2015
What other people are saying about the
Lady Justice Series
This guy’s books are entertaining, funny, delightful -- none of these words you would expect to find in a review of a mystery, unless you're already familiar with Walt Williams and his band of old timers. I have yet to read one of Walt's adventures and not be drawn into the story, and the characters.
Cheryl – Amazon Review
I love this series. I am not sure if it's because I'm one of the baby boomers or if it was just plain fun to read. So many comments about growing up in the 50’s and 60’s brought back fond memories. The characters are oddball but so lovable! This book is a good example that when you retire you do not need to go out to pasture.
Marcia – Amazon Review
Love this series! Comedy/mystery at its best! Keep them coming Robert Thornhill!!
Jackie – Amazon Review
Once again the author has created a story that provides suspense as well some humor and a lesson for the reader. The humor and lesson are tastefully placed not to interfere with the suspense of the story. A fun read.
Mark – Amazon Review
The entire series is 5 Star.
Jamo – Amazon Review
Love these books! I've been a fan of Walt and his crew since the first book and have enjoyed following their adventures with each new book.
Mary – Amazon Review
Robert Thornhill writes about current political and socio/economic issues in a very thought provoking way. He adds a little humor to soften the message and thereby provides a GREAT READ.
Smother – Amazon Review
The Lady Justice series is fast becoming a favorite. A bunch of improbable characters facing a number of very real social issues facing our country today.
K9sage –Amazon Review
Robert Thornhill is a master in handling controversial subjects with such finesse that the reader is made to think for himself and bring out the basic goodness inside each of us.
Venky – Amazon Review
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author, Robert Thornhill, began writing at the age of sixty-six and in five short years has penned twenty 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, Lady Justice and the Vet and Lady Justice and the Pharaoh’s Curse won the Pinnacle Award for the best new mystery novels of Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Summer 2012, Fall 2012, Spring of 2013, Summer 2014 and Fall 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 28 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
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
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
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.
http://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 th
e job.
Not a cold-blooded killer or a vicious assassin, but a model citizen, far removed from the watchful eyes of Homeland Security.
When the president comes to Kansas City, the unlikely trio of Walt, Willie and Louie the Lip find themselves knee-deep in the planned assassination.
Join our heroes for another suspenseful mystery and lots of laughs!
http://amzn.to/1bDdrKJ
LADY JUSTICE AND THE LOTTERY
Two septuagenarians win the lottery's biggest prize, dragging Walt and Ox into the most bizarre cases of their career.
The two 'oldies' are determined to use their new found wealth to re-create the past but instead propel Walt into the future where he must use drones and Star Trek phasers to balance the scales of justice.
When an extortion plot turns into kidnapping, Walt must boldly go where no cop has gone before to save himself and the millionaire.
Lady Justice and the Broken Hearts Page 14