Someone yelled, “GUN!” and the crowd scattered, seeking shelter behind neighboring tombstones.
I grabbed Maggie and headed to the nearest headstone. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the approaching man stop and take a firing position.
There was a loud report, and I saw Oliver Prentis go down, blood seeping from a hole in his back.
I saw Kevin pull his gun and I did the same. Knowing there would be a lot of flat-earthers at the ceremony, we thought it prudent to go armed.
I heard Kevin fire off a round and the man ducked behind the casket.
The man raised up and was about to unleash another volley, when I heard the faint ringing of a cell phone coming from deep in the grave.
A moment later, ‘BOOM.’ The ground shook. Dirt and splinters of casket came raining down on us.
Then, the cemetery became strangely quiet. I peeked around the headstone at the gaping hole in the ground.
The casket, Arlo’s grandfather, and the man who attacked us were gone, totally obliterated by the explosion.
EPILOGUE
We never knew for sure who had sent the man who was obliterated by the blast.
The flat-earthers swore he was an agent sent by the government to silence their claims of a conspiracy. With no way to verify one way or another, the final police report simply said that it was the work of an extremist group at odds with the unorthodox beliefs of the flat-earthers. After all, who in their right mind would believe that the government had concocted a space program hoax and kept it under wraps for seventy years, then sent assassins to protect their dirty little secret?
Dr. Julian Speers believed it. He had some interesting ideas on the subject, but now he is dead.
It makes you wonder.
With the death of Oliver Prentis, Arlo Quimby became the leader of the flat earth group. Believing they were still being watched by sinister forces within the government, he vowed to keep their conspiracy rhetoric to a minimum and simply keep searching for more proof that the earth is flat.
He invited me to join their little band of truth seekers, but I politely declined.
When first approached by Arlo, I have to admit that I was intrigued by the information he shared. Then, after giving it more thought, I decided I really didn’t care one way or the other.
Whatever the shape of the earth, I had been on it for seventy-five years, and when I get up in the morning, I’ll be doing the same things I have always done. Believing one way or the other won’t change how I live or what I’m going to do.
It was a fun exercise for a while, but I decided I had better things to do with my life.
As I thought of the events of the past few weeks, once again I was amazed at how the lady wearing the white robe and blindfold maintains the balance of justice.
I smile when I realize that quirky Arlo Quimby was recruited by Lady Justice to balance the scales.
If it wasn’t for this quiet little man, scorned by police for his odd beliefs, five of America’s munitions plants would be in ruin.
If I learned one thing in my association with the flat-earthers, it’s how important it is to be tolerant of one another.
Our cars were vandalized, not by government assassins, but by an ignorant putz who disagreed with the message of the flat-earthers.
Dirty Harry said, “Opinions are like assholes, everybody has one.”
We would do well to keep that in mind. There will always be disagreements.
It’s one thing to disagree, but it’s something altogether different to act out in violence.
Christians and Muslims can disagree, but it’s not right to bomb Muslim mosques.
Abortionists and pro-lifers can disagree, but it’s not okay to bomb abortion clinics.
Unfortunately, violence over differences of opinion seems to be the norm today.
Evelyn Beatrice Hall said, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”
My name is Walt Williams, and as long as I’m on this old earth, whether flat or round, I’ll do my best to be tolerant, respect opposing opinions, and encourage others to do the same.
If you’re interested in seeing some of the information that Arlo gave Walt, check out these links:
Flat Earth – The Biggest Lie of All - Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lchtwf5Fvhc
Flat Earth – he Biggest Lie of All - Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdoGTeM0koQ
Gall-Peters Projection from The West Wing TV series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVX-PrBRtTY
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xciCJfbTvE4
Top Ten Proofs That Earth is Flat
https://flatearthscienceandbible.com/2016/02/08/top-ten-undeniable-flat-earth-proofs/
A Stranger’s Guide to Flat Earth
https://youtu.be/k0xClWgidZU
The Flat Earth Society
https://wiki.tfes.org/Flat_Earth_-_Frequently_Asked_Questions
Flat Earth 101
http://flatearth101.com/fe-proofs-part-1
Now, to hear rebuttal from Dr. Damien Perkins:
The Earth is not Flat
https://splinternews.com/im-sorry-b-o-b-but-the-earth-is-not-flat-1794269700
Flat Earth Proof – Just a Mirage
https://answersingenesis.org/astronomy/earth/flat-earth-proof-just-a-mirage/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author, Robert Thornhill, began writing at the age of sixty-six and in nine short years has penned thirty-five 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 45 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/1
twzOfq
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.
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 the 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.
Come along for another hilarious ride with the world's oldest and most lovable cop!
Lady Justice and the Quirky Arlo Quimby Page 10