Rick Wade Investigations: A Time To Reap

RICK WADE: INVESTIGATIONS

A TIME TO REAP

Written by Bill Howard and published at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Bill Howard All Rights Reserved

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This novel is a work of fiction. All names of characters bear no resemblance to actual people. The incidents included in the story are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events and entities is entirely coincidental

Cover Design by Tanya Provines

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

About The Author

Dedication

As always, first to my wife Juanita, without whose commitment and continued support these books would not likely be completed. To all the family members who have been kind enough to read the books and lend encouragement to continue writing. To Tanya Provines who designs my book covers and helps in getting them ready for publication. To the members of the McLoud Writers Group who are always ready with a critique and help and to all the loyal readers of the Rick Wade Mysteries.

Prologue

Good evening, Rick, Lois greeted Rick as she entered, this is so nice of you to do this. It is my pleasure, Lois, and it is well deserved. He shook hands with Teedy Fitzgerald as he followed his wife into the room. I don’t think I know a better way to thank you than to just say thanks, Rick, Teedy stated. "No thanks necessary, Teedy, it is my pleasure.

May 16th 1960, The Elk Room at Crestwood Golf and Country Club was filled to near capacity. Guests gathered to participate in the party Rick was hosting to acknowledge and celebrate the honor recently bestowed on Sgt. Terrence Delton Fitzgerald. The City Police Commissioner awarded the Medal of Valor to Fitzgerald for his bravery in service to the City and announced his promotion to Lieutenant and Chief of Detectives. Tuxedoed waiters with trays of champagne flutes were passing among the guests. The open bar at the left side of the room was bustling with others ordering preferred drinks. Tables with white linen coverings offered a variety of hors d’ oeuvres. Guests were milling about, greeting friends and renewing acquaintances. Commissioner Rich and Chief Colvin along with several officers from the patrol and detective divisions were in attendance, most with their wife or guest. Rick’s associates were all present along with a few people that Rick did not recognize. The conversations were animated, and the laughter escalated as stories and jokes were bantered about among the guests.

Rick made his way through the crowd and stepped onto the dais. He tapped on the microphone to get the attention of the attendees. As the noise level diminished he spoke. Commissioner Rich, Police Chief Colvin, honored guest, ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention for just a moment? On behalf of Lt. Fitzgerald and myself, I wish to thank each of you for being with us tonight. We are here to honor Teedy, not only to recognize his commendation and promotion but to thank him for his years of dedicated service to the City. I am thankful, as I know you are also, to be able to call him a friend. We have known each other since our college days when we played football on opposing teams. I can tell you I have felt the impact of this big guy hitting me so hard on occasion that I doubted my ability to get off the ground. There was a murmur of quiet laughter from the crowd. We had some spirited games and a great rivalry. Since those days we have continued our relationship through our respective career paths. Teedy, we salute you and wish you continued success in your every endeavor. There was a burst of applause and a few shouts. Rick waited briefly and continued. I see the staff is placing our food on the tables at this time, so let’s take our places and enjoy the meal. When we have finished eating, I think it would be in order to hear a few words from our honored guest. Applause and laughter filled the room as everyone took their places for dinner.

As the dinner was nearing its completion, the ensemble began playing soft music. People were clustered in conversations; some were dancing. Cocktails were being freshened as Teedy haltingly went to the dais. He stood silently for a moment as the guests began to turn toward him, and a hush fell over the room. I wish to express my thanks to each of you for being here tonight. Commissioner Rich, Chief Colvin, you are both busy men, and I am grateful that you could come. I especially thank our friend Rick Wade for bringing us together at this beautiful venue. You all know that I am not a speaker, so this will be short. I am honored to be recognized for my service to the City and its citizens. I am pleased to look out and see my friends and co-workers who have come to be a part of this gathering, and I sincerely thank each and every one of you. That’s all I am going to say, so let’s get on with the festivities. A round of applause echoed through the room as Teedy concluded his brief talk.

Rick was circulating through the crowd visiting with one and then another of the guests. Rick, I wonder if I might have just a minute of your time. Rick felt the touch on his shoulder and turned to acknowledge the person speaking. He was somewhat taken aback when he recognized Trevor Ryker. Hello, Trevor, thank you for coming; it is good to see you again. I wasn’t sure but thought that I saw your wife talking with Lois; as I recall, they are close friends. Yes, they are, and Teedy asked us to come with them tonight. I had talked to Teedy about a situation, and he suggested that I talk to you, Rick. Can you spare a minute or two? Rick smiled at Ryker, Certainly, Trevor, you have my ear; what’s on your mind? This is a bit embarrassing, Rick, and first off, I want to apologize for the fiasco that materialized after our first encounter. When we asked for your help, it was with nothing other than a serious need for help, or so we thought. As your people were getting a start, we were led to believe our dilemma was reconciled. That was the reason for terminating your work almost before it began. I am now chagrined to tell you we were totally wrong and still need your services. I am hoping that you will consider taking our case again; things have certainly taken a turn for the worse, Ryker concluded. I am sorry to hear that, Trevor, and we will be happy to help you. Why don’t you come into the office in the morning; let’s discuss this. You can bring me up to date on what has happened or hasn’t happened, Rick replied with a smile. I would appreciate that, Rick, and I will be there. Good, you come in any time after nine, and we will discuss your situation and determine if we can be of help to you. Thanks, thanks a lot; I’ll see you in the morning. Rick normally didn’t go into the office on Saturday, but Trevor appeared to express a sense of urgency.

Amid the hand shaking and back patting, the guests were beginning to take their leave. Most came to Rick and thanked him for the great party. Teedy and his wife, Lois, came to Rick. Thanks a great big bunch, Rick, we had a wonderful time, and I can’t tell you how much it is appreciated. You went above and beyond the call of duty here tonight, he grinned as he shook hands with Rick. We’re going to get out of here, have to be at work as usual in the morning; we’ll be talking to you later.

Rick, you did a very nice thing tonight, Nita said as she sat down at the table where he was having a cup of coffee. Everyone had a great time, and Teedy was overwhelmed; he was so happy that you did this for him, she stated. Well, Teedy is a great guy and a friend; I was glad to do it. The bus staff was scurrying about clearing the tables and cleaning the room. It looks as though we are going to have to leave also, Nita, so let’s get out of here. Rick signed the tab for the party, and they proceeded to the front entrance. He walked her outside, and as they waited for their cars to be brought around, she said, I noticed Trevor Ryker had you cornered in conversation. Is everything alright now with their situation? As of now, I am not aware of the details, but evidently something has fallen out of bed, and he wants to come in to see us. I will be meeting with him in the morning, and we’ll know then what is going on. If you are going to be in the office in the morning, I will come in also. I have a few things to catch up on, and then David and I are going to Casios for lunch. Ok, then I’ll see you in the morning, he grinned at Nita. It seems this thing with David is getting serious, he commented. Nothing serious, Rick, we are just friends. I enjoy his company; he is a very nice man. Their cars were pulled under the portico; they said goodnight and went their ways.

Chapter 1

Rick went to the office a little earlier than usual. There wasn’t a lot of traffic early on Saturday in the downtown area. It was a beautiful spring day, and he enjoyed the leisurely trip. He had lowered the top on the Jag and felt the cool morning air rushing into the auto. Arriving at the office, he disarmed the alarm system and was making coffee when he heard the front office door open. He knew it was Nita. You’re here early, she remarked as she entered the conference room. As are you, he smiled at her. We’ll have coffee in exactly eight minutes, he stated. Good, I am ready for a cup of coffee; I didn’t take time to make any at home this morning. I knew we would have coffee here so I stopped and picked up some apple fritters to go with it. Oh, that sounds good Nita. I haven’t had an apple fritter in a long time, thank you. As they sipped their coffee and talked, they heard the front door open. That will be Trevor, he stated. We’ll go to my office, and if you would, please bring him a cup of coffee. Rick went to the reception area and shook hands with Trevor as he greeted him. Good morning, Trevor, nice to see you this morning. Let’s go into my office. I asked Nita to bring you a cup of coffee. Thank you, Rick, I need a good cup of coffee, and I know you people always have it ready, he smiled as he spoke. Nita came into the office with coffee for both of them and set it on the desk. She offered Trevor an apple fritter which he declined stating he had already eaten. Will you need anything else? Receiving a negative replay, she excused herself.

Rick studied the man seated across the desk from him. There was no question, the three piece suit he wore was custom tailored. He was a slight built man with thinning hair. His neatly trimmed mustache had a touch of gray; when he smiled, he displayed a row of white even teeth. He had a pleasant demeanor which Rick remembered from their first meeting. Trevor was staring down at his coffee cup as Rick broke the silence. Trevor, when you are ready you can tell me about your situation. Tell me what you need, and we will see if we can be of help to you. "Very well, Rick, as I told you last night, we are back to square one, just where we were the first time I contacted you. Lydia Kroger is again missing. I believe I told you previously she is Secretary-Treasurer of our company. Just about the time we engaged you to help us previously, we learned she had flown to Florida for a vacation. No one was advised of her trip. When we had knowledge of