Hi Everyone:

I am pleased to publish chapter 4 of my novel, RAPE. After reading it, I hope you will comment on it. As you know, your comments and suggestions will help me during its revision.

 I also hope you will decide to visit my website at:  joshswritingroom.com  where you can find Part One of my novel Palm Beach Style. Here you will be introduced to Special Agent Dugan of the FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement). It’s the first of four novels in which he is the main character. While you are on the website, why not check out the three novels that are available for your reading pleasure.

PATH TO A PARDON, THE EINDHOVEN STRATEGY, & PALM BEACH STYLE.

 

 

As each new chapter is published on this blog, the previous chapter(s) should be archived below, so even if you did not read it when it first appeared, you can easily catch up. Your suggestions are appreciated and will receive careful consideration.

 

CHAPTER 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He punched in the seven numbers for the attorney’s office. “This is Gary Sanders; I’d like to speak with Mr. Flaherty please.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Sanders, but Mr. Flaherty is out of the office, I expect him back shortly; may I have him return your call?”

He left his office number and then added, “Please tell him that Charlie Ponton suggested that I call him.” He hung up as Erica returned looking perplexed; “Julia Walsh,” she said in a breathless voice, “she’s on line two.”

Gary lifted the receiver and pushed the blinking button, “Julia, I didn’t do it. I swear I never touched your niece,” he said before his old friend managed to utter a word.

“Gary, I sincerely hope you can prove that, but in the meantime, I know you’ll understand that I must transfer my insurance account to another firm.”

Pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the moisture from his forehead, Gary replied,

 

“Julia, I don’t understand, we’ve been friends for a long time, you know me. Surely, by now you have an excellent idea of my character. You know I’m incapable of such a terrible act.”

He waited through a long silent pause, she said, “I thought I knew you, but now—“

“Julia, why not just wait. Give the police a week or so to complete their investigation?”

“No, I’ve never been one to rely on others to determine my course of action. Goodbye, Gary. I shall miss you.”

Despite the phone’s loud buzz, he continued to hold the instrument. Erica, who had been standing in front of the desk walked behind him, took the phone out of his hand, and hung it up. “Gee, I’m real sorry; I know how much you valued Ms. Walsh as a client,” she said in a voice that sounded one decibel above a whisper. “Can I bring you another cup of coffee?”

He nodded and she picked up his empty mug and left the office. When she returned and placed the coffee on his desk she whispered, “Here you go. Drink this; it’ll make you feel better.”

He took a sip and then flashed her a fleeting smile, “Thanks Erica, I appreciate this. You know I really hate to lose her business. It’s no longer our biggest account, but she is the first, honest to God, important client I landed in this town and she has always been good for a couple of great referrals each year. She’s a good person. I’ll miss having her in my corner.”

Erica sighed, “I know what you mean. It’s got to hurt. Palm Beach’s elite operate as a close-knit community and Julia is well known—“

“And she’s gabby.” Gary interrupted.

“If your clients think you’re guilty, you can expect a lot more calls like this one.”

He looked at her and nodded, “You’re not wrong Erica. I guess I’d better do something pretty damn quick. Listen, I’ve got an idea and I think it’s worth pursuing. I put in a call to a criminal lawyer. If Joseph Flaherty calls while I’m out, give him my cell phone number.”

 

 

Gary parked his car in a visitor’s space, spotted the reporters busy talking to each other, and walked briskly toward the door, hoping to get inside police headquarters before they recognized him. Good Lord, he thought, they’re like a bunch of flies hovering around an open honey jar.

“Hey!” One exclaimed as the flies began to buzz. “It’s him!”

He quickened his pace. He closed to within a few feet of them. Someone shoved a microphone boom in his direction.

“Are you going to turn yourself in?” A woman called.

“Was the roll in the hay worth it?” a fly at the back of the crowd called.

The flies were thick around him now; he pushed his way forward trying to keep his head down to prevent their taking his picture. He wished he owned a fedora.

“Any regrets?”

             About to open the door, he heard someone call out, “Mr. Sanders.” He turned and a flash bulb blinded him for his trouble.

“Haven’t you done enough damage already?” he snarled at the photographer.

“I’m just doing my job,” The man replied.

“Yeah,” Gary muttered, “that’s what you all say. It doesn’t seem to matter how many lives you ruin; you bastards all hide behind the same mantra: ‘Just doing my job’.” 

Gary gave his full name to the desk sergeant and asked to see Chief Moore. After a ten minute wait the sergeant directed him to the Chief’s office.

Chief Moore gave him what he took for a cordial smile. The office though small appeared clean, its only clutter, the wall behind the Chief’s desk. From ceiling to desk height, it held photos of officers in an assortment of frames that were, either hung by a drunk, or a cock-eyed decorator. The Chief directed Gary to one of the two leather chairs and then took a seat behind his old wood desk. He tilted his chair back a few inches and asked, “How can I help you, Mr. Sanders?”

“Tell me you’ve found evidence that clears me.”

“Don’t I wish, but unfortunately that doesn’t happen to be the case.”

Gary frowned; “Don’t you have any news yet on Miriam’s rape charge?”

“Nothing definitive.”

The lines in his forehead deepened. “What do you mean? You told me you were waiting for the lab report.”

“It turns out that Ms. West used her bidet right after you left and then took a bubble bath to clean herself before our people arrived, so the lab can neither prove nor disprove her statement.”

“And how about the assault charge. Have you found out who hit her?”

The Chief raised one eyebrow; “According to the butler, you were her only caller that day.”

“Yeah, but the odd thing is that when I left I didn’t see Samuel anywhere around. Isn’t it possible that someone entered the house after I left?”

“Yep, it is possible. We’re still looking into it. We just don’t have a witness and Ms. Walsh doesn’t believe in security cameras.”

“Yeah, I know,” Gary murmured.” I’ve tried to talk her into installing them but she’s opposed.”  And then in a firmer voice said, “There must be something you—that is—we or I can do? How about if we both take a lie detector test?”

Chief Moore scratched at the back of his rapidly balding head. “We already asked her, but she said her attorney advised against it. You can take one, do you want to?”

“Yeah, but maybe I better ask my attorney first.”

“He’ll tell you that it’s not admissible in court. Do you even have a lawyer?”

“No sir, not yet. I—I put in a call to one but he hasn’t returned my call.”

“Look son, I know you and I like you, so let me tell you something that you may not realize yet; you’re in the middle of a cat fight, right now it’s her word against yours. I’m not required to advise either one of you, that’s not my job, but she’s already hired a big law firm. If I were you, I’d hire a damn good attorney.”

“Yeah, that’s what my wife said too.”