The golf game had gone well with is wife. Julie seemed to be enjoying the game and the company of their friends. The wind was slighter than usual and the sun was behind thin clouds that made the day just a little cooler.

They had a nice long lunch and visit. It was a perfect day. Julie seemed to have calmed down as far as Jay concerned. At least for the moment. She had two glasses of wine to his one.

They came home and had a fun night watching television. His promised surprise arrived sooner than expected. Julie was soon asleep in bed. It was twelve midnight.

Jay left the room quietly after putting his pajama bottoms on, though he knew Julie could sleep through anything.

Jay then walked down the long hall and entered his office. He sat down at his large desk and found a few sheets of paper and his pens sitting in a cup on the back edge of his desk. He started creating a flow chart. It was still a small one with few characters and locations.

He had only one location and two people of interest at the time. One was the man he saw in the parking lot. The other was the man he would “bump into” in Oscars at some point. The one that his confidential informant had told him about. Jay had seen him once and had a good discription of him. Jay saw him enter Oscar’s twice in two days. He seemed to be a regular.

Jay still had to find out where his enemies lived and how many there were. He already sensed that Oscar’s was their meeting point to deliver drugs after they were broken down into smaller and more manageable sized parcels, perhaps. Where did that happen?

What was that black SUV doing going into his sister’s neighborhood and who did it belong to? Did a resident own it? Perhaps that was where those two idiots were going when they came upon Billy. Why else would the black Cadillac be there. It had to be the one of two that he had followed away from Oscar’s. There was no doubt about that. They were a good choice for criminals as they did have room for several men and plenty of drugs as well. That seemed like a lead worth following. He had written the plate numbers down, of course.

The phone rang as Jay sat at his desk. Jay swiveled his brown leather chair a little and leaned back with his feet on the desk and picked up his cell phone.

“Hello, a soft voice said.” It was his informer, Robert again.

“Hey Jay, I have some interesting news to share about those two idiots that were beating your nephew to a pulp. They’ve made bail and they’re out now.” The third one is still locked up. He has warrants from another jurisdiction.

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to try to find out what they’re up to and who they contact.”

“I’ll keep my ears open. There are many out here near me who want them taken care of if you get my drift. They’ll show up at Oscar’s at some point, no doubt. It is all centered around that place and Sam Cornel. He owns that place Jay. I just found out. And he lives on 3223 Sand Dune, just around the corner from your sister.”

“Thanks for that bit of information. I can get in there and check his place out whenever I want to. I have some things to figure out now and this info will help. Thanks again. “

Jay went back to bed with several questions swirling in his head. “It wouldn’t be the first time a very successful criminal lived right among the regular citizens in a city or town. It’s a perfect place to hide.”

In the morning after a fitful night’s sleep and a fine breakfast made by a happy wife, Jay then went back into is office. He went in there every morning. Julie had no idea why, but it didn’t matter to her. “Perhaps it was just habit after working at a desk for thirty years,” she thought.

Jay picked up his house phone and called the chief’s direct line. The phone was answered quickly.

Hey boss, it’s Jay. We need to talk.”

“Sure no problem. I actually forgot I gave you this number. I thought it was my wife. Come on down.”

“I’ll be there in half an hour.” “Great Jay, I’ll be here.”

Jay put the phone down and called David Bleaker on his cell phone.”

“This is David, where do you need to go?” “It’s Jay, David.”

“Oh, what’s up?” “Do you know that little cafe across from Oscar’s down on the Boulevard?”

“Sure. I eat there often. I don’t like my own cooking much, so I know the place well.”

“Can you meet me there in the morning around nine or so?” “Sure. What’s up?”

“I have more information at hand now. I think I have a beginning of a plan.”

“Great, I’ll be there.”

Jay left the office and gave Julie a kiss and hug. She looked at him and smiled that smile of hers. “Thanks for last night, I needed that.” “Me too, Julie. Are you still mad at me Julie?” “Just a little.”

“I’m staying out of trouble as promised. I’m going down to see the chief this morning to see what’s been going on with the case. I haven’t a clue.”

Jay wasn’t lying. He didn’t have all the pieces yet, but he was working hard at trying to figure out what he didn’t already know.”

He grabbed his black leather jacket and left the house. It was seven thirty in the morning.

Jay reached the police station at eight. He was going to meet David around nine. He could always call him if the chief was going to keep him longer. Jay had two license numbers and the name Sam Cornel to give to the chief. Perhaps something might come to light with those bits of information.

Jay passed through the metal detector and found his way to the chief’s office. He was sitting behind the desk in his sharply pressed uniform. He looked a decade younger than he actually was.

“Sit Jay. What do you have for me?” “Well, I have two plate numbers from vehicles frequenting Oscars and I now know the name of the guy who owns Oscar’s and where he lives. He is certainly connected to the beating of my nephew in some way. Perhaps not directly, but it was due to these men coming to that house that my family became involved.”

“Yes, I understand that and assure you that we will figure this out. He have the name of the owner of Oscar’s as well. We lost the chance to talk to two of those suspects from your sister’s house. They were lawyered up and then got bailed out.”

“Yes chief, I heard that from my sources already. What a shame we didn’t get a chance to make a deal with them before they left.”

“I don’t think they would have gone for a deal. They know what would happen if they talked Jay. They may already be in deep trouble or dead as we speak.”

“What else are you up to Jay?” You seem to have kept some good sources by the way.”

“Well, it took me years to develop them and I have tried to keep in contact. Perhaps with them more than you and the department. Since I have retired I have little use of your resources.”

“Yes, that’s a tricky situation. This thing we are working on now is even a bit risky for the both of us. I might get fired and lose my pension, but you might get hurt or worse. Your wife will never forgive me if that happens and I won’t be able to show my face at your country club.

“I’m sure everything will work out fine. I’ going to do a little undercover work soon and see if I might get acquainted with this guy that my source told me about. He looks promising.”

“Alright then Jay, anything else?” The chief stood up as he spoke and put out his large hand.

“No chief, I think were good. I’ll let you know if I need anything out of the ordinary.”

Jay left the office and headed for is meeting with David at the restaurant. He had ten minutes to make it. Jay thought that was plenty of time as he got into his car.

David didn’t sleep well either that night.

He dreamed about his father and the life they had shared.

Sam Bleaker was an unhappy soul and a violent man. David had left home early and joined the Marines to escape the dangers at home. A chance at a violent end with weapons and training from the Marines looked better to David than a certain death at the hands of his father.

His mother was useless at keeping him safe from his father. She had demons of her own. David didn’t know why or from whom. Then there from her point of view her issues with her husband and son were insurmountable as far as she could tell. She was unable to deal with them or her past and decided to end her life when David was twelve. The circle was complete or nearly so.

David never saw his father after going into the Marines. He never tried to find his father and his father never contacted him. His father was dead as far as David was concerned.

David realized years later that his childhood had been different than most. It did little good to know that at the time. But he thought that for what ever reason, it was better to know than to wonder. His life was simple now, if not perfect. All he needed was a regular job, a place to live and food. He had all of that and was satisfied for the moment. He had learned not to hope for more. He didn’t deserve more as far as he knew.

More to come later.

Don’t forget “Atlanta” and “Judgment Day” available on Amazon.