“Don’t do anything hasty,” I replied. “Don’t hurt Ox. It’s me you want, not him. I’m the one who shot Rashawn. I’m the one Deandre was after when the cops shot him down, and I’m the one who put the bullet in your arm. Let him go and I’m all yours.”
“Looks to me like you’re mine anyway,” he said. “Now I know you’re packin’ so come up to the stage nice and easy, put your gun on the stage and slide it over to me.”
Tweedy had put tape on Ox’s mouth, but I could see him shake his head and the expression in his eyes said, “Shoot him!”
I moved slowly forward, took my revolver from my holster, placed it on the stage and gave it a shove. “Okay, I’ve done what you asked. Now what?”
“Now it’s time for you and your buddy to die. Like I told you, an eye for an eye.”
I hoped that Kevin had found his way from the gym. If he had, he would be standing in the stage’s west wing about twenty feet from Tweedy. I figured it was time to make my move before Tweedy squeezed off a round.
“That’s pretty big talk from a man that’s outnumbered and outgunned,” I said.
“What you talkin’ about. I only see one unarmed old man.”
“Then you’d better look again,” Kevin said from the wing.
Startled, Tweedy swung his gun in Kevin’s direction.
I know it only lasted a fraction of a second, but when Tweedy turned, I pulled a second gun I had concealed and pointed it at his head. Immediately, the sight of my friend, Vince Spaulding, lying dead, having been denied his anticipated retirement flashed into my mind, followed by the images of two flags being handed to the grieving families of the fallen officers, and in that moment, I hated DeMarcus Tweedy. Hated him with all my heart. As my rage built, I also remembered the Professor’s words, “The light side is characterized by honesty, compassion, mercy and self-sacrifice, while the dark side draws its power from anger, rage, hatred, fear and aggression.”
I was feeling all of those things, just as I had when Tweedy was holding Amanda Parrish hostage. On that day, I had the chance to take him out, but remembering the Professor’s words, I chose to try to put him under arrest rather that kill him in cold blood.
If I had pulled the trigger that day, Chapman and Freeman would still be alive.
At that very moment, I was faced with the same choice. If I showed compassion and mercy, Tweedy would undoubtedly be tried and convicted for his crimes and sentenced to death, but he would spend the next twenty years with appeal after appeal at the taxpayer’s expense. He might kill someone in prison. He might even find a way to escape.
Light side or dark side? That was my dilemma.
Surprisingly, it was an easy choice.
I pulled the trigger and DeMarcus Tweedy fell to the floor dead.
EPILOGUE
Even though DeMarcus Tweedy’s reign of terror had come to an end, nothing had really changed.
People continued to demonstrate across the country, decrying police brutality. The TV reverends continued to stir hatred with their rhetoric and politicians continued to promise reform.
Others, incensed by the cowardly executions of two police officers, marched in support of the men in blue.
In spite of all this, young black men like the Tweedys continued to commit crimes which ultimately lead to their deaths, and brutish officers continued to harass people of color.
Undoubtedly, advances had been made since the days when young men like Nate Jackson could be lynched in broad daylight, but it was obvious that there was still a long way to go.
The encouraging thing is that there are genuinely good people out there fighting the good fight. Some, like Suzanne Romero, Ox and the captain, are seeking the justice of the lady wearing the flowing white robe and a blindfold.
Others, like my brother-in-law, Kevin, are also seeking justice, but they are following the lady from the dark side --- the one wearing a tight skirt, fish-net stockings and high heels.
It’s almost like there are parallel realities, both seeking the same thing, but operating under different sets of rules.
As an officer, I spent five years in one of those realities and was genuinely proud of what had been accomplished.
As a private investigator, I had just spent two months working for the shady lady.
I wondered at the time about the justice that had been meted out to Frankie Bonaducci when he ended up at the bottom of a ravine.
I wondered if the money from the Wells Fargo heist should have been turned over to the authorities, and I wondered most of all, whether pulling the trigger on DeMarcus Tweedy was the right thing to do.
I’ve spent many nights lying awake, wondering if I have indeed slipped to the dark side.
Maybe I’m just deluding myself, but I came to the conclusion that justice is justice no matter whom I’m working for, and I plan to keep on fighting the good fight, not as Officer Williams, but as Walt Williams, Private Investigator.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author, Robert Thornhill, began writing at the age of sixty-six and in five short years has penned nineteen 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
What Other People Are Saying About
The Lady Justice Series
I love the Lady Justice series. The mystery, comedy and the controversial topics of each book. I will be looking forward to his other books. I love this author.
Judy – Amazon Review
I love this series. Walt and his friends are a hoot. Their adventures are sometimes far-fetched, but underneath are some very true-to-life facts about human nature. Although light in nature, the tale is very well researched. Living near Kansas City, Missouri just makes the story more fun. Looking forward to more of Walt's adventures as a senior cop and his over-the-hill gang.
Cuentista – Amazon Review
A fun read, written in a tongue-in-cheek style. Humor and murder, a delicious entrée!
Jean – Amazon Review
Loved it. Bought all the other books in the series!
Lyssa – Amazon Review
Keeps you on the edge of your seat! A real page turner!
Diane – Amazon Review
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.
&n
bsp; 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 cla
ss 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.
Lady Justice on the Dark Side (Volume 19) Page 14
