The End of Summer: Book One in The Detective Bill Ross Crime Series

by Irving Munro

  Father Vasily Arshavin of the Holy Trinity Church led the Divine Liturgy and then Galina was laid to rest in the Russian Orthodox Cemetery in the family plot alongside her father.

  Some one hundred yards to the left of the burial site standing behind a tree, a solitary figure stood pulling his heavy coat more tightly around him as the bitter wind whistled across the cemetery. Pavel Orlov stood weeping uncontrollably. It was his moment of weakness with Fran Taylor that had led to the chain of events resulting in Galina’s death. He would have to live with this for the rest of his life. He turned and left the cemetery, a lonely and broken man.

  “They are united again in the arms of our Lord,” said Nikolay as he said his good-byes to Tommy and Marie at Baltimore Airport. He had asked that they come, and had paid for their flight. He was eternally grateful to them for helping bring closure. They were equally grateful for the gesture and for the opportunity to be there when Galina was finally laid to rest.

  Chapter 49 -Giddings, Texas

  2014 - The Cold Case Investigation

  The weather was turning as the intense heat of the Central Texas summer gave way to cooling September showers. Giddings, Texas, lies fifty-six miles east of Austin and like most small rural Texas townships today, felt run down and tired. Despite its appearance, the town was reasonably vibrant, helped by a prime location on Route 290 linking Austin to Houston. Town center businesses eked out a meager living from the occasional traveller who stopped on route and from the farmers and ranch owners who came into town to get supplies and meet at Stan’s Diner to discuss the latest beef prices.

  The First Baptist Church was the oldest in Giddings. The first church building was raised in 1872 and during the oil boom of the late 1970s, funds were made available to build the current church with its magnificent stained glass windows that captured the rays of the sun and bathed the pews in all the colors of the rainbow.

  So it was for the funeral of Jack Johnson who was born and raised in Giddings. The church was full and overflowing, bathed in glorious sunlight as Jack’s coffin, draped in the Texas flag, lay below the cross.

  Pastor Tim Richards opened the service with The Lord’s Prayer and then stepped aside as several senior dignitaries spoke of the life of Jack Johnson, the early passing of his wife and the years of dedicated service he had given to the citizens of Travis County.

  At the end of the service, six pallbearers carried the coffin out to the waiting hearse. Jack Johnson’s two brothers and his best friend Harold Gunderson had asked Tommy, Marie, and Bill Ross to be the other pallbearers and to help carry the coffin to its final resting place. This honor was overwhelming for them, particularly for Marie, as men typically performed this duty.

  As they emerged from the church, rays of warm sunshine caressed the casket, as if the Lord himself was reaching down from Heaven to welcome Jack home.

  The attendees numbered in the thousands. Citizens of Giddings, citizens of Travis County and officers from every law enforcement agency lined the route to salute their fallen comrade. As the cortege passed by, hats were removed and held over their hearts. An observer of this mark of respect never failed to be touched by the slow synchronization of this common custom like a silent musical movement, an adagio flowing through the crowd.

  At the corner of Austin and Main Street, a solitary Marine Corps officer stood in their midst. His dress blues were immaculate and he displayed the ribbons of his past sacrifices on behalf of his country. Harry DeWalt saluted as the cortege passed, a tear rolling down his cheek.

  Jack’s body was laid to rest in the family plot in the Giddings Cemetery as a lone piper played “Amazing Grace.”

  ~

  After the service, the three of them rode together in Tommy’s car back to the Travis County HQ and when they arrived, Chief Dunwoody asked that they join him in his office.

  “I know the last few months have been rough on all of you but the reality is this: we need to move on.” said Bill Dunwoody. “We need to continue to serve the citizens of Travis County in the best way we know how. We owe it to Jack Johnson and the others before him who have fallen in the line of duty in the service of this community.”

  As everyone sighed and nodded, Bill Dunwoody continued. “I have given this a lot of thought and I have reached a decision. I would like Tommy to become the new leader of the cold case unit, with Marie as his second in command. I also approved your continued engagement as a Special Reserve Officer, Bill, if you want to do that. Without your insight and experience, we may have never gotten the breakthrough needed to bring this case to closure and to return Galina Alkaev to her home.”

  “It would be my honor to continue, Chief,” responded Bill.

  Tommy and Marie hugged each other and Marie drew him a look that said, “Don’t get any ideas, buddy!”

  “Congratulations, son,” and Bill as he gave Tommy as a hug. “And congratulations to you Marie, I have never in my life served with a better police officer and certainly not a braver one.”

  Bill gave her a hug and Marie kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you Bill. I know that I’ll continue to learn a lot from you and I look forward to doing just that as we bring down the baddies!”

  The three of them left and headed home.

  Chapter 50 - Reflection

  2014 - The Cold Case Investigation

  When Marie walked into her townhome in the Westlake Hills suburb of North West Austin, the smell of sautéed pancetta, onions and mushrooms greeted her. She loved the aromas of Shelly’s cooking, particularly when she was making spaghetti carabonara. It was Marie’s favorite dish in the world and washing it down with a couple of glasses of Chianti instantly took Marie to her happy place.

  “Hi honey, how was the funeral? Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes. I’ve opened a bottle of Barolo since we appear to be out of Chianti. Can I pour you a glass?” said Shelly as she grabbed the bottle of wine and sat down on the sofa in their family room.

  “That would be great, Shell. I’ve got some news to share. Let me get my sweats on and I’ll be right there.”

  A few minutes later, Marie wearing her favorite sweats and a “Keep Austin Weird” tee shirt flopped down on the sofa, kissed her partner and grabbed the waiting glass of Barolo. She closed her eyes briefly as she stretched back on the couch and allowed the wine to have the desired effect.

  “God, Shell, it was so emotional. There must have been a couple thousand people there. The streets were lined as the hearse took Jack’s casket through the center of town and out to the cemetery.”

  “Sorry you had to go through that, honey. You know I would have been there with you if I could have but I had a deposition. So what’s the news?” said Shelly.

  “Tommy has been asked to take over from Jack to head up the Cold Case Unit. I have been given the role as his deputy. Tommy will be promoted to Detective Sergeant and I’ll get a pay increase for being his right hand gal.”

  “Woo hoo! Congratulations Marie!” But as Shelly went to give her life partner a huge hug and a kiss, Shelly could see that Marie was upset. “What is it Marie, what’s wrong?”

  “Shell, you know I love Tommy but I should have been the one to lead the unit!” sobbed Marie.

  Shelly put her arms around her and hugged her close.

  “Look, we’ve been through a lot together and we’ll get through this. You’ve fought hard to get where you are in the department and you’re known as one of the best detectives in Travis County. We know it’s still a man’s world.”

  They hugged again and then Marie started crying uncontrollably. She let it all out. The department, Jack, Luther’s gun to her temple, every stress from the Luther Fisher case poured out of her.

  “I know I shouldn’t feel this way, Shell. I really feel happy for Tommy,” sobbed Marie. “I’ll give everything to the job to make sure that he succeeds and that we as a team succeed. But right now, I’m just feeling sorry for myself. Where’s that bottle of wine?”

  Marie hugged Shell
y and they finished the wine. Marie felt a lot better after that.

  ~

  Tommy was late getting to daycare to pick up Claire. She was sitting waiting in the lobby with Miss Sydney. Miss Sydney loved Claire and she would make sure each day that Claire was ready for daddy to pick her up after his long day fighting the baddies.

  “I love you!” he whispered in Claire’s ear as he swept her up in his arms and gave her a huge hug.

  “I love you too, Daddy! Can we get French fries on the way home?” No matter how much she missed her Daddy, French fries and chicken nuggets could always cheer up Claire.

  As they drove through the Austin traffic on their way home to Cedar Park, Claire was secure in her car seat and munching on her fries.

  “Guess what we’re going to do this weekend, my love?” said Tommy.

  “What, Daddy? What are we going to do?”

  “You know that big church we pass on our way home every day, the one with the big colored window on the front that you like? We’re going to visit that church this weekend, go inside and see all the people,” said Tommy, watching in the rearview mirror for Claire’s reaction.

  “Can we go for ice cream after we go to church, Daddy?”

  “Yes, we can go for ice cream and it’s going to be fun. Like a big new adventure!”

  Tommy wasn’t sure if he was saying this for Claire’s benefit or for his own.

  ~

  Bill Ross has a stomach full of mixed emotions as he drove home. He was very happy for Tommy and would do everything he could to help him succeed in his new role as head of the cold case team. He also thought about Marie.

  Marie was almost ten years older than Tommy, in her late forties and had been a detective for over ten years. Yet, they had chosen Tommy to lead the unit rather than Marie. He knew that she would be hurt but also knew that she would support Tommy in every way she could. Bill loved Marie as much as Tommy did.

  “Hi honey, I’m home!” said Bill, the words straight from the 90’s TV sitcom.

  “How was Jack’s funeral?” asked Elaine as she laid the table for supper.

  “It was spectacular! Yes, that’s the only word to describe it, Elaine. There was nothing ever like this back home. Sure, I’ve attended elaborate funerals for very senior officers in Glasgow and London but Texans hold their law enforcement officers in such high regard. There were well over a thousand people there and the respect that they showed as the coffin passed sent shivers up my spine.”

  As Elaine smiled and sat down at the table, Bill announced, “And one more thing. Tommy is taking over from Jack. He is being promoted to Detective Sergeant!”

  “Oh, that is such great news Bill. I’m so proud of him, he’s worked so hard!” said Elaine.

  “I agree but I also hope that Marie is OK with it. Marie has worked hard as well and she has many years more experience than Tommy. I’ve been asked to carry on in my role and I’ll do everything I can to help both of them.” Bill sat down at the table to enjoy the pork tenderloin that Elaine had prepared for their supper.

  After supper, Bill took himself off to his office and he sat down in his favorite leather chair, stared at the ceiling for a few minutes and then closed his eyes. He thought of Jack and offered a silent prayer.

  “Thanks for everything, Jack. You gave me a new lease on life when you handed me the job in the department. I hope all is well in heaven. If there are fences needing mending up there, you’ll be just the man for the job!”

  Bill reached for his laptop and accessed his iTunes account on the Cloud. He had a collection of over five thousand songs that he had downloaded from the web and uploaded from his library of CDs that were now stored in boxes in the garage.

  He refilled his Edinburgh crystal glass with Glen Morangie, put on his headphones and chose a playlist. “Something smooth tonight” mumbled Bill.

  Percy Sledge was first up with “When a Man Loves a Woman” and Rod Stewart with “Mandolin Wind” followed that. It was track three when the dam burst. Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.”

  Eric Clapton had written the song after the death of his baby son and the words seemed appropriate that night.

  Would you know my name?

  If I saw you in Heaven

  Would it be the same?

  If I saw you in Heaven

  I must be strong

  And carry on

  Cause I know I don’t belong

  Here in Heaven

  The tears rolled down his cheeks as he thought of Jack. He made a commitment right there and then that he would honor the memory of his dead friend and colleague by serving the good people of Travis County the only way he knew how. He would bring all his years of experience to bear in helping Tommy and Marie succeed in their new responsibilities. Together, the Three Musketeers would bring the baddies to justice.

  He was just nodding off when Elaine demonstrated her immaculate timing honed over years of practice. She grabbed the Edinburgh crystal glass out off Bill’s hand just as his fingers relaxed and the glass was about to fall and smash on the tile floor.

  She turned off the laptop, gently removed the headphones from Bill’s head and tucked his Kilmarnock FC blanket around him. It was Friday night in Texas and already Saturday in Scotland, the football games kicked off at 3pm local time.

  “Hope Killie wins tomorrow!” whispered Elaine as she kissed her husband and turned out the light.

  A brief extract from What’s left is right the next book in the Detective Bill Ross Crime Series, planned for publication Christmas 2015. Sign up for updates at www.irvingmunro.com

  What’s left is right.

  Raul Hernandez walked across the parking lot adjacent to the Gold’s gym on Lamar Blvd in Austin, feeling exhausted. It had been a ninety-minute workout on the treadmill and then another twenty on the weights. This was his normal routine at least twice a week. He also ran twenty miles on the weekend. For a forty-two-year-old, he was in great shape, and he meant it to stay that way.

  He had just pressed the remote for the BMW when they hit him from behind, and everything went black. When he came to, he realized that he was tied up, a hood over his head and in the trunk of a car.

  “I guess this is it! I missed them in the parking lot. How did I miss them?”

  It was stifling hot and the smell of gasoline was overpowering and his sweat was soaking the sackcloth of the hood. His military training had taught him not to panic in these types of situations. He was not in any great pain, but he knew that he had been knocked unconscious. His weapons were in the BMW. He never took them into the Gym; he guessed that they must have known that.

  He guessed it must have been an hour or so later, when the car stopped and the trunk was opened. They hauled him out of the vehicle and dragged him across a dirt track and yanked the hood off. There were about a dozen of them, and several trucks and cars were parked of to the side of the road. They were all dressed the same, all in white and their hoods were immediately recognizable—the Klan!

  “A bit elaborate boys, if you’re going to kill me just do it, but why don’t you untie me and let’s have a little rock and roll first, or are you not up for that?”

  “Who the fuck do you think you are talking to us like that you piece of shit!”

  He recognized the accent. It was the Honduran with the scar. “You come over the border to take our jobs, we round you up, and send you back. And what do you know. You’re right back where we found you! Well no more, this will be a lesson to all of your kind!”

  Raul quickly processed what he had just heard. So this was what the Honduran had told this bunch. That he was muscling in on their turf and going to steal their jobs!

  “I’m not here to steal your fucking jobs. And I’m not Mexican and not illegal. This lying Honduran has told you a pack of lies! Do I sound like a fucking Mexican?”

  He could see Rodriguez off to the side standing by his limo watching all of this go down. “Just untie my hands you fuckers.” he thought. “And if you
do, before I eventually go down I’m going to rip your head off, Rodriguez.”

  He thought the guy behind him was untying the rope around his wrists, but in fact, he was securing a second rope. The engine of one of the trucks to his right roared to life, and as he was yanked off of his feet, he felt his shoulder joints snap.. The pain was excruciating as he was dragged across the gravel road, and the truck gained speed. His head slammed into a rock, and the pain was gone.

  Raul Hernandez died there that cold evening in Texas.

  He had tried to explain to his killers that he was not Mexican. In fact, his name wasn’t even Raul Hernandez. But as the roar of engines faded into the distance, it didn’t matter. Those who had taken his life wouldn’t have cared about the details anyway.