Finally, the moment that he had been waiting for had arrived. The master of ceremonies introduced the Secretary of Defense who was to turn over the first shovel full of dirt.
He spoke briefly, took the shovel and stepped off of the platform and onto the ground.
Curtis drew a deep breath and tossed the blanket aside.
Ben Singleton had attended several group sessions since his setback at the haunted house and was feeling much better.
He was so happy for Archie and Mike, knowing that they had something to look forward to. A future that had looked grim now held promise.
He had kissed Tracy and sent her off to sit with Walt and Maggie while he took his place on the front row beside Archie.
After an hour of seemingly endless speeches, it was time for the Secretary to turn over the first shovel full of dirt.
As he was being introduced, Archie leaned over and whispered, “Ben, take a look at that guy in the wheelchair --- the one with the blanket over his legs. Doesn’t he look familiar?”
Ben looked where Archie had indicated. “He sure does. That’s Curtis Brown. He was in our squad in Zad Valley.”
“You’re right!” Archie replied. “Wait --- wasn’t he the guy that left his post the night the Taliban attacked?”
“He was, and if memory serves me right, he was court martialed and given a dishonorable discharge.”
“Don’t you lose your rank and VA benefits when that happens?”
“That’s my understanding,” Ben replied. “If that’s the case, what do you suppose that he’s doing here? Something just doesn’t add up.”
Suddenly, they saw Brown toss his blanket aside.
Ben and Archie had been whispering for a few minutes and looking at another vet in a wheelchair about twenty feet down the line.
My eyes followed their gaze and I saw the vet throw his blanket aside.
What happened next must have been over in just a matter of seconds, but it was one of those moments when time seems to slip into slow motion like in a movie.
I saw Ben leap to his feet and yell, “NOOOOO!”
The vet in the wheelchair had pulled an automatic pistol he had been hiding under the blanket and had taken aim at the Secretary.
Ben’s feet left the ground just as the pistol erupted.
The impact of the hail of bullets seemed to hold Ben’s body suspended in midair.
By the time his body hit the ground, the shooter had been killed by a second hail of bullets fired by the Secret Service agents.
When it was all over, two men in uniform lay dead on the ground, one a hero who had given his life for his country and the other, a damaged soul that had forsaken his country.
Later, as I reflected on the tragedy, it was somehow fitting that the blood of two men who had served and returned home damaged, had consecrated the very earth that one day would be a refuge for others like themselves.
The image of Lady Justice holding the balance scale came to mind. Two lives lost --- one heroic --- one evil. Did that eye for an eye balance the scales of justice?
If justice had indeed been served, it came at a very steep price and it wasn’t hard to imagine that the blindfold that covered her eyes was concealing the tears she had shed for these men.
Ben Singleton was a brave but troubled soul.
He had valiantly fought the demons that had been his constant companions since the war. Some days, he was victorious but other days the images of the death and destruction he had witnessed won the battle.
One can only hope that in his last heroic act, he had finally found peace.
EPILOGUE
The loss of a loved one is never easy, but somehow the pain is more bearable knowing that the individual gave his life for something in which he believed.
Immediately after the tragic event, a plaque was prepared that was to be attached to the first building completed in the new campus.
The plaque read, ‘The Benjamin Singleton Veteran’s Housing Complex.’
Ben was to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial.
Tracy invited Maggie and me to accompany her.
There is nothing as stirring as a military funeral with full honors, especially in the setting of the nation’s most revered cemetery.
Only the most callous would not weep as bagpipes play Amazing Grace, an armed guard fires their salute into the air and the final notes of the soulful Taps echo across the valley.
We watched Marines in starched uniforms remove the flag from the casket and ceremoniously fold it into a triangle.
A Marine presented the flag to Tracy with the words, “On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s service to country and corps.”
Tracy accepted the flag, the Marine saluted, did an about face and joined the color guard.
My heart was heavy as I watched Tracy, sitting there with nothing left of her husband but a flag, the Medal of Honor which had been awarded to him posthumously, and the memories of their brief time together.
As I gazed over the hills of Arlington Cemetery, I was struck by the fact that she was just one of over 400,000 wives, children, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters who had laid their loved one to rest in this sacred place, and even more tragic was the fact that these headstones represented just a fraction of those who had lost their lives in battle.
From the beginning of recorded history, men have waged war with one another. Thousands of battles have been fought and millions of lives have been lost. Sadly, it seems that we have learned nothing from thousands of years of suffering and death. The one thing that is certain is that we will continue to fight.
As long as there are those who would take away our liberty and freedom, there will be a call for brave men and women to put on the uniform and take up arms, both at home and abroad, to protect and serve our families and our way of life.
My name is Walt Williams and that’s why I’m a cop.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author, Robert Thornhill, began writing at the age of sixty-six and in five short years has penned twenty-one 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 32 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 Readers Are Saying About The
Lady Justice Mystery/Comedy Series
Look out Stephanie Plum! I think Walt and his gang are going to give you a run for the money. I think I enjoy Walt and his gang more than I do the Stephanie Plum series. Can't wait for the next book in the series. Thanks again Mr. Thornhill for such an awesome series! Gail, Novi, MI.
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A humorous mystery novel that made me think of Janet Evanovich`s books. I had been immediately attracted to the book by the title and cover. The blurb made me know it was going to be an adventure with plenty of murder and mystery
told in a light-hearted way. I love the "noir" type of book. Sherry, Pensacola, FL.
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I love this series! Every time there is a reason to get a present, I just order the next 3 books in this series and tell my husband his shopping is done. A fast read, a good mystery, great characters, and I always learn something new when I read a book in this series. Lori, Rochelle, IL
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This book is a hoot to read! It is also refreshingly delightful to have an “elderly” hero!
Annie, Saint Paul, MN.
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Love the mix of mystery with the humor. I highly recommend this book to every mystery lover and to anyone else who is thinking of reading something different for a change of pace. Linda, Waynesville, NC.
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I found it refreshing that the characters of the series are past middle age. The author showed that just because somebody is older they still are able to kick butt. Conny, Puyallup, WA.
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Robert Thornhill's group of older crime fighters is a fun romp with a lot of twists and turns. Empowering, satisfying and surprising. This series is very appealing to those of us past 50 (long past for me). What fun! Sandy, Sweet Mystery Books
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Warning - do not eat or drink while reading a Robert Thornhill book - you will spew! Cynthia, Randolph, KS.
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A well-executed murder mystery that has the elements of a dark comedy - light reading with dark, eerie overtones. Amy, Indie Reader Review
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They are easy to read, funny, and relate to current issues. Walt and Ox get into more shit than a barrel of monkeys. I'll be reading more. David, Roanoke Rapids, NC.
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Robert Thornhill is my go to author for a mood elevation! This 12th book in the Lady Justice series has the same great blend of mystery, suspense and humor. The subject matter is current and thought provoking without being in your face. I love Walt and the gang! Heather, Neosho, Mo.
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I don't know what to say about this book - it's funny, it's serious, it's exciting, it's informative. It is written so I felt like I knew the characters and empathized with some of their situations, and wanted to give them advice about others. As the old cop lives, I learn, and as he acts, I applaud. Some of the things Robert says in this book, I want to copy to my wall on Facebook for everyone to see, it's so good. I think I'm going to feel about these books the way I did about Grace Livingston Hill's books - I have cases full of them and read them over and over. Not that Robert Thornhill's books are anything like Grace's, but they both have that effect on me.
Allison, Jackson, WY.
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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.
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
Second Edition
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 an
d 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.
Lady Justice and the Vet Page 13
