“Yes, I’ll live, but the other guy is getting away.”
We saw him sprinting down the dock.
“We need this guy alive,” I said. “Do you think you can get in a leg shot?”
“I’ll try.” Ox said, kneeling and holding his pistol with both hands.
Before he could fire, we saw a figure step from behind a bale of cardboard directly in the path of the fleeing man.
“NO!” I shouted, but it was too late.
We heard the ‘craaaak’ as Mary Murphy’s bat made contact with the side of the man’s head.
He staggered, fell and rolled into the muddy Missouri River.
As the current swept the man downstream, we saw the head bob up and down briefly and then disappear into the depths of the mighty river.
EPILOGUE
Ben Foster was a man with a vision.
I remembered the first time Maggie and I had talked with him, when he compared our country to the Titanic.
To him, the great ship was off course and headed in the wrong direction and he was willing to risk everything to get our great nation back on the right track.
He looked at our electoral process and realized that something was wrong when more people vote for the American Idol than for the President of the United States.
He looked at the agencies that were supposed to be protecting the American people and found that they were protecting the profits of big business instead.
He looked at the growing deficit that was burying our country in debt and wondered where our tax dollars were being spent.
He looked at the families that couldn’t find work and who had lost their homes and wondered why our factories were closing and our jobs were going overseas.
His ideas were radical and maybe, as his detractors said, were unrealistic, but he was different enough from the politicians of the national political machines to capture the hearts of many Americans.
Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Computers could have been describing Ben Foster when he said, “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules and they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Unfortunately, we may never know who had ordered the assassination of this visionary.
Ox’s bullet had taken the life of one of my abductors and our last hope of ever uncovering the instigators of this plot, sank into the Missouri River.
It could have been any number of entities.
It might have been disgruntled bureaucrats with the FDA or CDC, hoping that their conspiracy with big business would not come to light.
It might have been big oil or one of the big pharmaceutical companies hoping to protect their billions in profits.
It might have been a foreign country wanting to protect its millions in foreign aid.
It is unthinkable to even consider the idea that it came from the camps of one of the other candidates.
These were the thoughts that were in our minds as we waited in our suite for the election returns.
It was a strange collection of individuals that were huddled around the TV set.
Among the group was Helen Foster, who had lost her husband for the greater good, Paul Ford, who had risked his political career to promote the man he believed in, Mark Davenport, Sully, Max and the other SS guys that had done their best to protect their candidate, an old retired truck driver, a black maintenance man, a manager of a flop house and a K.C. Cop.
Maggie and I were holding hands for the first time in four months when the news analyst appeared on the screen.
“ABC News has projected the winner of 2012 Presidential election.
“The winner and next President of the United States is ---------!”
What Other People Are Saying About
The Lady Justice Mystery/Comedy Series
One can write a humorous book, a book of human sentiments, a mystery or thriller, but to have a mix of all of them in a single book requires special talent. Add to that the age of the characters.... senior citizens chasing criminals and succeeding, too.
Robert Thornhill is a great web spinner. The books are easy to read, fast moving, touching and thrilling--all at the same time. Venky – Amazon Review
My favorite series. I cannot stop reading these books. Mystery and humor. Can't ask for more. Keep them coming. I'll keep buying. The characters are becoming my best friends. Kat novo – Amazon Review
Love these books! I've been a fan of Walt and his crew since the first book and have enjoyed following their adventures with each new book. Mary C. – Amazon Review
You can't beat this series. It's funny, educational, serious, and attention-getting all in one series. And Mr. Thornhill writes really fast so I don't have to wait a year before the next book comes out - it's awesome! Lori – Amazon Review
Love Love Love this book. I spent years in Kansas City, MO. and could picture everywhere the story took me. Loved the characters. A must read for anyone who wants a suspense story with comedy added for an added dimension. I am now downloading every Lady Justice book available. Sharon – Amazon Review
Another great installment of the Lady Justice series. It has everything from laugh out loud moments, to some intense police work action, and let’s not forget some romance as well. I find it so refreshing that the main characters are not only very likable and easy to relate to but they also show that life is not over after 60 or even 70. I can't wait to see what trouble Walt and Ox will get into next. C. Toste – Amazon Review
The writing is sophomoric, at best. It seems to have been aimed at a juvenile audience. The 'humor' was only funny if you were in grammar school. It was a slog to complete this book.
Phoenix Rising – Amazon Review
(Oops! How did this one get in here? Oh well, like Dirty Harry says, “Opinions are like assholes – everybody has one.” You can’t please everyone.
I hope you enjoyed Lady Justice and the Candidate
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award-winning author, Robert Thornhill, began writing at the age of sixty-six and in five short years has penned seventeen 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 and Lady Justice and the Vet won the Pinnacle Award for the best new mystery novels of Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Summer 2012, Fall 2012, Spring of 2013 and Summer 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
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.
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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!
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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.
amzn.to/1vjPq8a
LADY JUSTICE
AND THE
AVENGING ANGELS
Second Edition
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
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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?
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LADY JUSTICE
AND THE
BOOK CLUB MURDERS
BEST NEW MYSTERY NOVEL – SPRING 2013
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
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 Entrepreneur
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 class reunion filled with mystery, intrigue, jealousy and a belly-full of laughs
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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 t
hemselves knee-deep in the planned assassination.
Join our heroes for another suspenseful mystery and lots of laughs.
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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.
When an extortion plot turns into kidnapping, Walt must boldly go where no cop has gone before to save himself and the millionaire.
Come along for another hilarious ride with the world's oldest and most lovable cop!
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LADY JUSTICE AND THE VET
Best New Mystery Novel – Spring 2014
National Association of Book Entrepreneurs
Lady Justice and the Candidate (Lady Justice, Book 9) Page 14
