Criminal Intent

By M.L. Lindberg

Private investigator Wayne Davis is expecting a visit from his lifelong friend. His friend seemed desperate. Tragically he never made it. Wayne soon discovers that his friend knew his killer, and left some clues. The problem now is, Wayne has to decipher those clues among a sea of conflicting evidence. But time is running out. He and his hi-tech partner, Rhino, head out to find this not so obvious killer. Wayne's life is even threatened, as he and Rhino piece together enough evidence of a plot of greed and malice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M. L. Lindberg
• Release date: Jun 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476203454

M.L. Lindberg

Marvin Lindberg is an author of many books of fiction including the Crooner series, four books with Wayne Davis, a Texas private investigator as the central character. Mr. Lindberg lives in Racine, Wi.

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Criminal Intent

M. L. Lindberg

This book is dedicated to my brother Arnie

Copyright 2012 M. L. Lindberg

Published on Smashwords

Formatted by eBooksMade4You

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All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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Chapter One

It was one of those jaw-dropping hot August days in Texas. Wayne Davis was on his way home. He hadn’t slept a wink from the previous all night poker game.

The good news was that he won five-thousand dollars. The bad news was his air conditioning in his Jeep Comanche was on the fritz. Opening the windows of the vehicle didn’t help matters any. When its 101 degrees, all you get is hot air blowing in your face. But…it was better than nothing.

The phone rang. He took a look at the number showing to find out who was calling. It was Ruby, his wife.

I better answer, he thought. She’s a little worried, I’m sure. I should have called by now.

Hello sweetheart. You wondering where I am?

You might say that. My guess is you just left your poker game, right?

Well, close. I’m half-way home. I should be home in an hour or so. My a/c went out, so I’m sweating like a pig.

Oh no! Wayne, the other reason I’m calling is your old friend Jason called. He wouldn’t say what he wanted, but his voice didn’t sound too happy. He said to call him as soon as you get home. He needs to talk to you. He did ask me if you are still doing private investigative work.

Oh he did, did he? Man, I haven’t heard from Jason in what, about two years. Yeah, I better call him. Did he leave a number?

Yeah…got a pen?

Wayne jotted down the number on the empty beer case on the seat.

Wayne honey, how did you do last night?

I won! How about that. Five thousand dollars!

Wonderful! I knew you had it in you.

I lucked out. Those guys were all rodeo clowns.

I’m never sure what you mean by rodeo clowns.

There were no real professionals at all…lucky for me.

Any women there?

I knew that question was coming.

Well…..

No, not one. This was an old fashioned, pipe-smoking, beer drinking, poker party. Those are the only kind I can win any more.

Well, hurry home sweetheart. I’ll have breakfast waiting for you.

I’m anxious to get home to see your face. Oh, make sure the air-conditioning is on. See you in about an hour.

Bye sweetheart.

Wayne wondered what his old friend Jason wanted. It sounded as if he was in some kind of trouble, otherwise why ask if Wayne was still doing private investigation work.

If he were in some trouble, it would not be surprising. He and Wayne were bosom buddies growing up in Amarillo. They were only a city block apart during their elementary and junior high school years. From the time school let out in May to the time they returned in the fall, they were almost always together.

Jason, for lack of a better term, was a natural born hell raiser. He was always devising ways of getting into trouble. From climbing up the neighbors’ trees to get fruit, especially green apples, to sneaking into stock car races, his imagination was always working.

Wayne was somewhat less wild than Jason, but always went along with Jason’s ideas.

Wayne recalled one incident that he would never forget. Jason and Wayne were wandering through a local garage sale one day. They spotted two Houston Astro baseball shirts. They were both Astro fans, and Jason willingly forked over ten dollars for the pair.

He then convinced his mother to sew the words ‘Ball Boy’ on each Jersey. She did, not realizing what her son had in mind.

The next home game, Jason and Wayne arrived at the stadium about an hour before the game started. They boldly walked through the gate. The ticket taker, seeing the words ‘Ball Boy’ on their shirts, assumed that they were the official team ball boys, and let them pass.

Needless to say they were able to see the game from the best of all seats: The top of the dugout. No one questioned their being there. They even chased a couple of foul balls.

Wayne laughed out loud about it.

That guy was something else. Yeah, he probably is in some trouble. He’s always sticking his neck out.

Actually that was the quality that seemed to attract Wayne to Jason. Jason always pushed the envelope, without getting too carried away. If he got too bold or was even close to breaking a law, Wayne was there to keep him in line.

When he turned fourteen, Jason’s dad was transferred to Lubbock, Texas as a manufacture’s rep. He and Wayne didn’t see much of each other after that. A few days in the summer was about it.

Wayne enlisted in the Army after high school, and didn’t get to see Jason for the next three years.

Time does something for old buddies, trying to remain buddies. In Jason’s case he got married, and moved to Dallas. Wayne looked him up after he got out of the army. They had a few drinks and talked about old times. Wayne then got a job working for the Border Patrol, and that pretty much ended their true friendship. They didn’t see much of each other after that.

Distance also does something for old buddies trying to remain buddies.

Anyway, Wayne was happy he called. If for no other reason, it would be good to see him again.

* * *

It was good to see that white picket fence surrounding the front lawn of his house. There is something solid about a white picket fence. Wayne wasn’t quite sure what it was, but the first thing that he did after he and Ruby had bought their home, was to build a white picket fence around the front lawn.

He opened the front gate, and walked up to his front door. Ruby had spotted him pulling into the driveway, and opened the door to greet him.

Hello sweetheart, she gushed, as she put her arms around him. They embraced each other, showing the love they felt for each other.

So good to see you sweetheart, said Wayne, kissing here gently.

Me too, replied Ruby. Oh Wayne, you better call Jason right away. He’s called twice since I talked to you.

Okay, I’ll do it right away.

Wayne quickly walked over to the phone and dialed his friend’s number. It only took one ring for him to pick it up.

Wayne, Wayne…how the hell are you old buddy?

I’m great. God, what’s it been, about two years since I last saw you?

Yeah, something like that. Too damn long my friend, too damn long. Wayne I’ve got my suitcase packed, and I’m on my way to Amarillo. I want to see you at your office tomorrow. Is that okay with you?

Hey, whatever you want amigo. I’ll clear the deck for you. We’ll take the rest of the day. Nothing’s too good for my buddy Jason. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

Well, this meeting will be of a business nature first, then we can have a little fun.

What kind of business nature?

I need your help on something. It’s pretty important. But let’s wait till I get there, okay?

Fine with me amigo. Whatever you want.

Good. How about nine o’clock in the morning. I’ll be staying overnight at my mother’s house. I haven’t seen her in two years either, so it’s about time.

You okay Jason?

Yeah, yeah…you know me, still getting into trouble, ha, ha, ha! Hey, we’ll talk tomorrow, okay? I’ll be at your place at nine.

Nine o’clock. See you tomorrow.

Wayne hung up the phone, looking over towards Ruby. He seemed to want to tell her something, but couldn’t find the right words.

How’s Jason doing sweetie?

That’s a damn good question. He didn’t seem himself.

That was a pretty short conversation.

He’s coming to my office at nine tomorrow morning.

Oh, he’s coming to Amarillo…good! Is he going home?

Yeah, he’ll be staying with his mother. I think he’s in some kind of trouble.

What kind of trouble?

I’ll find out tomorrow.

Ruby was busy in the kitchen preparing an omelet for Wayne. She walked to the table with two plates, one for him and one for her.

Everything’s ready dear. Let’s eat. You must be starved. Oh, I almost forgot to congratulate you on winning that poker game.

Ruby kissed him again, then sat down at the table.

Well, it’s about time Ruby. I haven’t won a game in over a year. It feels good.

Join the crowd. It’s been a year for me too.

What about that Hold’em Roundup in Vegas?

I don’t count that. I didn’t win first place.

Yeah, that’s true. But you had some pretty stiff competition.

Wayne takes his first bite of the omelet. He nods his head enthusiastically, and leans over the table.

M-m-m, this omelet is fabulous! Where’d you learn to make this?

I’m watching cooking shows now. This woman was showing how to make a perfect omelet. It got my attention, so I quickly wrote everything down.

Well, she knows what she’s talking about, I’ll tell you that. This is really creamy.

That’s what it’s supposed to be, so I guess I got it right.

You sure did!

* * *

Rhino, Wayne’s partner, was already behind his desk when Wayne walked in the office.

Morning Wayne. So, how’d you do?

I won amigo!

Wayne lifted up his hand and Rhino gave him a high-five to congratulate him.

Way to go buddy. I knew you could do it!

That’s what Ruby said.

Well, I’ve watched you play. You’re a damn good player.

I had a hell of a time with this guy who calls himself ‘Amarillo Jim’, would you believe. He was pretty good, I’ll have to say that.

Wayne, I just got off the phone with Surety Insurance. They’ve got an assignment for us.

You mean for you. You’re in charge of insurance fraud from now on.

How do you know it’s a fraud case?

I don’t, but if it is, you’re on it. That’s your area of expertise.

So you don’t want to call them.

No, you handle it. Oh, by the way, a friend of mine will be coming in here in a few minutes. We’ve got a nine o’clock appointment.

Anybody I know?

No, he was an old school buddy. We grew up together. I haven’t seen a lot of him since high school. We were pretty tight in school. He was a bit of a hell raiser.

Sounds like one of your old buddies! added Rhino, laughing.

You think all I did in school was raise hell?

Not all the time, ha, ha, ha.

You better say that, answered Wayne, as he sat down behind his desk in the adjoining room.

He no sooner sat down at his desk to read his messages, when he heard the front door open.

It’s got to be Jason, yelled Wayne, fully expecting to see Jason standing there. He wasn’t. It was Federal Express, with a package for him.

Wayne signed for it, and waited for the man to leave.

What is that Wayne?

This is strange amigo. The return address says it’s from my friend Jason, who’s supposed to be here right about now.

Wayne quickly opened the package. All that