Twodunit? A Brad Asher Double Shot

By Joseph C. Ellers

Brad Asher solves mysteries the old-fashioned way--by detecting. Assisted by an attractive operative, Kate Vaughn; the crime-solving duo gets the bad guys and gals on a regular basis. In the first novella, we are introduced to the team as they try to solve the murder of Kate's college pal. In the second, we follow Brad and Kate as they try to get the to the bottom of the business of murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joseph C. Ellers
• Release date: Aug 19, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476223957

Joseph C. Ellers

Ellers was born in West Virginia but has lived most of his life in South Carolina. He has a strong background in government and has dabbled in law enforcement, as well. He has authored numerous books including: The Best Distribution Sales Book Ever NAW (2009) The Sales Manager’s Handbook Chief Executive Network (2002) The Legend of Satan’s Hound (Novel) Land of the Sky Books (2002) Nominated for an Edgar Award American Government: Making the Case for Federalism 1stBooks.Com (2000) Strom Thurmond: The Public Man Sandlapper Publishing (1993) Market-Driven Manufacturing (with F. Paul Clipp) Institute for International Research (1990) Getting to Know Clemson University... Blueridge/Sandlapper (1987) Coauthorship of numerous courses for the National Management Association including Implementing Process Improvement (1994). Ellers is a member of Mystery Writers of America. When not writing, he serves as the director of Palmetto Associates, a training and consulting firm with customers throughout the world.

Book preview

Not in the Mood for Murder

A Brad Asher Mystery

by

Joseph C. Ellers

Copyright 2012 Joseph C. Ellers

Smashwords Edition

Chapter 1

The alarm clock went off at 6:45 as usual. The weather report called for rain. Sara Wells looked over at her sleeping husband, Thom. The lucky devil, she thought. Thom never had to be at work before ten o’clock. That came with being a successful architect. It was different for her though. As a brand new attorney, the hours were long, the pay was low and most of the stuff that she got to handle was boring. Wills, divorces, simple contracts, and the like.

But today, she had some really interesting work to do. Last Friday, the head of the firm, James Lange, had asked her to assist another attorney, Marsha Tilson, on a bribery case.

She didn’t know all the details yet, but she was really looking forward to it.

Other needs began pushing those thoughts away. Getting dressed, the morning shower, her skimpy breakfast of coffee and toast, all had to be attended to before she could begin her one hour commute in to her office.

On her way out the door, she walked back into the bedroom and finished her last morning ritual; waking Thom. As always, it proved to be the hardest part of her get-ready process.

He groaned mightily when she shook him. Thom, get up. Huh? What time is it anyway?

Eight o’clock. Come on now, please don’t make me late. I’ve got to be on time this morning.

Oh yeah; that bribery thing with Marsha. Good luck.

See you later, honey, she kissed him good-bye.

At the same time that Sara was driving off to meet her fate, Brad Asher was struggling with his own morning ritual. His push-ups complete, he drug himself down the hall to his bathroom. Getting the water adjusted just right, he stepped in and soaked his head under the stinging jets of the shower. I hate mornings, he thought. Especially after the night that I had last night. A big dinner, followed by dancing, a drink or two; boy, I’m beat. Getting to old for this.

At thirty, most people didn’t think that Asher was too old for anything. He had a thin athletic physique that let you know that he was the kind of guy that did push-ups every morning. His dark eyes and dark hair had a mysterious charm. Most women liked him and he liked them back. That helped to explain his late hours.

Unlike a lot of other folks in his profession, he had gone to college. He was a graduate of a college that specialized in criminal justice. After graduating he had spent a few years in the Virginia State Bureau of Investigation. That was before moving further south and starting his own private investigating firm.

Now, he found himself a businessman. A single, successful businessman. A nice place to be in if you could manage it. Sometimes it was a drag. Most of the things that his agency handled were routine. Divorce evidence (he hated that); industrial espionage (tracking down some guy that gave a set of plans to a competitor); and occasionally tracing a missing person or recovering some stolen goods for an insurance company.

Things were looking up a little. For one thing, he had recently hired a young woman to serve as an assistant. Like him, she was also a college grad. Kate Vaughn started work on a local police department; as a detective no less. Brad had been so impressed with her that he had hired her. He hoped that his reason was her superb detective skills and not her obvious good looks. Sometimes it was tough being boss.

Brad’s drive into town took less than thirty minutes. He had bought a condo close-in. Being a bachelor; he had no special desire for all the headaches of a home in the suburbs. He liked being in town; near the action.

As he pulled into the underground parking garage beneath his building, he mapped out his day. The usual Monday morning staff meeting at 9:00; normally turned into a bull session that lasted till 10:00. At ten, he had a meeting with some guy that wanted his wife followed. That would probably take till around noon. These guys always wanted to unload their troubles on you; convince you that they were the good guys. Brad really didn’t care who the good guy was as long as they paid on time.

Lunch was never a problem; he would take someone on his staff, maybe Kate. The afternoon was probably pretty open. People never wanted to see detectives on Monday; they normally waited for Friday; when Brad had plans. No, he figured as he rode the elevator up to his office; he would probably have the afternoon off.

He didn’t have to use his key on the door. Someone was already there. With some amusement, he noted that it was Kate.

As he walked past her cubicle, on his way to his office, he stopped for a word of greeting, The early bird gets the worm. Also gets the honor of making the first pot of coffee for the boss—old Chinese saying, he bowed.

If you will use your incredible powers of observation, you can smell the coffee perking, she said. Kate turned back to her desk calendar. One up for me, she thought.

Kate finished arranging her calendar and wandered over to the coffee machine. What’s on tap for today, boss?

Same old stuff. Another domestic job, for sure. What does your day look like? he asked.

Well I have to finish my report on the Matthews job. Oh, I also have a lunch date.

You do? Now, I know it’s none of my business, but with whom?

A friend from college, Sara Wells. She’s an attorney with Lange, Alden and Way. It’s kind of funny. In school, I dated her future husband, Thom. As a matter of fact, I introduced the two of them. I saw her a couple of days ago and we agreed to have lunch today. I hadn’t seen her in years.

Well, since it’s a lady, I guess I approve. Wouldn’t want you to go out with some guy and break my heart. You wouldn’t, would you? he asked. Of course not, not that you don’t probably deserve it for all the hearts you’ve broken. she replied.

The arrival of a co-worker ended their conversation. Stan McCormick was an old-timer. He had been in the detective business for thirty years. Over the years, he had seen quite a few changes in the way business was done. When Stan had started, it was pretty rugged. It was okay if you twisted an arm or two to get what you wanted. But as the years changed and his hair turned gray, Stan had gotten away from the rough stuff. Being hired by Asher was a break. At Asher’s agency, brain power was the key. You were supposed to think fast. Stan was one of the few old school detectives that had made the transition.

The three of them exchanged greetings and headed for the conference room at the end of the hall. Other than the regular Monday morning staff meetings and Christmas office party, the room had no real purpose. Not many cases involved conferences.

It was a nice room, though. A big oak conference table, plenty of nice blue high-backed chairs. They were almost too comfortable.

Asher called the meeting to order. "What’s on tap for today, Stan?

Well, I’ve got a few things to clear up from last week.

A hangover, probably, someone down the table offered.

Very funny. Actually, I’ve got some paperwork from the Martin case. And I have to interview some lady at the textile plant. Nothing heavy.

Okay, make sure you check in around noon. Marty?

Not much, chief. A few errands. You know how Mondays are. Marty barely looked up from his coffee cup for his answers. He was a young guy; fresh out of the law enforcement academy. Not overly energetic, but he gets the job done, thought Asher.

Next. Jack?

I’m on my way out of town. I have to testify at that Jackson trial in Houston. No problems. I’ll call a number in where you can reach me. Jack was pretty efficient. As a young man, he had worked with the FBI. Only the lure of a professional investigative agency and the bigger bucks on the outside had lured him away from his federal job.

Kate, I know you’ve got paperwork and your busy social schedule. Anything else?

Not really, but I can make up something if you’d like, she said.

Her remark brought a few appropriate chuckles from around the table.

Okay, Annie? Asher motioned in the direction of a matronly woman at his right hand.

Only regular Monday morning stuff. Pay your bills; send your suits to the dry-cleaners; you know?

What’s it like being a professional mother, Annie? said Stan.

It could be worse. He could marry and break his mother’s heart she tossed her grey hair. Only at a place like this, she thought.

Well, to show you that I, too, am concerned about the affairs of this company, I have an appointment at ten with some guy that thinks his wife is running around. One of you guys will probably get that one. Okay, if that’s it, let’s get out there and bring in the bucks. Friday’s pay day, remember.

Everyone stood up and headed off toward their particular set of chores. With the calm satisfaction of knowing he was surrounded with good people, Brad stood up and headed toward his office where he would meet the man with the wife that needed watching.

Kate headed back to her desk and began shuffling paper. It was almost noon when she looked at her watch and remembered her luncheon appointment. She grabbed her purse and headed for the restaurant, La Chateau. It sounded fancier than it was. Catering too many of the professional women of the downtown area, it had a menu of salads and sandwiches. But it was bright and the atmosphere was nice.

Kate saw Sara standing under the awning as she got out of her cab.

Sara, you’re early. Pretty unusual for a lawyer.

Funny kid. You take time out of your sleuthing schedule and show up on time, too. Must be some kind of record. Let’s go on in, we have a lot of catching up to do.

Inside, as they sat waiting on their lunch, they drug up the past. How long have you and Thom been married now? asked Kate?

Almost five years, said Sara. But that’s old news.

Tell me about your job then. said Kate.

You know how it is to be a green attorney, Sara said, the usual stuff; wills and divorces and running errands for the boss.

I know, said Kate. I’m trying to prove myself at the agency.

Things might start happening for me soon, though, said Sara. I started on a case today. She went on. It’s not really my case alone. Mr. Lange assigned me to work with Marsha Tilson on a bribery case. You might have read about it. The Interstate Construction Company?

Oh, yes, I remember. The President, Bobby Monkton, and the Vice President, John Kanaly, were indicted for trying to buy some road repair contracts for their firm.

That’s right. Kanaly is my client. Anyway, I’ve already met with Marsha this morning and I meet with my client this afternoon. It could be my big break. If I do a good job, I can really impress the guys at the firm.

What does Thom think about all this? I’m sure that he’s very proud of you.

I guess so. We don’t really talk about my work. But he’s been very supportive. After all, he put me through law school. She took a sip of ice tea. He’s been pretty busy lately. Working long hours on some project. I leave before he gets up and he doesn’t come home until late. I guess that’s the price of a two-career marriage.

Sara brightened. Tell me about your job? A real-life Laura Holt?

Kate grinned. It’s not exactly like that. My boss is really neat. I kind of like him. She leaned forward. As a matter of fact, I really like him but I keep it to myself. We have a lot of wise guys working for the agency. If any of them found out, I’d never hear the end of it.

Is the job fun?

Well, like I said. I’m still proving myself. One good case and I could make an impression, too. You never know. One man’s misfortune…

Or woman’s. Sara added. They both laughed and the conversation turned to other things.

Later that afternoon, at 5:00 p.m., Kate was just finishing up with her reports when she got a phone call. It was Sara. She sounded very excited.

Kate can you meet me at Corrigan’s around nine tonight? she asked.

Well, I guess I could, what’s up?

A big break. Really big. You know that case I was telling you about?

Yes. Go on.

Well, my client, Kanaly, wants to turn state’s evidence. He says he can name names.

That’s great. But why do you need me?

He said that there were a few things that needed looking into. I figure why not let you in on it. It might be your big break too.

That’s great. I really appreciate it. Corrigan’s, where’s that? asked Kate.

It’s in that hotel—on Westside Street. You know the one.

Oh, yeah. I’ll be there.

Great, see you about nine. They hung up.

Kate sat back and thought about it a minute. She really appreciated Sara’s offer. But could she really get involved in a case without telling her boss? Better not, she decided. Better let him know what’s going on right now, she thought.

Several hours later, Sara Wells walked through an underground parking garage. It wasn’t all that dark and she could see all the way across it. Why do these places always smell like diesel fuel, she wondered.

The tapping of her heels concealed the other set of footsteps for about forty feet. By the time she knew she was being followed, it was too late.

The hand that spun her around was gloved. So was the hand that held the gun. Her scream was silenced by the ugly bark of the pistol. Sara’s eyes fixed on her attacker’s face as she slid to the cool, concrete floor. Then her eyes saw nothing.

Sara Wells was dead.

~~~~

Chapter 2

The rain that was promised earlier in the day came that night as Kate and Brad headed toward their rendezvous with Sara Wells.

The windshield wipers kept up a steady rhythm to their conversation. I’m glad that you agreed to come with me, Kate said. I really figured that I might get in over my head.

"No