The Plot to Murder Althea Stokes -- Rafe Velez Mystery 4: Rafe Velez Mysteries, #4

By AB Stonebridge

Althea Stokes is recovering nicely from a small stroke. That's bad news for greedy heirs who want their share of the inheritance sooner, rather than later. Rafe gets drawn into this mix through investigating a bit of suspected petty larceny in the Stokes mansion. It escalates into a full-blow drama at a dinner party at the Stokes home, where somebody else is poisoned – but by whom?

Rafe Velez is a fictional character, based on a real person alive today. One thing you can be sure of: you will never, ever guess who he actually is!

As a private investigator, Rafe dealt with decades of crime, divorce, death and depravity – and barely broke even. Pushing 50, he had a few extra pounds around the middle, a sprinkling of gray hair and a cynical view of life, relieved only by a deadpan sense of humor. All of that changed one day, thanks to a windfall he didn't expect.

Enter the world of the Rafe Velez Mysteries: intrigue, suspense, mystery, crime and a cast of characters taken from real life (and changed just enough to protect their identities – at least, until the statute of limitations expires). Enter into the mind of a man whose life is an open book – that should be suppressed!

Meet his friends, frenemies and frequent locations for his adventures:

• Detectives Toole and Williams, Robbery/Homicide's finest – said nobody, never.
• Harpo, a stray dog that wandered into his life and has a great sense of humor.
• Jean Smalls, the first woman in a long time who threatens to take his bachelor card.
• Keith Verdi, electrical contractor, who has other talents – and secrets.
• Momo Argento, the semi-retired Don of a crime family, who keeps a hand in the game.
• The Greasy Spoon restaurant, a real tribute to truth in advertising.
• The Shiny Penny, your soon-to-be-favorite dive bar.

...and a motley crew of clients and suspects. Expect surprises: not every client is on the right side of the law and not every suspect is guilty.

You won't always know what's going on in the minds of the supporting characters. You will always know exactly what Rafe is thinking – unless he's not thinking at all!

Discover The Rafe Velez Mysteries. No, really, go ahead! PG Rated – no four letter words or explicit sex, but if you read between the lines...

• Language: English
• Publisher: AB Stonebridge
• Release date: Jul 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501462061

AB Stonebridge

You may have already read work by the author AB Stonebridge. As a ghostwriter for many different clients, his work has been seen all over the world. Writing a mixture of fiction, non-fiction and 'True Fiction' (also known as invented history), his work adorns many reports, stories, Web pages and more. Now, after repeated entreaties, pleas, threats and some mockery from fellow authors, AB Stonebridge is creating popular fiction for the Kindle Store. In it you'll discover a breadth and depth of experience that only an exciting life (that did not end abruptly in premature death) can bring you! AB Stonebridge has seen and done things in his life that most people shy away from. You are cordially invited to guess which plot elements are drawn from real life and which come from a rich imagination. In addition, he has met and befriended people from all over the world. Many of them appear in his works. The names have been changed to protect the guilty. If you like suspense, mystery, noir touches, cynical humor and surprise, you'll love his work. There will be characters you love, characters you love to hate and a wide-ranging view of life, in a world not unlike our own, that will draw you into its twists and turns. Take all the time you need, in the next thirty seconds, and decide to delve into the works and world of AB Stonebridge. The more you read, the more you'll find yourself entranced by the stories, personalities and just plain good fun packed into every work. AB Stonebridge is not a legend, myth or giant - yet. It's up to you, the reader, to discover the works of AB Stonebridge, share them with friends and family and decide for yourself. Without your support, he is nothing. With your support, more and more of his works will become available, for your delectation. https://www.facebook.com/abstonebridge/app_191387770912394

Book preview

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Epilogue

Chapter 1

Althea Stokes sat in her drawing room, sipping tea from a fine china cup. Her hand trembled a bit as she drank. The other hand lay in her lap, apparently nerveless.

A maid approached and asked, Tea all right? Not too hot?

It's fine, Anna. I just wish I could hold a bit of cake in the other.

Anna showed concern on her face. Didn't the doctor say it was just a small stroke? You'll be using that hand again in no time!

Mrs. Stokes smiled. You are a treasure. Come back in five minutes and buck me up again.

Anna departed, gracefully and modestly.

Setting down the teacup, Mrs. Stokes reached for a mobile phone near her. She had to raise up a bit from her chair to actually get ahold of it. She placed a call.

Minnie? This is your Aunt Althea. When are you coming to visit me? Aunt Althea listened to her niece, her face turning from a pleasant smile to a frown. My dear, your days are so full! Do try to pencil me in. I miss you.

Pursing her lips, she made a second call. Arthur. Althea Stokes here. Have you time for me today? I want to discuss some changes in the will. There was a pause, then Arthur replied. Good. I'll expect you at 2:30. Goodbye.

She finished her tea just as Anna returned. The maid tidied up and as she was removing the tea service, Mrs. Stokes said, I expect my lawyer at 2:30. Tell Evans to be on the lookout.

Rafe Velez and his lovely wife Jean were in the process of lugging his luggage over to Rafe's house. The couple had married before discussing which home they would keep, his or hers. This meant shuttling back and forth between the two, since each had its good points, for both of them.

How about we find a new one, that we both like? That way, we'll both feel equally done in and neither of us will have bragging rights to having the better home? Rafe thought this would be the best plan for the future.

There's pros and cons to that. For example, I have the perfect house but you have the dog trolley. You have your home office but I have the perfect house. I have...

She was cut off with a kiss. I see where this is going. Are you really attached to that house?

Not really. It's a constant reminder of how things were at the end with my ex. Plus, it's too big for us. We bought it with the thought of having children, but that became moot after I found out it would be next to impossible for me to conceive. That's when it began to fall apart for us as a couple.