Clearwater Vice

By Al Rennie

It's summer holidays in Clearwater. A young woman needs to get away from a life that is killing her; her brother asks Joe for help; Billy and Luke become bounty hunters; Mia becomes a cheerleader; a desperate man asks Joe to find his missing daughter; Natalie shows Joe a thing or six; Amber gets a job; Umberto gets his hooks into Joe again; Jimmy has Doc's back; It's another fun romp in paradise!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Al Rennie
• Release date: Sep 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310527647

Al Rennie

I was born and raised in Toronto. I attended Upper Canada College before taking a degree at Queen's University. I have worked as a lifeguard for the Toronto Harbour Police, a youth worker for the Toronto YMCA, and an English teacher in Lakefield. I am married with two great daughters and an extended foster family. My interests include Maple Leaf hockey - this is our year - New England Patriot football and writing.

Book preview

Clearwater Vice

By

Al Rennie

Dedication

For my wife – Marsha

And to all the kind and supportive readers

of the Clearwater Series.

Copyright © 2015 by Al Rennie

All Rights Reserved.

Cover Credit: Rita Toews – probably the most caring, patient and inventive cover creator ever!

Photo Credit: http://www.crestock.com/image/3036651-waiting-for-clients.aspx

Formatting Credit: Lucinda K. Campbell – as always, just great.

Note to Joe and Mia Fans

In today’s glutted writing environment, reader ratings and reviews can make a huge difference in the success of an indie author. If, as a reader, you have enjoyed a particular book, please take a few moments of your time to give it a favorable rating, and if you are so inclined, a positive short review. Your affirming assessment will mean a great deal to the author and to his or her chances of survival in the current literary marketplace.

Acknowledgements:

I’d like to thank the growing number of readers who are enjoying the Clearwater Series and who have sent me their kind and encouraging comments. I have enjoyed meeting a number of those people on Face Book. As well, I have been tickled to read the many very interesting, kind and informative e-mails sent my way. California Michael is a special regular correspondent who I have enjoyed; he supplied the joke I used in Danger and another one can be found in Killer. A few of the other regulars include: Marianna, Papa Hayden, Ben, Vern, Katherine, Debby, Sandra, Ana, Dwight, Diane, Warren, Valerie, Angie, Cathy, Pat, Ellen, Bonnie, Edd, Carol, Cheerie, Dee, Brandy, Donna, RJ, Steve and Merle. Thank you. Elaine … your painting of Paul the Pelican enjoys a special place on my office wall watching my every move. Thank you all again!

You do not know how encouraging it is for a writer like me to read that his or her work has been read and then re-read and enjoyed yet again. Beyond that, to be told that I had better be writing quickly because of the interest in what is going to happen next to the Clearwater crew is very gratifying. Thank you Joe and Mia fans, whoever and wherever you are. You are making this ride so much fun. Let me assure the readers who have written asking for more Mia and Joe – I am writing as fast as I can Bubbas.

NOT SO NEW NOTE: But not as fast as I was. I had slipped into the habit of writing eleven to thirteen hours a day and finally realized the effect it was having and the toll it was taking. I love writing. I enjoy the act of creating an interesting story even if I am the only one to find the darn thing interesting. If it ended there, all would be fine. Instead, I got hung up on all the sidebars – ratings, revenue flow, readership growth and marketing my work product. Worrying about whether Kobo was finally going to put the latest title on their shelves was driving me nuts. Finally, I realized that I needed to let go of all that stuff. In today’s doom and gloom writing climate, making good money is the last thing that is going to happen unless you are either incredibly talented or ‘lightning in a bottle’ lucky, preferably both. It would appear that I am neither of those things although I have been very fortunate in many aspects of my life. The stories will continue to appear from time to time as long as I am happy writing them. Thank you all for your support.

My three excellent editors have returned again to make my life miserable but your reading experience better. Annmarie couldn’t take the paucity of job opportunities in Ontario anymore and moved back to Australia. I’d like to thank my wife, Marsha, and daughter, Jane as well as Annmarie for their masterful work in editing yet another novel. Their efforts have made the story much better and the content easier for you, the reader, to decipher. The cheque is … hold on, what cheque?

Thanks once again to a good friend, Ken Jackman, (retired deputy chief of the Peterborough Police Department) for his time spent offering advice on police procedure and relating some really interesting cop stories. I always enjoy our time spent at Tim Horton’s.

Special thanks to Bonnie Walston for posting the Best Buy article on Facebook. Luke relates the story in this Clearwater episode almost exactly as it was reported in the newspaper.

Notice to all young adult readers:

As a former teacher – and therefore someone sworn to be concerned about the minds of our young people - I have to warn the under eighteen crew that Clearwater Double Cross, much like the other books in this series, contains a number of bad words, but maybe not as many as a few of the earlier works. And really, what is a bad word? I must also tell you that you will come across some pretty suggestive scenes and some very bad people – but nothing is likely to overly stimulate or disgust you. Sorry about that. I’ll try to do better next time. In any case, good reading Bubba - enjoy.

Best Regards,

Doc

P.S. – If any of you feel a strong need to communicate with me – try

[e-mail] or [e-mail]

If you would like to see pictures of the Clearwater Beach setting, visit my recently revised website courtesy of Chance Faulkner Photography. I have included photos of Cooters, Wings, the Jolley Trolley and a few shots taken from Doc and Mia’s condo in Sand Key. If you really look closely enough, you might even see Doc hanging out at the marina. alrennie.com

New photos were added on the website in July 2015.

NOTE: If you are new to this series, this might not be the title for you to start with. From Clearwater Killer forward, there is a basic assumption made by this writer that you have met some of the regular characters in your reading of the earlier novels. There is no point in me repeating the same detailed descriptive information on an ongoing basis. If you really want an introduction to Joe and Mia, go to Clearwater Journals. That is where the couple first meet and start taking showers together. At that time, I did not enjoy the luxury of the three editors I have now, so there are typos etc. that I have been too lazy to go back and repair. But it is free. The language is rougher, the plot darker, and the humor is less evident. If you want lighter fare, try Clearwater Ambush. In one section of that book, Joe visits an A.I. Clinic. My youngest daughter, age – adult - claims that she wet her pants laughing so hard as she was reading those pages. Embarrassing…you bet! Jeez

Nancy’s Amendment to Annie’s Amendment – she’s blonde!

The Clearwater Series in the sequence the titles were written.

1) Clearwater Journals

2) Clearwater Diaries

3) Clearwater Ambush

4) Clearwater Abduction

5) Clearwater Heat

6) Clearwater Kiss Off

7) Clearwater Showdown

8) Clearwater Magic

9) Clearwater Intrigue

10) Clearwater Danger

11) Clearwater Predator

12) Clearwater Extortion

13) Clearwater Killer

14) Clearwater Oops!

15) Clearwater Crazy

16) Clearwater Undercover

17) Clearwater Hunter

18) Clearwater Justice

19) Clearwater Skip Trace

20) Clearwater Assault

21) Clearwater Folly

22) Clearwater Homesick

23) Clearwater Hustle

24) Clearwater Stakeout

25) Clearwater Fit

26) Clearwater Double Cross

27) Clearwater Vice

28) Clearwater Escape

Note: Clearwater Beach and the area surrounding it is truly my idea of paradise. I treasure every moment I can spend there. It is a beautiful place to visit and to live – if you can afford it. The violence depicted in the fictional Clearwater series is just that - fiction – i.e. – it never happened. Go there and find out for yourself. You’ll love the place. Say ‘hi’ to Betsy if you grab a bite to eat at Cooters, and Daisy at Backwaters on Sand Key. That’s some tattoo she has on her left thigh eh? But, whatever else you do, don’t start chatting with Captain Frankie Donner at the marina; you’ll lose hours of your holiday time.

A few Reader Responses to Clearwater Series:

On the advice of critics, I have limited the number of reader responses. The suggestion was that no one reads them anyway. I know that I do. Apologies to those cut.

I have truly enjoyed reading this series, and hope you plan on taking Joe, Mia, Coop and Ida May further. I'm anxiously awaiting another installment. Corrina Wilke - a Doc Holiday fan (I'm your huckleberry lol)

Just to let you know I just finished your newest book in the Clearwater series, …. it was great….lol…..best series I ever read…..keep on…

—Sandra Orndorff

Al: Just keep them coming! Clearwater is a great series. The Characters are becoming part of the family!

—Edd Jenkins

Looking forward to reading the next adventures of Joe and Mia…I read Intrigue and Danger in three days! Keep up the great work Al!!!

—Angie Day

Hi Al, I just finished Clearwater Extortion, and I loved it. I hope you’re working on the next book, because I can’t wait to see how things go for Jeremy and the boys with all of the new and exciting things happening in their lives. Thank you Al for giving us such fun and interesting characters to read about…

Love the books, can’t put them down and I even find myself slipping into some of the phrases!!! Not sure that will always be a good thing though!

—Carol

I read the book in one sitting. Great characters, great plot could not put it down. Love the part where he fell in the grave, very funny. I know you are writing another book because we have to find out what was in the safe. I wish I had a Joe in my family lol. Let us know when it's available; I might have to get a Kindle to get it quicker. Waiting patiently… Bonnie Walston

Babe, call the hospital. I’ve gone blind. Everything is so dark… Cracked me up!!! Just finished Oops and again you hit it out of the park-grand salami, best of the best!!! Rock on Rennie!!

—Debby Charles

Travis McGee was the old Joe Holiday. You have really done a great job! Just when I thought it was over by reading Killer, you surprised me with another. Great job!!! I’m enjoying this series more than any I’ve read in years. I’m turning as many people as possible to it, and they all seem to be hooked. Please keep writing, and fast. Greg Martin

Just finished Crazy and wanted to let you know, you still got it!! Stay healthy and keep writing.

—Steve Owle

Hi Al, I just finished Clearwater Undercover and it was fantastic. I have read all of the Clearwater journals and have loved them all, but so far Undercover is my favorite. There were so many surprises, funny and sad moments, and lots of action, too, but most if all it was just a great book. Al, I hope you keep writing these wonderful stories about Joe and his Clearwater buds, because they keep us all so entertained and wanting more. I hope you’re almost finished with your next journal because I am anxiously waiting to see what happens with Samantha, and Doug, and the fallout over the Greeks. Thank you Al for sharing your great stories with us because we look forward to reading them and hope you’ll have lots more to share.

—Merle

Hi Al

Justice was awesome, and thanks so much for the autographed Journals. I recently hooked two more friends on the series. Please stay healthy and keep em coming.

Steve

I just finished Clearwater Danger, Predator and Extortion !!!!!! Sooooooo good !!! Was going to read another book I had waiting on my Kobo, but read the excerpt for Clearwater Killer and had to buy it right away. Going to start reading it right now… The excerpt said Joe was in Toronto for a funeral… It better not be Frank (I like Frank)!! Cathy Galbraith

I just pre-ordered mine, I can't wait. The Clearwater series is by far the best series of books I have ever read! Once you read Clearwater Journals and get to know Joe, Mia, and Max, and Bob's your uncle; you’re hooked. I can't get enough! Al Rennie, you outdo yourself with every book! I look forward to reading many more of your books! Thank you so much! Sharon Goodman

I have just finished all the books thru Skip Trace & can't wait for the next installment. Hope it includes more of Max & Sandy. He's ripe for Joe's humor. Will Joe ever marry Mia? Will they get to adopt both boys? Will Bob stay married? Will Frank find true love? Will Joe get arrested? Keep 'em coming Bubba.

—Nancy

I found you first on Smashwords; after that, I kept hitting the buy button in iTunes. I laughed, cried, and told my patients how I almost went to You Tube to look for your video. I see patients in long term care facilities. I have shared your stories and with my patients living on the seawall in Galveston, Tx. You have brought life, love and a bit of silliness into the lives of my patients and have made me a better practitioner. I am forever in your debt.

—Katherine

Hi Al

First things first, I just want to say the series is great and the Joe/Mia relationship I can readily equate with.

Over the last 6 weeks I have read the complete series and have found it very difficult to put down and bitterly disappointed when each book ended as I was desperate for the next installment.

Don't sell yourself short on the writing front, the research, content and story line all work for me and many others.

Right, enough of the sunshine blowing!

I don't usually feel the need to write to authors of the books i read but i thought you'll be glad to know that the books have landed on England's green and pleasant shores and as you can probably guess this 'limey' is pretty impressed that they have.

Keep going sunshine, enjoy your writing!

Stay sane matey.

Regards

John

Al, all of your books are rated in my opinion! I check your website often for news of your next Clearwater book. I have read each of them twice. Even if I start reading someone else’s book while I’m waiting for the next installment, I find myself craving more Joe, Mia and the gang. I loved Clearwater Homesick. When I read that Billy Ray was taking Lincoln to buy a car, I knew it was going to be good, and you didn’t disappoint! I love Joe’s interaction with Sean and Billy! A biological father could not love his kids more. I can’t wait to read details of Joe’s and Mia’s wedding, and again I know you won’t disappoint. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading.

—Cindyb

Thanks Al for another chapter (Clearwater Hustle) in the lives of my favourite imaginary friends. I'll go and put some stars and comments on iBooks which is where I get my copies. Please keep writing, but don't do yourself an injury, we want you there for the long haul.

—Graham Templeman

This series is the best!!!! I read each one as soon as it is published. Al Rennie, you rock!!!! 5 stars!

—Marianna Smith

Chapter 1

Clearwater Vice

This was the morning we would find out who would be the reigning champions of the 2015 Clearwater Beach Men’s Touch Football Summer League. It had all come down to the upstart CHIPs Hit-Men versus the perennial champs, The Cooters’ Cowboys.

I have to confess that I had not been in favour of Hit-Men as our team name because of the negative message it sent. I was also concerned about the unwanted business the name might generate. But we are nothing if we are not a democratic society and even I had to admit that ‘Hit-Men’ radiated a stronger testosterone image than did my personal suggestion for the team name … The Diving Pelicans. I had to content myself with the thought that quite possibly, the Hit-Men connotation was somewhat ameliorated by the team jerseys that one of our cheerleaders, Lisa Goodman, had designed and then purchased for us. That happened when, midway through the season, it looked like we might actually get to the finals. Before that point in the brief season, all of the members of our squad had simply worn red scrimmage shirts over whatever we were wearing when we showed up at the field to play.

Each of the new black jerseys sported the player’s favorite number, front and back, in a fluorescent lime green outlined in garish pink with the emblem