Crime Healer: A Profession for the Brave at Heart

By Patrick A. Davy

Former Correctional Officer Bernard Spence is on his way home to his Brooklyn apartment. He encounters three disrespectful teenagers on the subway. He is looking forward to going home to his family, but his commute turns into a flurry of activities that bring back memories of his work at New York's Rikers Island prison.

He works as a security guard at a Manhattan firm, but his passion for keeping lawbreakers in check still runs deep. Although he would prefer not to deal with unruly gang members, he cannot resist the urge to defend the defenseless when needed.

Bernard put his law enforcement know-how into action when the mischievous youngsters attacked Jasper, an older man, on the train where he was a passenger. It did not take him long to act when the two teenage boys and a girl started to attack the helpless senior citizen and terrorize the other passengers.

He assists in the chase and apprehension of the male suspects of the group when the police arrive. There is a misunderstanding of his relationship with the female gang member, making it difficult to secure the help he needs to remove the bad guys from the streets.

Bernard's bravery and determination to reign in unlawful individuals make him a welcome presence to his fellow commuters. The dealings with the teenagers on the train were the start of the problems ahead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrick A. Davy
• Release date: May 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311410757

Patrick A. Davy

PATRICK A. DAVY authors the books, The Little Big Thinkers: a Collection of Children's Stories, The Will to Win: ADemonstration of Love and Determination, and The Bitter-Sweet Search for a Father. He graduated from the State University of New York College at Oswego, The Writers Group, and Institute for Children's Literature. He lives on Long Island, New York, with his family.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter 1: A Delayed Start

Chapter 2: A Call to the Rescue

Chapter 3: The Family Problem

Chapter 4: The Double Trouble

Chapter 5: The Bad and Good News

Chapter 6: The Search for Solution

Chapter 7: A Cause for Concern

Chapter 8: The Solution Plan

Chapter 9: The Victim Identification

Chapter 10: The Refusal to Forget

Chapter 11: A Preparation for the Unknown

Chapter 12: Caught in the Act

Chapter 13: The Weapon of Choice

Chapter 14: The Misunderstood Motive

Chapter 15: The Ill Intention

Chapter 16: The Final Battle

About the Author

Crime Healer:

A Profession for the Brave at Heart

Patrick A. Davy

New York

If you purchase this book without the cover, you should be aware that this book might have been stolen property.

All characters in this book are fictitious, and any

resemblance to real people (living or dead) is coincidental.

Updated Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Patrick A. Davy

Copyright © 2016 by Patrick A. Davy

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

PD Publisher

Long Island, NY

[e-mail]

ISBN-10: 0692702512

ISBN-13: 978-0692702512

Printed in the United States of America

For those who preserve peace.

Chapter 1

A Delayed Start

Bernard glanced at his wristwatch and looked through the glass door of the Wall Street investment firm building where he worked as a security guard. The former New York City Correctional Officer rushed from behind a desk when Buck Getfield, his coworker, entered the fifty-three-story high-rise.

Hey, you’re ten minutes late.

You know I’m an early bird, Buck said, but today, my train was stuck between stations.

I’m Glad you showed up, though, so I can get out of here. Bernard rolled up his sleeves while heading for the bathroom.

He drenched his face with a handful of water when he reached the restroom basin. He rubbed his palms together, causing the front of his security guard shirt to get soaked. He gazed into the mirror and slid his hand on his hairless head. He pulled a plastic comb out of his pocket and ran it through his goatee.

It's better to be a little late. This way, I’ll miss the rush-hour crowd. He tucked the tail of his extra-large shirt into his pants, tugged on his forty-two-inch waist trousers, and girthed them around his midsection. He whistled the tune to Take Me Home while hustling back to where Buck was.

I don’t remember ever seeing you this eager to leave, Buck said.

Bernard brushed where the water had doused his shirt. You might be right about that. I can’t wait to get home, put up my feet, and knock back a Guinness.

One other thing I wouldn’t mind you doing.

What’s that?

Cover my shift for me.

Sure, Bernard shot back in jest. It should not be all that bad around here at night. Only a handful of people is here.

That's how I like it, Buck said. Quiet.

Bernard spun around when he heard footsteps. I wonder what he wants now, he said, seeing Manny, his manager, approaching him.

Guys, I’m glad both of you are still here. I need your feedback on the turnstile since we installed it.

Bernard frowned while checking his watch.

Bernie, I know your shift is over, but I’m meeting with the head of security in the morning. I must report on our safety procedures after 9/11.

He’s going to make me miss my train, Bernard thought of his manager, but I can’t tell him how steamed I am about this. No problem here, boss. I don’t watch the clock when I’m at work.

Bernard glanced at Buck, who opened his mouth like a parent who found a half bottle of gin in her teenage daughter’s room. He can’t believe I just gave Manny an ear full of hogwash.

You’re thinking like a unit leader, Manny said, patting Bernard’s shoulder.

So, how have things been going for the past month?

Bernard stuck out his chest, tilted his head backward, and pointed his index finger at his chest. Today, I searched ten people after they set off the alarm.

It hasn’t gone off on my shift yet, Buck said in a less bravado tone.

That many people, huh? Manny said. Did you find any illegal stuff on them? Manny asked.

Nah, the only metals they had were cellphones, fingernail files, and keys.

I’m happy the new system is working. The Vice President will be pleased, too.

Bernard grinned and faced Buck, who smiled back at him.

That’s all, gentlemen. I don’t want to take up any more of your time.

When Manny left, Bernard pulled his bag out of a closet and dropped it on the desk.

There were a lot of activities on your shift, I see, Buck said.

This is nothing. At Rikers, knives, guns, and hog saws usually turn up during pat downs.

You were a prisoner at Rikers Island?

No, no, no, I was a correctional officer.

Thanks for clearing that up. I thought you were in prison.

Bernard chuckled. He glanced at his coworker, who was scratching the top of his head.

I don’t understand why you leave a correctional job like that. A lot of people would kill for it.

I took a severance package when they started firing officers ‘due to budget cuts,’ they said.

I’m glad weapons like those don’t show up here, Buck said.

So, you can imagine why I don’t miss Rikers.

How did you get into the law enforcement field anyway?"

After the murder of my father, I decided to go into law enforcement.

Bernard grabbed the bag and slung it over his shoulder. See you tomorrow. He rushed out of the building, dashed across Water Street, and headed for the train station.

Officer, can I go through? he asked a policeman standing next to a wooden barrier in the middle of the road."

Sorry, sir, we can’t let anyone into this block.

I’m catching the number-two train right there.

There’s police activity going on, the policeman said.

I’ll make a mad dash for it, Bernard pleaded, clasping his hand like a child reciting his bedside prayer. It’ll take me two minutes tops to get to the train.

We don’t want innocent people get identified as the perpetrator.

Bernard threw up his hands and slumped his shoulders like a defeated boxer.

By the way, what happened, exactly?

Somebody robbed the jewelry store on the corner.

You mean in broad daylight?

Yep, we believe the robber is hiding in this block.

Bernard took a deep breath and blew out through his nostrils.

You can catch the train at the next station, the policeman said.

Bernard headed up the street while checking the display screen on his phone. I will save the little battery life