Ghost Squad Books 5-8: A Rest in Peace Crime Story

By Bob Moats

Detroit Homicide Detective Russ Baker has been sent to work the Cold Case Division due to a screw-up he committed on a case. He was all alone in the basement office until he was visited by an unlikely partner. A dead former detective who was now an annoying ghost. Would the ghost help him solve the cold cases allowing the murdered victims to go on to the hereafter? 
This book contains the second four books of the series. Each book is a novella.
 Murder, mayhem, humor, ghosts galore, sexy women and lots of fun are in store in this paranormal ghost crime series by Bob Moats.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Moats
• Release date: Jul 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533783967

Bob Moats

Detroit area resident, Bob Moats, has been writing short stories and plays for as long as he can remember. He has lost most of his original stories, typed or handwritten, in the numerous moves he has made from his hometown of Fraser, Michigan to Northern Michigan, to Las Vegas and back to Fraser, where he now lives. Moats became one of the causalities of unemployment a year ago, and had time on his hands to finally pursue a life long dream of writing a full blown crime novel. Thus was born the first book, "Classmate Murders".What followed was a series of seven books starting with "The Classmate Murders" which introduces the main character, Jim Richards, who has to admit he has become a senior citizen, reluctantly. Richards, one day, receives an email from a childhood sweetheart asking for his help, but by the time he reaches her, she has been murdered. His life turns around and he is pulled into numerous murders of women from his high school who he hasn't seen in forty years. Along with a friend of his, Buck, a big, mustached biker, they go off to track down the killer before he can get to one former classmate, Penny Wickens, a TV talk show host who Jim has just fallen for while protecting her. The killer is also murdering the women right out from under police protection, driving homicide detective Will Trapper crazy, and he slowly depends on Jim to help. There's humor, suspense, wild chases across suburban Detroit with cops, classic cars and motorcycle clubs; murder, mayhem, a good amount of romance and a twist ending.Jim and his crime fighters, continue in the other books, traveling to Las Vegas twice, back to Detroit and out to New York to solve murders involving dominatrix; mistresses; Bridezillas; magic and strip clubs.Book titles: Classmate Murders; Vegas Showgirl Murders; Dominatrix Murders; Mistress Murders; Bridezilla Murders; Magic Murders; Strip Club Murders and Made-for-TV Murders.

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This book is licensed for your personal use only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

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This is a work of pure fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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For information and address:

Magic 1 Productions

P.O. Box 524, Fraser MI 48026-0524

Website: http://murdernovels.com

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Covers designed by Bob Moats

Stock photos from Fotosearch.com

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Extra special thanks to:

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To Susan Haughton, for editing my chapters.

To the proof readers, Amy Morningstar, Cindy Valstad, and Al Norris for proofing the final copy and hopefully catching all those annoying little errors that slip through.

To Russ Holthaus, a police officer, who made sure my characters didn't violate any laws.

To my ARC readers for their comments, Beth Rosen, Pamela Cooke Malone-O'Brien, Carolyn Linington,  Lisa Keller, and Debbie Carter. I thank you.

Thank you to all the people who purchased this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it for my faithful readers.

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The Bob Moats Family of Readers is listed in the back of the book.

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Ghost Squad 5 – Haunted Asylum

By Bob Moats

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Copyright © 2016 by Bob Moats.

All rights reserved.

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Chapter 1

Mary, Wes and I spent the next two weeks trying to solve as many cold cases as we could to send ghosts on to the hereafter. It was a marathon for Wes, who never tired. Mary and I would tire a number of times and we would let Wes work on his own. I got to the point where I would trust his decisions on cases, so it wasn't a problem.

Morning came early for me and we were in the Cold Case office when the door opened and the captain walked in. Normally I would welcome him, but he had a scowl on his face that warned me to keep my mouth shut.

Russ, Mary, is Wes around? he started off.

He's in the file room preparing the next ghost so we can investigate his murder.

Okay, a small problem. My big mouth brother-in-law, you know him from the train station case, has been speculating about how you cleaned out the station of the ghosts. He talked to the foreman and they concluded that you have a ghost working for you. This is not a real problem, I mean how many people would actually believe them. But he's asking to have you help with another project his company is working on. It's a partially abandoned mental hospital that has problems of recent hauntings. His company has been hired to clean the place of trash, graffiti, and debris, like the station. But the men refuse to go in some of the buildings. Same story as the train station.

So you want us to clear out the hospital? I asked.

I can't order you to, since it's not in our jurisdiction, and I'm asking for my brother-in-law. You'd have to travel to Traverse City to find the mental hospital that needs help. It's not like the train station in that parts of the building have already been renovated into shopping, dining, and living areas. Unfortunately, the rest of the buildings are still under renovation and the parts that haven't been cleaned out are still in bad shape. They have tours of the old mental facility and lately they have been bothered by what they say are ghosts. They don't want to get a reputation for hauntings because that would keep businesses away from the new areas of revenue.

Other than the weird people who believe in ghosts would show up, I said, with a grin. But we do know they exist.

Yes, we do. So would you like a trip up North to God's Country? My brother-in-law said he'd foot the bill for your stay and any other needs. This is a big deal contract for his business and he needs it. So, are you in?

I looked at Mary and she smiled. I've been to Traverse City. It's a nice place to visit. What would Wes have to say?

I'd love it, Wes said appearing behind us. I laughed and told the captain that Wes was for it.

As I said, I can't force you, but it would be a nice trip, the captain said, almost pleading.

Well, if Wes is good to go and Mary is for it, I guess I can't say no. Tell your brother-in-law that we'll talk to him and get the details.

Thank you Russ. If I don't keep my brother-in-law happy, my wife makes my life miserable, he said, looking happier now. I'll give you the address of his office and you can go talk to him.

The captain wrote down the address and handed it to me. I looked at it and said, We'll get on this today.

Thank you, he said, then left our office.

After he was gone I said, This should be interesting. I haven't been up North in a couple years. I used to go to Traverse City for the Cherry Festival and I always had good times.

A mental hospital haunting. That's interesting, Wes said, appearing next to my desk.

Mary was looking through her laptop for the hospital. This is interesting, Wes. The place has been shut down as a hospital but through the preservation society the buildings have been renovated into shopping, dining and living spaces. They still have a ways to go on completing the rest of the buildings into viable spaces for businesses. They have tours for people who want to go through the old buildings to see what it was like when they had people being treated in the hospital. Most of it is in bad shape and I'm sure that's what the captain's brother-in-law was hired to clean up.

I hope we don't end up working for Brian Harden. He may be the captain's brother-in-law, but he isn't our boss.

I'm sure the captain won't let us get away from him, Mary said with a grin.

True. Shall we go talk to Harden and see how far he is willing to go in financing our trip?

We left and drove over to the Harden Restoration Company. The secretary smiled as we entered and I asked to see Harden. She took our names and called in. A door opened and Harden stormed out.

Detectives, it's so good to see you, again. My brother-in-law called and said to watch for you. Please come in and we'll talk.

He turned and went back into his office. We followed. It was a very nicely decorated room, in a style of African vintage. Lots of cloth on the walls and statues of various African figures.

Please have a seat, he offered. Mary and I sat. Wes was floating around the room looking at all the decorations.

I want to thank you for what you did at the train station. The work is moving on schedule now that the men are no longer frightened to go into the upper floors. I'm sorry if I abused my knowledge of your abilities to chase out ghosts in asking my brother-in-law if I could use your services once again. I talked to my foremen and he told me what you accomplished and that you may have a ghost helping you.

We don't want to spread that, so we don't mention it, I said.

Then I'll let it go. So, do you think you can handle the problem?

We can't say until we look over the situation. Which means we'd need to go up and see.

Okay, I'll pay for your stay at any motel you want. Food and anything you need, keep receipts and I'll reimburse you. I'd like daily reports on your progress and if you could let me know how well my workers are doing, I'd appreciate it.

So, you want us to spy on your men, I said with a smile.

I wouldn't want you to do that, just let me know if they are doing their jobs, he said with a big grin.

**

Chapter 2

We were back at the precinct checking our equipment in order for us to be out of the office for an unknown number of days. I sent Wes in to tell the ghosts that we would be gone. Wes had told me since we cleared out a good number of the spirits that there weren't too many left. But he also warned me that more could come if they found out about our job.

Wes materialized next to my desk and said, They'll be too busy with their euchre tournament to even notice we're away.

You really started something with the cards, I said as I closed down my computer.

It's become a great diversion. I'm glad they don't have money or they'd be playing poker. Of course if they wore sheets, they could play strip poker.

I don't think I'd want to see a naked ghost. I've already seen you without your body image.

Yeah, we're not very pretty. When are we leaving?

As soon as we get packed again. If I knew we were going on another trip, we could have left our bags packed from Vegas.

I think we'd need different clothes, Mary said, coming over to us. I only had light clothing for Vegas because of the heat. Up North is a little colder.

Very true. It's Fall now so the leaves will be changing and it will be colder at night.

We can get a motel with a fireplace and cuddle at night, she said with a grin.

Great, while you two cuddle, what do I do? Float around the parking lot?

I'm sure you can find some trouble to get into, I said. Let's get out of here before something comes up.

We went out to our car and drove back to the apartment. We spent an hour packing again and I took the luggage out to Mary's car. I knew my old beast wasn't trustworthy enough to drive almost three hundred miles and back. I had everything in the car when Mary came out with a paper bag, which she handed to me.

What's this? I asked.

Sandwiches for the trip, she replied.

You know Harden is paying for us to live during this job. We could just eat in restaurants.

I know, but I don't want to abuse the man. After all, he is the brother-in-law of our captain. I don't want Harden reporting we took advantage of him.

Smart, we can take advantage when we get up there.

Wes popped up and said, I'm ready to go. My bags are all packed.

I gave him a smile and said, Put your bags in the trunk.

We all got into the car and I drove out. We headed over to the I-75 freeway which would take us up to another highway and into Traverse City. Mary was on her laptop looking at the official website for the buildings that she had copied while in the office.

Most of the old hospital has been renovated and now has many stores, dining and even condominiums. They're still working on the older buildings to convert them into usable places for more businesses to occupy. The pictures show a very nice set up and well repaired buildings. There is a tour that goes through the older buildings that are still being renovated. So people can see how the mental patients lived. They don't allow anyone under 12 years old due to insurance reasons, and they make people sign a waiver that releases the company from harm. They also warn that the property is private and it's illegal to go into the old buildings without a tour guide. Does that include us? she asked.

Technically, we work for Harden Restoration Company and we have the right to be on the property. We're there in the capacity of security for the workers, protecting them from harmful spirits.

Do you think the building owners will buy that? Wes asked.

We are also police, there to enforce the removal of the ghosts. If they don't like that, they can do it themselves.

I'm sure they don't want to stir up any rumors about the buildings being haunted. As Harden said, it could hurt future business.

Whatever, we'll play it as we see it, I said. Now, let's enjoy the ride and the scenery.

For the next three hours, it was quiet in the car. Mary decided to take a nap and Wes was missing from the back seat. He probably was on the roof of the car, surfing. I smiled at the thought.

We finally arrived at the border of Grand Traverse County and then into Traverse City. I had been here a couple times, but really didn't know my way around. Mary was checking a map and guided me to a motel she found on the web. It was the West Bay Beach motel, owned by the Holiday Inn Company. It was right on the beach overlooking the west arm of the Grand Traverse Bay. We checked in and went to our room.

It's late now, so we can just relax and take a drive around the city, I said. Tomorrow we can go to the hospital. I'll call Harden in the morning to let him know we're here and ask who we should contact.

We put away our belongings and then went out to the car. We drove through town and stopped at a restaurant to have something to eat.

Don't forget to get a receipt, Mary said.

I grinned and said I would. We left and went down to a park and sat watching the water of the bay. You know we could do this at the motel, Wes said.

Sure, but this is more private, fewer people and kids to put up with, I said.

The sun was going down and we were worn out from the long drive up. We went back to the motel and Wes said he was going to explore more of the city.

I may look for a cemetery and see if I can scare up a card game, he said and vanished.

Where does Wes get all these cards he gives his ghosts to play with? Mary asked.

I think he makes them up so the ghosts can handle them. I'll have to ask him.

I'm all for bed, Mary said, pulling out a bed sheet she brought. She didn't feel comfortable on sheets in motels, too many people have done unspeakable things on them. One time I saw Forensics shine a UV light on a motel sheet and it was scary what was on the sheets. I helped Mary replace the sheet then we crawled under our own covers we brought.

As we lay in the darkness of the room, I asked, I don't think you've ever said if you were afraid of ghosts or not.

I wasn't crazy about the dark and the possibility of ghosts, but since I've gotten used to Wes and his friends, I don't think I could ever be afraid.

We heard this unearthly moan and growl, then a snarling.

Wes, knock it off and let us sleep, I said.

Just having a little fun. I'm going to a cemetery now and see if I can have some fun there.

Just don't bring anyone back with you, Mary said.

Nah, I'll leave them there, Wes said and vanished.

Now I can't sleep, Mary said.

**

Chapter 3

We did sleep well and were awake early. We had breakfast in a local restaurant and then went back to the room. I sat at the desk they provided and looked at the paper with Harden's phone number. I took out my cell phone and placed the call.

Mary sat on the edge of the bed watching me. Wes hadn't returned so it was quiet in the room. I heard the phone ringing on the other end and it was answered. I was given Harden's personal number so I didn't have to put up with a secretary.

Hello, Brian Harden here, he said.

Mr. Harden, this is Russ Baker. We're in Traverse City and would like to visit the hospital. We need to know who to talk to.

Of course, Russ. Glad you called. I talked to my foreman up there and he's waiting for you. His name is Dave Webb, and I'll give you his number to call him.

I picked up the pen on the desk and wrote the number down as he gave it. We'll go right over and find out what the situation is.

If you have any problems with the management of the hospital restoration, call me, he said.

I will, I replied and we finished the call.

Well, shall we go take a look at our latest ghost clearing project? I asked Mary.

Sure, but where's Wes? she replied.

I'm here, he said, appearing.

Mary and I were both getting used to his appearing, so we didn't jump.

So, did you make any new friends? I asked him.

Most of the ghosts in the local cemetery were all too old for me. They weren't ready to party, or play cards. I managed to get a small group of younger ones to play but all they did was argue about cheating. I gave up, took my cards and left them. Luckily they couldn't leave the cemetery, so they can't follow me.

Yes, we're lucky, also. Now we need to go look over the hospital and see what's in there.

Lead on, oh great Ghostbuster, Wes said with a chuckle.

Wes, you know perfectly well, without you, Mary and I can't even start to bust ghosts.

Glad I'm needed, he said and vanished.

I take it he wants to go, Mary said.

We gathered our things, including our guns and badges. Never can tell if they would be needed. Besides we were required to carry at all times as officers of the law.

We went to the car and found Wes sitting on the hood. Don't dent my car, Mary said.

Hey, I don't weigh anything, so don't worry, he replied. A feather weighs more than I do.

We got in the car and I drove to the hospital following Mary's directions. It was a huge complex of buildings with a large entrance at the main building. It reminded me of the old South, looking like a southern mansion complete with pillars in front.

In the car I called Dave Webb, the foreman, and explained who I was.

Yes, Detective, Brian called and said you were coming. Where are you?

I guess we're in front of the main building.

Wait there, I'll come and get you. He hung up and we got out looking around the property. They had it fixed up very nicely. Lots of plants and trees. There were a few people walking around, since it was early and the weather was getting colder, it kept the crowds down.

I looked to the drive coming around the building when a man in a large golf cart came driving up. He must have known to look for a man and a woman.

He stopped close by and called, Detective Baker?

I waved and called back that I was. He motioned to us to come over, so we went to him. Wes was floating around the cart, then he sat on the top. I tried not to laugh.

I'm Dave Webb, glad to meet you, he said, holding his hand out to us. We shook and got into the cart.

He spun the cart back around the way he came and was moving pretty fast. I hoped he wasn't going to crash us.

I'll take you to the people who manage the restoration of the next building. There are still a number of buildings that need fixing, so we'll be busy for a while.

So what's the problem with the hauntings? I asked, while we rode.

He hesitated, then said, I didn't believe the men when they said that four of the buildings were haunted. I thought they were just shirking their jobs. I went into the first building and walked around with two of the men. About ten minutes in, just before I was ready to walk out, I felt a cold chill and then my hat flipped off my head. I knew it wasn't any wind, then as I picked up my hat, I felt something push me. There was nothing there. The other men I was with ran out of the building, leaving me alone. Man, I never believed in ghosts but I felt they were there.

Has anyone been hurt yet? Mary asked.

No, but there has been physical contact a few times. Someone could get hurt if they stumbled over a pile of wood. Do you think you can really contact these spirits?

We have some experience with them.

I heard you cleaned out the Michigan Central train station. So are you going to do that here?

It's what we hope to do, I replied.

Here's the office for the preservation group. I'll take you in and introduce you, he said and parked. We sat for a few minutes.

Do they know about the hauntings?

There have been rumors about it for a number of years, but I don't think they believe it, and they don't want to go and find out.

Afraid to find out it's true?

Something like that. There are a few of the women who I'm sure aren't very brave.

Well, we'll have to convince them. I said as we got out of the cart. Wes was smiling at me from the roof of the cart.

**

Chapter 4

Come on in, I'll introduce you. Just a word of warning, one of the women is not friendly about ghosts. I don't know what her problem is, but she's been a thorn in our sides, claiming the workers are just trying to avoid working, and there are no ghosts.

We'll have to introduce her to me, Wes said behind me. I looked back and smiled.

We went in the remodeled building and to a desk in front of three others. There was a kindly looking older woman seated at the desk who said, David, what brings you here?

Mrs. Carter, these people are police detectives and they are here to investigate the hauntings, hopefully to stop them.

She smiled as another woman behind her made a huffing noise.

More nonsense. Do they think they can chase out ghosts, who don't exist? she said.

Let me at her, Wes said. I whispered to wait.

And you are? I asked directly to her.

Vivian Leath, I'm director of promotions for the restored buildings. If you can find me a ghost, I'll agree to believe you. Otherwise, the workers are all just goofing off.

I looked to Wes and said, Scan.

He went to her and stood, then he turned and said, She's just an old biddy. Brought up in a home without religion or love. She won't accept the ghost stories and wants to fire Hansen's company.

I nodded to him and he tickled her ear. She swatted around the ear, probably thinking it was a bug. Wes tickled the other ear then touched her nose. She looked startled