Eulogy for Murder: Jim Richards Murder Novels, #37

By Bob Moats

A sudden death in the family takes Jim and Penny back to their roots in Michigan. Jim invites Trapper, Earl and Buck to go along to visit with their families. Jim and Penny prepare for the funeral and while they are there, Jim finds an old acquaintance from his early days working as a private investigator. Barry Becker, now a police detective and he’s in Jim’s town to investigate a murder. Seems someone wanted to reveal damaging evidence about corrupt dealings within a mob run construction company. The owner recently died and the man who was going to tell all is set to do the eulogy, but is murdered before he can squeal on his former partner. Who murdered the man and will Penny murder Jim if he gets involve in the case. All in a day’s work for Jim and his crime fighting crew in this 37th book of the series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Moats
• Release date: Nov 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536595185

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.

Book preview

Eulogy for Murder

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Chapter 1

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Since I retired from Richards Investigations, I wasn’t expecting a phone call in the middle of the night. I fondly remember a number of calls about murders or some other case that needed my immediate attention. Now I just wanted to be left alone and sleep.

My name is Jim Richards and I started about seven years ago as a newly ordained private investigator. My beautiful wife and national TV talk show host, Penny, stuck with me from the beginning, starting back in Michigan and finally moving to Las Vegas where my firm grew to having five investigators. I now had two former police detectives from Michigan and two police detectives who were formerly in the Las Vegas PD before leaving to join us. One person who was with me the longest was Buck. This person was a former bad boy in his youth and we became friends back in Michigan. Buck got his P.I. license and became the fifth wheel in my firm.

Back to the phone call. I lay there listening to my cell phone buzzing on the bedside table. Penny grumbled, Are you going to get that?

I knew that the only calls I could get this late would be from my family. They loved to wait until late to disturb my sleep. The only reason I could think of why they were calling would be a visit to us or a death in the family. That was the one reason I delayed answering.

Lifting my phone, I looked at the caller ID, it was my brother. Now I was concerned and hoped he was calling to say they were coming out for a visit. The only other reason he would call involved our mother. She was eighty-seven and in ill health. My brother had to put her in a nursing home when she seriously hurt her back and my brother couldn’t be around all day to take care of her.

I answered and said, Hey, little brother. I hope you have a good reason for waking me.

He said the words I didn’t want to hear, our mother had passed away.

I told him to hold on, and swung my legs over the bed. I sat on the edge as Penny came over and put her arms around me from my back.

Is she still getting cremated? I asked.

She told me last week that if anything happened to her, she wanted a small viewing before they put her in the fire. It will be just family and close friends. The funeral will be day after tomorrow. Can you make it? he asked.

I’ll get reservations for a flight out. I’ll rent a car at Metro Airport, so you won’t have to come and get us. Did she go peacefully?

Don’t know, I wasn’t there and I didn’t ask. The funeral home picked her up about an hour after they were called. It’s in their hands now. Call me when you get here. He hung up and I just stared at my phone.

I’m sorry, sweetie. Your mom was such a nice lady. She’ll be missed, Penny offered.

Thanks. I won’t be able to sleep now. I’m getting on the computer and arranging for a flight out.

Are you hiring a private jet, like we’ve had in the past?

Not for just the two of us, I replied.

Why don’t you see if Buck, Earl or Trapper would like to go back home.

This is home now, Michigan was where we lived. But I will call them and see. Maybe we’ll have enough to rent a private jet.

I hope so, she said. I hate traveling by commercial flights.

I silently laughed then held my breath. I moved her arms and stood. I leaned over and kissed her then went out to my study. I fired up the computer and waited. I probably should call our friends before getting tickets. I picked up my phone and called Trapper. It was one in the morning but I doubted he’d be sleeping.

Jim, what’s up? Will Trapper said, when he answered.

Are you alone?

No, Earl is here and we’re scarfing down beer and tacos. We’re watching an old movie on TCM. Some reason you called this late? I know old people like you need your sleep.

It’s good that Earl is with you. I need to ask him something, also. I explained about my late night call from my brother and asked if he and Earl would want to go back to Michigan.

He gave his condolences, excused himself and I could hear him saying something to Earl. They talked briefly then he came back on. We’re good to go. Private jet again?

I laughed and said it could be arranged. I told him I would call when I arranged everything. I hung up and looked at Penny as she came in the room.

Trapper and Earl are going with us. I need to ask Buck now.

She sat in my side chair as I dialed Buck.

Jimmy, what’s up, he said, answering.

I explained the reason for my call. He said he was sorry about my mother and said he’d like to go back.

I liked your mother and I remember how we lied to her when we were tracking down the classmate killers. I could hear him laugh slightly. She was a very nice woman. Count me in to go back.

I’ll call you with the details. Pack your bags, I said and hung up.

I think Lynn and Deacon can handle the office for a couple days. Lacey can keep everything in line. I’ll call them in the morning. Now, I need to hire a jet. I turned to my computer and went to the website of the jet service that I’ve used before.

By six in the morning, I had a jet hired, rented a car at Metro Airport in Detroit and a room reserved at the Hampton Inn for Penny and me. I figured the others could sort out where they would stay.

Well, my dear, we’re ready to go, I said to Penny. Let’s pack, and no more than three bags for you.

She stuck her tongue out at me and went to the bedroom.

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Chapter 2

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Our toy Yorkie, Willy, was getting under my feet as I dragged the suitcases from the closet. He figured it was some playtime activity and wanted to fight with the baggage.

Hey, mutt, back off. I got things to pack. He sat on the bed, giving me his dumb look, both eyes big and dark, penetrating me. I scruffed his head and packed.

Penny had her bags in the living room. I was surprised she only had two to go.

I’m packing light this trip. I don’t want you to strain your old body lugging my bags around.

I stuck my tongue out and went to the phone. I already talked to Deacon and Lacey about the five of us going. They both said they would hold down the fort. I’m calling everyone to let them know where to meet us for the flight.

Isn’t it at the same hangar where we always meet? she asked.

Yes, but I have to tell them what time, I said as I dialed Trapper.

I’m all packed and ready, Trapper said as he answered. "I can pick up Earl and we’ll meet you.