Secrets Behind the Collar

By C. P. Holsinger

Several priests have recently met with a sudden death. The local bishop believes there is a pattern, and foul play may be involved. Nick Greer and Sonny Madison are assigned to look into them. When the bishop’s suspicions appear to be valid, the detectives begin their search for a serial killer.

While Nick adjusts to a new family situation and struggles with career decisions, he and Sonny follow a trail from churches to strip clubs. Finally they have a suspect. But what happens when their only suspect is found murdered? Is it connected to the case or is it a case of its own?

The investigation takes us along the banks of the Colorado River, to the Ohio River Valley, and to the shores of the Great Lakes as clues are pieced together one by one.

The detectives navigate a maze of deception, infidelity, and vengeance as they uncover the clandestine vendetta of a shrouded killer. What deep, dark secrets are hidden behind the collar?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Foremost Press
• Release date: Oct 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781939870407

C. P. Holsinger

Chuck Holsinger grew up in a small, quiet town nestled along the banks of the Ohio River. He loved Rock & Roll, baseball, the Steelers, and Erle Stanley Gardner mysteries. Boyhood idols like Mickey Mantle, Bobby Layne, and John F. Kennedy still remain in his heart. After returning from Vietnam, he and his wife, Judy, moved to Arizona, where they now own a successful business and are enjoying their four daughters and a plethora of grandchildren. Chuck is a pilot and flies when he gets the chance. He still listens to Rock & Roll, (on the oldies station) and he still roots for the Steelers. Though interests come and go, his passion for mysteries and action & adventure remains. It's that passion that inspires him to write. Head on over to www.cpholsinger.com

Book preview

PROLOGUE

The golden sun rippled on the ocean as it gently began to tease the distant waters. Beautiful, isn’t it? she stated more than asked.

It was as if the world had fallen away, void of all life but her as he looked into her almond-shaped eyes. Yeah, it sure is. But it’s not nearly as beautiful as what my eyes are seeing.

She smiled. He took her into his arms and kissed her. They enveloped each other as if neither one would ever let go. Today the earth was theirs—they were alone in a world created just for the two of them. Finally, they released their embrace, turned, and gazed at the endless sea beyond. She rested her head against him, breathing in the scent of his cologne as the water slapped against the outer walls of the huge ship. Together they watched and waited for the sun to finally touch the sea.

Well, tomorrow we’ll be back in port, and Monday we’ll be back to normal life, he said. I’ll be back to chasing the bad guys, and you’ll be back to processing the evidence to put them away.

Yeah, but one thing will change.

Uh, and what might that be, pray tell?

I’ll be doing it all as Sue Kim Greer.

Yes, that you will. He smiled proudly. His eyes devoured her beauty, and once again he took her to himself. The kiss was long and passionate. When their lips finally parted, Sue Kim looked up and saw an older couple watching them with approving smiles on their faces.

Nick’s face was pink with embarrassment as he swung his gaze to the couple and said, Uh, we just got married.

The couple joined hands. The man smiled and winked. The woman congratulated them and wished them a long and happy life together.

The wedding was fantastic. Sonny was Nick’s best man. Nick’s three daughters were all in the wedding party. Kelly and Kasey were bridesmaids, and Kaitlin was the flower girl. Sonny’s wife April served as the matron of honor, and Sue Kim’s friend Carole was the maid of honor.

Sue Kim was disappointed by the absence of her parents at the festivities. However, she understood her father’s reasons. He was ultra conservative and deeply rooted in tradition. His daughter marrying someone not of Asian descent was something he could not, or would not, condone. Her mother was okay with it, but was obedient to her shujin’s wishes.

We’ll be back home tomorrow evening, and we’ll pick up the girls on Sunday. Do you think they’ll be glad to get home? Sue Kim asked.

Oh yeah. They love their grandparents, but I think they’ll be glad to come home. They’ve always liked Phoenix better than Prescott, you know.

I feel for them. They’ve been through so much, she answered.

Yeah. But you’ve been their rock.

I love them.

I know. He smiled. They love you too.

I know.

With their arms around each other, they leaned on the ship’s railing. As they watched the sun turn orange and slowly sink into the water’s edge, his mind traveled back to the first time they met.

Lieutenant Nick Greer, a homicide detective with the Phoenix Police Department had gone to the morgue to check on the progress of a case he was working on—the murder of a local priest.

The Okinawan-born Sue Kim Lee was a new assistant in the medical examiner’s office, and when they first met, it was like fire and ice. At first she didn’t like him at all, but they soon fell in love, and now they were on the final day of their honeymoon cruise.

He remembered the fire in her eyes that day as he brushed back her long, black hair covering her name tag. But more important, he remembered how pretty she looked.

His thoughts returned to the deck of the huge floating resort when Sue Kim broke the silence. Have you decided what you’re going to do?

He shrugged and shook his head. I don’t know. I like what I’m doing. I really like it in the field. I’m not into working a desk.

I understand, Nick. But you know if anything were to happen to you, the girl’s grandparents wouldn’t hesitate to file for custody. If my opinion matters at all, I think you would be safer as a commander. The girls need their father, especially after all that has happened.

Nick was silent as he lowered his eyes and watched the bubbly wake behind the ship. Turning, he looked around at the ship as if taking in its enormousness. You know someone once said, ‘A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships were built for.’  The gentle squeeze of her hand told him she understood.

So, what are you going to do about Sonny? Sue Kim asked.

Sonny? There’s nothing more I can do. It is what it is. He should be back from suspension by the time we get back.

His stint as a lieutenant didn’t last very long. I feel sorry for him.

Nick shook his head. You know, I love Sonny like a brother, but he never was one who could control his temper. He shouldn’t have punched out the captain.

Captain Lovett is an ass! You said that yourself. You told me several times you felt like knocking him on his ass. And every time he’s come to the lab, he’s acted like he owned the place, barking out orders like we were slaves. It’s no wonder they call him Captain Prick.

Oh yeah, I felt like smacking him more than once, but I was never dumb enough to act upon it.

Well, he’s still an ass. He taunted Sonny and then laughed when he was suspended and demoted.

I’d have suspended him too. There are other ways to deal with an asshole like Lovett. You don’t break his nose in front of the whole squad and not expect serious repercussions. Sonny should have known better. He’s lucky he wasn’t fired. Lovett is some sort of kin to the mayor’s wife, you know.

So I heard. Tell me something. If you were the chief, would you have busted him?

With a chuckle in his voice, he answered, Uh, considering it was Lovett, probably not.

I think Sonny deserved a commendation. Sue Kim giggled.

Maybe, but that’s not what the chief thought. He was pretty pissed—sixty days suspension and a reduction in rank.

Isn’t sixty days a long time for a suspension?

Yeah, but I think the chief had a plan in mind. He knew it would take that long to get Lovett moved off the floor. Now those two shouldn’t run into each other much.

She giggled. There’s always the elevators.

They turned their attention to the vastness beyond them. Together they watched the water as daylight disappeared, and on the other side of the ship, moonlight shimmered on the gentle waves.

CHAPTER 1

Welcome back, Lieutenant Gumby. How was your honeymoon? Sonny asked.

It was great. The islands sure are beautiful, Nick answered as he pulled his phone from his belt, tossed it and his keys onto his desk, and plopped down into a chair. Two whole weeks at sea and no middle of the night calls or texts. No crime scenes to go to and no dead bodies to contend with. No blood. I didn’t even cut myself shaving. He looked at Sonny and added, And no one called me Gumby the whole time I was there!

Gumby was a nickname the tall and lanky Nick Greer had suffered through since his junior high school days. Today the only one who could get away with it was his best friend and fellow detective, Sonny Madison.

Aw, does that mean you missed me? Sonny tilted his head and an impish grin appeared.

Nick smiled as he shook his head. So, what’s been going on around here? Anything new?

Not much as far as I can tell. Some of the good citizens of Phoenix are still being shot, stabbed, beaten, robbed, or whatever else the not-so-good-ones decide to do. Unfortunately, that stuff doesn’t stop just because you go on vacation.

Or honeymoon, Nick added.

Sonny nodded. Or honeymoon. He looked at his colleague and said, I was just going over some reports. It looks like some priest bought it Friday night. Did you know of a Father James Beckman?

Never heard of him. How about you? You’re the Catholic in the room.

I don’t know him either. According to the report he took on a car—the car won.

Huh?

He was crossing the street and got flattened by a Toyota.

Was he drunk?

Looks like it. The tox report should be ready in a couple of days. Anyway, it’s nothing for us to get involved in. I just wondered if you had ever met him, since the diocese used to be one of your favorite hangouts, ya know.

Lieutenant Nick Greer was lead detective for the Phoenix Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit. It was a small unit, comprised of Nick and his partner, Sergeant Sonny Madison.

They say opposites attract, and it sure was true in this case, especially when it came to the process of solving crimes.

Sonny Madison was a good investigator who did things his way and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. He didn’t care if you were the chief of police or if you mopped the floors at night. Sonny had five years seniority over Nick. Had it not been for his lack of respect for authority and his in-your-face attitude, he may have been Nick’s boss.

Sonny had recently been promoted to Lieutenant. However, his tenure at that rank was short-lived. Punching out your superior and knocking him over a desk is an offense that must ultimately result in consequences. The fact that this particular captain, who had acquired the nickname Captain Prick, had asked for it, and Nick had gone to the chief of detectives in Sonny’s defense, saved him from losing his shield. Reduction in rank and suspension without pay was the final result. But Sonny handled the demotion well. He was okay with where he was, and he and Nick would continue to work together solving crimes.

Unlike his partner, Lieutenant Nick Greer was a by-the-book detective who respected authority. Though both detectives had college degrees, Nick had earned a master’s degree in criminology from Arizona State University. He had attended that institution on a basketball scholarship. Sonny had received his associate degree by attending classes nights and weekends while he worked for the PPD.

Shortly after Nick’s arrival on the homicide squad, the two detectives worked their first case together. They blended well and soon developed a bonding friendship in and outside of the department. Sonny and his wife April were godparents to Nick’s youngest daughter, Kaitlin.

Sonny had helped his friend through a nasty divorce. Nick had gone home early one day and had found his wife, Cassie, in bed with another man. Nick moved out the next day and stayed with Sonny and April for a few days until he found a place. Nick’s daughters loved Sonny; Uncle Sonny they called him.

The whole department knew Nick Greer and Sonny Madison were a daunting combination. Nick’s nose for detail and his exceptional mind for solving the unsolvable, along with Sonny’s uncanny ability to navigate the information highway made for the perfect combination, one the Phoenix police hierarchy recognized and preferred to keep intact.

The SIU had been the prime project of their last chief of detectives; however, the new C of Ds, Morgan Moreno was not in favor of it. Word was he had already decided to disband the unit, but he was waiting for Nick’s return. When the homicide commander, Spencer Lovett, was sent to internal affairs, it created an opening and Lieutenant Nick Greer was the chief’s prime candidate for the position. Nick hadn’t agreed to anything, but he had promised the deputy chief an answer when he got back from his honeymoon. Now he had returned, and the time for reckoning would no doubt be near.

By the way, Sonny said. The chief called. He wants to see you as soon as you get settled.

Yeah. Nick frowned. I kinda figured he would.

So, are you gonna take it?

Take what?

You know what I’m talking about—the job. Are you gonna take over homicide?

Nick took in a deep breath, let it out and said, I don’t know, Sonny. I really like what I’m doing. I’m not a bureaucrat.

Just then Nick’s ears heard the sound of a phone ringing. He looked to the instrument on his desk, picked it up, and said, Lieutenant Greer.

Welcome back, Lieutenant. How was Hawaii?

He recognized the voice of Tricia, the assistant for Deputy Chief Moreno. The islands are still out there in the blue Pacific, and I’m here in the Sonoran Desert.

Yeah, I get it. Uh, the chief wants to see you and Sonny.

Both of us?

Yep. He said Detectives Greer and Madison. I’d say that means both.

Okay. We’re on our way.

He hung up the phone and said to his partner, Uh, the C of Ds wants us.

You mean he wants you.

No, us.

Both of us?

Uh, yeah. I don’t think there are any other ‘us’s’ in this conversation.

What for? Sonny asked. Why both of us?

Nick shrugged. I dunno. Tricia said ‘you and Sonny.’  Nick grinned. I assume the you she referred to would be me and the Sonny part, well, that would probably be you, don’t ya think?

Okay, let’s go, said Sonny.

A joyful voice greeted them as they walked through the door. Good morning. And how are my two favorite detectives this morning?

I have no idea, said Sonny. It looks like you’ll have to settle for us.

Tricia answered with an affectionate smile, The chief is waiting for you in his office. You can go on in.

Deputy Chief Morgan Moreno had been the chief of detectives for a few months. His predecessor had formed the Special Investigations Unit, but this chief had made it clear he didn’t see its necessity as the department already had a major crimes division. Both Nick and Sonny assumed they had been called in to be informed the SIU was being shut down, and they were being transferred back to homicide.

You wanted to see us, Chief? asked Nick.

Good morning, Chief Moreno answered. Have a seat. Make yourselves comfortable. He motioned toward two chairs sitting in front of his desk. Each detective took a seat as their boss began the conversation. So, how was your honeymoon, Nick?

Short. The ocean was peaceful. Hawaii is beautiful.

The chief nodded. That it is. It’s too bad we can’t bring the islands here.

They’d probably melt, said Sonny.

The chief smiled. No doubt, Sergeant. He looked at his detective and continued, Is everything okay with you?

Both detectives knew what their boss meant. This deputy chief had gone to bat for Sonny. Had he not done so, the punishment could have resulted in termination. Chief Moreno liked Sonny and respected his abilities as a detective. Spencer Lovett, the captain Sonny had assaulted had demanded he be fired. Moreno didn’t like Lovett or the ex-marine’s dictatorial manner of commanding and was instrumental in getting him transferred out of his command.

The chief looked back and forth between the two detectives and said, Okay, I’ll get to the point, gentlemen. I brought you in here to discuss something. He cleared his throat. I received a call from the chief. She wants to meet with you two today.

Chief Jenkins? Sonny questioned.

Yes, Sergeant Chief Jenkins.

Karen Jenkins had recently taken over as Phoenix Police Chief. She had come to Arizona from Cincinnati, Ohio. Neither of the detectives had met her personally. She had been sworn in while Nick was on vacation and Sonny was on suspension.

No shit? asked Sonny.

No shit, Sergeant, answered Moreno.

Uh, do you know what she wants with us? Sonny queried.

I don’t know. I just got a call from upstairs. She asked me who were my best detectives. We have a meeting in her office at eleven o’clock.

We? asked Nick.

Yep. She wants to see all three of us. Be in her office at eleven o’clock. He looked at the detectives and said, And for Christ’s sake, don’t be late. He added, And, Sergeant Madison, I expect you will behave yourself.

Sonny, through a devilish grin responded, Don’t worry, Chief. I’ll be my normal amicable self.

The chief almost growled, No, Sonny. I said behave yourself. You know this is a new chief, and you’re still on probation.

The detectives went back into the SIU and sat down at their respective desks. What do you think she wants? asked Sonny.

No clue, Nick answered. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

CHAPTER 2

Nick and Sonny were greeted by a middle-aged lady who said, Detectives Greer and Madison, I presume?

Yes, ma’am. Nick nodded politely as he answered.

They’re waiting for you. You can go on in.

Nick looked at Sonny. They?

Sonny shrugged. Moreno must be in there already.

The door was opened, and as they walked in they saw Chief Jenkins sitting behind her desk. The two chairs in front of her were occupied. Both men had their backs to the detectives, but they recognized the form of their boss. The man sitting in the other chair turned. Both detectives stopped momentarily as they saw the large cross hanging from his neck. James O. Holman, the Bishop of Phoenix, was smiling at them.

Welcome, Detectives, Chief Jenkins said as she stood and walked around her desk. I’m Karen Jenkins. I’m glad to finally meet you both.

She shook hands with Nick. Lieutenant, she addressed Nick, I hope you had a pleasant honeymoon.

I did, ma’am. Thank you.

She shook hands with Sonny. Welcome back, Sergeant.

Thank you, ma’am. I’m glad to be back.

The chief looked toward the man who had been in the chair but was now standing. I’m sure you recognize Bishop Holman.

Nick nodded and was the first to shake hands with the bishop. Nick Greer. My pleasure, Your Excellency. He motioned toward Sonny. This is my partner, Sergeant Madison.

Pleased to meet you, Sergeant, the bishop said as they shook hands.

Pleased to meet you, Your Excellency. Please, call me Sonny.

Chief Jenkins pointed to a sitting area in the center of her office. There were six stuffed chairs surrounding a large oval glass table. Shall we all have a seat? I think we will be more comfortable over there.

As protocol would dictate, the bishop sat down first, then the police chief. The rest followed. The chief asked, May I offer you anything? Coffee? Tea? Soft drink? Water?

All four men declined. There was a temporary silence. Sonny and Nick waited patiently; both wondering why they were there, but mostly why there was a man dressed in black, with a gold pectoral cross hanging from his collared neck, sitting across from them.

I suppose you are wondering why I asked you to come here today, she said to the two detectives. They both nodded politely. We have a rather delicate situation, and we would like to enlist your help.

A situation? Nick questioned.

Delicate? Sonny almost whispered.

She nodded to the bishop who took over the conversation. Detectives, the church has experienced the sudden loss of five priests within the last few months. He looked like he was waiting for a comment but received none. The last one was Friday night.

Yes, Bishop, I saw the report this morning, Sonny replied. I believe it stated he was hit by a car?

Yes, the bishop responded.

With all due respect, what does that have to do with us? Nick asked. He looked at Chief Jenkins, then back to the bishop.

That’s an excellent question, Detective. I’ll try to answer as best I can. The bishop cleared his throat and continued, I have reason to believe some, if not all, were, let’s just say, questionable deaths. I was hoping you would look into them and give me your opinion.

Why, Bishop? What makes you think they are, as you say, questionable? Nick asked. I heard about the one Friday, but what about the rest of them? How did they die, anyway?

Well, let’s begin with Father Benitez. He was the pastor at St. Felipe in South Phoenix. He was stabbed right there in the church. The police think it was a robbery, but they’ve never found the person who did it. However, I think it unusual if it was a robbery that nothing was taken.

I remember that, said Sonny. It was all over the news. They figured it was a transient or some drug addict who was trying to rob the place but got scared and ran.

Yes, Sergeant, Bishop Holman agreed. That is what the authorities deem happened, and they may be correct. May I continue, please?

Of course.

Well, Father Baldichek is—was—a retired priest in Camp Verde. He traveled around to various parishes in the area. One of them is our mission in Mayer. It was there he was found dead.

What happened? asked Nick.

He was electrocuted.

Electrocuted? How so?

It appears he was taking a bath and somehow dropped a hair dryer into the water.

Okay, Nick said.

Then there was Father Sheldon. He was the pastor at St. Luke’s in Bullhead City. He supposedly committed suicide. Hanged himself they say. The bishop paused as if waiting for a question or