Clearwater Flip Flop

By Al Rennie

June Franklin asks Joe to find a runaway girl; Billy Ray is looking for a missing witness; Robb Pogue wants CHIPs to undertake a case review of a past kidnapping; the McIntyre twins visit Frank; Big Mac has a gift for Doc; a ripped off arts student asks Joe for help; the parents of a teen who overdosed ask Joe to find the dealer; there is a shoot out at Kidd's Gun Shop; Another week in paradise!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Al Rennie
• Release date: Nov 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463935262

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 Flip Flop

By

Al Rennie

Dedication

For my wife

Marsha

And to all the kind and supportive readers of the Clearwater Series

Copyright © 2018 by Al Rennie

All Rights Reserved.

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

Cover Image Credit: Paul Brennan

Formatting Credit: Lucinda K. Campbell – as always, just great … thank you!

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

A very few Reader Responses to Clearwater Series:

1. Monday, October 29th, 2018 – Off Season in Paradise

2. Tuesday, October 30th, 2018 – The Next Step!

3. Wednesday, October 31st, 2018. The Truth Will Out

4. Thursday, November 1st, 2018 – Flip Flop

Epilogue

Note to Readers

Acknowledgements

Thank you Gerry Pielsticker and Nancy Fox who, once again, supplied a collection of jokes that left me laughing so hard, I just had to find a place for only a few of them. Thank you Sally Wynn for keeping me updated on things of interest in Clearwater. Thanks also to Ken Jackman, City of Peterborough Deputy Chief of Police (ret.) for the morning coffee time spent with me at Tim Horton’s. I always come away laughing with so many ideas to include in my books. You have the right to remain silent, sir … for about as long as you can withstand the pain.

Due to a long distance move and job change for a primary editor, Annmarie, and an ugly artistic dispute with another one, my wife, I had been reduced to having only two excellent editors on my team. It might be difficult for anyone to believe that, as a former English teacher, I would even need two editors. The news gets better for you. Sue and Amy have joined the editing team. So now we are back to four … How will I survive? In any case, the two remaining editors, Gail and Donna, aided and abetted by Sue and Amy, have returned to make my life miserable for a few weeks, but to make your reading experience that much better. I’d like to thank them for their masterful work in editing yet another episode of The Clearwater Series. The Tim Horton’s, Amazon or Starbucks gift cards are in the mail … hold on, what Gift Cards?

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

This is the Clearwater Series in the sequence that 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

29) Clearwater Bubba

30) Clearwater Betrayal

31) Clearwater Penalty

32) Clearwater Deception

33) Clearwater Confession

34) Clearwater Promises

35) Clearwater Nemesis

36) Clearwater Glitz

37) Clearwater Mirage

38) Clearwater Witness

39) Clearwater Cowboy

40) Clearwater Retirement

41) Clearwater Spring Break

42) Clearwater Gun Thug

43) Clearwater Flip Flop

A very few Reader Responses to Clearwater Series:

On the advice of the critics, editors and Ellen, I have limited the number of reader responses to a few of the more recent ones. The suggestion was that no one reads them anyway. I know that I do. Apologies go out to those critics who didn’t make the cut.

Al Rennie is still rocking in the world according to Doc!!! I eagerly await each new book and I am not disappointed. This one has another current story line which lets you know that the author is on his toes and doing his homework. I am very glad that the youngest little fellow is finally being brought into the house....good move. Keep on writing Al Rennie and we will keep on buying, reading and enjoying. I have read many stand alone books and many series and this series rates right up there in the top two. Al Rennie rocks!!! M.M.S.

Al Rennie's Clearwater series always gets a 5 star rating from me. This series never gets old (even after the 32nd book), and the stories are clever and funny with mystery, thrills, and sometimes even a little sadness thrown and romance the Joe and Mia way. Start at the beginning and read it, you won’t be able to put it down. Sharon R.

I love all of the Clearwater series books. Al you have created another great book that I will be thinking about for quite some time. I love that you brought out bullying, a lot of that going on. My sister's granddaughter was just bullied at school this past week. She nipped it in the bud. Lol All the jokes we're great, love each and every character in the book. If we all were more like Joe Holliday, this world would be a better place as he always wants to give everyone a fair chance. You bring each character in to grab our attention from the first chapter Until the End. Great read, can't wait for the next book. Bonnie W.

Oh Wow. Clearwater Confessions is awesome. I have read every book in the Clearwater series and they are absolutely my favorite books to read. Mr. Rennie is such an amazing writer and scores another hit with Clearwater Confessions. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Joe and his guys search for a missing girl, stop an incident in a Starbucks, find a meth lab, along with lots of other adventures that make you laugh, hold your breath, and not be able to stop reading till the end. Mr. Rennie gives us characters we love with Joe and his chips crew, his great family along with his brother Frank. Thanks Mr. Rennie, I can't wait for the next story. Merle

I love this series. The stories make me laugh, cry, and dream of adventures. I am always excited for the next one.

I am always so excited to pre-order my books from you, Clearwater Confessions did not disappoint! I have to tell you that this series is the only series that I can read the book in a day and a half because it is so hard to put down. I have to force myself to slow down and savor every word. My husband says, ‘lets take a trip to Canada, eh"? I love the story line of how Joe and Mia build their little, or should I say big family. The story line of Mrs. F and Ken Jackson had me on edge, but I love the riding in and shooting Joe’s way in to rescue them. I will be impatiently waiting for your next installment of Joe and Mia.

Thanks Bubba and my B&N card is ready for the next pre-order. I will be watching for it!

I wish to thank Mr. Al Rennie for the complete Valentine gift package. I am just waiting for the T. V. Series to come along. I have seen television series without this much so together. The writing and the plot (plots) are exiting and oh no, what could possibly go wrong. Ha, ha, ha. The character development has reached a point that we know each and every one of them, and love them, even the bad guys. I love bad guys. Every red blooded woman wants a bad guy, even if he is really just a bad boy. I will not give a spoiler, but, the whole book is an exciting read. The editing is professional and outstanding. The plot flows seamlessly and makes one wish there was a bag of popcorn and soda handy. One drawback, the next one is not out. I look forward to seeing what my Clearwater and their extended family is up to and what is the next speed bump they will have to hop over. Only Doc would call a dire situation a speed bump. Please, Mr. Rennie, keep writing. The suspense is killing your audience. Next stop, ladies and gentlemen, The New York Times Best Seller List!

I have enjoyed and waited in anticipation of every adventure with Joe and Mia and Max and Frank and Fred and Jeremy and all CHIPs fellow cohorts in the Clearwater series. I have read Best Sellers and Mainline authors in the Publishing world, but these books are the ones that make me laugh, cry, hold my breath, and surprise me. I would be extremely unhappy if they stopped coming anytime soon. Please wait a little longer before you retire them and become a jockey, race car driver or whatever. Anything other writing these books would totally bore you to death!!

Cindy B

Clearwater Nemesis is the 35th addition to Mr. Rennie's Clearwater Series. I would highly recommend this series. First Mr. Rennie is one great storyteller. All 35 books of the Clearwater Series are easy reading, action packed, populated with memorable characters, loaded with humor and filled with clever twists. I look forward to each new addition. Keep them coming Al, if possible write faster! You are becoming the Mark Twain of Canadian writers! E.J.

Hi Mr. Rennie, Once again you nailed it with Clearwater Penalty. You have an amazing sense of timing and a creativity that can’t be topped. I read about 100 books a year and you are by far my favorite author. I am thrilled by your ability to keep me engrossed by every one of your books. I appreciate Grisham, Brown, Baldacci and many others; however, you are the guy that keeps me coming back as soon as you next book is released. You have an unbelievable gift and don’t let anything, or anyone, discourage you from entertaining your public. Thank you once again. Nancy

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 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

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.

Anthony Templeman

Double Cross is the most complex and surprising book yet. The plot lines completely surprised me, and I loved the twists and turns. His ability to describe scenes made me feel like I was right there in Florida! Best of all, his ability to create in-depth characters and make me care about them is a rare gift and makes his books so much more enjoyable.

If you love slightly wacky mysteries, this book - in fact the whole Clearwater series - is a must read for you.

Hi, I have been a big fan since I discovered Joe and his family a few years ago. When I first began I could just order the next book as soon as I had finished the one I was reading but now I have to wait until the next one is written, weeks and weeks! So, I have just spent the last fortnight (two weeks) rereading the entire series of 36 books back to back. Brilliant! I love the way Joe's family interact, and how he juggles all the elements of his life. Keep it up Mr. Rennie. I will just have to manage until the next book comes out in July. I am hoping for at least 36 more and don't you dare kill Joe or any of his nearest and dearest off. Jane

I have read the entire series more than once and it keeps getting better. Can’t wait for number forty… 5 Stars …Thanks again Al!

Loved it! Another great adventure in Paradise … Merle

Clearwater Flip Flop

Chapter 1

Monday, October 29th, 2018 – Off Season in Paradise

As I walked onto the upper deck of the yacht that serves as the CHIPs office to see what my guys were doing, I was still thinking about the last week of pipe bombs being sent in the mail, and then the killing of eleven people at a Pittsburgh synagogue by a guy so consumed with hate that he had gone off his noodle and become the epitome of evil. And next on my list, I was on to worrying about the injury to Owen Mathews’ shoulder on Saturday night in the Leaf game with the Jets. And finally, that if business didn’t pick up soon, I’d be applying to the two Bobs for a job on the fishing charter boat called ‘Two Bobs and a Joe’. It’s the boat that I own and lease to them. I’m the ‘Joe’ part. I hate fishing almost as much as I hate golf. That’s how desperate things were in Paradise.

I mean it wasn’t as if I needed the money. I don’t. I have more than enough bucks to have retired years ago, and Mia, my younger wife of a few years now, just keeps on making more with her highly successful ‘Sunny South’ fashion line and the prosperous real-estate business that she owns and operates with her friend, Bonnie Walston. And if that wasn’t enough, my Canadian billionaire brother, Frank, likes to throw cash at me from time to time. He likes to do that just to remind me that I could have been in his obscenely expensive European handmade shoes if only I had played the game of ‘suck up’ to our old dad back when he was still alive. Instead, and to my father’s lasting chagrin, after graduating from university, I did not become a corporate lawyer as he had planned for me. I had become a cop. And now I run a private investigation agency called CHIPs. I also wear T-shirts, jeans or board shorts and cheap flip flops to work. And I’m lovin’ it!

So it wasn’t a matter of having to put food on the table or clothes on the backs of our two foster kids. No, it was the activity of the job and everything that goes with it that I needed. Right at that moment, the only thing I had to look forward to was the New England Patriots playing the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football tonight, and then what would follow on our oversized bed if I could convince Mia that she was in the mood.

Billy Ray was doing bicep curls with two solid sixty pound dumbbells. For any average mortal being, lifting that weight would be an invitation to a hernia at the very least – or a heart attack or a stroke in a worst case scenario. And that would be just trying to lift the weights once – not attempting to do five sets of eight reps as Billy does. Luke, the other regular CHIPs Bubba working today, was spotting for the big guy. He was working on his tan, stretched out on the new striped chaise lounge he favors. He was also sipping iced orange juice, while reading the sports section of the Tribune and keeping count on Billy’s reps.

Come on, Billy … you own this one, man … only two more … last one … you got it dude. Take a rest. The Patriots are favored by twelve points tonight, Joe.

Nice … Did either of you guys hear anything else about those two bodies found at Shephard’s last week? I couldn’t get anything from Robb about them. This new chief has it totally locked down. Need to know only …

Not a word … from Billy Ray.

Just like you figured, Joe, it was a murder suicide, Luke chirped as he flipped through the paper looking for any kind of update. A fifty-five year old guy killed his fifty year old wife. They were from Port Richey. That makes three murder suicides in this area during the last week all by shooting. Well, actually, murder, murder, suicide with the one where the dickhead killed his wife’s daughter as well. Do you think there’s something in the water?

Could be in the air… I don’t know, but I guess we can safely rule out your theory of death by natural causes, Billy … I chirped, followed by a smile and a bit of a laugh.

Billy Ray smiled back. That’s why you’re such a great investigator, Detective Obvious.

You gotta love the big guy. The biceps on Billy’s huge arms looked like baseballs with a thin layer of skin stretched taut over them. At 254 pounds, on a six foot five frame, the big dude was totally pumped. He was also ripped, vascular, and just plain freakin’ scary. The I.F.B.B. (International Federation of Body Builders) Master’s Mr. Florida competition was only weeks away in Orlando, and this was Billy Ray’s last ditch attempt to win the title. He had placed third last year. After this year’s competition, he had promised Natalie that, regardless of the outcome, he would to retire and only play golf and lift weights to stay in shape. I knew for a fact that she wasn’t holding her breath on that one.

I peeled off my shirt to work on my tan and we were into our Monday morning planning session which would be revised when our business manager slash responsible adult, Mrs. Debbie Finelli, returned from her regular Monday morning meeting with criminal lawyer, Bob Morse, at his office in St. Pete’s Beach. Morse just happens to