Clearwater Rescue

By Al Rennie

A girl has been assaulted; she asks Joe for help finding her attacker; Frank and Donna are separating; Doc gets to negotiate a deal; Billy Ray is off delivering gold to Mexico; A single mom and her kids are about to be evicted; they ask Joe for help: Doc gets Bob to take them fishing; Little Billy has a friend in need of help: Sean and Jeremy are working on an algorithm; another romp in paradise!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Al Rennie
• Release date: Jul 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463551011

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 Rescue

By

Al Rennie

Dedication

For my wife

Marsha

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

Copyright © 2019 by Al Rennie

All Rights Reserved.

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

Cover Image Credit: Mayer, V of Crestock Images

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

Table Of Contents

Prologue

1 Monday, April 22nd, 2019 – Night Trip!

2 Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019, - Another Surprise!

3 Wednesday, April 24th, 2019 – The Trip

4 Thursday, April 25th, 2019 – Another Surprise!

Epilogue

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 our occasional morning coffee time spent 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.

I’d like to thank Donna VandenBroek and my wife, Marsha, 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

44) Clearwater Kidnap

45) Clearwater Seduction

46) Clearwater Resue

What Readers Are Saying About the 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.

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

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

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!

Clearwater Kidnap may have been the best of the forty plus books comprising Al Rennie's Clearwater Series. Al is a master storyteller, the plot twists are outstanding. The series is populated with memorable characters, characters I might add, that after 40 plus e-books, you start to take a personal interest in their well being. My preferred reading is adventure/action, written by the likes of Thor, Child, Sanford, Cussler, in my opinion Al Rennie does not take a backseat to any of these better known authors. Do yourself a favor, download Clearwater Journal and start the adventure that is the Clearwater Series.

Loved it! Another great adventure in Paradise … Merle

This action packed book makes me salivate for the next one. You can practically feel yourself in Florida with the pelicans begging for food while the shenanigans of the PI life go on. And as my old grandma would say, A dull moment is one that’s not lived! A real spitfire she was herself!

Christine H

Reading the Clearwater Series is always enjoyable. Clearwater Seduction entertains us, continuing the chronicles of Joe Holiday, CHIPS and all the rest. Al Rennie has set the standards high with his developing characters and true-to-life situations. This book does not disappoint. There is insane humor, action, familiar people, and a slice-of-life vibe going on. No spoiler alerts. However, I will say I could not put it down until I finished it. The storylines threaded throughout keep you reading until you are through. He continues to keep us up to date with the familiar characters and introduces new ones. He does not disappoint. Five Stars. He keeps us looking forward to the next escapades. —Ellen

How can this latest book be the best one yet? I don't know but I'm certain it is. I swear I feel like I'll pass you on the beach one of these days soon. Wait, what beach? I'm in Arizona.... Thanks Al!

I have read MANY books and this is the first time I have ever written a review.

Al, you did it again! I couldn’t put this one down either! I have read all of your Clearwater books and a number of others you’re written as well.

You are a wonderful, talented writer! I feel like I know your characters and have come to love them! I cried when Mia lost the babies and laughed at all of Frank’s jokes!

Please keep writing!

Your huckleberry,

Michelle

Clearwater Glitz

Loved the book … As usual I always want more … Looking forward to the next one!

This has been a great month for favorite author releases. First Cussler, then Sanford and finally Rennie. Oh you don't know of the Canadian Al Rennie, do yourself a big favor with summer 2019 just around the corner, start Al Rennie's Clearwater Series. Mr Rennie is one great storyteller, the series is easy reading, the books are populated with memorable characters, his sense of humor is second to none. Grab the 1st in the series, Clearwater Journal, you can work on your tan and experience many hours of pure entertainment! Rennie is simply one of the best!

Hey Al, how do you do it? I read this book in one sitting! This book kept me glued to my swing until I finished reading it. So many people, so much going on, how does Joe go on 2 hours sleep a day( lol ). One of your best books yet. So Bonnie is running for what was it.? Lol Great story line as so many women are kidnapped for sex trafficking or by perverts.

Your friend and avid reader … Bonnie

Really enjoy the fast paced storyline and dialogue. Looking forward to the next installment. Love the crazy characters; feels real.

Al Rennie's CLEARWATER series is never dull. He is a very talented writer who can take current events and add just enough imagination to them to make the story familiar but yet different. His writings are so far beyond other authors I have read, that I find myself wanting more at the end of each book. There are so many twists and turns in the CLEARWATER series and just when you think you figured it out, then BAM, another twist. This book, CLEARWATER SEDUCTION is just a bit different and this book shows his talent and versatility in storytelling. Al Rennie, you wrote this one a bit different and I loved it just the same. You have the talent sir and that is what keeps me coming back to Clearwater and the Holiday Clan. You took a risk and I applaud you, it really paid off. It's just another day in paradise.

Clearwater Rescue

Prologue

The creature in the shadows felt his pulse pounding. His breathing had accelerated as his frustration mounted. Even though the temperature of the hot day was falling quickly, his T-shirt was damp with the sweat of the beast. For easy access, and then, only if he needed it, the beat up snub nose thirty-two caliber S&W revolver was stuck down the front of his greasy jeans. His favorite four inch folding knife was in his front pocket. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t done this before. He had. Many times before… too many times to remember, even this year. And if he wanted to tell the truth … which he seldom did … thinking about those times made him hard. Thinking of what this time might be like and what he would do to tonight’s girlfriend made him even harder.

Two potential targets had already come and gone … the one had an older guy with her, so she was definitely out … the other one, driving a Dodge Ram truck, was too big … not really his taste at all. He liked them younger, firmer, shorter … He took a quick peek at his worn out cheap Timex watch which was the only thing that his scumbag of a father had left him when he had been executed in Texas back in 1997 …

Ten-forty … the store would close and lock up in twenty minutes. After that, it would be too late to make his move here. He’d have to work his way back to the bar that was open until two in the morning. Easy pickings, but that place was busy … too many people to interfere when he struck … too many to witness his actions. But he had struck gold there before although he had never seen any reports in the newspapers. Maybe, this time, he should have stayed closer to the interstate. But he had wanted to revisit the site of one of his earlier successes as well as see the beach before he moved on. He remembered being here before. There was something different about the prey he had found here. She had been a sunburned college kid on vacation. She had done everything he wanted. Like she had a choice … Very nice …

Really, he could do whatever he wanted. His girls never reported him or if they had, the cops had never caught him. They hadn’t even come close to him and to his work. But he had messed around and stayed too long at the beach. There was no sense pushing his luck. Right now, he needed a ride back to his home. Maybe he could get some action in closer to his base before he had to hit the road again.

A newer Camaro pulled onto the lot. It stopped less than forty feet from his hiding place out behind the back corner of the store.

‘Uh, here’s a possible … not much room to operate in a car that size but still possible … a challenge,’ he thought, as he faded deeper into the dark shadows of the almost empty parking lot.

He watched as a young woman - almost as tall as he was – that might be a problem - got out of the Camaro and walked quickly across the lot only to disappear into the store before he could get a really good look at her. She looked young and athletic wearing shorts and some kind of sweatshirt with a team logo on it. As far as he could tell from his hiding spot against the block wall, the young woman had not bothered to lock her car door. But the electronic fobs for some of these cars could fool you. He felt the urgency … the hardness growing in his jeans. Yeah, it was worth a try. He would have to be closer to her than he was right now anyway. He made up his mind. He reached down to pick up his small gym bag holding the tools of his trade and then, as fast as he could, he moved out of the shadows across the still parking lot to the sleek muscle car. He was in luck. The driver’s door had been left unlocked. He quickly placed his gym bag on the floor behind the passenger’s seat and then slipped into the confined space behind the driver’s seat. He pulled out the snub nosed revolver as he worked at getting control of his breathing and slowing down his pounding heartbeat. He waited. What was she doing? Anticipation of what was to come was delicious …

The driver’s door swung open. This was the moment of truth. If she saw him there and screamed or ran, he’d have to scramble to escape. He held his breath. He was safe. The woman was talking quietly on her cell phone. She was distracted. He would wait silently until her call was finished.

She laughed lightly … not a care in the world. He liked that. The woman started the car and pulled out of the parking lot heading north on Gulf Boulevard. The gods were with him all the way. They would now be heading back to his home base. He waited in his cramped position. When the young woman finally ended her conversation, it would be time for the beast to do his work …

Chapter 1

Monday, April 22nd, 2019 – Night Trip!

Joey … Wake up …

It’s all dark, babe … I can’t see a thing … I can’t see … I’ve gone blind … call for an ambulance.

Quit with the ambulance thing …It’s four in the morning. You’re wearing my sleeping mask … shhh! Someone is pounding on the front door. Get up and go find out who it is and what they want before they wake up the kids.

You go … I don’t have any clothes on. Take your little league slugger with you just in case. Why am I wearing your mask?

You were the blind Lone Stranger last night … remember? I was your trusty bedroom companion, Little Dove. The board shorts you had on yesterday are on the chair and your Beretta is in the drawer right beside you. Hurry up, Joey … make sure the bullets are in it this time.

I believe you mean the Lone Ranger. I don’t hear anything except for the regular ringing I always hear in my ears. Are you sure you weren’t just having a bad dream and you wanted to share it with me, babe?

But Sugar Shorts had been bang on. There was a heavy thumping on the door, followed by another louder, more urgent one, and then the door bell rang, not once but three times. It must be Sheldon Cooper.

Jeez, hold your horses … I’m coming … I chirped at no one.

I flipped off the night mask and pulled on my shorts. I checked the Beretta to make sure that it was ready to go. Only a few seconds later, I was standing on my side of the large triple locked, steel reinforced, front door checking the CCTV feed from our security system camera aimed at the entry. On the other side of the door, Amber was jumping up and down like she had to get to a bathroom. Her hands were flapping like a demented penguin’s flippers. She was in her purple Sponge Bob PJs. She looked as if she was about to pound on the door again. Karen was in track shorts and her university sweatshirt. She was all bent over beside Amber. She looked as if she was going to throw up and even a blind man could tell that she was distraught and crying.

I chirped out, What the hell, Amber … okay, just a minute!

I unlatched the two dead bolt locks and released the door knob lock. Before I opened the door, I flipped the safety back on the Beretta and stuck it down the back of my shorts.

Jeez, what the hell, Amber … It’s four-thirty in the morning … And what’s wrong with Karen?

Karen was taken at gunpoint by some crazy friggin’ mad man who raped her, Joe … He dumped her out at an I-75 rest stop. She just got back here a few minutes ago.

Okay, keep your voice down … you’ll wake up the kids. Where did this happen …? Do you know who did it? Have you called the cops?

No, she doesn’t and she hasn’t called the cops … I already asked. What are you going to do, Joe?

Okay … you’re safe now … no one is going to hurt you. But there are things that have to be done. Can you do this, kid?

I don’t know, Joe … He hurt me. He made me do things … at the end, I thought that he was going to kill me,

And then, she went to her knees and upchucked all over the foyer.

Okay, you’re safe now. He’s gone. No one is going to hurt you again. We’ll take it one step at a time then … First step …we’re going to get you to the hospital …

Five Hours Later

And that’s why I’m so tired right now, Billy … You look after things until Mrs. F gets back from her meeting with Bob Morse … okay?

Not okay, Joe … what did you do with Amber and Karen and where was the baby while they’re standing on your front porch waking up your neighbourhood?