Double Trouble

By R.P. Deiss

Jim receives a call for help from a former college roommate. His partner on the San Francisco police dept. has gone missing and his own family had been receiving death threats from the drug gangs that control the city’s streets.

Jim whisks his friend’s family back to Wisconsin to provide safety for them and then flies out to the west coast with Alex and Lindsey to break up the drug gangs. MS13 and the Chinese Tong have total control of the city’s drug use.

Skip doesn’t know about the powers of the Spirit Warriors but soon finds out. Alex and Lindsey’s powers have continued to grow. Soon they find themselves in a fight to the death against the deadly street gangs. Jim finds out he can’t shelter his kids any longer from becoming killers. They will have to kill or be killed so they can all come out of this battle alive. The Spirit Warriors powers have become deadly. They rarely need the being that lives inside of them to appear anymore.

It will be the Spirit Warriors against well over one hundred street gang members. In the end only one side will survive, who will it be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.P. Deiss
• Release date: Apr 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463574652

R.P. Deiss

Hi, I'm a 54 year old Wisconsinite. I served in the Navy during the closing days of Vietnam as part of Operation Frequent Wind. I held a top secret clearance as a radioman. I honed my typing skills on the keyboard of a teletype while serving my country. I'm a 3 term commander of our American Legion Post and designer of our Veterans Memorial. I spent 19 years in the Boy Scout program including 8 years as scoutmaster and helped 11 boys reach Eagle Scout. I also did 11 years as committee chairman. I've written and given many speeches on Veteran issues. . I live in Northeast Wisconsin with my wife Darlene, I have two grown step daughters and six grand kids. I found that i have an insatiable love of writing. I did the first draft of Dead Men's Isle in three weeks. I also did a thriller called Copperhead which will be coming out in february and am now doing s sequal to Dead Men's Isle. I have now written a total of 5 books for your enjoyment. I hope that I can bring you into the pages of my books for a journey that will transport you on an adventure of a lifetime!

Book preview

Chapter One

We pulled into the parking lot and parked in reserve parking behind the Oshkosh police department. The street around the courthouse was a jungle of satellite towers erected above media vans. Today was the court hearing for the Piano Man, Clem Carson. He was responsible for the deaths of 43 young men and women. They were all in their late teens and early twenties when they were killed by this animal.

My kids tracked him down, no one else could. You see, he never left a witness behind to his heinous crimes. What he didn’t know is that Alex and Lindsey are spirit warriors. Where you and I only use ten percent of our brain they can use over forty percent of theirs. They can see the dead and communicate with them as easily as you and I can with each other.

They gained their powers when a crooked builder built our new home on top of the Mascouten tribal village that had been wiped out by another warring tribe. As unseen forces were building in the house the ghosts of the tribe members were growing stronger in the woods that our home was built in. Alex and Lindsey’s powers seemed to keep growing as the supernatural elements around them grew. They now have powers that are amazing over the dead and the living as well.

When they finally caught up to the Piano Man they pretty much left him near death. His back was broken and his teeth were kicked out. He had broken ribs and cuts and lacerations all over his body. They had built a terrible anger while talking to those he killed.

I can also see and talk to the dead, it was a gift from Grey Wolf. He was an elderly shaman who sacrificed his life to protect the spirit warriors. They are the first of their kind in hundreds of years and very important to the tribe who adopted them. The reason I was given this gift was so I could help to guide them on their journey thru life.

The Piano Man learned about my kid’s abilities and twice tried to kill them to protect his identity. The second time Alex and Lindsey knew of his presence and captured him.

When the serial killer was caught Alex and Lindsey forced him to meet those he killed. They allowed the killers victims to appear before him and vent their anger for what he had done to them. A few of them were even able to physically inflict pain on him. By the time it was over he had no doubt at all what his fate would be in the afterlife. He would be condemned to an eternity in hell, his fate was sealed. He finally realized his actions had consequences. There would one day be a final judgment on him. He would pay the ultimate price for his evilness.

The spirit warriors had forced him to write and sign a confession. To not do so would have brought instant death. Death was now something he wanted to put off for as long as he could. Once life was over he would spend an eternity in hell. An eternity was a very, very long sentence.

Okay guys let’s get into the courtroom before this media circus gets underway, I said as I viewed the forest of satellite dishes.

Yeah dad we want to let our presence to be known to Clem so he doesn’t try weaseling out of his confession, Alex said.

If he does try to get out of it he won’t live to see the inside of the prison walls, Lindsey added darkly.

Just don’t do something that will attract attention to yourselves, Sara told her two kids.

Don’t worry mom we won’t. We’ll speak to him without being heard, Lindsey promised.

The two could speak telepathically. I guess it went hand and hand with being able to use so much of their brains.

The judge had originally been against allowing Lindsey and Alex to be there for the proceedings because of their age. But after my brother Terry and I had talked to him privately in his chambers he changed his mind. My brother was the county sheriff and I was his lieutenant of detectives.

Lindsey led the way into the courtroom and straight to our reserved seating right behind the chair Clem would be sitting in. My brother was standing by the railing waiting for us and we all sat down together.

The media had tried to stop the four of us in the hallway outside the courtroom to interview us but we pushed past them without a word. If we decided to speak there would be time for that when the proceedings were over.

Before long the courtroom was filled past capacity. Photographers and cameramen lined the walls everywhere there was room.

All rise, the honorable Judge Benedict presiding, the bailiff said as we all came to our feet.

Be seated, the judge said gruffly. Any outbursts from anyone and I will clear this courtroom and we will have the proceedings behind closed doors. I hope I made myself perfectly clear on this matter. You can all be seated, Judge Benedict repeated as he sat behind his bench.

Bailiff, have the accused brought into the courtroom and seated at the defense table, the judge ordered.

Doors opened in the back of the courtroom and Clem Carson came shuffling into the courtroom with his head hanging down. They had leg shackles on him and his wrists were chained to a heavy leather belt around his waist that I knew was also a Taser. Any trouble from him would bring with it a swift reaction from the deputy that had control of the belt.

Halfway to his seat he looked up for the first time and spied us seated directly behind his defense table and his reaction was violent. His eyes grew the size of saucers when he spotted his two captors seated there.

No, no! what are they doing here, he wailed as he tried to back up to get distance between himself and us. I don’t want them here, I don’t want them here. Get them out, get them out! he screamed as he fought with the guards that were escorting him.

Get that man under control deputy, the judge ordered loudly.

The deputy that had the shock belt controller in his hand depressed the button that controlled the voltage going into the belt.

Aaauurrggh! the Piano Man said as he twisted and fought the charge of electricity before falling to the floor and twisting back and forth in pain before blacking out.

I want the courtroom cleared until we get this situation under control, the judge ordered the bailiff. Everyone got up and left the packed courtroom. We went to leave with the others before being stopped by the judge’s voice. This doesn’t pertain to the five of you. I’m just speaking to the media circus. You’re involved in law enforcement, take your seats.

Clem let out a low groan before he started to stir. He raised his hand to his forehead and groaned some more.

"I know you can hear me Clem. No harm will come to you as long as you

plead guilty as promised," Alex told the killer telepathically.

But if you break your promise and change your plea your jail guard will find you dead when he delivers your supper, Lindsey warned him ominously.

You have full knowledge of what awaits you after death. Don’t try to test the resolve of the spirit warriors, Alex finished.

The killer got shakily to his feet before meeting our eyes fleetingly while nodding his head wordlessly. He would do as he was told and not pose any more problems. He wanted to stay as far away from deaths door as possible. He walked shakily to his defense table before falling heavily into a chair and burying his head on his arms.

Bring them back into the courtroom, the judge ordered his bailiff before banging his gavel.

The state of Wisconsin Verses Clem Carson. You are accused of forty-three counts of the crime of murder in the first degree. How do you plead to the charges brought against you? Judge Benedict asked the accused.

Clem just sat there with his head on his arms with no reaction at all.

I sense my inner being wanting to end this now killer of the innocent! a voice boomed inside his head.

The Piano Man’s head snapped up. Guilty, guilty, I plead guilty, the Piano Man shouted in a suddenly panicked voice.

Are you making this plea of your own free will? The judge asked him.

Clem silently turned and looked at Alex and Lindsey who sat beside me pretending innocence. Yes, your honor, I do, Clem finally answered.

The judge banged his gavel and concluded the hearing. Sentencing will be held next week Thursday until then you will remain in jail without bond.

Alex and Lindsey couldn’t resist tormenting him further. Once sentencing is done you will be transported to the super max prison in Colorado. You will be given a 6X8 foot cell, Lindsey told him with no mercy.

You will only get two showers a week and one hour outside your jail cell per day for exercise. Your meals will be cheap and bland. Your mattress will be a two-inch foam pad on a steel frame, Alex told him.

You will be so lonely for someone to talk to you will spend your days with your ear against the cell door hoping to hear a voice, any voice, Lindsey said.

Finally, at the end you may welcome death and an eternity in hell just to escape your hell on earth, Alex said savagely with a wicked laugh.

Clem could take no more and lunged out of his chair as he screamed his hatred and frustration for all to hear. They zapped him with the Taser again and he fell still screaming to the floor.

Are you good Lindsey? Alex asked his grinning sister.

I’m great, how about you, big brother? Lindsey asked.

I’m great, let’s go for pizza. I’m hungry enough to eat a whole one by myself. I didn’t know tormenting serial killers was such hungry work, Alex said as he watched without mercy as Clem lay there drooling down the side of his face.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Chapter Two

What time is your uncle Steve picking you up to go fishing on the reservation Alex? Sara asked her son. Alex was going to spend the weekend fishing with his adopted uncle. Steve was a Chippewa shaman whose native name was Soaring Eagle. He along with his dead father, Gray Wolf were Alex’s and Lindsey’s spiritual guides on their journey as spirit warriors.

He said that he would be here in time for breakfast tomorrow morning. Are you sure you don’t want to come along with us Lindsey? her brother asked.

You can have some guy time with uncle Steve, Alex. I’m planning on camping out at our cousin’s house with Kara and some of our girlfriends this weekend, Lindsey informed him.

If he teaches me any new dance steps I’ll show them to you when I get back home, Alex promised her. Part of their tribal teachings were learning dance steps they needed to know for pow wows and other important ceremonies they performed in with their adopted tribe.

I hope you catch that big musky he has been telling us about. If you do catch him make sure you take pictures before you release him, Lindsey said.

Yeah, I want photographic evidence of the catch Alex. After all your fish tales have become more and more unbelievable, Sara told him.

Just because I didn’t get a picture of those last two big fish doesn’t mean I didn’t catch them, Alex informed her.

Remember to go and put on your tinfoil hat, I told Alex as I turned into our driveway that wound thru the woods to our house. The day before I caught Alex cheating while we were playing a game during family time. The house rule is neither one of them can use their powers against either their mother or me. That included but was not limited to putting ideas in our heads, reading our minds, spying on us while invisible and cheating. It had been raining yesterday so the family had been playing monopoly. It seemed awfully funny that Alex could roll exactly what he needed every single time. In no time at all he had total control of the board. Suspecting a rat, we called him out on it. If nothing else, Alex is honest and fessed up to messing with our minds. His reward was wearing a tinfoil hat. We all knew the hat would do nothing to suppress his or Lindsey’s abilities but it made them look funny.

You know I could make you forget all about the stupid tinfoil hat, Alex groused. I was just having a little fun, no harm done, right? Alex said as he opened his car door.

I like the way you’re thinking Alex, Sara told him.

All right mom, you rock! So, I don’t have to wear the hat, right? Alex said hopefully.

Wrong Alex, just like you just said, we’re just trying to have a little fun by making you wear the hat. No harm done right Alex? Sara asked him grinning widely while looking over the back seat at him.

Ha, ha, ha, good one mom, ha, ha, ha, Lindsey cried out while grabbing her sides.

Shut up Lindsey, Alex said stomping off towards the house.

Kara, do you want to see something really funny? Why don’t you, Hunter and Ben hop on your bikes and come on over, Lindsey said in her mind telepathically. Her cousins knew about their abilities and only lived a half mile away on the old family farm.

Okay Lindsey we’ll be right over, Lindsey heard back inside her head. Her cousins had no powers but the spirit warriors could read anyone’s thoughts. Lindsey and Alex weren’t above trying to pull things over on one another, after all they were siblings and very competitive. Lindsey walked into the house with a grin of anticipation on her face.

Alex walked into the kitchen with his shiny hat perched on his head while grumbling darkly.

So, what is so funny Lindsey? Kara asked as the kitchen door burst open and the three cousins came rushing in.

Ha, ha, ha, look Alex has his fancy hat on again, ha, ha, ha, Hunter laughed gleefully while pointing his finger at him.

Take me to your leader Alex, Ben said while laughing.

What did you do this time Alex? Kara asked him while grinning with her arms crossed.

Lindsey, go and get your hat on, I said with a sigh. You know the house rules.

But dad, I didn’t use my powers on you or mom, Lindsey said in her own defense.

No, but you used them to summon your cousins so they could laugh at your brother, I informed her.

But he isn’t defenseless against me like you are, this isn’t fair! Lindsey burst out trying to defend her actions.

Rules are rules Lindsey. If we let you and Alex go at each other with your full powers we’d be living in a tent in the back yard. The house wouldn’t be left standing. Now quit arguing and go fetch your hat and then I want you to come back into the kitchen and model it for your cousins as part of your punishment, I told her with my no nonsense marine voice.

Lindsey stomped out of the kitchen without another word and was soon back in the kitchen wearing her tinfoil hat.

I have to get a picture of this. Alex, stand with Lindsey so I can get a picture of both of you, Kara said as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket.

Alex walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulders grinning widely. Say cheese Lindsey, he laughed out.

Shut up and take the stupid picture, she said darkly while glaring at the camera lens.

Hey I can’t take a picture, my phone is dead, Kara said in surprise. I just took it off the charger before coming over.

I’ll take the picture Kara, Hunter said as he reached for his phone. Hey, mine is dead too!

So is mine, Ben reported. Lindsey that’s not fair!

Lindsey, you broke the rules again, Sara said. You made their phones go dead.

So, what can you do? Make me wear a stupid tinfoil hat? Oh, wait you already did that! Lindsey said as she slapped her forehead.

That’s funny Lindsey, Alex said with a grin.

Come on pumpkin, fix their phones for them, I told Lindsey using my favorite nickname for her.

Alright already, I was just having a little fun so I could see the looks on their faces. Your phones have a full charge and will work now, Lindsey told them.

It is fully charged! Kara said in disbelief as she looked at the screen on her cell phone. Did you really suck all the power from our phones or did you just make us think you did?

Both, I sucked the power from yours but just made your brothers think I did the same to theirs. Their phones would have worked but in their minds, they couldn’t see the lit-up screen so they thought their phones were dead, Lindsey told her.

Sometimes the two of you are scary, Hunter said to their cousins.

Don’t worry Hunter. We would never do anything to hurt any of you, Alex told him.

Yeah, we know Alex. But still what you can do is awfully scary at times. I mean it’s just not normal. You know what I mean? Hunter said.

You think it’s scary for you? Walk a mile in my shoes and see what it feels like, Alex said ruefully.

Alex is right, almost every day we discover new abilities. Where and when is this all going to end? Lindsey added a little bit fearfully.

That was a topic that Sara and I spoke of often. Where would this journey take our family? When and where would it end. Would it shorten or lengthen their lives? Would they die at an early age like the South American kids that had seen the vision of the Virgin Mary? These thoughts were always in the backs of our minds.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Chapter Three

Lindsey heard the kitchen door open behind her, Uncle Steve is here, she said without looking at who was entering their home.

Spirit warrior, you are looking well, Lindsey’s adopted uncle said. You knew it was me without turning to see me.

That kind of stuff is easy to do. I knew you were here before you turned into our driveway, Lindsey informed him.

Good morning Sara, I hope I am in time for one of your famous breakfasts, Steve said with a smile.

Good morning Steve, I’m just starting to heat the griddle for pancakes and bacon. Coffee is fresh if you want some, Sara offered.

Steve got a cup out of the cupboard and poured a cup. He knew his way around their kitchen because he was often a house guest while here working with the two spirit warriors, Alex and Lindsey.

Every year there was a pow wow here on their property to honor the Mascouten people who perished in these woods. A monument had been erected the previous year honoring them and Steve’s father. Their family had been made the official guardians of the burial site to guard against anyone trying to loot the site.

Soaring Eagle, are you ready to catch some muskies? Alex asked as he entered the kitchen from the garage.

Are you all packed and ready to go spirit warrior? Steve asked him.

I was just going over my tackle to make sure I had everything I needed, Alex told him.

You will only need your clothes and personal things this trip. I have the fishing equipment for you to use. The rod and reel you use for walleye fishing isn’t built strong enough for musky fishing Alex, Steve informed him.

Good morning Steve, I said as I entered the kitchen with wet hair and went directly to the half full coffee pot.

Good morning Jim, I’ll have Alex home Monday morning at the latest, Steve told him.

Summer vacation isn’t over for them yet so it’s no problem. Keep him longer if you want to, I told him.

Are you sure that you don’t want to come along fishing Lindsey? Steve asked her.

Not this time uncle Steve. I’m spending the weekend with my cousin Kara and some girlfriends camping at her place, Lindsey informed him.

What time are you heading to Kara’s Lindsey? Sara asked her daughter.

I’m not sure, probably late morning after the dew is burnt off the grass, Lindsey replied.

Let’s get going Alex, daylight is a burning, Steve said as he pushed back his chair and got up. Great breakfast as always Sara.

Anytime Steve, you’re always welcome at our table, you know that, Sara said as she hugged him goodbye.

As you are at my northern home Sara, Steve answered back.

I shook his hand as he headed for the door. Leave a few fish in the lake for next time, I said smiling.

With a spirit warrior in the boat telling the fish what to do I can’t promise you that will happen, Steve said only half kidding.

Steve bent down to grab one of Alex’s duffle bags and slapped Alex on the shoulder. Let’s go catch some muskies spirit warrior, he said as he walked out of the house.

I’ll be up in my room mom getting my sleeping bag and stuff ready, Lindsey told her mom.

When you’re ready to go to your cousin’s house let me know and I’ll drop you off, Sara told her.

Okay, thanks mom, she said as she went up the stairs to her room.

I filled my coffee cup one last time and headed to my den to work on bills. I put my Bose radio on softly to a popular local radio station and settled into my office chair. I must have been working for an hour or an hour and a half when my desk phone rang.

Hello, I said as I picked up the phone and answered it.

Jim this is Terry, have you been watching the news this morning? he asked me.

No, I haven’t had it on. Steve came on down from up north this morning and picked up Alex to go musky fishing with him so we were visiting with him, I answered him.

But Lindsey didn’t go along with them? Terry said with relief plain to hear in his voice.

No, she’s upstairs getting ready to go to your place for the weekend, I explained to him.

I think she is going to have to put her plans on hold Jim. We are going to need her desperately for this one. Without question time is of the essence, he said.

Tell me what you’ve got Terry, I said as I pushed back my chair and got up and closed down my computer.

Last night a sixteen-year-old female was last seen getting into a pick-up truck outside the mall by the three friends she was with. She hasn’t been seen since. Her friends say they didn’t know the person she left with, Terry told me.

We are on our way Terry. I’ll call you from my car when we are on the road and let you know where we’ll be starting from, I told him as I hung up and left my den.

Lindsey, come downstairs! I shouted up to her.

What’s up dad? Lindsey asked from the top of the stairs.

Amber alert, your uncle is asking for your help. Your camping trip is going to have to be put on hold for a little while I’m afraid, I told her.

I explained the situation to her as the two of us ran for my unmarked squad car. Where do you want to start at, the mall or her house? I asked her as I kicked up gravel heading out to the road.

Let’s go to the house first dad. The first thing I need to do is see if the girl is at her home or not, Lindsey told me.

You’re talking about her spirit, aren’t you? You want to see first if she has been murdered so we know if it’s a recovery mission or an abduction? I said as I looked at her sideways.

You know dad, sometimes I hate being a spirit warrior. But yes, I want to check first and see if she is alive or dead, Lindsey answered sadly.

Call your uncle and tell him where to meet us Lindsey, I said as I handed her my cell phone. I hit the lights and siren as I got to the paved road and headed to the east, siren screaming.

I got the address dad, it’s on the west side of Oshkosh, Lindsey told me.

I turned off the siren as we got close to the address Lindsey gave me but I kept the flashing lights on as I pulled up in front. Terry was there ahead of us waiting.

Lindsey wants to check here first for the missing girl to see if she is alive or dead. What is the girls first name? I asked my brother the sheriff.

Her first name is Kim, Terry told us.

Well, let’s go and knock on the door and meet the parents, I said. There were probably six or seven cars in the driveway. Friends and relatives worried about Kim.

The door was answered by a tearful woman of about forty. Do you have news about Kim? the woman asked having recognized my brother as the sheriff.

Not yet, we are only an hour into our investigation. Can we come into your home? Terry asked her gently.

She stepped aside wordlessly and let us enter the front foyer. I could see everyone mulling around quietly giving support to the family.

Dad, I need to ask her to have everyone step out of the house, I need privacy, Lindsey told me.

Ma’am, can I get all of you folks to step out of the house. I know my request sounds strange but my daughter is clairvoyant and she may detect something if she has a quiet environment around her, I explained to her and her husband who had just joined us.

Anything if it will help to get our daughter back, the husband said as he motioned everyone to step out of the house.

We’ll step out with them Lindsey, do your thing, I told her.

Kim, what happened to you yesterday? Why were you killed? Lindsey asked the spirit sadly.

A man stopped his truck next to me and rolled down his window to ask for directions. I found myself staring into the barrel of a handgun. He ordered me to get into his truck. I should have run I would have been safe then. But stupid me got into the truck instead of running. He took me to a public hunting grounds and into the woods where he raped and murdered me, she said sadly.

How come you can see me when others can’t? Kim asked her.

I am a spirit warrior, I have great powers over the living and the dead. I have to leave you now but know this, I will have your killer caught before this day is done! Lindsey said as the anger entered her voice.

I could see by the anger on Lindsey’s face and the stiff way she was walking and knew the news wasn’t good.

Thank them for their cooperation dad, Lindsey said angrily as she passed by me.

The people filed back into the home and the three of us huddled by my unmarked car. She is dead isn’t she Lindsey?

Yes, she is dead. Sometimes I hate the powers I have over others. Why can’t I just be normal like other kids! Lindsey sobbed.

This should be an easy one Lindsey. Just go back in time and stop the killer before he has a chance to kill Kim, Terry suggested.

It’s not that easy uncle Terry! Don’t you think there were dozens of others we wanted to bring back to life when we were hunting for the Piano Man? Once a person’s life is at an end we can’t go back and change the ending. If I would have stopped the killing in real time everything would be alright, but I didn’t.

I guess I don’t quite understand what you’re saying Lindsey, Terry admitted to her.

You must realize when Kim was killed her life’s chapter was over. A marriage she would have had was cancelled. Kids she would have had and raised ceased to exist instantly. Lives ended that never were. If I brought her back it would cause a rip in time. In time hundreds of people who were never meant to be alive would live. Others who were meant to live would die before their natural time. It would cause a huge domino effect. I can’t change what was meant to be, what already is. Not even a Spirit Warrior can to that, Lindsey finished as she cried into my shoulder.

It’s alright pumpkin, what happened here isn’t any fault of yours, I said quietly as I held her head to my shoulder and looked into my brother’s sad eyes.

I’m sorry Lindsey, I really am. I didn’t mean to put all of this on your shoulders, Terry told her quietly.

It’s okay uncle Terry, you didn’t know. While the humane thing, the kind thing to do would be to let her live, the proper thing to do is to let her rest in peace, Lindsey said as she wiped her eyes on her shirt sleeve.

Is there any way we can put the killer behind bars where he belongs? Terry asked her gently.

You darned right there is, Lindsey snarled in her anger and pent up rage. Take me to the site of the abduction!

The was no longer any reason to hurry for Kim was dead. We traveled silently without lights and siren to the mall and parked.

Lindsey, she got into the pick-up truck over there, Terry said pointing to the spot.

Lindsey looked at the spot unmoving. This is going to be the really hard part of this, Lindsey said with a shudder.

What are you planning to do pumpkin? I asked her.

"I’m going back in time to when Kim was abducted. I’m going to ride along to where he raped and killed her. Then when he is finished I’m going to ride with him until he goes home so I know where he lives. In your time,