Chasing the Storm

By Ernest Chase

Detective Storm is being followed, first by his new assistant, then by technology – neither which he understands.  Living and working in a small town has its advantages, and Storm wouldn't want it any other way – normally.  But Storm's day doesn't start normal – far from it.

Nearly twenty years on the force did not prepare Storm for the topsy-turvy case brought to him by his buddy Gus.  Nothing was as it appears.  As the body count kept going up, Storm grew more and more concerned for his friends. Trying to stay one step ahead, Storm teams up with some questionable people in hopes of solving the next murder before it happens.  It's hard to know who to trust.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ernest Chase
• Release date: Dec 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393343615

Ernest Chase

From time to time, I would get the urge to start my book and go as far as buying a stack of steno pads and lots of pencils. This went on for years until one day; I encountered a flyer hanging at a local library.  The flyer showed promise - at least it did for me.  It was for a workshop by a local author willing to show others how to get started writing a book.  It seemed that the flyer was speaking directly to me.   The flyer made it all sound so possible, even though I had never put pen to paper for pleasure.   So, the day before the workshop,  I bought another stack of steno pads and lots of mechanical pencils and set out for the “How to be an author” workshop … That is not really what the title was; however, it was in my mind. Attending the workshop, I was impressed with the young lady presenting and went home with the greatest intentions. However, I ended up using most of the steno pads at work. From time to time, I would look at the remaining dusty steno pads, and each time, I would convince myself it was not a good time for me. Several years later, my health worsened, and part of me longed for a distraction from my daily pains and discomfort when I received a message from the author about how she was doing another workshop.  The following week, I gathered enough energy to attend her workshop and she was very patient with me,  encouraging me to write about my childhood and I found the words came relatively easy for me.  That was a little over six years ago, and the stories about my childhood take up over 850 pages.  Plus, I have filled another 100 plus steno pads writing science fiction, mysteries, comedies, plays, and non-fiction and coping with Multiple Sclerosis.   So, to say that I had a book in me is a gross understatement. Now, I can't imagine not writing.  Thank you, Elizabeth.  You are a true inspiration!

Book preview

Introduction

Detective Storm is being followed, first by his new assistant, then by technology – neither which he understands.  Living and working in a small town has its advantages, and Storm wouldn’t want it any other way – normally.  But Storm’s day doesn’t start normal – far from it.

Nearly twenty years on the force did not prepare Storm for the topsy-turvy case brought to him by his buddy Gus.  Nothing was as it appears.  As the body count kept going up, Storm grew more and more concerned for his friends. Trying to stay one step ahead, Storm teams up with some questionable people in hopes of solving the next murder before it happens.  It’s hard to know who to trust.

Chapter 1

Coming in from outside, my wife, Megan, started banging on the door.  Startling me, my hand slipped, and looking into the mirror; I immediately knew the damage was done.  In the15 years of being married to Megan, I have never been able to cure her from interrupting me while I was shaving.  Today was no different.  As I slowly opened the door, my wife took one look at me and quietly said that she was sorry.  For the life of me, I will never understand how or why she would feel the need to bang on the door in the first place.  We live alone and always have.  And we have three bathrooms upstairs.  So, unless the house is on fire... Looking down at my wife, I stood there waiting for the reason for her interruption. 

So?

Oh, I came down to let you know that your old buddy Gus seems to be up to no good again. 

What is he doing this time?

He has something, and he won’t give it up.

Okay, I will go over and check on him before I leave for the station.

Looking back at the mirror, while Megan was looking over my shoulder, she told me, the camera will like it better this way.

I disagreed, but the damage was done, and I knew I would need to shape the other side to match.  Leaving me to my business, Megan returned upstairs after apologizing again and telling me not to forget Gus.  I knew that was not going to happen until my beard grew back out.  In all the years we have been together, Megan had only seen my face just a handful of times.  Counting today, all but one of those times was due to me making a mistake while trimming it.  Luckily, today, I only messed up the side of my face and would still be able to keep some beard and mustache.  After finishing up, I went upstairs and went to check on Gus.  Going to the back door, I could see him pacing back and forth near the fence with something in his mouth.  Knowing Gus, he probably found something and was unwilling to give it up unless there were treats involved.  Sometimes, I think that is the reason he steals - just to get a treat.  Even though Gus is not our dog, I keep some dog treats for him, and I grabbed the can and headed outside.  As I approached our fence, Gus immediately dropped the shoe and laid down with his head on it.  Reaching over the fence, I offered him a treat in exchange for his catch; however, Gus only looked at me and growled.  In the eight years of living next door to Chuck and Lisa, I had never known Gus to growl at anything, especially someone with treats.  Looking at his catch, I could barely tell that Gus had a man's shoe.  He never really seemed to damage whatever he took; instead, Gus just seemed to hold them hostage until he received a treat.  That is until today.  Looking up, Lisa was nowhere in sight, and I did not feel like wrestling a 100-pound Rottweiler for an old shoe.  Going next door, I went into Chucks’ garage in hopes of finding a better peace-offering in exchange for the shoe when I heard a noise behind me; I looked up to see the stranger asked me, what are you doing?

I could ask you the same.

Are you Detective Storm?

Yes, and you are?

I am Chase Cunningham. You know the guy who's supposed to follow you around for the foreseeable future.

Nice to meet you Chase, please just call me Wil.

Wil Storm?  Man, with a name like that, you should have been a weatherman.

So, I've heard.  Where is our camera crew?

Sorry, no crew, just you, me, and body-cameras.

Body-cameras?

Yeah, I have mine on.

Where I don’t see it.

That's the idea, Detective Storm. You're not supposed to.  Mine is incorporated into my glasses, and yours will be a lapel pin.

Okay, but I'm still not keen on the idea, especially for us detectives.

Continuing my search as Chase was talking.

Again, what are you doing?

If you must know, I am looking for a dog treat.

In your neighbor's garage?

Yes, in my neighbor's garage.  After all, it's for his dog.

Going back out to find Gus, with Chase in tow, I offered Gus his favorite treat.  Luckily, Gus gave up the shoe for the pig's ear.  Reaching down, I started to pick up the shoe and quickly realized that I should let it lie right where it was.  Chase, not fully understanding, got closer to inspect the shoe only to find exactly why I decided to leave it where it was.  The shoe was not empty; it had a severed foot in it.

After coaxing Gus into the garage, I used my cell phone to call it into the station and waited for the troops to arrive.  While we waited, I tied Gus up and approached Lisa and Chuck’s front door, ringing the doorbell; I looked over at Chase and said, looks like nobody is home.

Chase responded with, perhaps he can’t answer the door because he's just going around in circles.

Not funny.  I know this guy; we've been friends since they moved in about eight years ago.

Sorry, Detective.

It's okay; the foot outback looks like at least a size 12, and Chuck only wears a size-10 like me. 

So, where do you think Gus might have found it?

No idea.  I have never seen Gus even leave the yard.  He normally hangs out in the garage or brings his ball to the fence for me to throw during the day.  And I don't think he can get out anywhere.

Looks like this assignment will be much more exciting than I thought.

I am glad we could help.

Waiting for the crew to arrive, Chase took the opportunity to show me how to wear the lapel camera and explained how to charge the device. By the time another officer arrived, we were out front to greet him, and several others started coming. 

It appeared that many of my fellow officers were there, more out of curiosity, than out of duty.  It is not often somebody finds a severed body part.  Just as we led the small army into