Barbadian Backlash: Gary Celdom Case Journals, #2

By Douglas J. McLeod

Gary Celdom has been working as a Toronto detective for 27 years. However, when he gets sidetracked during an investigation into a string of break-and-enters, he risks throwing everything away. Can Detective Celdom salvage his job, and his relationship with his partner/girlfriend while helping a friend research a project?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas J. McLeod
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201210014

Book preview

Chapter 1

If there is one season I enjoy out of the entire year, its autumn. The temperature drops to bearable levels, and the foliage on the trees changes into a kaleidoscope of red, yellow, and brown. If you’re Canadian the dawning of a new professional ice hockey season is nigh. However, if you happen to be a fan of such a sport in Toronto, you’re looking upon the upcoming season with promise in the hopes that the Maple Leafs would make a serious run for the league championship; only to have your hopes dashed around the All-Star break in late January. Unfortunately, in my line of work, one doesn’t get an opportunity to be involved with such follies. I am a 27-year veteran detective with the Toronto P.D.

I had seen a lot during my tenure, but things took an interesting twist six weeks earlier. I was in the midst of a hostage situation during a fan convention for my favourite television series, Northern Winds, when I started dating my new belle. I had been involved with a few women in the past; one of which still haunts me to this day. However, the one I became involved with was different. I wasn’t dating any ordinary woman; I was dating my partner with the Toronto P.D.

She asked, So, Gary, do you have any plans for Thanksgiving?

Not really, Jessica. I was thinking of closing up my cottage in the Kawarthas for the winter. But other than that, I don’t have anything concrete in the cards.

I heard a ghostly voice urging my co-worker, Go on. Ask him.

I was wondering if you would like to come to my place for Thanksgiving dinner.

I asked the spectre, And you didn’t put her up to this?

Relax, Gary. I had no part in this whatsoever. She asked me what I thought, and I think it’s a great idea.

It was a notion that I was still having problems fathoming. The day before my first date with Jessica Amerson, the spirit of my long-departed fiancée, Karen Prairie, revealed herself to my co-worker. Karen told Jessica out of all the women I had dated in the twenty years since her death, she was the one who would receive the spectre’s blessing to commence a relationship with me, Gary Celdom. Until then, I was the only one who could see and hear my ex-fiancée. However, Karen believed since Jessica and I have the same chemistry she and I shared, the two of us would be successful not only outside of the workplace, but working the beat, as well.

I was hesitant to the offer. I thought about how my pet husky would react to having the festive meal in a strange residence. Benny had met Jessica a handful of times, but the previous meetings between the two had been admirable; however, it would be a change for the canine. Usually during Thanksgiving weekend Benny and I would spend an extra day up at the cottage, and have a quiet meal together. Unfortunately, it would consist of a microwavable turkey entree for me, and Benny would receive some premium kibble with a small turkey slice from my dinner mixed in. It was rare for me to have an actual home-cooked holiday meal with someone I cared about. This Thanksgiving would be the first holiday Jessica and I would spend together. It would be a welcome change from the typical pace I had enjoyed for the past couple of decades. I was about to give my response when my desk phone suddenly rang.

Toronto P.D., Detective Celdom, I answered.

Hello, Toronto Phoenix? the voice on the other end queried.

In all of the years I had worked as a detective there was only one group who referred to me by such a moniker. It was the alias I had given myself three years prior when I became a participating member of the Toronto chapter for NoMo, a month-long novel writing challenge. It was an event I got turned onto by Elaine Abraham, a waitress I had met four years ago in Barbados. I was set to scribe my own piece of literature when the November event turned into a crime spree. One of the participants became a murderous psychopath because he objected to some of the members creating a character within their novels based on him for the sole purpose of killing him off. I could understand why he was miffed about such homage, but there lies the problem with some people who have a few screws lose. They tend to take their displeasure too far, and act out upon it. While a few budding writers lost their lives in the process, I was able to apprehend the killer with the assist of one of the fellow writers; a gentleman who called himself Outsider in Steeltown in the chapter. I would learn three years later his real name, Phil Bennett.

Phil and I met up again a few weeks ago during the Northern Winds convention. The event turned into a hostage situation, and he offered himself up as a sacrifice when he wanted to save me after one of the captors pointed a loaded assault rifle at us. But, before we were about to be shot, Jessica and the rest of the reinforcements showed up before Phil and I became the third and fourth murder victims that weekend.

I confirmed, Yes, this is him.

My apologies for intruding, Detective Celdom; it’s Phil Bennett.

Oh, hello there, Bennett, what can I do for you?

Well, as you know, a few weeks from now NoMo is scheduled to start.

That it is. Have you thought about what you’re going to write yet this year?

Actually, that’s why I’m calling you. I’m planning on redoing the novel I wrote when we first met three years ago, and I was wondering if I could interview you for some research?

You mean the detective novel you tried to hammer out back then?

That would be the one. I figured I could pick your brain, so I could help solidify my story idea. You know, smooth out the rough edges I had back then.

I don’t know. You wouldn’t be using any case details word-for-word would you?

Oh, no, no, I wouldn’t use any real names, and I would change the details, so you wouldn’t get into trouble with your superiors.

Great, now I had a second decision to make. I remembered his novel idea from the year we first met. I thought it was similar to the reason why I was in Barbados. However, I thought if I could recollect what actually transpired down there, perhaps it could make for a better story. The only problem was it might open up the can of worms that was the relationship between Elaine and me. Karen wasn’t too impressed with how the relationship started, and if Jessica found out those details, I would be in the dog house with her.

I excused myself from the phone conversation for a moment, and picked Karen and Jessica’s brains. It’s Bennett, I said. He wants to interview me for research on a novel he’s working on.

And this is a problem? Karen questioned.

Possibly, I suspect he wants me to go over the McManus murder case with him.

Jessica stated, That case was closed three years ago. I don’t see why it would be such a problem.

There are certain matters of the case that I don’t think I should be divulging.

What matters would those be?

I think I know. He doesn’t want to get into details with him and that Barbadian strumpet.

You still have bad blood towards Elaine, don’t you?

The woman was taking you for a ride, Gary. If you hadn’t come to your senses last year when she was here for the Caribbean Carnival, you would’ve still been led along like a dog on a leash. Besides, if you got back together with her, you wouldn’t have the good thing you have right now.

What do you think, Jessica?

It was in the past, Gary. I can understand it might bring back old feelings and memories; whether it might be of Elaine or the cases you worked on with Rob, but you have to move on.

So, you’re saying I should do the interview?

Absolutely; however, if something does come up, you could always talk to Ann about it.

My partner was right. I had a support outlet in place in the form of the Police psychologist, Ann Knoblach. If I began to have any feelings of remorse or anxiety because of what had transpired back then during my recollection, I could always call her and schedule an appointment to talk about it.

With the vote of confidence I returned my attention to my phone conversation. Alright, I responded, I can do the interview with you.

Phil and I agreed to meet the next day at a coffee house on The Danforth. It was a venue both of us were familiar with. It was on the subway, so Phil could easily get to, and it was a mere five-minute drive from my bungalow in East York. I warned my friend about the possibility where I would have to cut the interview short since I was scheduled to be on call with Jessica. He understood, and hoped to get as much research done as possible during our meeting. We confirmed our plans, and I returned my attention to the original conversation.

So, as I was going to say before we were interrupted, I replied. Benny and I can return from the cottage a day early and we can go to your place for Thanksgiving dinner.

That would be wonderful, Jessica smiled.

Karen said, There’s one thing I should ask though: will it just be the two of you and Benny? Or will any of your family be showing up?

Not this time around, Karen.

I commented before taking a sip of my coffee, That’s alright. Her family hasn’t met me yet.

I’m saving that for Christmas.

Upon the revelation, I ended up doing a spit-take.

Chapter 2

If Tuesday was full of mundane work behind our desks, the next day provided a minute amount of excitement for Jessica and me. The two of us interviewed a woman who had her Regent Park apartment broken into and some personal possessions were stolen. After we talked to the victim, I looked around at the derelict low-rise buildings which were still standing within the housing project. The city was in the process of revitalizing the community by tearing down the old decrepit structures, and erecting updated buildings to house all of those who resided within the area under the social housing system. However, there was a huge stink made in the newspapers a few months prior.

Part of the revitalization involved the building of a few condominium towers, and the profits generated by the sale of these new units were to help fund the construction of the new buildings for geared-to-income residents. The cause for the uproar was linked to the revelation where there were some high-profile members of the revitalization project’s Board of Directors received the first opportunity to purchase the condo units; one of which happened to be the city councillor who represented the Ward Regent Park is situated in. While it was a blatant conflict of interest, I came to the conclusion: regardless of whomever the public elects into office, there would always be corrupt politicians who would cater to special interests if they get their palms greased enough.

As we walked back to my car, Jessica asked, What’s your take on the situation with Mrs. Saunders?

Given how things are in this area, the thief most likely swiped her stereo and took it to pawn shop, so they could get money for their next drug hit.

It’s disheartening that some people will stoop to such a level in a bid to get high.

That’s the problem when you’re an addict. When you are hooked on something that bad, you will do anything to feed your addiction. It could be robbery, prostitution... anything that will give you the cash necessary to score your next supply.

Some people don’t even use cash. They’re willing to part with the actual stolen goods for some grass or meth straight up.

Ah yes, the barter system; you don’t hear much of those instances anymore, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there are some people who will go that route, instead of ‘straight cash, homey.’

Jessica rolled her eyes. Celdom, could you do me a favour? she asked. Could you cut out the ghetto talk? You’re not a young, black male. You’re a 51-year old Caucasian who has no business trying to ‘be street.’

I’m just trying to stay current with the jargon.

"That’s all fine and good if you’re interviewing a suspect or eyewitness, but while I like you and all, that type of language is a turn off; not to mention unprofessional to a