I Die To Live

By Perry D. DeFiore

Once again, Ralph Mullen faces danger, but this time, he's on a mission for his grandson, who seems to have inherited his grandfather's nose for adventure, intrigue, and murder.

This is Perry's fifth Ralph Mullen book. Perry lives in Spring, Tx. and continues to follow his passion in Astrophysics (will there be a new book of tr

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781648953774

Perry D. DeFiore

The sea is like Perry's backyard, especially the Pacific. While he entertains his readers with this knowledge of marine science, he continues to accumulate more scientific knowledge about the universe. Perry lives in the Houston area of Texas, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is married, and has six children and seven grandchildren. He still enjoys his fishing and golf.

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Another Ralph Mullen Adventure

Perry D. DeFiore

I Die To Live

Copyright © 2021 Perry D. DeFiore

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Stratton Press Publishing

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Wilmington, DE 19801

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1-888-323-7009

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in the work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-64895-376-7

ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-64895-377-4

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 1

The Grand Reunion

Hi, Grandpa. Little Ralph stood in the doorway to the veranda off the kitchen. An elderly man stood with his hands on the dark wood railing, a cup of coffee with its steam rising to the right of his right hand. The man stood looking out onto the placid lake that reflected the sky above them. Little Ralph reminisced about how many times he saw his grandfather in exactly that same position over the years. He had been younger then, vibrant in demeanor, full of life that ran through his veins like electricity. The elderly man’s head slowly turned. A smile crept on his face.

What a nice surprise.

Little Ralph proudly took his place beside his grandpa, copying the elderly man’s exact pose along the warm wooden rail, as natural as being born. Both sets of eyes roamed the waters. They listened to the wind sing through the leaves and smelled the pine trees and motley aromas of the May flowers.

I am going to have a place like this someday, Grandpa.

You already have, Ralph said softly, slowly turning his head toward his grandson. I just willed it to you last month. It’s already in your name.

Little Ralph opened his mouth, but no words came. His heart overflowed. He didn’t know if he should scream, jump up and down, act nonchalant, or just be professional. After a few seconds he squeaked out a simple thanks, then turned his head to the left to hide the watery eyes.

So what brings you here this time, more research? I could use a little mental exercise. Ralph led his grandson into the large kitchen, where he refreshed his coffee and poured another cup for little Ralph. The red granite countertop matched the coffeemaker and various other KitchenAid apparatuses, but Ralph preferred black coffee mugs, the color of the Italian tile floor.

Quieren comer algo? Arcelia said, smiling at the two sitting on the stools. She envied how close the two men were. Arcelia’s hair had a lot of gray in it now. Her daughter, Mayela, finished her degree in business and now was married to her college sweetheart, who got the same degree. Her daughter lived in Houston, where she and her husband had just opened a Mexican restaurant named Rafael’s Mexican Plate—Ralph helped with the investment. Pedrito had graduated from A&M and had bought eighty acres to farm in Florence, Texas, also with Ralph’s help. Arcelia’s husband, Pedro, still took care of the grounds. Arcelia and Pedro were now permanent fixtures of Ralph’s place, moving from their home to one of the apartments Ralph built for guests some years ago, so it would be easier for them to care for any guests. They were very content with the arrangements, which was a decision of the three of them.

I’m good, Arcelia, thanks, little Ralph said.

Ralph just shook his head and smiled. Then he turned to his grandson.

So? You told me to be sure to not make any plans for this weekend and be here. I didn’t. What do you got going? Ralph smiled, a spark of hope in his old blue eyes.

Little Ralph took a slow slip of his coffee to give himself time to think of something to say, but was saved by Arcelia’s comments, which traveled from the front door.

Dr. Sam! Cómo estás?!

Hi, Arcelia. Good to see you. The old man in?

Yes! He is with grandson in the kitchen.

Thanks. Sam walked straight to the kitchen to see the two Mullens standing to greet him as if he’d done it every day.

Sam! Ralph simply said and shook his hand enthusiastically, then gave him a Mexican hug and pat on the back that resounded throughout the house. Sam’s hair was completely bluish gray, and he had put on some weight. Arcelia rushed around, her face beaming, setting another cup of coffee in front of Sam, then preparing a plate of pastries she had made yesterday, her rapid movements coercing the three men to move to the kitchen dining table.

Hi, Sam. Thanks for coming. Little Ralph shook Sam’s hand firmly and winked.

Wouldn’t miss this for the world, son, Sam commented.

Ralph looked at one, then the other. What’s going on here?

Sam looked at little Ralph. You haven’t told him? Miracle you could keep him here.

If I had told him, I wouldn’t have been able to keep him here. Little Ralph chuckled.

This table is priceless, Ralph. How many months did it take you to carve all those scenes into the wood?

Nine, if I remember correctly, but my memory is not what it used to be. A thick sheet of glass covered the entire table to protect Ralph’s work and constant conversational piece for any visitors.

Ten, actually.

Ralph was bewildered. This was May. It wasn’t his birthday. What the hell? Tell me what? He looked at both the men at the table.

I brought, am bringing, all your friends for a reunion, Grandpa. He was proud he had pulled it off. He turned to tell Arcelia to have Pedro empty the trunk and put all the food he brought away for this evening, and that Arcelia and Pedro would join them in the festivities.

You’re kidding! Ralph said. His face brightened with the news, his eyes twinkled, and even his face turned red. That’s…that’s unbelievable!

Sonia was next to arrive, quietly entering the kitchen, trying to surprise everyone, which was easy as the others were deep into telling stories of the past. Little Ralph never tired of hearing them.

Well, didn’t catch you this time, Sonia said, throwing her arms around Sam’s neck from behind and kissing him on the cheek. Then she gave each of the Mullens a big hug and sat beside her husband.

Maybe next time, dear, Sam said brightly.

Roger came next, and the welcoming circle began to grow too large for the kitchen so they moved into the living room.

By noon, the living room was standing-room-only full, and the din from the conversations was such a high decibel one had to shout to hear the other. There was constant laughter from one party or another. Ralph couldn’t be happier. It had been a long, long time. On various occasions, he looked at the guests from outside in and held back the tears of happiness.

Pedro and Arcelia came into the living room with crystal glasses of champagne on a silver platter and began to give all the guests a glass.

Champagne? Well, deservedly so! Ralph said boisterously. Well done, Arcelia!

Arcelia beamed her satisfaction.

Wait, everyone. There’s another reason for the champagne, Sam interrupted. Ralph, time to spill the beans.

Oh, hell. What did you do now? Ralph said, looking at his grandson with a big smile.

Little Ralph smiled. I am now officially working with the FDA. He was also working on assignments for the DEA, but he didn’t want anyone to know that yet.

Congratulations circulated the room, and everyone raised their glasses and sipped more champagne.

Ralph walked over beside his grandson and softly said, Congratulations. In what capacity?

I will be doing what you did, Grandpa, but with the grace of the government. Little Ralph smirked until he saw the smile disappear from the face of the man he idolized and adored all his life. He knew he worded it wrong. The room got quiet.

Did. Ralph nodded slowly. Yes, of course, you’re right.

I don’t think your grandson is going to let you walk into the sunset that easily, Sonia interrupted. Her hair was still black but stylishly cut short, and her large black eyes still sparkled. Sonia and Sam were now happily living in a condominium in Virginia, along the Atlantic coast.