Remembering Their Name

By Robert Stanlick

Raymond Adler is a retired Military Police Officer turned Private Investigator. His area of expertise is Missing Persons. His main focus is on persons missing for more than 20 years. He thrives on solving the cases that no one else can solve.
He makes it look so easy until.....

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667109633

Book preview

Name

Robert Stanlick

Copyright © 2021 by Robert Stanlick

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2021

ISBN 978-1-6671-0963-3

BOOK

1

57 Years Ago

MARY AND BRUCE are high school sweethearts. They have been inseparable for years. They know that they are destined to spend their lives with each other. They can finish each other's sentences and it seems as if they can read each other's mind.

Bruce is going to be an architect. He loves buildings. As a child he would build elaborate structures out of his toy building blocks. He would even use his mother's clothes pins from the laundry when his designs became more elaborate. As he got older he would spend the winters perfecting his designs so that in the summer he could build his clubhouse in the backyard. When something wouldn't work out, he would tear it all apart and start over. He often dreams of designing and building magnificent structures that people would not only admire but find extremely functional.

Mary has no such grandiose plans. All she wants is to be a mother and a housewife like her mother and grandmother. She loves to sew, to knit, and to crochet. She is learning how to cook but no one can match her baking skills. She spends many weekends with her mom and her grandmother learning the finer points of baking. No one twice her age can bake better than her. She even likes to clean. She loves to vacuum, wash windows, and dishes. She even loves to do the laundry. She is never happier than when doing housework.

Mary and Bruce have it all planned out. Mary will work as a housekeeper and save money so they can start their life together as soon as Bruce finishes University and becomes an architect. They know how many children they want. Bruce has even drawn and planned out their dream home. Life is good. High school is finished. They are on the road to adulthood.

Whatever you want to call it, Fate, Mother Nature, God, The Universe, or Reality, it had other plans for them. In August 1961 Mary broke the news to Bruce that she was pregnant. Bruce never hesitated. He didn't get angry because he knew she didn't get pregnant by herself. Bruce is a stand-up guy. Ask anyone. Friends and family would all say that you would want Bruce in your corner because he would always be there for you.

Bruce cancelled University plans, rented a small house and he and Mary got married. It was a small private affair with only immediate family. They didn't have a honeymoon as there wasn't any money for it.

Bruce knew that even if he couldn't be an architect just yet, he wanted to work in the building trade. He went to the closest construction site and after talking to Joe the foreman for five minutes, he had a job. It didn't pay much but they would make it work. Winter would be tough since there wouldn't be much construction work, but Bruce had a plan. He would learn as much as he could on the job site, and then in the winter he would start his own business doing interior renovations. When summer returned he would go back to the large job sites where the income would be more secure.

It was Friday the 29th of June, 1962 when Bruce noticed Joe, the foreman of his construction site, talking to two police officers. Joe pointed in his direction, but as he was unloading lumber with four other workers it could have meant anything. A few moments later he heard,

Bruce get over here.

Once Bruce got to Joe and the police officers, the one with the sergeant stripes asked,

Are you Bruce Duncan?

Yes I am, Bruce replied.

Okay then, you need to come with us, said the sergeant.

Why? What's going on? asked Bruce.

We'll talk down at the station, let's go.

But.

Now demanded the officer.

Bruce took off his tool belt, handed it to Joe, and slowly walked to the cruiser.

Twenty three hours later, Bruce walked out of the police station. He was angry and terrified. He was angry because he couldn't believe that the police would, or could, think that he would hurt his little boy. He loved Billy. He spent every waking hour he wasn't working, with Billy. He was terrified because his little boy was missing. What must Mary be thinking? How is she coping? What happened to his little boy?

That was 57 years ago. Those were the thoughts going through his head just before he left the message:

Hello Mr. Adler, I need your help.

Present Day - Friday 21st June

THE CAN-AM SPYDER. A three-wheel motorcycle that a lot of people call a trike. Spider Ryders, as they like to call themselves, don't consider it a trike. They believe that trikes are for children, and little kids, and that it takes a special person to ride a Spyder. He is one of those special people. He rides a 2017 RT Limited, 6 speed, semi automatic transmission, 1330cc, with in-line three cylinders. Not a motorcycle for the faint of heart. Raw power that he uses to clear his mind, to recharge his batteries.

Six years ago his wife died and he fell into a deep dark depression and was beginning to drown in it until someone threw him a lifeline. She didn't even know that she saved his life, and he doesn't know if he will ever tell her. Julie, his much younger cousin, called and asked him if they could meet and discuss her older sister, Kelly. He and Kelly grew up across the street from each other and being the same age, became like brother and sister. Inseparable. However, as the years went on, they both married, had children, and drifted apart. Apparently Kelly had left her abusive husband, disappeared, and didn't want to be found. Julie felt he might have some insight into her from years ago that might help find her now that her husband was dead. That was the lifeline he needed. Not only did he offer  insight, he promised to help find Kelly.

That is what prompted him to become a private investigator. He isn't your everyday, run-of-the-mill, private investigator. None of the cheating ex-spouses, no injured workers trying to scam the insurance companies for him. He was only interested in missing persons. If he wasn't at least the third investigator on the case, he was not interested. He wanted to find the people that no one else could. Once he got paid he promised to stay on the case, and only that case, until it was resolved.

He was riding his Spyder to rest, recharge, and celebrate another successful case. He found a runaway girl that none of the other five investigators could find, and he did it in six weeks. The air was blowing through the mesh of his safety jacket. The music was blaring out Classic Rock tunes. He was feeling so alive and free that he didn't couldn't, didn't hear the phone ringing in his inside jacket pocket.

He parked his Spyder in the underground parking lot of his condo building. While he rode the elevator to his condo he noticed that he had a voicemail message, but since he didn't recognize the number, he decided it could wait until after his shower. Nothing felt better than a hot shower after a long ride, except maybe three fingers of scotch, his go-to of choice when relaxing.

With his scotch poured, and his feet up and sitting in his favourite Adirondack chair on the terrace, he checked his voicemail and heard the words he so often heard:

Hello Mr. Adler, I need your help.

When Adler returned Bruce's phone call, it progressed basically the same as every other call for his help. First came the brief explanation, then the complaint that the police didn't do enough, followed by complaints of the other private investigators and his hope that Adler would be better, and finishing with Bruce's pleading that Adler would take the case. Once Bruce settled down, took a breath, and relaxed, Adler was able to ask his customary questions to determine if this was a case he wanted to tackle.

"Okay Mr. Duncan, first things first. You do know how much I charge? asked Adler.

I've heard rumours, but I don't know for sure, replied Bruce.

Two thousand dollars for each year the person is missing. That means $114,000 to locate your son. Do you have access to that kind of funds?

I can double that if need be, Bruce stated as if he thought the extra money might help convince Adler.

Your wife Mary, on board with you hiring another private investigator, asked Adler, ignoring the statement about extra money?"

Yes she is in fact...

That's good, interrupted Adler. I'll get more facts later if I decide to take the case. Are you and your wife willing to take a polygraph and submit to DNA testing?

Yes we would but why would we need to?

Just routine questions I like to ask to help in my determination. When was the last time you hired a private investigator?

Ten years ago, but he didn't find anything.

One final question. The last time you searched was ten years ago. Why now? Why again?

Bruce paused and took a deep breath. Adler could hear his voice starting to crack as he answered. Mary has been diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. The doctors don't know how long she has, but they're hoping for at least a year. She wants to know what happened to our son before she passes. She said she needs to know so she can die in peace. I've given her anything money can buy, but I haven't been able to give her our son back. In fact, I haven't even been able to give her any more children. I want to, NO, I need to give her this last wish. Please Mr.. Adler, can you help me do that?

Raymond Adler rarely decided to take a case solely on his first discussion with the client. There's too much emotion involved, both on his part and on the part of the client. He quite often waited at least a week before he made a decision and informed the client. Besides when a person has been missing for more than 20 years what was another week? This time, however, may be different. With a sick mother, time just may be of the essence. It was a Friday and Adler promised to call Bruce on Monday with an answer. That meant Ray had a very busy weekend ahead of him.

Saturday 22nd June

ADLER WOKE UP early the next day and began his usual routine. He walked down to the exercise room in his condo building. Living on the 23rd floor and walking down helps him to warm up before his exercise routine. Today he had a lot of work to do so he would only use the weights. He would do his cardio portion by running up the twenty three flights of stairs back to his condo. He enjoyed his workout time. The release of endorphins always made him feel better and think clearer.

Ray had always exercised. He was a University basketball player with a promising future. Teams were scouting him to turn professional, but all that stopped when he blew out his knee in the final game of what turned out to be his final season. When he recovered from that injury his heart was not into sports anymore.

Upon graduation, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces and became a Military Police Officer. He spent most of his career stationed in Europe.

Breakfast was an assortment of fruit that followed an ice cold shower. Adler was ready to take on the day. Living in a downtown condo enabled him to walk to most places he needed to go. Today it was the public library. Adler was able to do the majority of his research online, but today he wanted to look at old newspaper articles about the abduction. Even though the media didn't always have all the facts, they were usually good at piecing together the truth.

The back issues of the London Free Press were stored on microfilm in the London Room of the Central Branch of the London Public Library. He didn't need an appointment, in fact, he didn't need any help either. He knew where to find the microfilm and how to use the readers. He found the reel containing the 29 July, 1962 edition, inserted it, and began scanning the film. The London Free Press, at that time, was an evening edition, so he hoped to find an article about the abduction in the Friday edition. He wasn't really surprised that there was no article. It sometimes took a day or so for the news media to catch up to events. Unlike today, with all the social media and reports of incidents as they happen. Adler was surprised, however, that there was nothing in the Saturday edition as well. You would think that an abduction would make the headlines. Ray went through the Saturday edition three times with no luck! He continued searching through two weeks' worth of newspapers and came up empty. Something wasn't right. The abduction of a three month old baby would have, had to have made the news. Yet there was nothing.

Adler's internet search took him to www.canadamissing.ca. There is no information there, but it doesn't profile all missing persons in Canada, only those that the lead investigators want to profile. Something wasn't right. He needed answers. He needed more information before he made the call on Monday and decide whether or not to take the case. The more he thought about it, the more intrigued he became. Why would somebody be willing to pay over $100,000 to find someone else if there wasn't a missing person?

It was closing time at the library, so Adler took the long way back to his condo. He was deep in thought as he walked. The sound of a car horn brought him out of his reverie. When he looked up, he noticed a police officer pointing to the traffic light. He had almost walked into oncoming traffic. He waved, thanked the officer, and headed back to his condo knowing what his next step was.

Raymond was sitting on the balcony of his condo enjoying the warm spring weather. His condo faced southwest, which enabled him to soak up the sun for as long as possible each day. He put in a call to a contact at the police department and was waiting for a return call. Detective Constable George Whitestone headed up the major crimes division. The police don't normally like private investigators looking into open cases, but detective Whitestone understood that sometimes they were a necessity. Adler had helped Whitestone a while back and Whitestone was grateful enough to tolerate him.

Adler's cell phone started to ring and he saw that it was Whitestone calling back.

George, how are you? Thanks for calling back, Adler said as he answered the phone.

I'm good Ray. You sounded confused. What's going on, Whitestone asked?

I've been asked to take another missing persons case. Only thing is, I can't find any information about it other than what the client told me. I was hoping you could help me?

You do know Ray that I can't comment on any open cases. If this person is still missing then chances are it's still open, so sorry I can't help.

I do understand, but can you at least tell me if it's still open? If there really is a case?

I guess I could tell you that. What's got you spooked?

Well for starters, the abduction supposedly happened in 1962 yet there are no newspaper articles about it. Secondly, no results on an internet search for a 1962 abduction in London. There are also no results for the child's name anywhere. Something doesn't smell right.

Okay give me the child's name and the date of the abduction and let me see what I can come up with.

Thanks George, I appreciate it, said Adler.

Don't thank me yet. I may not find anything and if I do, I probably won't be able to tell you anything anyway.

Anything will be more than I have right now. I also hate to ask, but can you let me know as soon as possible. I'm supposed to meet with the client on Monday.

I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can use it as an excuse to get out of going to my in-laws tomorrow, Whitestone laughed.

Adler gave Detective Whitestone the info, hung up the phone, and pondered his next move. It would all depend on what he got from the police. There had to be a missing child. Why else would someone want to find a child from 57 years ago? The answer seemed so clear to him now. It wasn't your typical abduction. Is it possible William was a child from an affair, and the mother just left? If so, why the sad story about his wife Mary?

That had to be it. Bruce was looking for his illegitimate son and thought the sad story would help convince him to take the case. But why? He didn't really care why someone would want to find someone else, as long as they paid. As long as they were honest. That was the defining moment. No, he would not take this case. Bruce Duncan was not being honest with him and he did not like being lied to. He didn't care about the money. He donated all of his fees anyway. He would call this Duncan character on Monday and let him know in no uncertain terms that he would not take the case.

Sunday 23rd June

ONCE ADLER MADE that decision he was more at ease. He went to bed and slept well. He awoke to another beautiful day, exercised, had breakfast, and headed out on his Spyder to enjoy a day of riding. Raymond loved his Spyder. The open road, the wind, the loud music, and the feeling of freedom.  Six hours of fresh air and sunshine was all he needed to feel refreshed and recharged.

Now that he wasn't taking the Duncan case, and he had no other important case waiting, he thought maybe it was time to take the trip. The trip that he had been putting off for too long. The trip that would finally... his cell phone ringing stopped his thoughts. It was detective Whitestone.

Hey George, Adler said as he answered the phone.

Ray, we need to talk. Are you at home? Can I come over? Whitestone asked.

Yes I'm home. Come on over. You know where I live. What's going on? Adler responded.

It will have to wait till I get there. Shouldn't  be more than 10 minutes. Whitestone said as he hung up the phone.

This had to be about Duncan. But what? Whitestone said if it was an open case he wouldn't be able to say anything, and yet he was coming over to talk. If there was no case, he would have said so.

Ten minutes later the doorman, Stanley, called up to announce that a cop was on his way up to see Adler.

Raymond opened the door and let George in. I just poured myself a scotch, can I get you one George, Ray asked?

No thanks. I'm technically on duty so I shouldn't.

Okay. So what's going on, asked Adler?

This Duncan case you're messed up in, walk away. You don't want to be involved. Detective Whitestone cautioned.

Why? What's going on? Adler was not ready to just walk away. Even though he had already decided to walk away, his interest was piqued.

"Look, I can get in deep shit for telling you this, but yes, a three month old baby boy named William David Duncan went missing on the 29th of June 1962. The police at