Digging for Cash: A Mac and Maggie Mason Mystery - Book 4

By Charles P. Frank

Digging for Cash brings private investigators Mac and Maggie Mason face-to-face with financial disaster, a friend who has lost hope, and the mysterious death of a co-worker.

Do you have a secret that you are desperate for no one to know? Youll recognize that feeling in Digging for Cash.

Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the ever-emerging possibilities of computer science? Youll find you are not the only one in Digging for Cash.

Do you ever wonder what life would be like if relationships changed and the ordinary became extraordinary? Youll wander those pathways in Digging for Cash.

Do you ask yourself if you could stay calm in the midst of a mind-boggling crisis? Youll meet others who have that same struggle in Digging for Cash.

Do you like to revisit old friends and make new friends? Youll do just that as you enjoy Digging for Cash.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491735237

Charles P. Frank

Charles P. Frank is a pseudonym for a husband and wife team in Florida and their good friend in North Carolina. Separately, the authors have published a number of other books in the genre of memoir, history, and theology. Digging for Death was their first journey into the realm of the novel. Digging Through Time is their second and is a story of relationship and romance wrapped around mystery.

Book preview

1

New York City

I am so glad that you contacted me while you were in New York, Elaine. When we met briefly at the Mason-Phillips offices after that horrendous Rubens case, I didn’t know I’d get to see you again so soon, Chloe Meyers said as she looked at the attractive brunette sitting across from her at the restaurant table.

Gosh, that has been a couple of months now, hasn’t it? It seems longer. Your kidnapping had everyone on the agency staff really worried. We were concerned for all the missing women, but especially you, since you are a good friend of Kelly Mason, my boss’s daughter-in-law. I wish all five kidnapped women had been released or found safe. It was so sad that Loretta Morris was killed.

Yes, and Mac Mason still carries the emotional scars over the death of Don Rubens.

Several weeks earlier, Mason-Phillips Investigative Services in which Mac Mason was a partner, had been instrumental in the solving of a case in which young, beautiful women were kidnapped and procedures performed so their eggs could be extracted for use in women who were unable to conceive. Chloe Meyers had been one of the women kidnapped and later released. Elaine Alston was a private investigator employed by Mason-Phillips. How long will you be in the Big Apple? Chloe asked.

I’m flying back to Florida tomorrow. I’m looking forward to getting back in the saddle after my vacation. I wish Cashar could have come with me, but he was right in the middle of a huge case and couldn’t get away, Elaine shared.

That’s right! You’re engaged to Cashar Merritt. Have you two set a date yet? Chloe asked.

No, Cashar is not one to move too quickly. But, I think we’ll tie the knot soon. You know, it’s funny; we have three couples associated with the staff who might well be married before year-end. Besides Cashar and me, there’s Moose Williamson and Pepper Parker, as well as Paul Landers and Brenda Vinson.

Chloe thought for a moment and then said, I’ve met Moose, Paul, and Brenda at Mason-Phillips, but don’t think I know Pepper.

Pepper is from South Africa; she works in a consulting firm in Venice, and met Moose a few months ago. It seems they are as slow to tie the knot as Paul and Brenda and Cashar and I, Elaine laughed.

What is it about Florida? Maybe I’d better move back there if I’m to find a husband, Chloe said, also laughing.

It’s the water, Chloe. It’s the water!

As the two women continued to chat, voices could be heard from a nearby booth. Elaine, hearing familiar words, began straining to listen.

Picking up on bits and pieces of the conversation, she heard:

She has no idea.

You know……detective agency……Venice.

Do you think ….. find out?

Hmmm, thought Elaine. Detective agency? Venice? Is that just a coincidence?

Elaine returned her attention to Chloe as they finished their lunch.

As the two women left their table, Elaine stopped briefly at the nearby booth.

I’m sorry to seem as if I am an eavesdropper, but I thought I heard you mention a detective agency in Venice. I work for Mason-Phillips Investigations there and couldn’t help but wonder about the coincidence, Elaine shared with the two men in the booth.

One of the men responded. You’re right to be apologetic about listening in, but you must be mistaken. I don’t know anything about a detective agency in Venice. I’ve never even been in Italy.

Elaine thought a moment. Well, it’s Venice, Florida, and I guess I was wrong. Again, my apologies.

Elaine and Chloe left the restaurant.

Do you think she heard everything we said? one man asked.

I don’t know, but if she did, that could ruin everything, the other man replied.

Let me think about it. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.

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Chloe hailed a cab and hugged Elaine goodbye. Elaine began the short walk back to her hotel. As she walked the few blocks, she didn’t notice the man across the street who was following her and was not letting her out of his sight.

2

Venice, Florida

As Mac sat in his office at Mason-Phillips Investigative Services, he heard a knock on his door.

Come in, Mac called out.

Good morning, Dad, the tall, dark-haired man said as he entered.

Good morning, Adam. Did you, Kelly, and Aaron have a nice weekend? Mac always enjoyed updates about his son’s family, now including toddler Aaron.

Adam sat in a chair facing Mac’s desk. It was an interesting weekend. I can laugh about it now, but when Kelly told me about it, it was rather frightening.

What happened? Mac asked, pushing the papers in front of him aside and giving Adam his full attention.

Kelly needed a few household items and went to Kelso Home Improvements. She took Aaron along. As you know, he is walking now and getting more and more independent.

I wonder where he gets that, Mac said with a grin.

Well, Kelly was looking at a display of hooks—you know, the kind you can secure to the back of a bathroom door to use for hanging robes and such. She didn’t notice that Aaron had headed for a full bathroom display. She heard laughing and turned around to see Aaron sitting on the commode in the faux bathroom. His pants were around his ankles and he was concentrating very hard on his ‘business.’ Kelly ran to him, but it was too late.

Mac tried to hold back his laughter to no avail. Oh, no, what did Kelly do?

She said she was at a loss to know what to do. She called an employee over and began to apologize. She had removed Aaron from the commode, not listening to his pleas that he wasn’t finished yet. She calmly wiped him with Kleenex from her purse and pulled his pants up. Then she continued her apologies to the employee who was calling someone on his radio. All she heard were the words, ‘Cleanup in bathroom fixtures.’ She turned around and Aaron had disappeared again. She looked throughout the nearby areas, but couldn’t find Aaron. She called out to another employee and explained that her child was missing. Security was called. He questioned Kelly to obtain a description of Aaron and the clothing he was wearing. He then radioed and a ‘Code Adam’ was announced over the PA system. You know that means all doors were locked with no one allowed to leave or enter the store. A search for Aaron began.

What happened next? Where was Aaron? Mac asked now fully engrossed in the story.

Aaron was found in a stall in the Men’s Room. Kelly was scared, glad to find Aaron, but furious at the same time. She asked Aaron why he had run off. He just said, ‘Mama, I wasn’t done!’

Now Mac couldn’t hold it in any longer. His laugh could have been heard three offices away. Well, at least you know that your potty training has been successful.

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How did your trip to Miami go, Dad? Adam asked.

Mac and his wife, Maggie, had just returned from Miami where the trial of Big Mama Malone had just concluded. Margie Malone and Jackson J. Jackson, known as Triple J, had headed two of the largest human trafficking organizations in the country. Mac, Maggie, and Adam, as well as other agents who now worked for Mason-Phillips, had been central in breaking up the rings.

As you know, Mags and I were called as prosecution witnesses.

Yes, my testimony was taken earlier in the week, Adam replied. I read that a verdict was reached Friday.

Yeah, Malone was convicted and will be spending the rest of her life in prison with no possibility of release. Jackson’s trial is scheduled to start next week. I expect he will be convicted and get a similar sentence.

I hope they can find a cell big enough for Malone. What does she weigh in at? Over four hundred pounds? Adam asked.

At least that. They had to bring in a special chair for her to sit in during the trial and she was transported in an oversized wheelchair. She couldn’t walk. She surely earned that nickname: Big Mama!

Will you have to go back for the Jackson trial? I was told I wouldn’t have to go.

Mac shook his head. I don’t think so. Mags and I weren’t directly involved in Jackson’s capture. However, there surely seems to be sufficient evidence and witnesses to find him guilty. I’m sure he will be convicted.

What about the trial of Rachel Wilson?

In another case that had ended up on the Phillips Investigative Services plate while Mac was covering for Phil Phillips who was recovering from medical issues, Rachel Wilson had been arrested for the murder of Dana Jordan. Mac and Mags had proven that Dana’s husband was not the murderer, although he had already been convicted and sentenced to death.

Mac responded to Adam’s question. Rachel Wilson confessed to the murder and was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial. She’s in a mental institution, and will remain there for the rest of her life unless she is someday declared competent to go to trial.

That case sure put Mason-Phillips Investigations on the map. Both offices have more business than they can handle. And after the publicity from the Rubens case, the phones haven’t stopped ringing in either the Miami or Venice offices, Adam said.

Mac looked down with a frown. Son, that’s one case I would just as soon forget.

I’m sorry, Dad. I know that Rubens’ death was difficult for you.

More than you know, Son. More than you know.

3

New York City

As Elaine Alston entered her hotel she didn’t notice the man crossing the street and following her in.

As Elaine exited the elevator on the twelfth floor, she made her way to her room, unlocking the door and entering. She laid her purse aside and took off her light jacket.

What a beautiful day! Elaine said, as she pulled the cord opening the heavy drapes that were blocking out the sun. She unlocked the sliding glass door and slid it open to the balcony. As she was about to go out onto the balcony, she heard a knock on her door.

I wonder who that could be, Elaine said, as she walked to the door.

Looking through the security peep hole, she thought, I wonder what he wants. Elaine, leaving the chain on the door in place, recognized the man from the restaurant and asked, Yes, what can I do for you?

The man answered, I wanted to apologize for my rudeness and seeming deception and explain about my association with Mrs. Mason.

She released the security chain, unlocked and opened the door.

4

Venice, Florida

The warm Gulf sun shone through the large window that overlooked the beautiful, small lake below Mac Mason’s office. Mac leaned back in his desk chair and put his hands behind his head. He began to rock gently as the afternoon glow began to relax him. He jumped with a start—had he dozed off?—when Ramona Ramirez rapped on his desk.

Mac looked up at the super-efficient, always productive, best-thing-we-ever-did-was-when-we-hired-her office manager. Originally employed to be the receptionist, she has been promoted to the top administrative spot when Mags had started her studies toward a private investigator’s license.

Oh, yes, Ramona.

Sorry to bother you, Mr. Mason, uh, Mac—I keep forgetting you want me to call you that; it just doesn’t seem professional—anyhow, Mags called. She won’t be in at all today and wanted to know if you could pick up supper on your way home. She won’t be home until late.

That’s make sense. She is cramming for the licensing exam. She aced all the course work at the community college. Now, she just has to get past this one last step. Mac’s mind went back a year when he had resisted the idea of his wife’s pursuit of the PI license. After all, he had protested, you’ve got that big company to run; you’ve brought out a new line of perfume; and I don’t want you to get hurt!

Ramona waited for a moment and then said, Mac, I know you must be proud of her.

Mac answered quietly. I am.

Ramoma turned to go back to her office. Adam stood in the doorway. ’Scuse me he said, I was just coming by to tell Dad that I was sneaking out a bit early tonight.

Hang on, Mac called out. I was about to tell Ramona about how Mags passed the self-defense and firearms requirements. Maybe you can help me tell it so I don’t laugh all the way through.

Firearms? Self-defense? Doesn’t sound very funny to me, Ramona commented.

Adam stepped into the office. Mags was his stepmother; he had come to love and respect her and enjoyed the joie de vivre that seemed to spill over into all their lives.

I’ve got to say that it is funny, Adam said. I love it every time I hear it!

Well, don’t leave me in suspense. Is this a stander-upper or a sitter-downer?

Oh, grab a chair, Ramona, Mac said.

Yeah, Adam chortled. When Dad gets started on a story, sometimes it becomes a sitter-downer!

See if I laugh at any of your stories, Mac retorted. Then he added, Except maybe for the one about Aaron at the bathroom display!

Adam and Ramona both sat down and Mac propped his feet on the desk. Well, first, I’ll tell you about how Mags got approved for firearms, without taking the course. You remember how I used to take her out to the shooting range and we went through all that with getting her a permit to carry that Ruger she bought. I thought she was getting pretty good with it, so before long she was practicing on her own.

Adam interrupted. I suspect it was like when you stopped playing tennis with me. We used to play a lot until I got to where I could beat you, and you suddenly lost your interest in playing! Is that why you stopped going to range practice with Mags? Was she getting better than you?

Mac faked a stern look at Adam. You know that I stopped playing tennis when I hurt my elbow.

Adam smirked. If you say so.

Well, anyway, Mac continued, they had Mags go out to show the firearms specialists how well she could shoot. If she was good enough, she would not have to take the course. The examiner said he thought Mags only fired one shot, because all the holes on the target were on top of each other so it just seemed like one shot. I think he was exaggerating a bit, but it was obvious that she could handle that weapon. That took care of that. It was about a week later that she had to show that she knew self-defense techniques. Again, if she was good enough, she would not have to take the course.

Paul Landers passed by the door. He laughed. It looks like a party and I didn’t get invited!

Come on in, Mac invited. I was about to tell about Mags and the self-defense exam.

Ah, Brenda’s star pupil! Brenda Vinson, Paul’s fiancée, had trained Mags in self-defense tactics. Brenda loves to talk about how Mags took on that thug up in New York. He sat down and joined the others.

I guess that was good practice, Mac beamed. I think her self-defense examiner thinks Mags must have practiced.

Why? What happened? Ramona asked.

Mac continued, Well, you know about the situation in New York and the time she applied, shall we say, life-changing blows to the groin of…

Indeed! Ramona grinned. ’Ouch’ hardly seems to be strong enough!

But I want to tell you about her self-defense exam, Mac said. She met the fellow—I think his name was Britt or something like that—at the community college gym. He tried the usual things—you know, coming up behind her to see what she would do, walking up toward her with a stick, and one time poking a toy pistol in her ribs. He went through all the routines and she did beautifully.

Adam began to chuckle. This is where it gets good!

Mr. Britt wanted to congratulate Mags on doing so well. He reached out to shake her hand. Unfortunately—at least, unfortunately for Mr. Britt—Mags thought it was another test. When he reached out to shake her hand, Mags grabbed his arm and flung him over her shoulder and the poor man landed flat on his back. Mags stood over him with one foot on his chest. He tried to tell her that he was just trying to shake her hand and she kept thinking that was part of the test. You know: ‘Don’t fall for it if your assailant suddenly tries to get friendly.’

How in the world did the examiner ever convince her to let him up?

Ramona, that’s a good question. Mags won’t tell me that in case she ever has me in a foothold and doesn’t want me to get up. She doesn’t want me to know the secret code!

Paul whooped, I can’t wait to tell Brenda about how well she trained Mags!

Do we need to register her feet as a lethal weapon? Ramona gave a big grin.

I know I behave better now! Mac said. Let’s all call it a day. Anyone want to get a burger with me? Mags is studying for the PI exam and I’m on my own for nourishment.

Another time, Adam said. I want to get home to see that young man of mine. Aaron gives me a hug when I come in the door. I love it!

They began to file out of Mac’s office. Poor Mr. Britt, Ramona said, as she walked to close her office. Cashar Merritt was standing at her desk.

"Did Elaine call in today? I’ve been calling her cell phone most of the afternoon, but