. . . . and Then the Chase!

By EILEEN M. FOTI

Once again, Sergeant Finn is on the case. In this book, Sergeant Finn hunts down the missing Ling Diamond, chases gangsters, and rescues people who are being trafficked.
The chase takes the reader through New York City up to Rockland County where the story ends, as does the gangs reign of terror.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503550322

EILEEN M. FOTI

Eileen M. Foti lives in Tappan, NY with her husband, Charlie, and her two little Westies, Bonnie and Lily. She graduated from Dominican College with a BA in English. Eileen’s children are married and twin grandkids have entered the scene. Painting and photography are Eileen’s hobbies. She has exhibited around Rockland County and has won many ribbons.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by EILEEN M. FOTI.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015903616

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5035-5030-8

                Softcover        978-1-5035-5031-5

                eBook             978-1-5035-5032-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 03/09/2015

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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 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Author’s Note

TO MY FAMILY:

EILEEN, FRANK, MIA, CARY,

AMANDA AND DANNY,

AND OF COURSE, CHARLIE!

Chapter 1

Ming’s Restaurant stood huddled between two brick buildings. It stood out from the other buildings with its flashing sign and brightly lit windows. The food was prepared in the Cantonese style and cooked with care. Most nights are busy at Ming’s. Their beef and broccoli dish is very popular. The broccoli is bright green and crunchy, and the beef is marinated and then cooked with the broccoli.

A man dressed in a black raincoat and cap was standing near the dark alley one building passed Ming’s. He had been there for forty-five minutes, lighting one cigarette after another. He appeared to be waiting for someone.

A black limo pulled up to the curb and a woman got out. She said something to the driver and he drove away while she entered Ming’s.

She is greeted in the foyer by the Maitre d, and after a few words she is led to a room in the back of the restaurant. Upon entering the room she looked around and found it to be empty. She closed the door as the Maitre d left the room.

Facing the door she seated herself at the round table in the center of the room and nervously awaited her dinner companion.

She noticed a mobile of sea shells hanging in the corner of the room near a window. A little draft through the window frame caused the shells to slightly jingle. The hanging lamp over the table was red with a fringe of gold around it; the light was dim and sent various shadows around the room. A faint noise from the window drew her head around. She stared at the window. Through the shade, for a fleeting second, she saw a silhouette of a man. She approached the window from the side and peeked out through the edge of the shade. No one was there. Just then the door opened and the sea shells jingled, starling her.

Madam Chin? asked the visitor.

Yes, Mr. Wang? she asked.

At your service Madam, he answered.

Madam Chin returned to the table and sat down.

Please be seated, Mr. Wang. We have much to talk about and not much time to do so, she said.

How may I help you, Madam Chin? asked Mr. Wang.

As you know, the Ling Diamond was stolen. It is the most beautiful and perfect diamond in the world. My government would like to get it back and return it to our collection, she stated.

The Ling Diamond is well known. What makes you think that I have any information concerning its whereabouts? asked Mr. Wang.

I do not suspect you, Mr. Wang. I have called you here to ask for your aid in reclaiming the Diamond, she smiled.

What exactly do you expect me to do? he retorted.

You are a private detective, one of the best I am told; therefore, I want to hire you to find the Diamond. You will be well paid for your services, she answered.

I will do my best. I will need my helper on this job. Will you pay his salary too? He smiled revealing a toothy grin.

Yes, you will both be paid well, she promised.

Come in, called Madam Chin in answer to a knock at the door.

Your dinner, Madam, announced the waiter.

The waiter, dressed in black slacks and white shirt, came into the room. He seemed remotely interested in the people seated at the table.

Mr. Wang, I hope you will like the menu I have selected for dinner. I chose a few of my favorites, said Madam Chin.

It will be delicious, I’m sure, replied Mr. Wang.

Then we will eat now and discuss more business later, said Madam Chin. They ate their dinner and enjoyed each dish.

Have a fortune cookie, Mr. Wang, offered Madam Chin.

As Mr. Wang broke the fortune cookie in half, a slip of white paper fell onto the table. He picked it up and unfolded it. He read, Beware! Trouble is nearby!

Outside, the wind began to blow. It blew harder and harder until the trees swayed and bent toward the ground, as if to acknowledge the wind. Black clouds rolled in. They varied in color from black to grey with small light patches in between. Rain started to fall, causing the pedestrians to run for cover. A few brave seagulls flew away from the approaching storm. Lightning flashed and thunder roared no doubt causing great anxiety to God’s small creatures.

In the cold, wet night a man stood in the rain by the window straining to hear the words from within. He pulled up his collar and waited.

Chapter 2

Sam, come into my office, called Mr. Wang.

‘Yes, Boss," said Sam.

Sit down, Sam, and try to stay awake while I tell you about this new assignment, said Mr. Wang.

Yes, Boss.

‘I just met with Madam Chin. She has employed us to find a treasure, a gem whose worth is above understanding. It is the Ling Diamond. Have you ever heard of this Diamond?" Mr. Wang questioned.

Yes, Boss, it is a famous stone, one that will not be easy to find, answered Sam.

If it was easy to find, Madam Chin would not need us, smiled Mr. Wang.

Just then the telephone rang. Sam jumped to grab the phone and in the process knocked the philodendron