The Blues of Portsmouth P.D.: A Series, Episode Five

By Robert Franklin Jackson

In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, a speaker, Marcellus, a guard, talks to his philosophical comrade, Horatio, saying, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” The reason of his saying this is just not that Denmark was facing dirt, but the situation in Denmark was similar to a fish that rots from head to tail, or in other words, it shows that everything was not good at the top of the political hierarchy.

A similar situation is happening in Portsmouth as Chief Tim Slone is battling murder and corruption in his society. Portsmouth’s mayor, William Beasley, is ambitious and greedy. He is facing election and needs financing from labor and lobbyists. Powerful and ruthless forces from the state capitol usually make these donations happen, but Beasley has been neglecting his responsibilities and has entered into illegal activities involving toxic waste and call girls. Beasley has become a political liability, and the decision was made that he must be eliminated. Officer Alice M. Combs is instrumental in bringing down the call girl operation, and a vengeful killer vows that she must pay for killing his sister. Alice M. Combs faces danger and certain death until Rufus Malone, owner of Good Golly (Malone’s restaurant), comes to her rescue and asks for her hand.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796017571

Robert Franklin Jackson

Your Author, Robert Franklin Jackon, following an enlistment as a U.S. Navy Seabee/deep-sea-diver, four years in elementary school teaching/administration, twenty-seven years as a high school geography teacher, the office of Historian General NSSAR, is not content unless he is working on a writing project. Projects include: Family Genealogy, Sons of the American Revolution - History Vol. III, plus several pamphlets, just completing a 3,200 page encyclopedia of his home town, Oroville, Oroville 1915 - A Place in Time, ninety acrylic paintings, and presently, The Blues of Portsmouth P.D. a Series of eight episode, four other novellas, The Truth Book, wewillfindyouamach.com, No Vacancy, and Pene-lope and Anti-gone, and the book of a musical comedy, Stoneface.

Book preview

Chapter One

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Mayor William Beasley’s Office

Portsmouth Mayor, William Beasley, was meeting with Lobbyist Stuart Bosley, Union Boss Paddy Regan, and Clint Cannon, Governor Joel Green’s hatchet man.

William Beasley, age forty-eight, 5 foot, 9 inches," 195 lbs. He has an athletic build, Brown eyes, brown hair with slight comb-over,

The object of the meeting was the re-election of Green and Beasley. The way these re-election campaigns work is a triple quid-pro-quo. Green and Beasley exchange support and favors; they both receive election votes and donations in exchange for favorable legislative votes and profitable contracts. Of course the third exchange is between the unions and the corporations. The workers continue on the job, if wages and benefits keep on increasing.

Beasley said, This election should be a shoe-in for both Green and myself. All we have to do is keep doing what we’ve been doing. We keep you happy, and you keep the workers and the corporations happy. It’s as simple as that.

What about campaign issues?" Lobbyist Bob Stewart asked.

Bob Stewart, age forty-seven, 5 foot, 10 inches," 185 lbs., has a running back’s build, brown hair, flat-top hair style,

Beasley answered, "Fuck the campaign issues. If someone asks us ‘where do we stand on an issue, like health care,’ promise them the world. If they ask ‘Who’s going to pay for it,’ just say we’ll tax the income of the millionaires. Besides Leo Lutz of WPXG and Ron Blake at the Herald are ‘liberals.’ Screw that conservative prick, Sarggison, at the Register. After all, two out of three ain’t bad."

But you could have some opposition, Paddy Regan said.

Paddy Regan, age forty-three, 6 foot, 2 inches," 220 lbs. He has a Guiness build, brown curley hair, blue eyes, unmistakenly Irish.

Who? Abbott Crosby? I’m calling in some markers on the City Council. I’m gonna get that bitch, Masterson, canned. The smell of her leaving will drop Crosby in the polls.

Clint Cannon said. You don’t own the whole Council, I hear Jyl Stone is running, and as Stewart asked, ‘What are the issues.’ They all stopped and listened when Cannon spoke.

Clint Cannon, age forty-eight, 6 foot, 3 inches tall , 212 lbs., rugged build, brown hair, neatly cut, with an imposing face not unlike former Senator Fred Thompson.

Beasley was shaken. Wha, What are the issues?

Stewart said, The democratic voters are screaming over three issues: One, the economy, Two, the war in Iraq, and Three, Health Care. The republican voters are pushing for four: One, the economy, Two, the war in Iraq, Three, Terrorism, and Four, Illegal immigration. You can cancel the Economy and Iraq issues, just blame Bush for both. That leaves Health Care vs. terrorism and illegal immigrants. The country is generally in favor of health care, who can campaign against helping the young, the aged and the down trodden without losing votes. Most American are against any more deaths in Iraq; and if you are against the illegals, and say so, you lose the Chicano vote.

Cannon said, Beasley, those issues!

Chapter Two

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - Chief Masterson’s Home

Kathleen Masterson was facing a three forked road. Due to the Department’s shared success with the F.B.I. in locating nineteen kidnapped victims in the ’Nappy Case’ she is forever joined at the hip with her Federal friends.

On returning to F.B.I. headquarters, Special Agent Ray Spinelli, in singing her praises, opened the agency’s eyes to her qualifications. Ray assured her there would a position there if she chose to reply.

A much larger city in New York State had made inquiries on her intention to remain in Portsmouth or consider joining their department at a raise in pay, and an excellent chance for advancement.

Her third option was to remain as Chief, and fight Beasley’s threat of dismissal.

Her cell phone rang. Chief Masterson, this is Bob Stewart.

Bob Stewart, the lobbyist? she asked.

Yours, truly. I just want to give you a heads-up. I was at a re-election campaign meeting with Beasley. He was bragging that he was going to get you canned. He was going to pull-in all his markers with the City Council.

Why are you giving me a heads-up? the Chief answered.

My sister, Lois Mears was one of the kidnapped parents. I will be forever grateful for finding Tara, Stewart answered. There are five members on the City council, George Wilson, Clyde Dilman, Jyl Stone, Josh Pearson, and Michelle Matthews. Do you have three friends on the Council?"

I always thought I had the support of Stone, Pearson, and Matthews, the Chief stated.

Stewart said, At the meeting Beasley said quote: ‘I gonna get that bitch, Masterson, canned, and Crosby’s association with her, should drop him in the polls. What’s more, I wouldn’t count on Jyl Stone, she is planning on running for Mayor.

Thanks for the heads-up, Stewart. Say hello to Lois and Tara.

That made up the Chief’s mind. She thought, ‘As they say, you can’t fight city hall.’

She phoned Abbott Crosby, Ab, I wanted you to be the first to know. I have had two great offers with better pay, less headaches, and a chance for advancement. I’m going to take one of them.

Which one? he said.

The chief noticed that Ab wasn’t twisting her arm to stay. I going to let them fight over me. I’ll take the best offer.

Who do you recommend to replace you? Ab asked.

I would hope it would be Lieutenant Tim Slone. she answered.

I don’t think he would have any trouble. He is all cop, and doesn’t carry any political baggage. He had some Council support on the last vote. I had to talk like a Dutch Uncle to get them to select you.

I remember, and so does everyone else. I better let you go, I have some packing to do….. Ab, level with me, are you alone?

No, ‘Kat,’ I’m not.

Thanks for your honesty, See ya later.

Chapter Three

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

P.P.D. Station House

Desk Sgt. Cooper opened R.A.T.S at 8:00 A.M. All officers were present and prompt.

Chief Masterson said. I want to inform you that I am resigning as Chief of the Portsmouth Police Department, I am leaving to accept one of two positions I am considering. It will either be Special Agent Masterson of the F.B.I. or Deputy Chief Masterson, Albany, New York, Police Department. I am leaning towards the F.B.I. I loved working with Spinelli and Hottle.

Who is going to replace you? Does Ab Crosby have another Lady Chief in Mind, Tony Brock asked.

No, Tony. I guess I had that coming. In fact, Ab is counting City Council votes to select our own, Lieutenant Tim Slone. I really believe it will only be a formality. They are looking for a locally trained, experienced officer, who is carrying no baggage. Congratulations, Tim.

Sergeant Cooper said, That is going to dictate some other changes of assignments. Tim moves up, someone replaces Tim, and so forth. I am really going to throw a fly in the ointment. If Sally is willing, we are going to move to Florida.

I’m willing, Sally said.

The chief said, Joe, Sally, It is about time. Tim you must be thinking about making assignment changes.

Tim said, I already have a few in mind.

Chapter Four

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Jyl Stone’s Condo

City Councilwoman Jyl Stone had been sleeping with the County Coroner, Dr. Newt Brookings for about a month. There hadn’t been a murdered body for the Doctor to examine during that time.

Jyl Stone, age thirty-four, 5 foot, 4 inches," 128 lbs., eye catching figure, cute nose, full lips, large vividly green eyes, short, auburn hair.

Jyl Stone said, Newt, I’ve decided to run against Beasley for Mayor.

Do you think sleeping with a black man will hurt your chances?

Newt Brookings, a huge, ‘fifty-something,’ African-American, who, after taking the coroner’s job because it was the only opening he could find at the time, stayed-on because he loved his job

No, not in a liberal state like New Hampshire. You will probably will be an asset.

I hope you didn’t decide to run a month ago, and then picked me to be that asset.

You can put that out of your head, She said.

I hear Abbott Crosby is also going to throw his hat into the ring.

Crosby hasn’t got a chance. His political days were over as soon as it became known he was bedding Chief Masterson.

Brookings said. That’s over. I heard she is leaving town for another cop job.

That’s interesting, but not surprising. Abbott has another lady, he likes his women. Jyl said.

Are you talking from experience? Newt asked.

I’ll never tell. Come here, she said. Ab likes his women. I like my men.

Chapter Five

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Ocean Breeze Lounge

Clint Cannon said, Thanks for meeting me. We have a problem with Beasley. That guy’s a loose cannon. The Gov wants him off the ticket.

Paddy Regan asked. You mean him wanting to can the Chief?

No, so the Chief goes. Big deal. I’m talking about his friggin attitude about the issues, taking for granted certain blocks of votes, like the Chicano and labor vote.

If you are talking about dumping Beasley, he knows where the bodies are buried. Paddy answered.

Who do think buried them, Cannon replied.

Paddy’s face blanched. Cannon let him stew a moment, then Cannon laughed, Just kidding, Paddy.

Paddy said, I knew that. But Paddy doubted Cannon was kidding. How are you going to tell Beasley?

I’m not, you are, in a way. Just inform him that the Union has decided upon another candidate. Tell him there won’t be any more donation to his campaign.

I don’t think I can do that, Paddy said.

Sure you can, or you may find out I wasn’t kidding after all. That’s what an enforcer does. They don’t call me ‘Loaded Cannon’ for nothing.

Paddy blanched again, and for a "red faced Mic’ that was difficult.

Chapter Six

Thursday, October 8, 2009

P.P.D. Station House

Desk Sgt. Cooper opened R.A.T.S at 8:00 A.M. All officers were present and prompt.

Chief Masterson said. When the City Council has the chance of getting rid of the embarrassing lady by replacing her with a good guy, they are motivated to act quickly. I am officially your former Chief. Portsmouth Police Chief Tim Slone, take charge. Congratulations.

Chief, Kathleen Ellen Kat Masterson, former Deputy Chief of the Central Falls Rhode Island Police Department, age thirty-eight, well proportioned, extremely attractive, eye-catching nose, full sensuous lips, large vividly blue eyes , short, dark hair, worn long and loose around her shoulders.

Chief Slone said. Lets hear it for….. What is it, Special Agent or Deputy Chief, A.P.D.?