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

By Robert Franklin Jackson

Your author would like to make three points. First, he believes if he can visualize the exciting climax occurring in the last chapter of a book, he can write the chapters leading up to that ending. Not so with The Last House on the Left. You author thought that the title could lead to an exciting plot he started writing without an ending in sight—a different approach. We will let you decide if it worked.

Second, the plot did develop. The series of murders occurred when the leader of a Russian mafia heroin connection was trying to eliminate anyone implicating him. The Portsmouth cop prevailed, and this success in episode 6 led to the unexpected ending in the last chapter of episode 8, The New Guy in Town. This led to episode 8, Is Nappy Back in Town, and a new plot development. Instead of one police squad trying to solve one crime, partners of an experienced officer and a rookie are trying to solve one of several crimes all happening at once.

Third, your author added a new character, Madison “Madi” March, a rookie who was hired for her forensic skills. If the title The Last House on the Left was not so important to the plot of episode 6, Introducing Madison “Madi” March would a better title.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Feb 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796017151

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

Thursday, July 12, 2012 - 6:20 a.m.

Poplar Drive, a Cul-de-sac

Guido Tadini was a good man driven into criminal behavior in order to provide food and shelter for his wife and three kids. Guido, employed as a textile worker for twelve years, had his job down-sized, as a result of the present day economic slowdown.

As a textile worker, Guido had risen to the position of shift foreman, do to his thoroughness, never taking short cuts to meet production quotas.

While sharing a beer and a conversation about their unemployment woes with a stranger, the stranger asked if he would be interested in making a thousand dollars for taking part in a home invasion. Guido had immediately stated that he, in no way, would cause injury to anyone.

The stranger countered by saying, Then we have a deal if no-one gets hurt?

Guido asked, What would be my part in the invasion?

The stranger said. Poplar Drive is a cul-de-sac. You would plan to force your way into the house, subdue the owner and his wife, place her in her bedroom, and then signal me that it is safe to join you in the house. I need time to scare him into making a business decision.

Where is house? Guido asked.

It is the last house on the left, the stranger answered.

Guido reluctantly said. Give me the thousand, and I’ll do it.

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This was the third night in a row that Guido parked on the right side of Poplar Drive about 60 feet from the end of the cul-de-sac. Ahead he could see the three houses that formed a half circle at the end of Poplar Drive. All three houses were dark, showing no activity. He wanted to see if the owner of the house had a daily routine which he could take advantage of to overpower the owner and gain entry to the house. He found that at about 6:30 a.m., a car would drive up the cul-de-sac and deliver the morning newspaper to all three of the houses at the end of the street. About five minutes later a light would go on in a small window, probably the bathroom. Having relived himself, the owner then opened the front door and scurried out in his boxers to retrieve the newspaper. Guido found that the routine of the delivery of the newspaper, the light going on in the bath room, and the retrieving the newspaper, baring an unexpected development, could be guaranteed.

True to his reputation as a thorough textile employee, Guido then proceeded to consider what he might need in the way of equipment. He decided that he would take an unloaded gun, to show the owner that he meant business, several plastic ties would be needed to restrain the owner and his wife, a couple of handkerchiefs would serve as gags; and a disposable cell phone to be used to call the stranger.

Guido was set to carry out the home invasion on Friday morning, March 23rd.

Chapter Two

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Good Golly, Molly Malone’s Restaurant

New Portsmouth Police Officer Madison Madi Marsh was sitting with Police Chief Tim Slone, who said, Madi, this is my date, Susan George. Susan is an ADA working for D.A. Richard Makepeace.

I’m glad to meet you Susan, Madi said. I guess you are a ‘Law and Order’ couple."

Susan answered. Tim is Chris Noth, and I’m Carey Lowell.

Chief Stone continued with the introductions, saying, The couple sitting here are Skiv’ Van Dyke and Keegan O’Regan."

I take it you are not married, but should be, Madi wisecracked.

Take notice, Madi, ‘Skiv’ is Lt. Beth Van Dyke, The chief warned her.

Oops, me and my big mouth, I’ve insulted the brass, and I haven’t served a day yet.

No offense taken. ‘Skiv’ answered. By the way, it’s ‘Skiv,’ here at Golly’s or a Betty And Lou’s, for breakfast, but it’s Lt. Van Dyke when you are on the job."

‘Skiv’ is a great name, Is it Danish?’

No, Madi,‘Skiv’ is short for skivies. Navy talk for underwear. My initials are ‘B.V.D.

"Now, you’re Keegan O’Regan, I’m certain I’ll get this one right, Irish?’ Madi said, trying to get one right.

The top the morning, to ya, Madi. Keegan answered

Keegan, you must have a story? I love stories, Madi stated.

‘Skiv’ said, Let me tell it. Actually you were only half right, Keeg’s mother was English. Keeg was raised by a grandmother who claimed to be 100% Irish, but wasn’t. Keeg’s parents were killed driving to an early morning bakery, on a rainy night. The grandmother said, ‘Why your father married a fuggen jickey, is beyond me. Hauling his arse out on a night like that, for a fuggen doughnut.’

Every one at the table laughed.

"So this is Good Golly, Molly Malone’s. Do you eat here on a regular basis." Madi asked.

Yes, Madi, Keegan answered. Golly’s is the favorite watering hole of Portsmouth’s cops. You will find some of us dining here almost every night.

‘The food is to die for, the Irish/Afro dishes like fish ‘n’ chips, Irish Stew, and Soul Food, are delicious. The Chief added.

Who owns this gold mine? Madi inquired.

‘Skiv’ answered, That would be Molly and Rufus Malone.

How was a guy with a name like Malone, be lucky enough to find a girl named Molly? Madi asked.

Molly’s real name is Alice M. Combs. Rufus saved her life on a case last year.

Tim, said, When Rufus married Alice, I said, ‘Alice, that means you will co-own Golly’s. Will there be a change in the name of Golly’s? Maybe Alice’s Restaurant?’

No, that name has been used. Alice explained. When I was a new-born and Papa was watching my Mama holding me for the first time. The nurse came in with birth papers. The nurse said, What are you going to name the child?"

Papa said, I insist on Alice, after my mother.

Mama said, That’s no name for a black child. She needs a name that stands-out.

Papa said, ‘O.K. The name Alice stays, you pick a middle name.’

Mama said, How about Mesmathusila. Alice Mesmathusila Combs. Now that’s a name you’ll remember."

The nurse said. How do you spell Mesmathuila?

Mama said. You just put down M. We’ll worry about the spelling later.

Alice furthur added, So to this day, I’m Alice M. Combs. I hate the name Alice. So I picked an M’ name, Molly.

At the time, Rufus had been listening carefully. "I changed the name of the restaurant to Good Golly, Molly Malone’s."

That’s a great story, Madi said and broke into song. In Dublins fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I once met a girl called sweet Molly Malone, As she wheeled her wheelbarrow, through the streets broad and narrow, Cryng cockles and mussels‘ Alive alive o.

Madi looked up and saw a Black couple standing near her. Oh my gosh, did I cause a disturbance? Madi asked.

They say you are Madi March, I’m Rufus Malone and this is Molly. I once listened to a tone deaf warbler slaughter ‘My Way.’ Someone in the crowd yelled. Hey, Elvis, don’t give up your day job. Madi if you ever want to leave police work, come sing regularly at Golly’s.

Molly added, Madi, being a Molly, that was lovely.

Madi said, Thank you, that means a lot to me. Is that your baby?

Yes, That’s Mikey Malone, he is celebrating his first birty day, today. Rufus answered proudly.

So that is why all the guests are here, Madi said. I wasn’t invited, Sorry for crashing your party.

Madi, you didn’t crash the party. Molly answered. Tim brought you here to meet your fellow officers and friends.

Madi asked, What about the baby in the second highchair?

That is Bixi Burns, age one tomorrow. Her parents, Tom and Joyce Burns are also in our Portsmouth Police family. Tom is our Psychologist. Joyce is our Dispatcher, Keeg answered.

‘Skiv’ continued with a question. Did you hear about the serial kidnappings in 2009?

Yes, twenty some young children were taken and then released. It was National news.

Two of the children belonged to them. One was Tom’s, Suzie, girl, the other, also a girl, Samantha, belonged to Joyce, they met in a support group which Tom was heading.

That is a great story. You all have great stories. Madi added.

It all goes with being a close knit Department, ‘Skiv’ explained.

Chief Slone added, Madi, you will meet the whole staff at tomorrow morning’s R.A.T.S. meeting

A R.A.T.S meeting? What’s with R.A.T.S.? Madi questioned.

The Chief explained, "Every morning Detective O’Regan starts our day with a Roll Call and Triage Session, known as R.A.T.S.. When you will be officially welcomed into the department.

Madi asked, Who are the people sitting at that large table by the kitchen door, Cops.

Some are cops, and some are their dates. The good looking guy is –Tony Brock, who is sitting alone. Rudy MacCumber is with his recent bride, Rene."

"Madi, tomorrow morning most of us will start our day with breakfast at Betty and Lou’s. Keeg said, Rene is the daughter of Betty and Lou Wilkins. Lou was against Rene dating, Rudy, and said out loud. ‘You can’t date him, he is just a cop!.’ The Chief at that time was ‘Cat’ Masterson. When ‘Cat’ heard Lou say that, she said, ‘Come on Officers, we are leaving. All the cops left their uneaten breafasts, and walked out with her."

So what happened? Madi asked.

Keeg continued, Betty pointed out to Lou, that since the cops started eating there, no low life had asked us for protection money.’ Lou relented and said, ‘Rene you may date, but there had better not be any babies.

"Good for Chief Masterson. Where is she, now?’ Madi asked.

’Cat’ was pushed out of her Chief’s job by politics. She joined the F.B.I. and is working with a couple of Special Agents, Ray Spinelli and Carl Hottle, who helped on that kidnapping case.

Susan George said. "The medicos are