Logan’s League

By Richard Jay ll

In Logan’s League, protagonist Logan Drain’s works in two professions. His flight school and detective agency are his carefully run business operations, until a murder upsets the scene. A further complication is the presence of his fiancée, the lovely Maxine, an airline pilot on temporary leave. He fears for her safety as he searches to find the killer. A maze of paths leads Logan toward a deadly solution.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796035261

Richard Jay ll

Richard Jay II is living an active life. After serving in WWII, he retired after 45 years as President of manufacturing firm and then proceeded to build and fly two full sized experimental aircraft. He then returned to his hobby of writing fiction. He feels that any tale of value should bring some new information on to the scene. Logan’s League is his fifth novel of action and drama. A list of his other contemporary novels are available at Xlibris or on Kindle: The Ferrari Vendetta Stalking the Evil Eye The Strange Incident at Quail Center Lady Bane

Book preview

LOGAN’S LEAGUE

Richard Jay ll

Copyright © 2019 by Richard Jay ll.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2019906927

ISBN:              Hardcover                           978-1-7960-3528-5

                        Softcover                              978-1-7960-3527-8

                        eBook                                   978-1-7960-3526-1

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 05/24/2019

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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

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 1

The mid-western October air felt brisk as Logan (Luke) Drain strode to his frame garage. Jake, a sleek German Shepherd, was at his heels. It is 6:10 and the sun is beginning to show a glow at the horizon. Luke is six foot one and a trim 180 lbs. His square jawed face is clean shaven except for a narrow mustache. He clicked open the garage door and maneuvered his Honda motorcycle out onto the concrete slab. Jake was panting with excitement and when Luke moved aside he vaulted into the Honda sidecar and waited to have his custom goggles affixed. Luke then donned his visor helmet, leather jacket and climbed astride. He kick-started the Honda engine to a rumbling life. Luke kept the revs low. He does not wish to disturb his tenant. Two years ago the remodeling of his brick and siding home was completed to vexing local codes, making two flats. A charming female attorney, Marion Brady signed a lease for the second story flat. Luke occupies the first floor.

Ms. Brady is an attractive lady, he estimates is nearing forty years of age. Luke feels uneasy in her presence, but finally attributes it to her attorney’s manner. When she signed the two year lease Luke mentioned his early morning motorcycle departures.

Don’t be concerned. Marion said, as she bent over and scratched behind Jake’s ears. Mr. Drain, I sleep with an eye shade and ear plugs. It would take an earthquake to awaken me. I use my vibrating iphone to rouse me in the morning

Luke was intrigued by the transient image and said, Then we don’t have a problem. You’ll be an ideal tenant but please call me Luke. This statement was reinforced by Jake’s tail wagging approval. If a systems problem develops within your flat, I live right below and aim to please. My phone numbers are on your copy of the lease Ms. Brady.

Thank you Luke but please call me Marion. I’ll try not to create any repair problems for you. As far as far as my lifestyle is concerned, I live quietly and have guests infrequently. Marion’s discerning eye rated Luke with a series of pluses for his narrow hips, broad shoulders and large penetrating brown eyes.

"Marion I neglected to mention that Jake and I are here insuring your safety should anything untoward arise. I have dual professions. I run a flight instruction school and I’m a licensed Private Detective."

How fortunate! I’ll feel secure and will surely sleep with pleasant dreams!

Marion I feel you’re putting me on, Luke laughed.

Sorry, not so. Perhaps my tone gave you that impression. I’ll keep your professions in mind and if I ever require a private detective in my legal work I’ll certainly know whom to call.

Chapter 2

This morning Luke cycled out of the neighborhood with a minimum of engine noise but when he reached the highway ramp he throttled up to a roaring surge of power. A passerby might not know that Luke and Jake were smiling with exhilaration as they sped away. The traffic was light at this hour and the trip to Central County Air was over, all too soon. Luke parked in front of his hanger. The red block lettering painted above the bi-fold door advertised:

DRAIN SCHOOL OF FLIGHT… … … . DRAIN PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS.

Luke removed Jake’s goggle helmet and he immediately circled the hangar with his nose to the ground, checking for animal interlopers. Luke used his key to operate the large hangar door switch . When it folded open he pushed the cycle to a corner back of the three aircraft and went to his small offices that were attached to the side of the hangar. Two doors accessed the offices, one from inside the hangar and another from the outside. The answering machine was blinking. A foggy voice said, Luke I’ll be a half hour late for my first student. My Flight Surgeon’s appointment was changed, sorry. Luke decided that it would not be a problem. He erased the message and reset the machine. And looked up to see Louise, breeze in the outer office door. Luke I came early today. I have to leave a little sooner, she said.

And good morning to you too, Louise. he chided Is there a sale somewhere today? Attractive Louise is Luke’s office manager and clerical complement rolled into one.

Sorry! Good morning Luke… I have to leave early to prepare for a dinner date. The procedure takes a little longer now that my youth is ebbing away.

I hadn’t noticed the exodus but I won’t argue with a lady… To business: Foggy will be a half hour late for his 8:30 lesson with Chick Bates. I’ll leave it up to you to entertain Bates until Foggy shows.

I’ll do my best but it would be easier to do if we had music. I could teach him the cha-cha. Louise grinned as she hung up her fake suede jacket and sat down to organize her work station for the day. Stamps, pens, paper clips, rubber bands and her stapler were locked in her desk drawer. Her old printer is too bulky to be carried off unobserved so she just hides it under a dust cover. Her personal lap top travels with her.

Louise I’ve written this Flight School ad for the suburban paper. Call upon your composition smarts to do an edit and then phone the ad in to the paper. The phonebook yellow pages aren’t producing. Request a 1/8 page. Use your feminine wiles to get price break. Luke went into the hangar.

There was a knock at the door. Without waiting a stocky man of medium height entered. His short, gray hair and well-kempt beard placed him at middle age. He was hatless but carried a tan trench coat. Good morning. I would like to talk to Mr. Drain.

Certainly, sir. Louise said. Go through that door. He just went in to the hangar.

Luke overheard Louise’s penetrating voice and turned to meet with the caller. I’m Luke Drain, at you service. He offered his hand.

"My name is Leslie Quint. I saw your ad in the yellow pages.

You may be able to assist me in a matter of some urgency.

Service is my business. Please explain.

First of all, I need a pilot and a plane to fly me to St. Louis. I have valid reasons for not going commercial and I need to leave as soon as possible.

I can supply both services but at a much greater cost than SouthWest would charge. A four place Cessna is rated at $150.00 per flight hour. As pilot I would charge $120.00 per flying hour and $80.00 waiting on call. I’m curious about your objection to a commercial flight? A no-fly list was on Luke’s mind.

Purely medical, Mr. Drain. Whenever I’ve flown in an aluminum tube with two hundred people I’ve developed severe respiratory ailments. On two trips it was terrible. I refuse to chance another flight. Obviously, I will contract to pay on your terms. We’ll be returning with a passenger. Will there be an extra charge?

No, you’re renting the capacity of the four place plane. Will you please identify the passenger? Luke had no desire to transport an illegal alien.

Certainly. She will be my fifteen year old daughter Becky. I am anxious to leave as soon as possible.

"That is possible. I can be ready to leave within the hour if you’ll leave a down payment of $500.00 dollars.

I only have $425 dollars cash but my credit card is valid. Will that do?

Quite all right. My secretary will take the money on account and swipe your credit card and the proper amount will be filled in when we return.

Quint produced the cash and the credit card.

The plane is that red and white one so get acquainted with it. I’ll be back in five minutes Luke gave the money and credit card to Louise with instructions. He retrieved his sectional charts and airport manual from his desk. He took the aircraft keys from the secure metal cabinet. He added his holstered Beretta to the items in his bag. His bag was always packed with a clean shirt, socks and underwear. Jake followed Luke closely for he sensed something was up. He had already eaten his crumbles and emptied his water bowl. OK Jake, go lighten the load. He sent Jake outside and pocketed a handful of Liva-Snaps from a bottom drawer. Luke believed in rewarding the good deeds of four footed friends… Today, Jake wasted no time outside fearing he’d be left behind.

Louise, I may be gone two days at the most but I’ll call if we’re delayed. Phone Margo to fill in on the three lesson appointments I have for IFR pilots. The students will probably appreciate Margo’s gentle teaching methods. Since you’re leaving early tell the line boy to lock the pumps. Then cache the pump keys, lock up and leave. Louise used the card machine and handed the credit card back to Luke as he was leaving.

Oh Louise, if yours is a blind date don’t forget your pepper spray!

Louise muttered a mild oath and finger saluted as Luke hurried into the hanger. Luke un-chocked the wheels of his on four place Cessna and following instructions Quint assisted in pushing the aircraft out. The line boy was busy pumping fuel