The Czech Book, a Rainee Allen Mystery

By Lauren B. Grossman and Bernard Jaroslow

Once again, author Rainee Allen finds herself entangled in a perilous mystery.
While in Prague at her friend Shelley’s wedding, a bomb explodes seconds before the nuptials take place, leaving the betrothed in a coma.
Who planted the bomb and who was the intended target? Was it a coincidence that just one week before, the prized Bohemian Crown Jewels had been stolen? Does an encoded black book play a part in the heist?
Concerned it may implicate Shelley, Rainee keeps the authorities at arm’s length until she can decode the Czech book.
Rainee Allen must rely on her own inner strength, tenacity, and intuition, to guide her through this mysterious puzzle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lauren B. Grossman
• Release date: Nov 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005512965

Lauren B. Grossman

Lauren B. Grossman resides in Southern Arizona with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a desert tortoise. She earned a degree in theatre and has performed in, designed sets for, directed, and produced numerous productions. She has also earned awards for her short stories. Lauren's debut novel, "Once in Every Generation", has been an Amazon bestseller with over 14,000 downloads and over 2,500 print copies. Her second novel, "The Golden Peacock, a Rainee Allen mystery" is number one in a series. "The Verona Exchange, a Rainee Allen mystery" is the second in the series. That novel, along with the third in the series, "The Czech Book: a Rainee Allen mystery", was co-written with her brother, Bernard Jaroslow, who resides in Louisville, KY.

Book preview

June 27, 2015

There are distinctive occasions when strangers share joyous memories and exuberant stories. Weddings embody those wondrous events where smiles are on display and happy tears are shed by parents and relatives. Friends who have chosen the single life—and others, whose choice is not their own—are happy for the couple but must come to accept that when their own lives do not change, they have to find a different way. They recognize that nothing stays the same.

The wedding would have taken place on time, had it not been for the explosion.

Some guests fidgeted in their chairs, while others tapped their feet on the ground. Smiles turned to frowns, and whispers became louder discussions.

The groom wiped his brow with his pocket-handkerchief. He conversed with his best man, then continued his pacing. Shelley was late to her own nuptials.

Standing as lookout, and considerably worried, was her matron of honor and best friend, Rainee Allen. She glanced over to her seated husband, Martin, and mouthed, Where the hell is she? He shook his head and shrugged. Rainee’s twelve-year-old daughter, Jana, sat bored, staring at her smartphone with her thumbs busily texting. Rainee pantomimed to Martin that Jana should try calling Shelley’s cell phone, yet again. So far, all of her calls had gone straight to voicemail.

Could this be a sudden onset of cold feet? That made no sense to her. Rainee knew how much Shelley loved Josef and how excited she was to marry him. Just the previous night, Rainee, Martin, Shelley, Josef, and selected wedding guests toasted their future at a popular cellar restaurant.

Rainee thought about the prior evening’s celebration. Josef had ordered several rounds of Becherovka, a liquor made only in the Czech Republic. He rose to deliver a speech in Czech, and then thoughtfully, repeated it in English.

Everyone here knows how lucky I am to be marrying this exceptional woman. I still cannot believe she accepted my proposal.

There was laughter all around. Some of his male friends nodded in agreement.

He turned to Shelley. Although we have known each other for only a little more than a year and a half, I feel as though I have known and waited for you all of my life. You were definitely worth that wait. Now we have the rest of our lives to live together as husband and wife. I love you. He turned to the guests, "Please, everyone, raise your glasses and toast to my beautiful Shelley. Na zdravi!"

As her matron of honor, Rainee stood to give her toast, and Josef interpreted. Where does any new, and in this case, lifelong adventure begin? I believe it begins with putting your toes in the water, adjusting to the water’s temperature, and then wading in…slowly. These two had to overcome a romance separated by six thousand miles. But they knew—they believed—the future was calling for them to be together. That belief will now become the setting of their life together. Please, lift your glasses again. Here’s to the bride and the groom: a long and happy life.

All the guests cheered and clinked glasses. The couple seemed ostensibly joined at the hip, with their arms around each other throughout the evening and kissing each time someone clinked their shot glass. It was obvious they were very much in love.

Shelley, Jana, and Rainee had spent the morning of the wedding decorating the Řízkárna Restaurant’s banquet room. Shelley explained that the name translated into Schnitzel Place. And even though there were many schnitzel restaurants in the city, she had selected this one because it had a lovely private event room in the back. It was ideal to accommodate their small ceremony and feast. And since it sat on a hill, there was an impressive view of the beautiful city of Prague, with its red rooftops and no view-obstructing skyscrapers. The owner had displayed signs that read Private Party, directing guests through the front entrance and winding through the main restaurant to the back ceremonial room. That would leave the rear door for the bride to make a grand entrance.

Management was enthusiastic about working with her. They covered the tables with white tablecloths, and gold-colored sashes draped the chairs. Gold runners sat atop the tables with linen napkins and matching gold-rimmed tableware sets. Shelley and Rainee had made centerpieces with simple wreaths of baby’s breath that surrounded matching candlesticks. Gold candles were wedged into them, waiting to be lit. Last of all, they’d placed framed pictures of the happy couple on each table.

Josef’s mother had requested that the couple add a quaint Czech tradition, with which Shelley was happy to comply. The customary first course of a wedding meal was soup. On the newlywed’s table was an extra-large soup spoon tied with a ribbon. The bride and groom, wrapped together in a towel, would sip their soup from one bowl with one spoon between them. The utensil had a hole in the handle, making it more of a trial to feed each other. That signified how they would have to work together in the future.

Satisfied with their effort, Rainee put her arm around Shelley’s shoulder and said, It’s understated elegance. Just like you. They hugged, then hurried to get ready for the big day.

Shelley, Rainee, Jana, and Josef’s mother, Františka, had appointments to get massages, manicures, pedicures, makeup, and their hair done. This spa gift was a welcomed surprise for the ladies from Josef.

They chatted and laughed with champagne glasses in hand. There was even soda available for Jana. A small touch that further endeared Josef to Rainee.

She smiled, patted Shelley’s hand, and said, He’s a keeper. You chose well.

The ladies were delighted and approved of each other’s outcome. Františka took Jana back to her apartment, while Rainee and Shelley went to the hotel to relax a bit and then get dressed for the wedding.

You look exquisite, my friend. Rainee tightened Shelley’s satin sash, then said, Okay, you can exhale now.

I’m not sure I can, Rain. They both chuckled. I almost rethought this whole idea of me in white. I mean, at my age. Really?

Yeah, we are getting up there. Can’t believe how time has flown by. I’m fifty-eight. Rainee shook her head. And I got pregnant at forty-five. Then had Jana just as I turned forty-six. Now, that was a bit of a risky decision.

Decision? Shelley asked, with one raised eyebrow.

Okay, a surprise. A nice surprise. Of course, I can’t imagine my life without her. Jana was a little plate of possibilities. Now she’s already twelve. Oh God, soon I am going to have a teenager on my hands! When did that happen? Yesterday we were so young, single, wild—well, you were the wild one. It feels like yesterday, doesn’t it?

I object. First of all, I am two years younger than you. And second, I seem to remember that you have had your wild moments, too.

Okay, I’ll agree with your memory. It’s unquestionably better than mine. I mean, at my age! They laughed. But I am so glad you chose that dress. You do look gorgeous.

You, too.

Since it was a small wedding, Shelley had decided not to wear a full-length gown and chose a knee-length, champagne-satin dress. They had always asserted their legs were their best attributes. Finding a formal white-satin dress was not an easy task for Shelley, so she’d had it custom made.

Rainee chose a slate blue, flared Chiffon dress with a pocket. The top had a scoop neck, and lace top. She had short sleeves added since her arms, she claimed, were not her best attribute.

The room they were in would become the honeymoon suite later that night. The next day, the newlyweds planned to take the train to Switzerland, beginning in Basel, where Shelley had always wanted to visit the art museums and galleries. Josef had planned the whole honeymoon, and Shelley delighted in his choices. It was a great way to begin their life together.

For the next hour, Shelley outlined the trip and Rainee listed off suggestions of places to visit: museums, shops, and restaurants that she and Martin had enjoyed on past trips.

The clock on the bedside table read four o’clock. Oh no. I’ve got to get back to the hotel to get Jana ready. Are you okay being alone for the next couple of hours?

I’ve spent my entire adulthood alone. I think I can manage a couple more hours. Thanks for helping me.

Uh, you know—

Rainee was getting ready to say something sentimental, but Shelley preempted her. No, please don’t say anything. You’ll make me cry, and I’ll ruin my makeup.

I know. Me, too.

They hugged again.

After the door closed, Shelley looked around the messy room and decided to tidy up and get it ready for their wedding night.

She took their extra-large suitcase and attempted to put it on the bed. It had been Josef’s idea to use only one suitcase for the both of them. It was so heavy that Shelley couldn’t lift it. She rolled her eyes. He didn’t comprehend how many clothing items and accessories a woman needed on a trip.

Taking care not to get her dress dirty, she struggled to lay it horizontally on the floor. Shelley took out a vintage, ivory-colored peignoir set, a gift from Rainee, and hung it on the bathroom door’s hook. She stood back and admired it. Oh, Josef’s going to love that.

On the vanity, next to his toiletry kit, was an envelope with a wad of Swiss francs to spend on their trip. There were also Czech crowns for their return to Prague. Shelley said aloud, Ah good! Before I forget, I’m going to need some taxi money.

She unfolded the wad and removed several crowns to pay for the taxi. A small black book fell out of the envelope and landed at her feet.

What is this? He’s going to be a married man. He better not have kept his little black book of women’s numbers! She laughed out loud and shook her head, knowing full well he wouldn’t have.

Shelley picked it up and leafed through the tiny book. She sat on the bed to make sense of the wording. The realization that it was not in Czech came easily enough. There were no accent characters over the letters. It most definitely looked like English, but it was all gibberish. It looked like a code. In fact, she realized, it looked like a cryptogram game that she used to work on in puzzle magazines.

Cryptograms were encoded with single-transposition keys, where one letter was a substitute for another. This would create complete nonsense, such as Y FRTSSZ SYUR KD HDSJR VFZGKDCFTB GLOOSRH. The code was a simple substitution cipher; each letter in a puzzle represented a different letter of the alphabet. Shelley enjoyed the challenge of puzzles and was good at them.

With a big smile, she said aloud, Josef, you son-of-a-gun. You’re planning a mystery for our honeymoon. How clever. But it would have been cleverer if you’d put this in Czech. Then I could never figure it out.

Throwing her head back, she laughed. Well, hmm, let’s just see who is the clever one now. She took out a pencil and got to work, decoding the little black book.

Two

Rainee checked her watch for the twenty-fifth time when a breathless voice yelled, I’m here! I’m here!

Shelley stopped at the back door of the restaurant to catch her breath. She leaned on the door frame, held her side, and panted heavily. Her beautiful new hairdo was coming unpinned. Her face looked ashen.

Rainee whispered, What the hell happened? We were all worried about you.

I can’t—her chest heaved as she tried to slow her breathing—Rain, this—breath—is important. Breath.

All the wedding guests stood when Shelley first appeared in the back doorway. The organist saw the bride had arrived and began playing the wedding march. Josef’s worried face turned to a broad smile. He wiped his brow and pocketed his handkerchief.

Here, let me quickly pin your hair. Rainee put the bobby pins in place.

Shelley was still holding her side and panting from her run, explaining that the taxi had mistakenly let her off at the lower parking lot.

Pull yourself together and tell me about it later. Rainee turned, smiled, and marched to the music down the aisle.

No, wait! I need to—

In the next moment, a deafening blast shook the restaurant. A car parked next to the back door exploded. The boom rocked the entire building. The floor shuddered, and guests screamed.

Martin turned in time to see the surge from the blast propel Shelley forward. Her head hit the corner of the gift table, the impact causing her to lose consciousness.

Instinctively, Martin threw his body over his young daughter to protect her from the effects of the blast. Once certain Jana was all right, he turned to look for his wife.

Rainee was also on the floor. Martin ran to her. Her head was bleeding. His reflex response as a doctor made him worry that she might have suffered a concussion. He held up three fingers. How many fingers, Rain? How many?

She answered correctly.

Follow my finger without moving your head.

A panicked look crossed Rainee’s face. Jana?

She’s all right. Just scared. Rainee, we’ve got to help get people out of here. There could be another explosion.

She looked around her in disbelief. It’s snowing. What is that?

It’s ash from the ceiling tiles. Probably asbestos. He wiped the residue from her face.

Like a fine gray snow, it continued to fall into the room.

Are you sure you’re okay?

I’m fine. Really, I’m fine.

Martin helped her up.

The manager had already started to usher people out the front door and direct them to congregate across the street—a safe distance from the restaurant.

It was only moments before sirens were heard. It was no surprise that the emergency operator had received a deluge of calls from inside the restaurant and from the neighborhood surrounding it.

Josef shook his head from the deafening blast. He heard muffled voices in the distance, but they slowly became louder. His gaze fell to his future bride lying on the ground, and he ran to her side. Pomoc! Pomoc! he yelled. Help! Help!

Martin ran to Shelley’s side. He did a quick assessment. There was no heartbeat. He began compressions right away.

Josef stared in disbelief.

Rainee, Martin called out. I need your help.

She ran to Shelley. Oh my God! No, no, not Shelley.

Martin said, I’ll do compressions. You begin the breaths. He looked at Rainee sadly and shook his head.

She gasped.

They worked together doing CPR for several minutes. Finally, Shelley showed movement, and Martin stopped the compressions.

Oh, thank God, Rainee said. She held Shelley’s hand tightly.

Josef continued to stare.

Martin whispered to Rainee, He may be in shock.

Though weak, Shelley opened her eyes at the sound of Martin’s soft voice, and he and Rainee came into focus, both looking very concerned. Barely able to speak, she murmured, Rainee.

She mouthed something else, but Rainee obviously hadn’t heard. Leaning in, Rainee put her ear close to Shelley’s mouth. Shelley whispered again, reached for Rainee’s other hand, and discretely put the black book into it.

Rainee nodded as the book slid into her hand and she pocketed it. She continued to hold her friend’s hand as Shelley lost consciousness.

Rainee turned to her husband with a terrified look in her eyes, Martin?

He checked her pulse and nodded. She’s got a heartbeat.

Paramedics arrived in three ambulances. When the first few entered the building, Martin stood up and yelled, Over here!

They moved quickly to assess Shelley’s condition. One of them understood English, and Martin spoke with him, relaying what little information he had. They quickly placed her on a gurney and wheeled it into their ambulance to start an IV.

One paramedic moved out front to the waiting group and yelled, Je tady ještě někdo zraněný?

A few people stepped forward with abrasions, cuts, and bruises. Some had bloodstains on their wedding attire. Rainee stood by, holding Jana in her arms and watched the mayhem.

After cursory exams, the emergency crew determined that none of the other guests had suffered any severe injuries.

The Czech police and bomb squad vehicles arrived moments later. An officer emerged from his vehicle and announced to the guests, "Policie České republiky. No one leaves. We need to question each of you."

Other authorities entered the restaurant to make sure it was clear of people so the bomb squad could carry out their job.

Josef stepped forward. I’m going to the hospital with my fiancé.

Sir, I need you here to answer some ques—

Rainee looked at the officer. He’s the groom. I’m her best friend. We’re both going with her.

I need statements now.

Martin stepped forward. I’m a doctor and will be accompanying them. All these guests witnessed what happened. Interview them. Then you can find us at the hospital, Officer.

Rainee turned to Josef and asked if it would be okay if Jana rode home with his family. He ran to speak to his father and then nodded to Rainee.

She took Jana’s chin in her hand and said, My sweet girl, I want you to stay with Josef’s family. This could take a while.

But, Mummy, I want to go with you. I love Aunt Shelley, too.

I know, sweetie, but you’ll get bored sitting in a waiting room. And there’s nothing you can do.

Jana slowly walked to Josef and hugged him. Tell her I love her.

Josef managed a tearful smile, nodded, and gave her a tight hug.

Rainee, Martin, Josef, and his mother, Františka, followed the ambulance.

Three

June 17, 2015

The caravan planned to move along the D4 motorway. At six o’clock in the morning, traffic would be light. Three armored vehicles carrying the Bohemian Crown Jewels and three decoy trucks would maintain a constant speed and stay close to each other in an established order. This was necessary to adhere to the protection protocol planned by the palace security forces.

Weeks of rehearsing assured everyone on the teams that they knew exactly what to do to move the jewels safely to their temporary home. The mission was not only critical for the country and its