Anthology of Short Stories and Poems II

By Brian Clements

This new book continues the adventures of Private Detective Jack Donavon of the "If Could Hear What I See" series as he continues to search for the person who caused his hearing loss. This leads Jack back to Florida where he meets his attacker and must fight him or be killed. Jack also works with unusual clients who get him in all sorts of prob

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Oct 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781955603126

Brian Clements

Brian was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up along the beaches of Northwest Florida. He attended Gulf Coast Community College and The University of West Florida. His true love is writing. He finally got the courage to publish his first book, "Anthology of Short Stories and Poems," released in 2019. Brian continues to write short stories and poetry which he hopes will inspire you to explore your imagination and takes you on adventures of a lifetime. Brian currently lives in Colorado Springs.

Book preview

Anthology of Short Stories and Poems II

Copyright © 2021 by Brian Clements

Published in the United States of America

ISBN Paperback: 978-1-955603-13-3

ISBN Hardback: 978-1-955603-14-0

ISBN eBook: 978-1-955603-12-6

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

ReadersMagnet, LLC

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Book design copyright © 2021 by ReadersMagnet, LLC. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Ericka Obando

Interior design by Renalie Malinao

Contents

Death on the Beach

You, Me, and The Elephants

Crash

Chattahoochee

The Bike

Death Under The Patio

Number One Fan

Sealab

You’re Not Going To Believe What Just Happened.

The Arch Fiend

Hear No Evil, See No Evil

Death on the Beach

It has been a couple of years since Jack Donovan lost his hearing. It’s been very difficult for him and his familysince that car bombing in Colorado Springs.

While he was a detective with the Colorado Springs Police Department, he found out his partner, Debra Powell, was involved with the bomber. They both confessed to it, but the bomber, David Jenkins, escaped from a Sheriff’s van while being transported to the county jail in Florida. Fortunately for Jenkins, Hurricane Michael prevented officials from continuing to look for him.

Jack had been working on various types of cases during the last few months -- divorce, insurance fraud, and even a couple of missing person cases. But the one that kept coming back to his mind was the bombing case and David Jenkins.

Jack started to sport a goatee the last couple of months. He just wanted to look like a cool private detective. Even his wife, Kate, thought his white beard made him look distinguished. She thought he might look even better with a full beard but she’s happy with what he has.

As mentioned, his Private Detective business had been doing fairly well, especially after the death of the mime at his home made the news a few months ago. It turned out another mime caused the unfortunate ending of the deceased.

It was a nice spring day in Colorado Springs. But the next day, believe it or not, was expected to bring forty-degree weather. Springtime in the Rockies, gotta love it.

Since it was cold and rainy, Jack decided to work inside and get caught up with some paperwork. After he got his wife off to work and his daughter to school, he checked on his email, which he didn’t bother with the whole weekend.

While reading his email, he noticed an email from his high school girlfriend, Teri Page. The last time he saw or heard from her was last October in Panama City, a couple of days before Hurricane Michael. She led David to Jenkins in Mexico Beach where he was captured.

In the email, Teri mentioned how it was nice to see him again last October and that she had wished to see more of him while he was in town. Unfortunately, she lost her home to the hurricane and just got back into Panama City a few days before. She also happened to mention that she stumbled upon Jenkins in a Walmart in town. She didn’t realize he escaped right before the hurricane. She also wrote, Jenkins was pretty pissed off about you finding him and whoever squealed on him is dead meat.

While Jack found the email intriguing and felt like he should go right away, he wanted to talk to his wife before making a decision. His emotions were still running a little high whenever he heard the name ‘David Jenkins."

It was Jack’s turn to cook dinner, so he made some pork chops, green beans, and mac and cheese -- three of his favorite foods. His daughter, Sam, was slowly becoming a vegetarian but couldn’t resist the way her dad made pork chops.

After dinner, everyone helped clean up the dinner table and kitchen. Sam then went up to her room to work on her homework and talk or text her friends about their day at school.

Meanwhile, Jack and Kate sat down at the kitchen table and started talking about their day. Kate talked about her surgeries, which included two gall bladder and hernia operations, and then Jack started talking.

You’ll never know who emailed me today. Jack said.

The President? Kate replied as she was turning towards the sink.

Who? I couldn’t see your lips.

Sorry, I forgot. She said, The President?

Ha, ha, funny Jack says sarcastically, Would have rather heard from the First Lady.

Really? Who emailed you?

Teri Page.

Doesn’t ring a bell.

It doesn’t? She and I went out together for a little while in high school before you and I started dating.

Isn’t she the one that had that buck tooth and the flat chest?

"Yea...she is. In fact, she got braces and it’s fixed now. She had a flat chest? You remember that?

"Of course, I do. Who could forget? What about her?

Well, she emailed me some information about David Jenkins.

How did she know you were looking for him?

I saw her when I was in Panama City last October and we chatted for a little while. She told me that I could find Jenkins in Mexico Beach before the hurricane.

You didn’t tell me that.

There was silence for a few seconds.

Ahh...Am I in trouble? Jack asked.

"Not yet. How long did you all talk?

Only a few minutes. I stopped by O’Charley’s to get a bite to eat. She was with a few friends and she came to my table when she saw me. I asked her about Jenkins and she told me that she saw him in Mexico Beach.

Got you sweating, didn’t I? You’re not in trouble. Why did she email you back?

She said she saw Jenkins again and that he was pretty upset. In fact, she used the term, ‘Pissed off’.

Are you going back to Florida?

I would like to. I wanted to check with you first.

I don’t see any reason for you not to go. We should be ok. When are you planning to leave?

I’m not sure. Haven’t checked the airlines or the motels yet. Don’t really know if any of the motels are open in Panama City since the hurricane. On the beach, yea. But they probably cost more than I want to pay.

Check it out. Let me know what you find out. Don’t forget, we have Hans and Franz to protect us.

How could Jack forget the dachshunds. She named them after those two Saturday Night Live characters. Tough dogs, they’ve saved us from two bags and a squirrel yesterday. Well, Jack headed to his office to go online and check on the motels in the area. He really liked the Comfort Inns and their other hotels because they have free breakfast.

After about an hour, Jack came out of his office frustrated and disappointed about the motel rates.

Kate, you wouldn’t believe the motel prices in that area. The cheapest I found was $140 a night on the beach. Too much for me.

Have you tried anywhere else?

I checked out Marianna and also Defuniak Springs, but that’s about a 70-mile drive. They’re about half the price as Panama City Beach. I’m not sure if I want to drive that far. What do you think?

I say go for it. You drive to Denver a lot. It’s about the same distance. Plus, you might not get another chance to find him.

I guess you’re right. But, I’m afraid of what I might see there. This is the first time I’ve been back since Hurricane Michael hit. I’m told it was pretty bad and videos I’ve seen look terrible.

I know. But, I think you’ll just have to get through it somehow and do your job. That’s what I do.

Jack went back to his office and found some inexpensive tickets through Southwest Airlines and booked the motel. He also decided to go through St. Louis instead of San Antonio. Shorter flight. Coming back, he figured he’ll go through one of the Houston airports since he’s never been through Houston.

Jack also decided to go on May 6, which was only three days away. He was lucky he found some seats so late. He figured that Jenkins would have a false sense of security since he wouldn’t know anybody was looking for him.

The night before leaving he emailed the Panama City Police Department, Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Panama City Beach Police Department about Jenkins and his personal disability. He decided not to notify Mexico Beach because there was still so much damage there and he doubted Jenkins would still hang out there. He also emailed Teri Page to let her know that he was coming.

Since the plane wasn’t leaving until 11 am, Jack waited to leave home about 7 after Kate left for work and Sam left for school. He gave them their goodbye kisses and he told Kate that he would behave, as usual.

Since Jack can’t hear the radio, he took two cups of hot tea with him on his drive to Denver International Airport to keep him awake for the drive. Even with the traffic and the continuous construction, he made it to the airport around 9:00 and got through security and to his gate by 9:30. Record time.

Now it was time to wait for the plane departure. This is what Jack hated, the waiting. So, it was time to talk with people which he loved to do. He noticed two soldiers and he went to talk with them and find out where they were going. This would also help him with his lip reading.

After introducing himself and explaining about his disability, he asked them their names and where they were going.

"I’m Corporal Zimmer and this is Sergeant Davis. We’re heading home for a few days before heading out to Afghanistan. I’m from Akron, Ohio.

And I’m from Allentown, Pennsylvania. Sergeant Davis said, We were both stationed at Fort Carson, sir. May I ask you a personal question?

Go for it. Donovan replied.

What happened to your hearing?

"I don’t mind talking about it. I used to be a detective with the Colorado Springs Police Department, and I lost it due to a car bombing while investigating a homicide.

Did you find out who did it? asked Corporal Zimmer.

"Yes, I did. He was caught but escaped during all the confusion of Hurricane Michael. I’m heading back to Florida because I heard he was back there again. Hope you guys have a safe trip and I hope to see you again in the Springs when you get back. Thank you for your service.

Thank you, sir. Zimmer and Davis said, almost in unison.

Jack found a seat and checked his email on his phone. He received a response from everybody and they said to contact them when he was ready to meet with them. Teri also said to text her when he arrives in town and she sent him her number. He then noticed that everybody was getting in line. He quickly looked up at the sign and it has his flight information and departure time posted so he decided he better get in line. When he got to the ticket agent, she looked at his ticket and saw special instructions on it.

She told him, The ticket says that you are deaf, right?

Yes, that’s right. But I read lips fairly decently.

That’s good. When you get to St. Louis, contact the ticket agent and they will move you to the front of the line. That way we won’t lose you.

Ok, thanks. I don’t want you to lose me either. Jack replied with a silly grin.

Jack found a window seat and got out his Sudoku magazine. He said hi to his row neighbor, explained his situation and got absorbed in his puzzle. He almost missed the snack and drink because he didn’t respond to the flight attendant until it was almost too late. His neighbor forgot to let him know about the snacks.

The rest of the flight was uneventful, and he got to the Panama City Airport around 6:30. He then got his car and then took the one-hour trip to Defuniak Spring. It was still light outside and the drive wasn’t half bad. A lot of pine trees. When Jack got to his room, he texted Kate to let her know that he made it safely and that the airline did not lose him. She was happy to hear that. She also asked that he text often and to be safe.

He then texted Teri and emailed the local police departments. About 10, Jack decided to call it a night and hit the sack. The only problem was, how does he set the alarm to wake him up since he can’t hear it. Kate was usually his backup alarm. So, Jack checks out the tv to see if he could have it turn on at a certain time. Wow, he found the information on-line and set the TV to come on.

The next morning, Jack got up at 7:00, showered, ate breakfast and checked his emails. He decided to check out Panama City Beach first since Jenkins was known to be a beach bum. While getting dressed, he noticed an extra item in his suitcase. While he was packing, Kate sneaked her pink taser in his suitcase. He bought it for her a year ago when a couple of nurses were attacked at the hospital. So, he decided to put it in his pocket just in case he needed it. Hopefully capturing Jenkins will be just as easy as last time.

Jack left the motel around 8:00 and arrived at the Beach police at 9:30. Everyone was talking about President Trump coming to town. Jack was always excited to see a president or political candidate speak. He got to see candidate Trump in Colorado Springs back in 2016. He also got to meet three future and current governors of Florida over the years.

When Jack got to the police department, he got to see Sergeant Holmes. He was a middle-aged person with a southern accent which would have been difficult for Jack to understand had he retained his perfect hearing senses. After they introduced each other, Jack started talking.

Thank you for meeting with me on such notice. I know your department is busy so I’ll try not to keep you too long.

Appreciate it, said Holmes. "From what I read in your email; you are looking for Jenkins for bombing your car. Is that how you lost your hearing?

"Yes sir, it is.

"Let me