Detective Dan: New York, New Murder

By Jordan Gardner

Infamous Richard Yates is found strangled to death in his hotel room and he was found with an ace of spades in his hand. Will this card be the clue that helps detective Dan solve the case?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781471700712

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Prologue

New York city, New York, April 22nd, 2006, 7:30 A.M

A silver limo pulls up in front of the Gatsby Hotel, a tall black haired Caucasian male exits the vehicle via the driver side door, he’s wearing a very fancy tux, as if he just come from a wedding, his hair was long and tied in a ponytail, and he had a very fierce scowl on his face, it was scary enough that a crowd of people would cower away at his presence. So, he grew his hair long and tied it up in a ridiculous fashion to offset his intimidation factor just enough so he could speak to others without scaring the liveliness out of them.

This man had a name, his name was Jim Talent, and he worked at a little bar on East First Street known as the Ace in the Hole. He was a bodyguard, one of the ones assigned to ‘patron’ duty, a duty to protect the paying patrons of the bar at all costs.

Today one of the bar’s commoners had called ahead the night before and arranged a pick up and Jim was in charge of the pickup, thirty minutes pass and during that time, Jim made many calls, all of which went unanswered. He was beginning to become worried, something must be wrong, the man who called for him to pick him up was very well known amongst the staff at the Ace in the Hole, he was their best friend and they knew a lot about him. Jim knew for certain that his client was always punctual and that he never drinks the night before a pick up. He knew he must still be in the hotel; he didn’t have a car of his own in New York, his vehicle was in Los Vegas. He also knew that he'd never get a taxi to the bar, so the only conclusion was that he was still here and must have suddenly become unwell. But that conclusion might also be wrong, if that indeed was the truth, then why did he avoid answering the phone?

Jim could wait no longer; he had a duty to make sure that his client was safe, he entered the hotel to find the client and make sure he was alright.

The people at the desk looked up at the man almost immediately as the staff heard collective gasping followed by a bewildering silence, they noted the man looked more intimidating than anything they had seen before. But his ridiculous hairdo helped them let down their guard to the man’s constant scowl.

Excuse me. Jim asked in a polite voice, it was uncanny how the tone in which he spoke contrasted with his permanent look of disapproval. I’m a bodyguard, here to pick up my client and he has not yet arrived at my vehicle for me to pick him up, he’s typically punctual and he would have notified me if he wasn’t able to come, so I would like to visit his room and check on him.

I’d be much obliged to tell you which room he is staying in. Stated a female staff member, her name tag read ‘Maria’ she was on the brink of laughter and she could see in Jim’s eyes that he wasn't going to hurt her if she chose to laugh, she could tell he really was just a gentle soul that somehow had his face contorted in an expression which would naturally drive anyone away. But I'll need the name of your client before I can tell you which room his in.

His name is Richard Yates. Jim replied.

Wait… the Richard Yates? world famous gambler with many rumours of cheating floating over his head?

I’m afraid so. Jim states laughing. The woman assisting him following him and laughed as well.

He’s on the top floor, he’s in a master suite, the number on the door is 403. She stated.

Thank you. I’m very grateful, and you did a great job. Jim stated, his eyes made it seem like he was smiling even though the expression on the rest of his face didn't change. The lady who assisted him blushed and waved goodbye.

Jim entered the elevator, he was hoping that Richard