2 Minutes for Interference: Gary Celdom Case Journals, #5

By Douglas J. McLeod

Detective Gary Celdom has had a long, storied career with the Toronto P.D. However, professional and personal events have taken their toll on his body and mind. In a bid to get his mind off of things, he takes in a local indoor lacrosse match only to stumble into another case. With the assistance of his partner/girlfriend, Detective Jessica Amerson, and the guidance of the ghost of his former fiancée, Karen Prairie, Detective Celdom must not only battle those behind the wrong-doings within the lacrosse team, but the psychological demons which have plagued him for years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas J. McLeod
• Release date: Aug 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201716042

Book preview

Chapter 1

They say that Spring is a time for renewal; a chance to start anew. Trees have begun to show their green foliage, the snow that had covered the ground had melted away, and most Torontonians are looking forward to the unofficial start of summer. The latter is normally the case in early May when the Victoria Day holiday weekend is around the corner.

As for myself, and my partner, Jessica Amerson, we had finished a grueling case that had taken more of me than it did her. The notion that I was becoming rundown was not lost upon Jessica. Both she and I, as well as everyone else in the Division, knew that I was getting up there in years, and were beginning to wonder if I had finally lost my edge. I believed I still had a few good years left in me, but as I was well into my mid-50s, the buzz about a possible retirement announcement from me was becoming louder and louder. However, the truth of the matter was, I was battling a bout of depression.

A few months before, my best friend, Phil Bennett, had moved from his hi-rise apartment in Scarborough into the abode of his now-spouse, Maggie MacPhearson, on the shores of Rice Lake; next door to my cottage. It wasn’t the fact that I couldn’t see him whenever I made the trek to the Kawarthas, but admittedly, I missed his presence. The adjustment was hard on him, as well. His Scarborough neighborhood was his home for most of his life. So, when he packed up his things and moved out of the big city to a simpler life in the Ontario hinterland, it initially affected him. The last I heard from Phil he had found a new job at the same university in Peterborough where Maggie was employed. Phil seemed to be happy with his new surroundings. Of course, when you’re living with the woman you love, it helps make the transition easier. But while Phil was happy with his new life, his absence had left a hole in me. He and I became good friends over the recent years. With him no longer living within a short drive from my bungalow in East York, it was devastating to me. Alas, it wasn’t the only thing that was causing my depression.

My longtime four-legged companion, Benny, passed away just after Phil moved to the Kawarthas. Benny and I had been together for years. I had adopted the husky after I went through some issues with a former girlfriend who was attempting to rub her new relationship in my face. Thankfully, Jessica, who had just been assigned as my partner at the time, helped me through the rough patch. After talking to her and the police psychiatrist, Dr. Ann Knoblach, they suggested I adopt a four-legged companion. That was when Benny came into my life. We spent fifteen years together before my son passed away due to old age. Between Phil moving and Benny’s death, I was in an emotional rut. I knew I needed counselling, so I booked an appointment with Dr. Knoblach. Alas, she had recently retired herself, and I was being assigned a new psychiatrist to help me with my mental and emotional states. The unfortunate part was I would have to bring this new doctor up to speed on my history.

Jessica and I were finishing up the paperwork on the recently completed case when we started chatting about my noticeable malaise.

You okay there, Celdom? she inquired. You haven’t been yourself lately.

I’m hanging in the best I can, I replied. Between Benny’s passing, and Phil moving away, I’ve been down in the dumps. I have an appointment with the new police psychiatrist this afternoon, but not looking forward to rehashing my life story with them.

At that moment, a familiar ghostly voice chimed in on the conversation. It was the voice of my former fiancée, Karen Prairie. And you have quite a life story to recount, Gary, she stated. A career that’s spanned almost 30 years now?

It’s hard to believe I’ve been part of the Toronto P.D. for that long, I acknowledged. But I’ve been through a lot during that time. Unfortunately, having those two events happen so close together has taken an emotional toll on me.

It’s become noticeable in your work, Jessica pointed out. I’m surprised you were able to make it through this case without your usual screw-ups of yore.

It was true. Earlier in my career, I had my share of foibles. But I had since cleaned up my act in recent years. I think all the suspensions that had been levied against me were the wake-up call I desperately needed to turn my career around. Jessica had been a huge help in that. Of course, Karen constantly being in my ear was a major assist, as well.

I’m hoping this new shrink doesn’t tell me it’s time for me to retire, I worried. I’m not ready to turn in my badge yet.

What if they did? Karen asked. You’ve had a long career, and you are getting up there in years. Lieutenant Davies might want someone younger to take on your caseload.

It’s a possibility, I mused. But I don’t think I can fathom anyone else working with Detective Amerson.

Jessica cautioned, While I’m flattered by the sentiment, and I do enjoy working with you, Celdom, you aren’t a spring chicken anymore. Just go in there with an open mind. Be honest with this new doctor. And if they suggest you step down, don’t fly off the handle. You’ve been suspended enough times in your career that you don’t want to be shown the door after another one.

I’ll do my best, I responded. I checked my watch, and saw it was almost time for my appointment with