The Adventures of Spencer Martin: If I Had Only Known

By John Grunder

Spencer Martin was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated high school and joined the Army. He found only one problem with his service--he was teased about his size. He learned to be a pugilist in order to defend himself. When he finished his commitment to Uncle Sam, he returned home and joined the police force. After many years of dedicated service, he felt too confined. In 1941 it was time to become a private detective and make a name for himself. Spencer and his ex-partner in the police force stayed close friends and helped each other whenever needed. He found business as a private detective moving rather slowly and had high hopes for the days ahead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798886540123

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The Adventures of Spencer Martin

If I Had Only Known

John Grunder

Copyright © 2022 John Grunder

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 979-8-88654-002-4 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88654-012-3 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of 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

About the Author

Chapter 1

It's five o'clock in the afternoon, Monday, the first day of December 1941. Spencer Martin was relaxing in his chair with his feet propped up on the radiator. He was staring out of the window in his office. The office was located on the tenth floor of the Townsend Building near the corner of Jackson Street and Van Ness. Looking west toward the newly constructed Golden Gate Bridge, one could see much of the San Francisco skyline. The sun had set, and fog was beginning to roll in now, completely covering the top half of both the north and south towers of the bridge. The lights of the city were reflecting on the fluffy white mist that was slowly creeping down toward the roadway, making it a breathtaking event. Staring at the cars lights as they cross the bridge could take your mind on a journey far, far away.

He often sat at the window, reminiscing of his childhood and growing up in Vallejo just across the bay to the northeast. He lived an almost eventless childhood; nothing outstanding ever seemed to happen to him. He played with his friends and ran freely in the streets of his neighborhood. Being the son of a strict cop definitely kept him out of trouble. He did his best to stay away from the mischievous children on his block, a few of which had run-ins with the police that made him thankful he listened to his father.

When he had no one to play with, his favorite thing to do was to go down to the train yard. He would watch the switch engines building the trains that would head out for parts unknown, often finding himself wishing that he could jump on one of the steaming giants and ride off to see the world that existed outside of Vallejo. He knew there was a great deal of exotic and fascinating places to visit. He learned of them in school. But the truth was, he rarely left the county until he finished high school. His parents occasionally took him on a ferryboat to San Francisco, where he was mesmerized by the immense size and diversity of the city. Above all, he enjoyed the variety of things a young man could do for fun. His favorites were spending a day in Funland, enjoying a day at the beach then going to the zoo.

Spencer graduated from Vallejo High School in 1926, and two weeks later, he finally left the county when he joined the army. He met and befriended a couple boys on the train that were also on their way to boot camp. Spencer's body wasn't quite finished growing when he enlisted into the military. Many of the other men in his barracks were bigger than him; a couple of them thought picking on him was best entertainment one could have when board. They made it almost a daily event, at least for a short time.

He had a few friends that tried to step in and help him, but Spencer insisted on protecting himself. It took until the end of his first year for growth to catch up with the other soldiers, but catch up he did. For the first year, he found that boxing and working out in his spare time could make a great deal of difference in shaping his growing young body. He learned to shoot a rifle and became an expert marksman. He ran countless miles with a full pack and slept out under the stars. Boxing was what he did best and enjoyed the most while he was in the Army. By the time he was discharged, he was the best boxer in his weight class on the base. That finally gained him the respect he deserved from the one-time bullies.

Now he was a private detective with only $50 in his safe. That left him no choice but to cut back on expenses. He knew that if he didn't pick up more and better-paying cases, it wouldn't last very long. Two months ago, Spencer decided to relinquish his furnished apartment and moved his personal effects into his office to conserve his money. A couch, a safe, two chairs, two desks, a filing cabinet, a dresser holding all his clothes and a few suits hanging in the closet were all his worldly possessions. Lately things had been a lot slower than Spencer would have liked. The few cases that he had been working on were small jobs that didn't pay much, essentially just enough to get by on. There is definitely not enough money in his budget to pay his secretary, Kate, for working more than a couple of days a week.

He filled most of the day attempting some filing, but only managed to create a few more hours of work for Kate. He stopped only a couple of times once to look out of the window at the street below. Watching the people walking up and down the sidewalk Christmas shopping, hoping that one of them might be on their way up to see him. Or maybe that guy getting off of the cable car was on his way up to his office, but none came. And the other time he sat and stared intently at the telephone, wondering why he hadn't received any telephone calls for the last couple days.

Spencer's stomach was growling fiercely at him now. The coffee and doughnut he had at eight o'clock this morning has long past departed his stomach. For the past two hours, the thought of a thick steak and a beer frequently pop into his head, so much so now he couldn't concentrate on anything but eating. It is a little late for someone to come in anyway.

Okay, that's it. Time to go downstairs. I'm starving. A steak and beer is only a few short steps away.

He removed his overcoat from the coat rack, put on his hat, and turned out the desk lamp. The lights of the city shone through the open window enough to move about without bumping into things. He walked to the door, and as he reached out to turn the doorknob, he could see a shadow through the frosted glass in the door. He could hear that someone was twisting the knob from the other side. Spencer quickly stepped back into the darkness to let whoever was on the other side come through the door. As a precaution, he reached inside his coat and put his hand on the butt of his .38 that was securely placed in a shoulder holster. Not everyone he knows is friendly, so caution is the word he lived by. The door slowly opened when Kate suddenly saw someone and let out a startled little yelp. She almost fell to the ground in the doorway. Spencer pulled his hand out of his coat and stepped out into the light that was coming through the door from the hallway.

You shouldn't be sneaking up on people. What are you doing here at this time of night?

Spencer was totally surprised to see somebody at the office this late in the evening.

I stopped by, but you weren't in the office Friday, and I wasn't sure if you were going to be out of town or not. I was out Christmas shopping all day today with a girlfriend of mine. Since I only live two blocks away, I took a chance trying to catch you here if you stayed in town. I wanted to make sure you still wanted me to work tomorrow.

Sure. Last Monday I told you to work Tuesday and Thursday every week until things pick up. But why didn't you just call me today?

I would have called, but your telephone hasn't worked since last Thursday. I left you a note Friday when I stopped by.

It's not working? I thought things were a little quite around here. It's a good thing you're coming in tomorrow. I made a pretty good mess out of the files.

Thank you, Spencer. I will find out what's wrong with telephone. I think it might be disconnected. I'll see you in the morning.

She turned to walk back down the hall to the elevator when Spencer stopped her.

Wait just a minute, Kate. I was just leaving to have dinner downstairs anyway. Would you care to join me for a bite to eat?

I would be very pleased to join you for diner, thank you, although I'm not really dressed for a restaurant.

You're dressed just fine for where we are headed. Let's get going. You lead the way.

As they reached the elevator, he pushed the down button for the lobby. The elevator must have still been on the tenth floor since Kate came up. The door opened instantly, and they stepped inside then pushed the button for the lobby.

During the ten-story ride down, Spencer had time to think. He realized he has never gotten to know Kate on a personal basis.

You know, Kate, I realize we don't really know each other all that well, just on a business level. I think, during dinner, we should get to know each other better.

Kate smiled. As long as she has been working for Spencer, he had never talked about anything personal.

Why, yes! I think that getting to know each other better would be a great idea.

As the elevator door slid open, he noticed at least three dozen people were coming out of the conference room, hurrying to get out of the building after working late. After carefully dodging the onslaught of office workers, they stepped out on to the sidewalk and turned left toward the restaurant two doors down.

Once there, Spencer opened the door for Kate and followed her inside. On the opposite side of the room, he could see several unoccupied tables where he usually sits.

The waiter was in the back of the room when Spencer and Kate came in the door. Since he knew Spencer well, he left two menus on the table and walked away to help other customers.

Spencer took Kate's arm, and they made their way to the table he preferred in the back, close to the kitchen. He pulled out a chair and seated Kate, and then he took off his hat and overcoat and hung them on the coat rack by the kitchen door. Then he took a seat on the opposite side of the table, facing her and the front door.

I like to sit where I can watch the entire room. It is a force of habit because you never know who might come in.

He picked up a menu and handed it across the table to his lovely dinner guest.

I've never eaten here. This is nice, and it smells delicious. Thank you for inviting me, Spencer.

It's one of the better dining establishments in the city that I patronize, more in line with my budget.

They sat studying the menu for a few minutes. She considered the many of the delicious options on it. The radio was softly playing music that softly permeated the entire dining room. Benny Goodman and his band were just starting to play one of his favorite songs.

Spencer knew what he wanted as he sat patiently waiting, tapping his fingers on the table. He didn't realize, but he was intently studying Kate's face while she was making up her mind. She is beautiful, intellectual, and polite. Her husband is a very lucky man, he found himself thinking.

She raised her head and smiled which broke his concentration. She had finally made her decision.

It all sounds so appetizing, but I think I'll just have the soup and a salad if that's all right with you?

Absolutely. Whatever you would like. You're not one of those girls who eats like a bird when she's out to dinner, are you?

Not usually. Normally, I'm a pretty heavy eater. I just happened to have had a fairly large lunch.

Spencer looked around the dining room and noticed the waiter looking their direction and, with a wave of his hand, motioned him over to the table.

Good evening, Spencer, what can I get for you two tonight? Would you like your usual steak dinner? Or would you like to hear the special of the day?

Good evening, William. This is my secretary, Kate. She would like to have your soup and a salad. And yes, I will have my usual steak, baked potato, and Budweiser.

Pleased to meet you, Kate. Would you also like something to drink? Our beer is the coldest in town.

Yes, a Budweiser would be fine for me too. How could I pass up the coldest beer in town? Thank you, William.

An excellent choice. The steak is a superb cut of beef, and the soup is like mother used to make. I'll bring your order right away.

The waiter walked back toward the kitchen and through the door to place their order with the chef.

Spencer and Kate sat, looking at each other for a few seconds, before he finally decided to say something.

So tell me about yourself, Kate, you know, the usual. I was born here, went to school there.

Where do I start? Well, I was born and raised in Oakland. My parents moved to Oregon when I finished high school. I stayed and went to college taking secretarial classes and worked a few odd jobs. I love to dance, which is how I met my husband, Bill. We were married after two weeks, and he went back to active duty in the Navy. Then I answered your ad for a secretary, and here we are. Now it's your turn to tell me about you.

Speaking of Bill, how is he doing? What kind of duty is he assigned to do in Navy?

"He is a boiler mate on a battleship. I guess he is doing well. I really haven't heard from him very much at all.

Spencer could tell she was a little upset, and the relationship with her husband was obviously a sore subject.

Are you all right? If you'd rather not talk about it, that would be all right with me.

Yes, but maybe we had better change the subject. I will explain another time, if that's all right? Now it's your turn.

Yes, that would be a good idea. Hm, well, I was born Vallejo, and I also grew up there. I finished high school, and I went off to join the Army. Since then, my parents moved to Santa Rosa. My father was a decorated policeman in Vallejo for twenty-five years' service. My mother was very happy to be a homemaker. While in the military, I became a boxer as a matter of self-preservation. You see, I wasn't a very big man at that age, but I did catch up with everyone else before I got out. After my military duty, I returned to California, where I went to work for the San Francisco police department. I worked there as a detective until I turned thirty-three. That's when I decide to become a PI, and you know the rest.

So your parents are alive and well in Santa Rosa. That is good to hear. My parents are too. They have taken up farming in Eugene, Oregon.

I don't know what I would have done without my father. His work as a police officer was such an inspiration to my career.

Spencer got silent after remembering how much his father meant to him, so Kate decided to bring up a new subject.

I know it's been kind of slow lately. Have you gotten leads on any new cases?

No, I haven't, and not likely to until I get the telephone working again. We aren't getting any walk-in clients either. Obviously, the word hasn't gotten out about me yet.

Just then, William stepped up to the table with two ice-cold beers in his hand and placed them on the table in front of his guests.

Here you go, Kate, and yours, Spencer. Enjoy. I will have your dinners in just a few minutes.

William guaranteed them as he set down the glasses, then he returned to the kitchen to retrieve their dinners.

Spencer loved to dance, or even just sit and listen to a good band and watch others dance was enjoyable. Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra were playing now on the radio. Spencer glanced up to look around the room to make sure everything is copacetic, and then he took a sip of beer. He was really feeling the song on the radio and just had to say something.

"Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey have the best bands. Do you like the song playing on the radio?

Sure, Tommy is very good, but I prefer Benny Goodman. To me, he's the best.

Funny you should say that. I went to see him last year. He is very good, but not my favorite.

Just then William walked up to the table, steam swirling up from the large tray that held their hot food. He cautiously placed the plates on the table in front of his hungry patrons.

William, once again, you've served up perfection. Again, it looks and smells delicious.

Yes, it does. I'm so hungry I can't wait to dig in. Thank you very much, William.

For the next half hour, the two of them sat and enjoyed their dinner without a lot of conversation. They listened to the music playing softly on the radio, occasionally making a comment on how good the food was.

Between bites, Spencer's eyes jumped from table to table, assessing each person one at a time while always maintaining an eye on the door. It was his code. He believes a good PI as well as a policeman is cautious and always on the job.

Spencer slowly slid his chair back away from the table and loosened his tie and let out a big sigh of relief.

Well, I'm full. I don't have anything to do tomorrow, but you do, Kate. Maybe we should call it a night when you're through.

That's true, and it's getting close to my bedtime. It must be almost seven o'clock.

Thank you very much for having dinner with me. The food was good, but the company was better.

Kate was flattered. Spencer had never talked like that. If she didn't know better, she'd think something was wrong.

I enjoyed the evening too. Thank you. I'm definitely going to have to come in here again.

The gentleman that he was, Spencer got up and pulled out her chair and helped her to her feet. He picked up his hat and overcoat and started walking her to the entrance of the restaurant. As they walked to the doorway, Spencer heard a news bulletin coming over the radio, disrupting the normal broadcast. It was a special report on the war raging in Europe. He listened for a moment as a reporter told of the horrible events of the day. In his mind, he knew that one day America would get involved in the war also. As far as he was concerned, America should have been in the war a long time ago.

The two of them stepped outside of the restaurant doors once the news report was over. He looked up and down the street, making sure that everything was okay for her to make her way home

It's dark and getting cold, and the fog is closing in. Maybe I should walk you home?

No, that's okay. Thank you anyway. I think I can walk the two blocks on my own. I do it all the time. Besides, this is a pretty safe neighborhood. I'll be fine.

Well then, I guess this is good night. I'll see you at eight o'clock sharp in the morning.

He really enjoyed the evening. She's a lovely woman and very sweet. He wished it could have gone on for hours more.

It has been a very enjoyable evening. Thank you again, Spencer. I will see you in the morning.

She smiled and gave him a little wave then started walking toward the corner.

He waited patiently, watching her walk into the cold, foggy night. The streetlight had burned out over the corner. It was so dark he could hardly make her out. Just a few steps from turning the corner, a darkened figure unexpectedly stepped out in front of her. She tried to go around, stepping to one side then the other. The other person seemed to match her step for step. His heart leaped into his throat; this didn't look good at all. Without hesitation, he started to run in her direction. The person in Kate's path suddenly tipped his hat and stepped aside, and she vanished around the corner. Spencer slowed to a stop. He had only gotten a few steps before the man coming toward him came into view.

I don't believe it. What the hell are you doing over in this neighborhood at this time of night, Detective? You know as well as I do that you're out of your just jurisdiction.

Spencer's heart was still pounding but started to slow down as he realized it was his friend, Mike.

I just got off duty at six, so I thought I'd hop on a bus and come down here to see my old friend.

I'm very pleased that you did. I've missed you and the boys. Is everything all right? Come, let's go inside and I'll buy you a cup of coffee, and you can tell me why you're here.

If you're buying, let's go. It's getting colder by the minute out here, and a cup of coffee sounds great.

Spencer reached the front door first, reached out and opened it, then ushered Mike through to where it was warm. They returned to the same table he had occupied just minutes ago, Spencer facing the door once again. The radio was still playing band music softly in the background.

Spencer was very curious about Mike's visit. He could hardly wait for him to explain.

It's swell of you came by, but there is a reason you're here. And it's probably not a good one. So tell me, what's going on, Mike?

Mike chuckled and then said, Oh Spence, you worry too much. There isn't anything wrong. The boys at the station were asking about you. You haven't come to see them since you left the force. So I told them I'd see what's going on with their old friend, that's all. Well, not quite all. I had a nice elderly couple come in today with a problem. They're having issues with a corrupt businessman down by the wharf. It seems that he wants to take control of their property at any cost. But the guy isn't taking no for an answer. I told them we couldn't do much for them, but I knew somebody that could. If you're not busy, I have an appointment set up for you at nine o'clock tomorrow morning at their house. I tried to call you earlier, but it seems your telephone is out of service, so here I am.

Mike had a big smile on his face as he handed Spencer a note with the name and address.

You know me, Mike. I've been keeping busy trying to make things work for my new career, but things have been very slow. I do miss John and Sam and the gang at the station. We had a lot of good times together, didn't we? I don't have a damn thing going on in the morning. I would be glad to help these people if I can. I will stop by after I get through getting the information I need from the elderly couple. I could use a visit with you and the boys. It will do me some good.

Spencer, always watching, detected William coming in their direction. I thought you left, Spencer, but I see you're back with Mike. So nice to see you again, Mike. What can I get for you two gentlemen?

Thank you, William. Good to see you too. Just a couple cups of coffee. Spencer is buying.

Spencer is buying. That's new. It must be the Christmas spirit got him. I'll be right back with your coffee.

And once again, William quickly disappeared back into the kitchen.

"How are Jenny and the kids doing, Mike? Well, I hope. I remember the night that the two of you met. It seems like a lifetime ago since you bumped into her and knocked her on her ass. I thought you killed her. You hit her so hard.

Now that wasn't the least bit funny. You know it was an accident. Besides, I only knocked her down because you were drunk. I'm surprised you remember. I was trying to help you into the taxi when you slipped. I lost my hold on you, and I fell into Jenny as she was passing by. She wasn't hurt, but we did hit it off instantly. Jenny and her sister were on their way to dinner when we ran into them. Actually, I think it all worked out perfectly. I got the girl, and you got sick all over the taxi.

William arrived at the table with the cups of coffee and set them down in front of them.

"Gentlemen, here is your coffee. Can I get you a doughnut? I know how