The World of E.J. Cord Private Detective

By Kenneth Rocco

Another series of short stories involving private detective Ezaquiel Cord flow from the pen of Kenneth Rocco. True to the last two books, the main character Ezaquiel Cord must go undercover to stop a series of drug runners who are using the friendly skies of the United States as their highway to maintaining their multimillion-dollar business. As he comes closer to putting them all in jail, he must first fight to stay alive. While doing his job, he tries to keep alive his love for a woman and resolve the question that constantly rumbles through his mind: can he have a love interest in his life considering his line of work?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645445678

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The World of E.J. Cord Private Detective

Kenneth Rocco

Copyright © 2020 Kenneth Rocco

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2020

ISBN 978-1-64544-566-1 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-64544-567-8 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Characters as They Enter into the Story Line

Chapter 1

Characters as They Enter the Story Line

Chapter 2

Flight to Twenty to Life

Characters as They Enter into the Story Line

Christina Bennett: CEO security

Ezaquiel J. Cord: private detective

Val Roberts: Benton County detective

Jon Edwards: director / loss prevention

Justine: secretary to Jon Edwards

Robert Craig: Airtime Enterprises

Cheryl: friend

Carl: mechanic

Matthew: pilot

Richard Barns: pilot

William Tompkins: mayor

Anthony Rollins: neighbor

Benjamin Brothers: construction company

Lloyd: truck driver

Scene: Someone Interesting

The unkempt hair cannot take away from the beautiful, cut, symmetrical features that accompany the deep-blue eyes of Christina. The reason for her rise up the corporate ladder of the security firm has always been in question. Some would say it was her beauty. Those naive about her sheer intelligence suggest she must have slept her way to the top. Being an only child left on the streets to fend for herself left her with an indomitable spirit and a competitive nature in a world owned by men.

The small phone hums, and she picks it up, moving her earing out of the way, and says, Ezaquiel, it’s nice of you to call—so nice after all the messages I left you. Why now after all these months?

I get the sense you’re a little annoyed at me. I’m right, right?

You can be an ass at times. Maybe that’s the reason why I miss you.

So we’re still good.

No, I want dinner.

You drive a tough bargain.

And you’re still an ass.

Tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at seven-ish.

What makes you think I still want to see you? You’ll pick me up at eight-ish. I need to get the last trip out of my system.

Now that you mention it, I did call you, but you were out of the States.

Don’t go there. You didn’t call. They would have contacted me.

You’re right. I never called. Sorry but I had to try. Forgive me?

I’ll let you know at Bish. Click.

Turning to his loyal friend lying at his side, Easy says, Blue, that went better than I expected.

Hours later, Easy taps the small bell, and the attendant moves around from the curtain doorway and says, Can I help you, sir?

Yes, I’m here for Ms. Bennett. My name is Cord.

Ah! Mr. Cord, she said to expect you around eight ’o clock. Glancing over his shoulder, he notices the exact time to be 8:45 a.m. I see you’re running a little late.

I’m sure that’s the first thing she’ll mention.

Go right on up. It’s the suite located on the top floor. Good luck, Mr. Cord.

A soft tap on the cream-colored suite door and a soft voice says, Come in. You’re late, just as I expected. Opening the door, Easy notices there is no one in the large room to greet him. Again the soft voice says, Sit. I’ll be out shortly.

Easy says, Reservations are set for nine-ish.

Several minutes later, the bedroom door opens, and a slightly clad Christina stands her hand on her hip; with the other, she waves for Easy to follow her. The door closes behind them, a squeal is heard, the reservation is missed and the night falls into day.

Easy stares at her, looking as beautiful as she did hours earlier, across the kitchen’s center island. She says, More coffee?

Easy answers, I’m pretty sure I’d like more of you.

Sometimes you say the right things, but for today, it’s at the wrong time. I have a meeting.

Is it one of those good meetings, the kind filled with numbers that puts a smile on your stockholders’ faces?

Yes, it is, but unfortunately, I believe we’ve got someone in the company not doing their job and is jeopardizing the integrity of the company. And right now, I’m not sure of who or how.

I wish I could help, but that’s not my kind of case. Things with numbers and embezzlement of funds are not my forte. I’m a—

Hit-and-run kind of guy.

With you I’m not running anywhere.

But I am in an hour. I’ll expect you to call me tonight, just to amuse me and show me it wasn’t a mistake on my part to let you back into my life.

I would never do that to you. Sometimes I get too involved in getting the bad guys.

So it was me or the bad guys. That doesn’t sound too comforting.

You’ll always be prettier than any of them.

Get out now. I’ve got to get ready. Call me tonight—late tonight. We can talk through the night.

Scene: The Cabin

Eleven thirty seems late enough for that phone call, Easy murmurs to himself. Dialing the number, he reaches the front desk of the hotel he had visited just hours earlier.

Good evening. Ms. Christina Bennett’s suite, please.

Who should I say is calling?

Mr. Cord.

The phone rings, and moments later, the attendant says, She’s not answering. Let me check to see if she’s come in this evening. Hold, please, Mr. Cord.

Moments later, the attendant says, Mr. Cord it seems as if she’s hasn’t arrived as of yet. Her key is still with us. Would you care to a message?

Yes, just say that I called.

Another call two days later and the answer is the same.

She’s not been in since the last time you called, Mr. Cord. Should we leave another message?

No, that’s not necessary. She’s probably away on business.

Of course, Mr. Cord, I’m sure that’s the reason.

A familiar face is seen opening the never-locked front door to Easy’ cabin. Blue recognizes an old friend and barks but never moves from his padded bed. The day’s romp through the woods has left the Labrador too tired to give his old friend the usual greeting.

Val shouts, Easy, you in?

Moments later a tall figure pushes the unlatched door open with his shoulder. Holding several logs cut and split the right size for his fireplace and seeing Val, he says, Perfect timing. Grab these from me. I’ve got more to bring in. It looks like it’s going to be another cold night. I can’t wait for the damn spring. Pausing for a moment, he continues, By the way, what the hell are you doing here? You should be out getting the bad guys.

I’m here for a reason, and it should concern you.

From the sound of your voice, this can’t be good. Tell me I’m wrong.

You’re not. It’s about Ms. Bennett. She’s gone missing according to her director of loss prevention. She’s been missing for—

Easy interrupts him and says, Six days.

How did you know?

Because that was the last time I saw her.

She went missing, according to him, after her meeting with the board of directors.

I saw her earlier that day and was supposed to hook up with her later that night, at least over the phone, and we never connected, not that night or any day after that. I figured she went corporate again and was flying someplace for business. She said she was having some problems. Someone was possibly doing something illegitimate, doing something that could eventually bring the company down. She didn’t say who or what.

He never mentioned that to me. He just said she went missing. If someone is doing something underhanded, then maybe it’s not…she went missing but…she’s been kidnapped.

Wow, that’s some jump from missing to being kidnapped. You throw that into the mix, and I want in.

Consider it done. You’ve just been deputized.

Where does this director of loss prevention hang his hat? I want a face-to-face with him and find out if he knows about any problems going on in the company. I hope he knows something about it, because if he doesn’t, then she’s out there on her own. If this security guy doesn’t know, then I’m sure the rest of the higher-ups are oblivious to what’s going on in their own company.

Val says, Consider this. If he says he doesn’t know, maybe he’s the guy doing whatever is happening and keeping a lid on it.

Right now everybody is suspect. I only wish I had asked her more about it. I thought she was going to the meeting to discuss exactly that with the board of directors. Evidently it was for other business matters.

What’s this guy’s name?

Scene: A Visit

A Mr. Cord to see Mr. Edwards.

He’s expecting you. Go right in.

Mr. Cord, you’re not what I expected. Ms. Bennett spoke of you often. Her description was a lot different than what I see before me. She said you were in the boxing game for a while, and you had a bright future and shifted gears and tried to make it in professional baseball. She then added to all of that, you just recently left the police department. That’s quite a colorful résumé. I guess with all of that, I expected someone taller, someone bigger than life. I guess that doesn’t make sense. With a snide attitude, he continues, Although the scars I see on your countenance show you were in the fight game and got hit a lot.

I retired because I cut too easy.

Is that how you got your nickname?

Easy answers, You have a first name?

Ah, that doesn’t sound relevant, but it’s Jon.

Well, Jon, I’m here for one reason, to find my friend and find out if there are some behind-the-scenes reasons she’s gone missing.

What are you implying when you say ‘behind-the-scenes reasons’?

Real simple. She said there was something going on within the business that was a concern to her. For me that means everyone from the big guy to the one handing out the mail is suspect.

That would include me, I assume.

Easy says emphatically, Absolutely.

But why would I bring in the police and tell them she’s gone missing? I’m not trying to hide anything.

In the boxing parlance, it’s feinting a punch to hide another punch. You get my point? Were you aware of any improprieties that were going on in the company? You’re head of security.

No. She never mentioned anything about that. The last meeting was nothing more than us crunching the numbers and making all the facets of the business more streamline, more efficient. If you wish, I could have the secretary give you the minutes of the meeting.

Fine, and while I’m waiting, did she give you any impression she was being harassed or threatened by anyone? Everything is important right about now.

She just came from back from California. Why she went out personally rather than send me, well, I can’t give you an answer to that question.

I want all the information on that trip. That means who, what, where, and why. Understood?

Jon taps the speaker on his desk and says into it, Justine, get the report on Airtime Enterprises, and give it to Mr. Cord on his way out.

Looking up at Easy, he says, Can you keep me in the loop about what you find?

With everyone on my suspect list, to put it simply, ah no! You understand, right?

Not really, but I’ll abide by whatever you say.

Closing the door to the office, Easy passes Justine. She stands and hands him a large manila folder and says quietly, Mr. Cord, can I speak with you later? I might have some information regarding Ms. Bennett. I wasn’t listening in, but Mr. Edwards all too often leaves his intercom on.

Justine, I’ll contact you within the hour and set up a time and place.

Please don’t make it anywhere near the office. I don’t want anyone to know I’ve talked to you.

Easy nods in agreement then simply smiles.

Scene: The Impromptu Meeting

Sitting in the booth, Easy waits patiently for Justine. The bright light of the morning sun is still able to make its way to the back of the restaurant. The front door opens, and the morning glare makes it impossible to see if it’s who he’s waiting for.

For a moment, I thought you weren’t going to make it.

I told you I had something important to tell you.

I’m listening.

Sliding onto the padded seat, Justine says, Ms. Bennett had me keep tabs on Mr. Edwards. She believed he was somehow involved in something regarding Airtime Enterprises. She believed he was working with someone from the California office. That’s the reason she went to California.

Does this California connection have a name?

Robert Craig. He’s the head of Airtime Enterprises, but I think Ms. Bennett believed it was more than a company moving medical supplies from California to the East Coast. She believed he might be involved in something illicit. She said she was going out there not to confront anyone but to get an up close look-see at their business plan. If there was something shady, she wanted to get the goods on Craig and break all connections with Airtime Enterprises. Do it so there was not a black mark on the home-office business plan. In other words, keep the news out of the paper. Do things as quietly as possible.

All this information you got from whom?

Like I said, Mr. Edwards leaves his speakerphone on, and the conversations I’ve heard on occasions led me to believe something was not on the up and up on the West Coast.

Let me be clear, Justine. Did you hear a conversation stating explicitly Airtime was doing something illegal?

Well, not exactly. It just sounded as if they were doing something underhanded. It sounded as if in the shipment of medical supplies, they were moving others not on the manifest.

Justine, sounds like a lot of ifs.

I believe that’s the reason Ms. Bennett went out there to find out.

Did Edwards mention to Craig anything about Bennett knowing there might be something happening out in California? Let’s call it, for now, a rumor.

No.

Did he give Craig a heads-up that she was coming out to visit his company?

That I don’t know. But she’s obliged to make visits to all the subsidiaries. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone of them she’d visit. They just wouldn’t know when.

Justine, keep me filled in on anything Jon does from here on out, and I mean anything.

Scene: A Suspect

"Val, here’s a heads-up. Get as much information on this Jon Edwards guy, and then see if you can use your connections in California to inquire into Airtime Enterprises headed up by a Robert Craig. Airtime is an airline company which has contracts to shuttle…deliver medical supplies from the West to the East Coast.

"I’ve been given Bennett’s last business report. I’ll read it over, and if I pick up anything out of the ordinary, you’ll hear from me. Justine, Craig’s secretary, mentioned there might be a connection with that company and the movement of drugs under the guise of medical supplies. Right now it’s just hearsay. I’d check with the DEA and see if they know anything.

With the lax approach of some states to the use of marijuana as some new medicinal elixir, maybe in several years, the sky will be filled with illegal drugs moving north, east, south, and west, if it isn’t already. What the hell is this world coming to?

Easy, keep things real. I’ll move on what you’ve said, but you’re going to need more than rumor or innuendo to get an answer to where Bennett is right now and why she’s missing.

I’m going to call someone we both know out in California. She’s working with one of the largest realtor firms in that area. Guess where there major office is located.

Northern California, and the person you’re calling has to be the only person you know out there. You’re just looking for an excuse to call her.

No. Honestly, she can get me information on this Craig guy. Besides working in real estate, she also works in the mayor’s office. If there’s rumors circulating out in that area, she might have heard something. There’s nothing wrong with asking.

After listening to your reason, I stand by—

Put a lid on it.

Scene: The Call

Easy, what a surprise. I thought you forgot about us.

Not really. I’ve been busy. The reason for the call serves two purposes for me. I need some information on Airtime Enterprises. If necessary, I might just have to pay you folks a visit.

I like the sound of that. Maybe I’ll just tell you what you want to hear.

They’re located in your area.

Of course, they own the large airstrip just several miles from our office.

Have you ever heard the name Robert Craig?

I’ve seen him with the mayor on several occasions. What’s this all about?

Nothing of any importance. It’s just that someone has gone missing, and her last visit was to see Craig. And I’m making phone calls to get some information, but now it looks like I’m going to have to visit you folks.

When do you think you’ll be coming out to this part of the world?

Right now I’m not sure of the exact date, but I promise I’ll call and keep you posted.

I like the sound of that.

Scene: Lovers’ Quarrel

Justine, dial Mr. Craig’s office.

Moments later, Justine says, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Craig is on the line.

Bob, I left word at your office that I wanted to speak to you, but you never responded. You must be aware by now that Bennett is missing. I have to ask you this question. Did you have anything to do with it? I know there is some bad blood between you and almost all the members of the board of directors, and at one time, you had a thing for her, but she never gave you the time of day.

Jon, she came out here. We went to dinner. We talked about nothing but business. She asked some strange questions regarding the shipping end of what we do out here. But we left on a good note. She was here, as you know, two days. That’s all I know. The fact she’s gone missing is news to us out here.

What are the strange questions she asked?

Are we doing any business with anyone outside the States? She wanted to see all the invoices we had on our shipments for the last several months. I gave her all of that information. Like I said, we talked about nothing but business, just like we usually do when she comes out here. Has anyone come up with an idea of where she might be or what might have happened to her?

Nothing.

I notified the police, and then I had a visit from someone who, I imagine, was close to her. I questioned myself as to whether I liked him or not.

Is it because you have a thing for her and he’s, like you said, close to her?

Maybe. I just decided I didn’t like him.

Scene: Anyone Listening

Her beautiful features are drawn, and she squirms in defiance as she’s shackled to the center post of the cold gray basement. She yells, but it rebounds off the concrete walls. How or why she’s where she is remains a question she asks herself while bound and all alone. She wonders if someone, anyone, will find her.

She knows someone who will be looking for her. It will be Ezaquiel J. Cord, and knowing him, it will be with a vengeance. She just hopes the fact she has allowed herself to disappear on occasions for a respite from the pressures of business, without telling anyone, will not delay someone from looking for her. She wonders if it may already be too late for someone to do so. She screams a defiant yell for help.

A day earlier, she was talking to a pilot.

Hello, Ms. Bennett. What are you doing out on the airstrip?

Just interested in what it feels like and sounds like to be out here with these beautiful machines.

I’m out here almost every day. I love the sounds and the smell.

I could do without the smells, but I understand what you’re talking about.

I heard you came out on one of your…what management calls one of your ‘surprise visits.’ I could just hear them saying, ‘Heads up, she’s here.’ When are you scheduled to fly back to Michigan?

Probably within the week.

Well, I’m scheduled to fly to your home state Tuesday, so if you’re interested in flying in the cockpit as my copilot, you have my number. It might be something you’ll never get a chance to do. Give it some thought.

Thanks, Matthew. I like that idea. I will.

Christina turns and walks through the opened gate to her parked rented car. The overweight mechanic walks up to Matthew and asks, Who was that?

That, my friend, is my way out of this hellhole and into the arms of a beautiful woman.

You didn’t ask her out? If you did, you just stepped on your dick. Who the hell would want to go out with you? When’s the last time you shaved or took a shower?

She’s the one.

What are you, on one of those meds you transport?

"You’ll see. Mark my words. You’ll see. We’re going out on a