Lee Hacklyn 1970s Private Investigator in Jury of Tears: Lee Hacklyn, #1

By John Leister

New York City. 1973.

 

Simon Penn has been convicted of first degree murder.

As he begins to serve his life sentance, with no chance of parole,

some one begins to kill the jurors who found him guilty.

Lee is on the case.

Carrie Penn, Simon's sister, is at the top of Lee's suspect list.

Unfortunately, he's fallen for her like the proverbial ton of bricks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Leister
• Release date: Feb 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215282359

Book preview

NEW YORK CITY. 1973.

CHAPTER ONE

Excuse me, ma’am.  This is the express line-up.  That means fifteen items or less.  I go around counting the items of every shopper’s cart, twice a day.  That’s store policy.  You have sixteen items in your cart.  I’m afraid you’ll have to move to another queue.

Another what?

Oh, I was born in London, England.  We say queue, as opposed to line-up."

What’s your name, young man?

Oliver.  I’m the manager.

Well, isn’t that grand?  I’m sure that’s what you imagined for yourself, when you were eight years old.  You didn’t dream of becoming an astronaut or a race car driver or maybe even Prime Minister of this country’s former regime.  Thank you, American Revolution.  You wanted to become a supermarket manager, isn’t that so?  Well done.  It’s a difficult position to achieve, isn’t it?  I can see why your lips are brown.  All that ass-kissing.

Oliver tsked and said, Now, now.  There’s no need for profanity.

Oh, I’m just getting warmed up, Ollie, my dear.  My name is Mrs. Galloway.  I’m sixty-five years old and I’m a retired army nurse.   I served in a Korean MASH unit back in 1951, where I was stabbed by a North Korean solider with a scalpel.  I was awarded the Purple Heart.  I’ve assisted truly great men, surgeons, in the saving of countless brave American lives.  And now you’re going to tell me that you’re just doing your job.  Well, I’m doing what I believe the Good Lord...

At this point, Mrs. Galloway had the attention of everyone at Galaxy Groceries, staff and customer, alike, including the musclebound security guard at the front door, who looked more worried than a pacing dad-to-be outside a delivery room.

...expects me to do and that’s stick up for myself.  There’s a difference between turning the other cheek and blind obedience to status-obsessed pissy-pantsers like you, Oliver.

He shook with his head like the humorless scold he was and said, That’s two curses.  I’m afraid, Mrs. Galloway, that you’ll have to vacate the premises.

She scoffed and said, Aren’t you a piece of work?  I’m not going anywhere.  I’ve been shopping here since before the unfortunate event of your conception.  There are fifteen items in my shopping cart.

Sixteen, ma’am.  Perhaps you’re counting the two-for-one box of Bran Bites as one.  They count as two.

They’re wrapped together in Saran Wrap.  That’s now I found them.  If I can pick something up with one hand, that’s one item.

A young man in a jean jacket and black beanie yelled, Hey, Benny Hill!  Why don’t you leave that nice old lady alone?

There was an air of imminent all hell is about to break loose-ness.

CHAPTER TWO

Oliver snapped his fingers.

Howard!  Please escort Mrs. Galloway outside and off the property.

Yes, sir, Mr. Ferret.

A tidal wave of laughter, which I was very much a part of.

Mr. Farren!  For the last time or you’re fired!

Yes, sir, Mr. Farren, I’m sorry, sir.

Howard the Bench-Pressing and uber-subservient security guard hustled his hunky frame over to the heart of the escalating scene.

What to do, what to do.

It was none of my business and my ice cream was melting.

Howard place one hand on Mrs. Galloway’s shoulder.  She wasn’t much taller than a fire hydrant.

"I’m sorry,