PIP- Private Investigator Phyllis

By Joyce Camara

Phyllis and Ted are happily married. Both are professors working at the same University. Phyllis works in the lab, researching a cure for cancer, and Ted as an English teacher. When tragedy strikes, her whole life changes. She takes on a new profession, learning exciting new ways of living. Phyllis meets new people, some on the shady side, others supportive and helpful. 

After being threatened, Phyllis takes things to a new level. A new romance leads her down yet another path. Her life now is something she couldn't have imagined. The final twist is the key that allows Phyllis to step forward and be free her from her past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Siafu Productions
• Release date: Feb 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218155599

Joyce Camara

My first attempt at writing began when I received a diary when I was ten. I wrote in it faithfully every night. I had an idyllic childhood. Raised in the fifties with a stay-at-home Mom, a World War ll veteran Father, and one older brother. Being married for 54 years and having three daughters, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, I have all the inspiration and stories I need to write. After retirement, I traveled to the United States with my husband for five years. On the road, I took up writing once again. I have filled journals with stories of the places we saw and the people we met along the way. We settled in a small town in Arizona, enjoying the fantastic weather and friendly people.  I have had several short stories published. I am an active member of the SLO Night Writers. This is my first attempt at writing a Novel. I call it “The novel I was never going to write.” I hope you enjoy reading it, and who knows, there might be another novel inside of me waiting to escape. Enjoy!

Book preview

Chapter 1

Love found Ted and Phyllis in graduate school at UC Berkeley, California.  He studied political science, and she studied medicine. They often saw each other at the local coffee shop where most of the students hung out. A mutual friend introduced them. It was an instant attraction. They continued to date, going to lectures and exploring the exciting city. Both of them had an interest in antiques but neither one of them had room in their current living conditions to buy any antiques they admired. Ted lived in a tiny studio apartment, with barely room to hang a painting. Phyllis lived in a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate, filled with leftover furniture from garage sales, and pieces given to them that they had no intention of keeping once they both moved on after graduation.

After they both received their degrees, Ted proposed, and Phyllis said yes. It was a quiet ceremony, with only Ted’s brother and his wife, Betty, attending.

They found a small, but charming house near the US Berkeley campus where they both were hired. They lived a busy, happy life. 

No, honey, I don’t want to go. You know I don’t like political rallies. Don’t you get enough political crap at school? Phyllis asked inquisitively. Ted taught Political Science at the college in the town in Berkeley California where they lived and loved it. Phyllis was a medical researcher at the School of Medicine on the same campus. Both of Phyllis’s parents had died from cancer and she was determined to find a cure.

I’m not going, and that’s my final word. Take your brother; he’d probably enjoy a day off from Betty and all those kids of theirs, said Phyllis. Tom and Betty had four children, all under the age of 10. Ted and Phyllis did not have any children. They were busy building their careers. They adored their nephews and nieces and spent time with them whenever they could.  But Phyllis also enjoyed her solitude and didn’t mind spending a day alone.

Why would I want to spend a whole day listening to an egotistical loudmouth who thinks his opinion is the only one that matters and bashes his opponent to the point of embarrassment? I have no interest in listening to anything he has to say, Phyllis argued.

Ted was disappointed. Phyllis used to like to go with him on weekend outings. They would take off for places unknown, finding small quaint little towns where they roamed the streets and browsed antique shops. They would usually stop in one of the local cafes to share a piece of homemade pie and a cup of coffee.

Ted pleaded, You sure you won't reconsider? It might be fun. We can find an out of the way place to stop and eat. No, Ted, Phyllis replied, you go and have a good time. I'll be right here waiting for you. We’ll have a nice dinner, and you can tell me all about it.

Phyllis enjoyed her day, doing some of the things she loved. She finally finished the bestseller she was reading for her book club to critique and caught up on the laundry so they would have clean clothes for the work week. Most importantly, she read several medical journals about cancer research.

She poured herself a glass of wine and sat down to watch the 5 o’clock news. The news reported that a horrible riot had broken out at the political rally Ted was attending. Phyllis was in shock. Several protesters with weapons crashed the rally waving signs and shouting obscenities. The reporter continued to say some people attending the rally were hurt and taken to the hospital, while one rally attendee had died. The name was not released as it was pending notification of next of kin, the reporter went on to say. Phyllis watched the segment in horror showed the rioters throwing signs and chairs. She witnessed people stomping on fallen bodies, hitting innocent bystanders, with no concern for anyone.

Phyllis was surprised that out of the hundreds of people attending, and the sheer number of attacks, that only one fatality seemed fortunate. Phyllis knew that if Ted was involved, she would’ve been notified by now. She was sure there would be traffic jams, roadblocks, and people running everywhere. The public always seemed to panic when something shocking happened. She wondered how late Ted would be. 

The doorbell ringing interrupted her thoughts. turning down the TV, she answered the door. Good afternoon, I’m Officer Lawson, and this is my partner, Officer Edwards,’’ said Officer Lawson as he showed her their badges. We are looking for Phyllis King.

I’m Phyllis King, is there a problem? It’s Ted, something has happened to Ted her instincts told her.

Would it be alright if we came in? Officer Edwards asked.

Of course, Phyllis answered. She didn’t want to know what was happening, she knew it couldn’t be anything good. Overwhelmed at having two policemen in her home, but she knew she had to let them inside.

We are sorry to inform you that your husband, Ted King, was killed this afternoon in a political rally.

NO! Phyllis screamed. Sobbing, her knees buckled, Officer Lawson caught her, and guided her to a chair.

Is there anyone you would like us to call for you? A relative, friend or maybe your Minister? asked Officer Edwards No, replied Phyllis, there’s no one. Both of Ted’s parents are gone, and his brother went to the rally with him. Do you know anything about his brother, Tom? Was he hurt?"

No, Mrs. King, we’re sorry. We don't know the names of all the casualties yet. We need you to come and identify the body. Are you able to do that? asked Officer Lawson.

Phyllis did not want to identify Ted’s body. Seeing him would make it too real.  This all felt surreal, like a terrible nightmare. Knowing she had no choice, she reluctantly agreed to go with the officers.

Seeing her husband laid out on a cold metal table was almost more than she could bear. No one should ever have to go through this procedure, she thought to herself. Phyllis was so visibly shaken the staff asked if she needed help. Phyllis managed a polite reply, No, thank you.

When the taxi finally dropped her back at home it was very late. As she sat alone in the dark, she felt the weight of grief seeping into her. She wanted to avoid all the details she could until Monday when she hoped her mind might be a little clearer, she knew Tom and his family would be over as soon as they heard the news to help her sort through all the horrible details that a death involves.

Phyllis couldn’t sleep. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do with the rest of her life. It would be so empty without Ted in it. The thought of not being with Ted for the rest of her life was something she had never considered. Feeling devastated and overwhelmed, she wished she had someone to call, but she had no close friends. Most of their lives revolved around work and each other.

Phyllis wished her final word to Ted had not been no.

Chapter 2

Phyllis didn’t sleep well without Ted beside her. They had been apart in the past when Ted went on weekend fishing trips with the guys or to work-related conventions. But Phyllis knew he would always come home. Now, he would never walk through the door again.

Phyllis would deal with all the details on Monday