The Park Bench

By George Hughes

Jeff dialed Paul’s personal cell number. Paul, it’s Jeff. I’m good. How are you great? Paul, can you get back down here to Hampton to trail Mrs. Williamson and her friend. I need to know more about what they are doing down here and how much they time they spending together. Also, I need to know more about who her friend is. Paul said I’ll take care of it. Thanks Paul, call me end of next week and we will get together in Richmond to discuss your report. Have a safe trip and get me the full pedigree on this guy Jeff replied to Paul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823002929

George Hughes

George Jasper Hughes Jr. the six of eight children birth by George Hughes Sr., and Cora Hughes, born in a coal mining camp in West Virginia, JULY 20, 1938. He enjoyed his young life as child growing up in the coal camp, especially, with other neighborhood kids, looking for adventures traversing the hilly woods surrounding the community. He was too young to comprehend the conditions living in poverty. He was a teenager when his parents relocated the family to Ohio, where he had difficulties with acclamation changes to big city life… resulting in sociological disorders, he became a quiet, shy, bashful teenager…contrarily, though, physically, he became a star athlete, and, participated and excelled in all of Jessup W. Scott’s high school’ sports, in Toledo, Ohio. At nineteen, he was introduced to alcohol for the first time …he begin to like the feeling of confidence and the feelings of mental euphoria the alcohol affected upon his mentality, eventually, resulting in alcoholism. His three marriages ended in divorce….four biological and three step children by first marriage. George has been in sobriety for over forty years and has established a successful life as a writer, and author of his second book, and an established artist in oil painting. His second book;” Mom and Dad”, contains chapters expressing his opinions and beliefs about Family unity, social and political issues.

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© 2023 George Hughes. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse  10/24/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0280-6 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0281-3 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0292-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023904327

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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1

I t was a beautiful fall evening in Hampton, Virginia. Jeffery Davidson is sitting at a massive bar in the middle of a British pub having a drink, waiting to see if his target will show up. Jeffery Davidson is a retired NYPD detective, who retired because of a false accusation of bribery. The case proven to be false and charges dismissed, but he couldn’t take the pressure of his coworkers displaying a lack of trust in him. So, he did the best thing he could do. He retired with self-respect, and leave for a new life. Jeff bought a delightful piece of land in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Jeffery divorced the year prior to his retiring. His wife couldn’t take the publicity and the investigation. Although, he felt she had wanted to leave before then because of his life as a cop. Jeff dedicated his life to his work and the justice system. Jeff now works for an insurance company investigating insurance claims. He has a handsome salary, expense account and a company vehicle. This is something he never had as a detective, and he considers this to be a great beginning to his new life. His home office is in Alexandria, Virginia, but works mostly from home, an additional office in Waynesboro, Virginia, and being on the road. He has a personal assistant that he checks in with at the Waynesboro office. Kimberly Alexander works long hours doing research and keeping Jeff’s schedule for him.

Jeff was on his second single malt and ordered dinner. He ordered fish and chips because the server and suggestions by others around him that were eating the same suggested it and it looked good. Jeff is investigating a life insurance claim for five million dollars for his insurance company, but it’s not out of the ordinary for him to be working several cases at one time. His target is this beautiful brunette with a very athletic figure. They found her late husband, John Robert Williamson, with a bullet in his head on a bench in a park in Richmond. Police investigated and deemed it a murder, a robbery gone wrong. Police couldn’t identify the victim at first since no wallet was on the body. His watch, ring, and what appeared to be a necklace were missing. The coroner saw an abrasion around his neck as if someone ripped a necklace off his neck in the robbery. The police investigation is still ongoing and the widow’s wife has filed for the insurance money.

Jeff is waiting to observe the widow of the deceased. Jeff had hired a private investigator to track her down and follow her for a while. She had appeared at this restaurant seven times in the past two weeks and he wants to know who she is with and her behavior. Her husband killed only three months ago and the insurance company was stalling on payment since the police investigation was still ongoing. Jeff had investigated thirty days ago, and some things were bugging him about the murder scene.

In walked the widow and Jeff was alert while he enjoyed his fish and chips. The server approached and asked how his meal was. Jeff said it delicious, can I get another single malt scotch and a glass of water please trying to extend his time to watch her. He couldn’t believe how attractive she was. She was sitting in a booth across from the bar, and he had a perfect view. She ordered a cocktail and then a very handsome man came in and kissed her, then sat down next to her. Jeff thought this was interesting and kept watching, making mental notes. As Jeff observed the couple and their actions, he noticed they were extremely close to one another and the way they were rubbing each other, he assumed that they have been with each other for a while. Jeff called the bartender over and asked, have you seen that couple in here before? I feel like I have seen them in here several times? The bartender replied, oh yeah, I don’t know their names, but she leaves very generous tips. Okay, thanks, can I get my bill please? Jeff paid his bill and waited outside in his vehicle to see where they go. While Jeff waited, he called his investigator to fill him in and to have him get involved more. Jeff’s assumption is not a good one and needs more information.

Jeff had hired Paul Moore two months ago, about one month after Jeff was being assigned the case. Both Paul and Jeff have known each other for about ten years since serving with him on the NYPD force as police officer. He left the force after being run down by a drug dealer in Brooklyn. He sustained a few cuts, bruises, and a broken leg. Paul felt he was being targeted after his hit-and-run driver got arrested. It turned out to be a junior member of a gang who thought he was being watched. Two people were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Jeff dialed Paul’s personal cell number. Paul, it’s Jeff. I’m good. How are you? Great! Paul, can you get back down here to Hampton to trail Mrs. Williamson and her friend. I need to know more about what they are doing down here and how much time they are spending together. Also, I need to know more about who her friend is. Paul said I’ll take care of it. Thanks Paul, call me end of next week and we will get together in Richmond to discuss your report. Have a safe trip and get me the full pedigree on this guy Jeff replied to Paul.

They finally came out of the restaurant an hour and a half later, but didn’t get in a vehicle to leave. They walked down through the shops and gaze through the windows. Jeff called it a night and head back to Crozet, since Paul would trail them for the next week. He was looking forward to spending the weekend at home to regroup and relax for a couple of days. He pulled into his long driveway and looked at the house that he had built on the hill overlooking his land. Never realizing how much light the flood lights put off until now. He pulled into his garage and headed into his house. Jeff grabbed a scotch and sat in his recliner to help him unwind from the drive. It was 2:30 a.m., and he felt this arm come from behind him with a soft hand caressing his chest and then a kiss softly on his cheek. Hello honey, sorry I woke you. Jeff told his girlfriend, Jenifer. She had been living with him for the past three months. They met in the winery outside of Charlottesville. She is a sixth-grade teacher in a private school in downtown Charlottesville. Jenifer smiled and said, you didn’t wake me but Malcom did. Malcom is their German shepherd who is very loyal to Jenifer. Come to bed, babe, she said.

Jeff awoke to Jenifer lying beside him with the sun coming through the windows. Since he was awake, Malcom came around to his side and pawed his hand, letting him know he needed to go out. Jeff kissed Jenifer softly on her forehead and another paw from Malcom. Jeff got up and put his robe on, then his slippers. He opened the door and Malcom ran off the porch. Jeff went into the kitchen to make coffee and came back to check on Malcom. He was already on the porch looking out at the land, watching birds and squirrels. Jeff came back out with a cup of coffee and really enjoying the fall on this land. The color of the leaves and crispness of the air, it was one of his favorite seasons. He finished his first cup of coffee and told Malcom to come inside. Jeff grabbed another cup of coffee and an additional cup to take to Jenifer. Jeff walked softly into the bedroom and observed Jenifer still sleeping. He set the coffee on the night stand and sat down on the edge of the bed, leaned over and kissed Jenifer awake. She smiled and said sleepily, good morning. He kissed her softly on her lips. Good morning to you too. Did you sleep well? Yes, I did, when you finally got home. Here’s a cup to help you wake up. Thank you! I’m going to get in the shower and wanted to see if you wanted to join me? I’d like to take you to breakfast in town and then we are going to go to the winery this afternoon for a tasting. Are you still up for that? Jenifer smiled and said yes. Of course, I’d like to take a shower with you. Jenifer put the cup down and grabbed Jeff’s hand to lead him to the bathroom. Jenifer untied Jeff’s robe and reached in, put her arms around him, and kissed his neck. Then she removed the robe and undressed Jeff. Jeff had no clothing to remove from Jenifer because she slept nude. Jeff and Jenifer stepped into the huge tiled shower and began caressing one another and made love in the shower. After their shower, they got dressed and took Malcom with them to breakfast in town. It was a beautiful, cloudless day. The air was crisp, and the drive was relaxing. Jeff pulled into his favorite little bakery just outside the University in Charlottesville. They had the best popovers and French toast. Jeff got out of the car and noticed a shining black BMW with blacked-out windows. He thought that was odd, considering that the windows were tinted dark. They went inside the bakery and the owner spotted Jeff and Jenifer. She came over and gave them a hug and told them how good it was to see them. Jeff said are there any tables open on the terrace? I’ve got Malcom with us. The restaurant allowed dogs with owners on the outside. She led them over to a nice table by the front window outside and turned the space heaters on to keep the chill off. Jeff pulled the chair out for Jenifer and took his seat. Marie, the owner, said Cassy will be over soon to get your order. Can I get you some coffee or juice? Jeff said coffee will be great! Marie brought back two cups and set them down. So, what are your plans for today? Jeff smiled and replied, Well, we are going to enjoy a substantial breakfast as usual, but we are going up to the winery today and grab lunch up on the mountain. Marie said now that sounds like fun. Marie left and Cassy came over to get their order. Jeff and Jenifer enjoyed a Marie Special breakfast with French Toast and a side of local made maple syrup with three eggs sunny side up, homemade hash browns and the hot popovers that just melts in your mouth with maple butter with a fresh cup of hot coffee. Feeling satisfied, and paid the bill. They left for a bookstore down the street to check out the new books that had just come out before getting on the road to go to the winery.

Jeff started driving out of Charlottesville to a winery in Nellysford, Virginia, about forty minutes from Charlottesville. Jenifer wanted to stop off at an apple orchard on the way up to pick up some fresh fruit. Jeff and Jenifer grabbed some apples and pears. They let Malcom stretch his legs and walked through the orchard. On the way back to the car, Jeff noticed the black BMW went by on the highway. It wasn’t strange for the same people to be doing the winery tour on the weekend. Jeff and Jenifer loaded Malcom up and got back on the road to the winery.

They pulled up to the Winery and parked. Jeff wanted to see if pets were allowed before bringing in Malcom. They said sure if they are friendly. Jeff assured them Malcom is friendly. Jeff opened Jennifer’s door and let her out and then got Malcom out. They went inside to get a wine tasting and check out this winery. It was a beautiful winery with a big porch with tables. They sampled several wines and then bought a couple of bottles of