Beware Sundown: Adventures of Ben and Bob

By Bob Haider

In this novelette Ben and Bob are hired to find a valuable, long lost family coat of arms linked to an immense Napoleonic treasure, but they are unaware of what occurs when the sun goes down in one of the most mysterious cities on earth.  Ben is an entrepreneur whose knowledge, success and insight are sought worldwide.  Bob, published in many scientific journals, is a renowned inventor with numerous patents and winner of The Noble Prize in Physics.  Together, Ben and Bob form SWAMP---Strategies with a Meaningful Purpose---and team their skills to combat a menacing threat or solve an age-old mystery.  Follow the exploits of these two modern day knights as they crisscross the globe confronting intrigue and danger while exhibiting extraordinary physical ability.  After reading one, you will want to read another and another…until you have read them all.  Join the duo in their adventure as they travel to New Orleans…their next exciting experience---and yours---is only a CLICK away.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Haider
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223905547

Bob Haider

In addition to Brothers and the short stories, Tree of Life, Bob has authored the Ben & Bob adventure series, as well as full-length novels Pictures on the Wall, his initial novel on political courage, Whispers in the Night about revenge on a criminal empire and The Game Begins about an elusive serial killer. Raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, Bob is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and lives in Glenview, Illinois with his long-time companion, Mary Ellen.

Book preview

My grateful acknowledgement is extended to my dear friend Ben Cusomato for his inspiration and contributions to this piece.

Chapter 1

As the plane descended toward Stockholm, Bob gazed out the window and observed the tiny islands below.  Stockholm is built on fourteen islands and is often referred to as Venice of the North.  Venice is considered by many to be the world’s most romantic city connected by a series of narrow, intimate, serene canals with small pedestrian bridges.  Stockholm’s islands are dispersed amongst much larger waterways and more expansive bridges that accommodate automobile traffic.  Nevertheless, Stockholm is breathtakingly picturesque.

As Bob exited the terminal Ben spotted him, and approached, You look terrible!

Yeah, tell me about it, said Bob.

Though he lived in Rome nowadays, Bob had been vacationing in his home town of Chicago when he received the call from Ben.

I didn’t have a direct flight from Chicago and the plane was late taking off, Bob complained.  We sat on the tarmac for three hours before we got airborne! he yelled, as he looked at his watch, and added, I left Chicago fifteen hours ago!  And you know I can’t sleep on planes!

I’ve told you before you could sleep on planes if you took some pharmaceuticals.

Oh, don’t start! Bob said wearily.  I just want to get to the hotel, get under a hot shower and then go to bed.

No can do, partner.  We’re going to the hotel all right, but you won’t have time to take a shower because we’re late, Ben explained.  The meet I scheduled should have begun ten minutes ago.

Oh, that’s just great!

Come on, I’ve got a rental, said Ben, as he glanced again at his partner, saw how truly weary he was from the trip, and added, You should have arrived a few days earlier like I did, said Ben.

Hmm, Bob deadpanned, as his shoulders slumped.  Thanks for pointing that out.

Ben got behind the wheel while Bob flipped his overnight bag into the back seat as he fell exhausted into the passenger’s seat.

Seeing how fatigued Bob was, and knowing how Bob’s mind malfunctioned from a lack of sleep, Ben thought he might have a little fun at his partner’s expense.

I’ve been learning a bit about Reykjavik, Iceland since I arrived, said Ben.

Hmm, Bob moaned.

We’re on the southwestern edge of Iceland near Faxafloi Bay.

Bob closed his eyes.

Did you know that Reykjavik is on the same latitude as Nome, Alaska?

Hmm, Bob sighed, as he leaned his head against the window.

Yeah, but Reykjavik’s temperature is moderated by the warmth of the Gulf Stream.  We’re about 1400 miles north of New York City but it doesn’t get all that cold here in the winter.

Bob exhaled as he felt himself beginning to drift off.

So, the name, Iceland, is really a bit of a misnomer, Ben commented.

Bob moved his head from against the window and instead leaned his head back against the headrest now, as he simultaneously lowered the seat.

Suddenly, Bob snapped the seat to the upright position, and responded.  What?  What temperature?  We’re north of what?  What the hell are we doing in Iceland? he said in a panicked voice.  I booked a flight to Stockholm!

Then Bob realized what Ben was doing.

Bob paused.  Rather than engaging his partner, he attempted to cover by feigning detached indifference.  He again nestled his head upon the headrest and closed his eyes without letting on that Ben got to him but he’d already shouted and bolted upright.  Soon Bob drifted into the limbo—-somewhere between a sound sleep and consciousness.

When Ben pulled the car into the hotel arrival area, he screeched to stop.

Bob was abruptly jarred forward engaging the shoulder harness which held him in securely in place.

Sorry, partner, said Ben, but like I said, we’re late, as he pulled on the emergency break.

Bob didn’t stir.

Ben got out, walked around to the passenger’s side, grabbed Bob’s overnight bag from the back seat, and then opened Bob’s door.

Bob’s head was now resting against the window, and if he hadn’t had his shoulder harness in place he would have fallen out of the car.

Ben tapped Bob’s cheeks several times, and as he did so, he commented, "How does someone who can’t sleep on a plane, doze off so easily in an