Prisoners of Paris: Adventures of Ben and Bob

By Bob Haider

In this novelette Ben and Bob travel to Paris where their assignment culminates in a confrontation---in the Realm of the Dead!  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 Ben and Bob in their next adventure as they travel to Paris…their next exciting experience---and yours---is only a CLICK away…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bob Haider
• Release date: Dec 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223914686

Bob Haider

The Game Begins is Bob's third novel having also written Pictures on the Wall, his initial novel on political courage, and Whispers in the Night about retribution on a criminal empire.  Additionally, he is the author of numerous short stories including The Adventures of Ben & Bob series…the exploits of two modern day knights as they crisscross the globe confronting intrigue and danger in their fight against crime. 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 contributions to this piece.

Prologue

Joseph, a short but well-built man, scowled as he exited a building on the rue Remy Dumoncel in Paris.  He hoped no one had seen him and that he would make a clean getaway as he headed west on foot.

Scarred from a childhood bout with chickenpox, his pockmarked face along with dark, angry eyes above a black mustache gave him a sinister appearance.  He didn’t mind though; he didn’t feel self-conscious about his appearance.  In fact, he used his menacing features to his advantage over the years.  His looks intimidated people.  That is exactly as he wanted it as he struck fear in his subordinates.

But now all he wanted was to blend in with the crowd.  His small frame of five feet seven inches was an asset and assured him he would not stand out.  That is what he hoped for most.  For the moment that is what he wanted more than anything else...anonymity.

Joseph turned left at Avenue du Général Leclerc and headed for the nearest Metro station, which in Paris is never more than a few blocks away.  The Paris metro system has 131 miles of track which move into and out of three hundred strategically placed stations and the transit system is easily understood by Parisians and non-French speaking tourists alike.  It is a model of efficient city transit as the various lines are color-coded and numbered, and they’re named according to the last stop at the end of each particular line.

When Joseph arrived at the Alésia Metro station, he waited less than two minutes for the next train to arrive.  Joseph boarded and surmised if the felony was discovered even in the next few seconds, he would be well away from the crime scene.  As Joseph took a seat, his scowl now evolved into a supreme smirk as he believed it would be extremely remote that he’d ever be caught.

Chapter 1

Wow! Bob exclaimed, as he looked out the window of the airplane.  At this height the Eiffel Tower looks small enough to wear on a key chain!

Ben glanced over Bob’s shoulder as the plane descended on its approach to Charles de Gaulle Airport.  Yeah, nothing beats seeing Paris with my former college roommate, said Ben sarcastically.

With an upturned eyebrow Bob turned toward his partner, but didn’t comment.

Seated next to you for seven hours on an airplane, well, I just thank God you have more control over your flatulence than you did in college, said Ben.

Hey, you’re not exactly my first choice in the city of lights either, you know!

Well, you won’t have to worry about it for long!  You meet a woman in every city you visit.

Bob nodded and smiled widely.  Yeah, yeah, I think I’ll hit the Moulin Rouge when we land.

Ben winced.  Actually, that’s in a rather seedy neighborhood.

Yeah, I know, Bob nodded, as he smiled widely.

Ben shook his head.  Maybe later, partner.  Time change...it’s now eleven o’clock in the morning in Paris.  Besides, we’ve got work to do...we’re on assignment.

We’re always on assignment; the only time we travel together is when we’re on the job.

True enough, Ben agreed.

What is the assignment by the way?" Bob asked.

"I was wondering when you’d get