[Lady Justice 13] - Lady Justice and the Assassin Read online

  REVIEWS

  No one can accuse author Robert Thornhill of not being relevant.

  Fast-paced and humorous, the reader will find himself racing through the pages to see how Walt and his friends once again bring down all the bad people and restore justice to their corner of the world.

  The newest mystery comedy in the Walt Williams series, Lady Justice and the Assassin, mixes the topical concerns of a still sluggish economy; the middle class being driven into poverty; and the perceived trampling of civil liberties, in particular those protected by the 2nd Amendment. The story combines the forces of two groups to hatch a plot to assassinate the president and vice-president.

  The man chosen for the task, normally a patriotic American who never even had a speeding ticket, is presented the opportunity to reclaim all his possessions and set his family onto the path of solvency by doing just one small task for the alliance: shoot the president. Will he do it? Additionally, Walt and his partner, Ox, deal with daily crime and life in Kansas City, MO., recruitment for members in a black gang and the strange shaving of pedigree dogs.

  The combination of these simultaneous cases makes for fun reading. This book has all the old stand-by characters that readers have come to love in the earlier editions. Christina Jones, Independence, MO.

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  The author, Robert Thornhill provides all the elements to enjoy when you pick up one of his books in the Lady Justice Mystery/Comedy series. You get to laugh and enjoy the mystery, excitement, and suspense as he draws you into the plot each and every time. In this one, you’ll be amazed how much you find yourself fighting for the underdog, Henry Martin.

  Yet, you are also able to empathize with how something like this could happen to someone in such desperate despair. In today’s economics, Henry Martin would not be the only one tempted by such a deal. Will his conscience save him? Lady Justice and the Assassin is about politics, prejudice and guns (the second amendment). The plot thickens as two organizations with different beliefs; the Aryan Brotherhood and the Ozark Militia, are plotting the assassination the President of the United States!

  The lengths they go to are unbelievable. Walt Williams is a classic old time cop, one who finds himself in the right place at the wrong time. You fall in love with his friends! They add the right amount of humor to the story to keep you turning the page. As this is going on, Walt and his partner are trying to keep a young boy from joining the neighborhood gang known as the ‘Vipers’. The boy has skills they need and Rashon, the gang leader, goes to serious lengths to persuade him to join. Once again, I found this book a good read and nice addition to the series. I can’t get enough of them and wait patiently for the next one to arrive!

  Mary Stanhope, Article Write Up.

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  Robert Thornhill hits it once again with controversial and serious topics.

  Walt's first assignment is to catch a person who is shaving the fur off of purebred dogs. He also has to save one of his friends as two opposing gangs are at war, and he faces one of his most challenging cases of his career: to protect the President of the United States. To Walt's surprise, he finds himself trying to stop an assassin who is determined to kill the president at any cost.

  Robert Thornhill is an author to watch. He knows how to blend humor and serious topics together to create the perfect all night read.

  Sheri Wilkinson, Princeton, IL.

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  What Readers Are Saying

  About The Lady Justice Series

  Look out Stephanie Plum! I think Walt and his gang are going to give you a run for the money. I think I enjoy Walt and his gang more than I do the Stephanie Plum series. Can't wait for the next book in the series. Thanks again Mr. Thornhill for such an awesome series! Gail, Novi, MI.

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  A humorous mystery novel that made me think of Janet Evanovich`s books. I had been immediately attracted to the book by the title and cover. The blurb made me know it was going to be an adventure with plenty of murder and mystery told in a light-hearted way. I love the "noir" type of book. Sherry, Pensacola, FL.

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  Robert Thornhill is my go to author for a mood elevation! This 12th book in the Lady Justice series has the same great blend of mystery, suspense and humor. The subject matter is current and thought provoking without being in your face. I love Walt and the gang! Heather, Neosho, Mo.

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  I love the mix of mystery with the humor. I highly recommend this book to every mystery lover and to anyone else who is thinking of reading something different for a change of pace. Linda, Waynesville, NC.

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  This book is a hoot to read! It is also refreshingly delightful to have an “elderly” hero!

  Annie, Saint Paul, MN.

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  A well-executed murder mystery that has the elements of a dark comedy - light reading with dark, eerie overtones. Amy, Indie Reader Review

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  I found it refreshing that the characters of the series are past middle age. The author showed that just because somebody is older they still are able to kick butt. Conny, Puyallup, WA.

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  Robert Thornhill is a great author and this is a great series! If you haven’t already discovered this author and this series, there’s no time like the present. You don’t know what you’re missing! Cathy, Rib Lake, WI.

  LADY JUSTICE

  AND THE

  ASSASSIN

  A Walt Williams

  Mystery/Comedy Novel

  ROBERT THORNHILL

  Lady Justice and the Assassin

  Copyright April, 2013 by Robert Thornhill

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, incidents and entities included in the story are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events and entities is entirely coincidental.

  Published in the United States of America

  Cover design by Peg Thornhill

  1. Fiction, Humorous

  2. Fiction, Mystery & Detective, General

  LADY JUSTICE AND THE ASSASSIN

  PROLOGUE

  In the dimly lit room, the president’s image filled the TV screen.

  “Real reform means fixing the legal immigration system to cut waiting periods and attract the highly skilled entrepreneurs and engineers that will help create jobs and grow our economy.

  "In other words, we know what needs to be done. And as we speak, bipartisan groups in both chambers are working diligently to draft a bill, and I applaud their efforts. So let's get this done. Send me a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the next few months, and I will sign it right away. America will be better for it.

  "I know this is not the first time this country has debated how to reduce gun violence, but this time is different. Overwhelming majorities of Americans -- Americans who believe in the Second Amendment -- have come together around common sense reform, like background checks that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on a gun.

  "Senators of both parties are w
orking together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals. Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets, because these police chiefs, they're tired of seeing their guys and gals being outgunned. Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress.”

  Brant Jaeger switched off the TV and slammed the remote against the wall. “Damn! There it is! This president is determined to make our country a socialist state. The number of people on the public dole increases every day. Hell, there’s just no incentive to work anymore. Why would someone bust his butt when Uncle Sam is willing to foot the bill?

  “If his immigration bill passes, it would instantly legalize eleven million illegal immigrants living here now.

  “Our country is already full of illegal aliens taking jobs away from Americans and now he wants to make it easier for immigrants to get into the country and become citizens. Did you know that in 1960, whites made up 85% of the population, but that figure has dropped to 64% and it is projected that by 2050, whites will be a minority in their OWN COUNTRY with 47% of the population?”

  Terrance Cobb’s reaction to this outburst was a mixture of amusement and concern. “Looks like your Aryan Revolution is fighting a losing battle.”

  “What about you and your Ozark Militia, Cobb?” Jaeger retorted. “If the King has his way, you’ll be handing over your AK-47’s before the year is over.”

  The glint of amusement in Cobb’s eyes turned to steely resolve.

  “Ever heard the statement, ‘I’ll give you my gun when you pry it from my cold, dead hands’? Well that’s not just rhetoric bullshit --- that’s our creed and it’s ingrained in every last man in my militia.”

  Jaeger narrowed his eyes. “Looks like we have something in common, Cobb. There’s another statement, ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend’. I never imagined that the Aryan Brotherhood would mingle with a bunch of scruffy hillbillies from the Ozarks, but it seems we have a common foe and it might be in our best interests to work together.”

  “And it never occurred to me that the militia would give the time of day to Nazi skin-heads, but I can see your point. What do you have in mind?”

  “I think that it’s obvious. The current administration is a cancer in our American way of life. It is weakening the fabric of our nation from within, and like any malignancy, it must be removed if the body is to survive.

  “The administration successfully fought off impeachment, so now, if our country is to prosper, it is time for more drastic measures!”

  CHAPTER 1

  A weary and disconsolate Henry Martin tossed the mail onto the table and slumped into a chair.

  Marsha Martin sensed that her husband’s search for employment had not been successful.

  After twelve years in the marketing department at Majestic Enterprises, Henry had been let go when the company relocated its manufacturing plant to Mexico. His unemployment benefit had expired and his daily forays into human resource offices throughout the city had yielded nothing. He had submitted his resume to dozens of firms online without so much as a response.

  Marsha sat beside him and took his hand. “No luck, sweetie?”

  Martin shook his head. “I just don’t get it. I can’t even get a job flipping burgers at Micky D’s. Some kid with a lip stud and an earring that can’t even make change correctly is behind the counter at the cash register. I have a MBA and twelve years on the job and they won’t even look at me because I’m ‘over qualified’. Something is VERY wrong with this country.”

  “Maybe tomorrow will be better. Somebody out there has to be looking for a man with your qualifications.”

  Martin picked up the mail and began thumbing through the envelopes.

  “Bills, bills and more bills. This one is marked ‘final notice’. It won’t be long before we’re hearing from the collection companies.”

  They heard the door slam shut and twelve-year-old Billy burst into the room.

  “Mom, Dad, look at this,” he said with excitement, handing them a form letter. “Tryouts for Pop Warner football are this weekend. Can I try out? Pleeeeease!”

  Martin looked at the form and the first thing that caught his eye was the enrollment fee --- $200.00.

  “I don’t think so, Son.”

  “But, Dad!”

  “You know how your mother and I feel about contact football.” The last thing he wanted to tell his son was that he couldn’t play because his dad was a failure. “Even NFL players are having second thoughts because of all the concussions and head injuries. We’ll talk about baseball in the spring.”

  Billy hung his head and slumped off to his room. “I never get to do anything!” he mumbled.

  Marsha saw the tears well up in her husband’s eyes. “Even if we could afford it, you were right. It’s just too dangerous.”

  “That’s not the point, is it?” he said, choking back his emotion. “It could have been anything --- music lessons, swimming --- and we still would have told him ‘no’. What kind of dad am I?”

  “You’re the best dad any boy could ever want. We’re just going through a rough patch. We’ll make it --- somehow.”

  Henry picked up another letter. “Marcus-Pinkerton Law Firm. This can’t be good.”

  He tore open the envelope and Marsha could see from the anguish on her husband’s face that it was not good news.

  Henry tossed the letter onto the table. “I didn’t think it could get any worse, but there it is.”

  “What now?”

  “The mortgage company said they would work with us, but apparently they’ve had a change of heart. This is a foreclosure notice. Our home will be sold on the courthouse steps in sixty days unless we can pay the note off in full. We’re going to be homeless.”

  Marsha had tried to put on a brave front for her husband, but this latest blow was more than she could bear. She fell into Henry’s arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

  He held her close. He wanted to cry with her, but all he could feel was emptiness. The shock had drained him of all emotion.

  When Marsha’s sobs had subsided, he held her at arm’s length.

  “You have to go --- you and Billy.”

  “What are you talking about? Go where? We can’t leave you. We won’t!”

  “Call your parents. They have plenty of room in their basement for the two of you.”

  “But ---!”

  “Think about it, Marsha. Think about Billy. I don’t want him seeing the only home he has ever known taken from us. There are other families out there living in their cars. I don’t want that for the two of you. He won’t even have to change schools. I know your parents will help.”

  “But what will you do?”

  “I’ll stay here as long as I can. I have sixty days to do something with all of the stuff that we’ve accumulated over the years. I’ll sell what we don’t absolutely have to have and use the money to rent a storage shed for what we want to keep. I’ll keep looking for work. Maybe something will turn up. I’ll come by to see you every day. I promise.”

  “There must be some other way ---!”

  “Marsha, I need for you to be brave. You said it yourself --- we’re going through a rough patch, but if you stick with me, we’ll make it through all of this.”

  “I promised I would be your wife for better or for worse. I guess this is the worse part. Just tell me what I need to do.”

  “That’s my girl. We’ll figure this out somehow. After all, this is America, the land of opportunity. I just know that something will come along.”

  CHAPTER 2

  My name is Walt Williams. I’m a sixty-nine-year-old cop and just happy to be alive.

  For the second time in less than a year, I was nearly blown to bits by a Mexican drug cartel’s grenade launcher. Miraculously, I escaped both times, most recently because of the sacrifice of two old gentlemen from the Whispering Hills Retirement Village.

  My partner, Ox, and I are just regular beat co
ps. We’re supposed to do simple stuff like serving warrants, crowd control and the occasional domestic disturbance, but somehow, the fickle finger of fate has poked us into cases way above our pay grade.

  With the demise of Hector Corazon and his fellow druggies, we were happy to be back on our regular beat, which on most morning includes a stop at Dunkin Donuts or Krispy Kreme. This morning was no exception.

  Ox has a sweet tooth and apparently a hollow leg as well. He can pack a lot of groceries into his 6’2”, two hundred and twenty pound body.

  The box that he carried out of the shop was large enough to hold a half dozen of the tasty treats.

  “Cream-filled as usual?” I inquired as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

  “Nope. I’m living dangerously today. Thought I’d change things up --- went with powdered sugar --- you know --- like the little mini-donuts that come six in a package from the grocery store --- only these suckers are full sized! They smell great!” he said opening the box and taking a big sniff.

  Unlike icing which clings to the pastry like glue, powdered sugar is susceptible to the slightest breeze. I winced as I watched him inhale a snootful of the white confection.

  He realized immediately that he had made a tactical error. His eyes grew wide as he felt the sugar fill his sinuses.

  We both knew what was coming but we were powerless to stop it.

  I turned away just as the sneeze exploded from his lungs. Unfortunately, the force of the blast was directed into the open box on his lap.

  Powdered sugar spewed into the air, filling the cruiser like snowfall on a winter’s day. Our blue uniforms, fresh from the cleaners, were now ghastly pale.