November marks the 5 year anniversary of To Leave a Shadow, the first of the Pete Stone novels by Michael D. Graves. Join us in celebrating by giving the gift of Pete Stone this holiday season.
Friday, April 30, 1937
I was awakened in the morning by clanging bars and voices clamoring for breakfast. I was stiff and sore. I wasn’t hungry, but I needed a cigarette and coffee more than my next breath. I didn’t have either, so I sat up and kept breathing. I heard footsteps followed by a voice. The voice belonged to Lieutenant McCormick. The bars slid back, and he came into the cell and stood over me.
“Jesus, Stone, you look like hell.”
“That makes sense. I feel like hell. It’s a package.”
A deputy was with Mac, standing a few paces behind him. I
sat up on the cot.
“Well, you’ve really screwed yourself this time, Stone,” Mac
said. “What the hell were you thinking? You’ve pissed off some pretty important
people. You’ll probably lose your license, and you may do some time.”
“Aren’t you the bearer of good news?” I said. “Have you got
a cigarette?”
He did, and he gave me one. I inhaled deeply.
“Anything else?” I said.
“Yeah, somebody named Veatch wants you put away. He’s some
big hotshot at Stearman Aircraft.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, I’ve met him,” I said.
Mac grinned.
“Well, that would explain why he hates you, I guess. You
need to work on your manners, Stone. What’s up with you? Why did you break into
one of their offices? I’ve got a night watchman who claims he caught you
red-handed. Veatch claims you were stealing top secret plans. Veatch says
you’re a threat to the security of the United States of America. I think I
agree with him. I know you’re a threat to Wichita. This has something to do
with that Hamilton suicide, doesn’t it?”
I nodded again. My head still hurt.
“I’m on to something, Mac. I don’t know what yet, but I’m on
to something. I followed one of Stearman’s engineers to that office, a guy who
works for Veatch. The guy also happened to be Hamilton’s best friend.”
“So you followed a guy? So what? Why does that give you the
right to commit B&E? You’re acting like a rookie, Stone. You ever hear of
getting a warrant?”
“A judge wouldn’t have given me a warrant. I have no
evidence. I’m working on a hunch.”
Mac shook his head in disgust.
“You and your hunches,” he said. “Well, you’ll have a chance
to explain it to the judge. Veatch is pressing charges. He wants your ass in a
sling. I think he’s got it, too. You’d better get a lawyer.”
“And in the meantime?”
“In the meantime,” Mac said, “you’ll post bond and be free
to go, but don’t leave town. Get a lawyer, stay close, and watch your step. If
you screw up again before your trial, you’ll be back in the slammer.”
“Thanks, Mac. I owe you.”
Mac grinned.
“You’re damn right you owe me. You can pay me back at
Christmas.”
I nodded. Christmas would be coming in the spring this year.
I left the police station and stood on the steps outside. I breathed in a
lungful of clean air. I walked down the steps to the sidewalk shaking the
stiffness out of my bones.
Fortunately, I was only a few blocks from where I’d parked
my car the night before. As I walked, I considered my situation, and it wasn’t good.
Mac was right. I had screwed up. I was in trouble. I was going to go to trial,
and since I was considered a threat to the security of the country, I would
probably lose my license and my livelihood.
I had a lot on my mind, but my head was too fuzzy to think
clearly. What I needed now was a shower, coffee, and breakfast, pretty much in
that order. I’d sort out the rest later.
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| To Leave a Shadow, by Michael D. Graves 2016 Kansas Notable Book |
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