I walked on the cooling sand toward the Trestles railroad bridge, my mind clearing the web of fear the faux Claymore had brought down upon me. My thoughts were drawn back to a lesser fear. Richard. If Richard was the operative who had disposed of the troublesome Marines it meant that he was an analytically driven killer, and that made him dangerous to anyone who might be considered a threat. So far, in having Kennedy assassination evidence dumped in my lap I’d already become a bit jaded in my former belief that the U.S. government didn’t involve itself in directed assassinations, and if it did then certainly not back home within the confines of the USA. Richard might just be the kind of efficient and terminal tool who could be directed against me or any of the people I loved or cared about if I made a wrong move. My leadership in the A Shau brutally taught me that I have plenty of capability to make wrong moves that could have tragic effects.
I walked back to the Bronco. Gularte stood at the driver’s door, smoking a cigarette and staring up at the dull light radiating out from the lone window located under the triangle of white stucco up near the very peak of the home. Everyone working at the compound knew about that window and how light burned out from it many hours of the night, almost every night. It was the room that the president used to do his writing, and he wrote a lot.
FUBAR
A Maryknoll Nun in Honolulu is the first human I heard use that expression.
When I found out later what it meant I was blown away….
Thanks for using it here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Mystery solved. I thought I had it, you confirmed it. Couldn’t be Richard, too new, no knowledge of earlier details reported. Certainly not the young lady at the pier cafe. Your new subordinates are just that, new. Hoodoo? Although he must have been in the background, he does not really emerge here until the dead Marines investigation. There he seems to blow you off until he sees that you intend to keep digging. Then, possibly some respect. Gularte? No, he seems to respect you as a peer, combat survivors, yet NCO to officer. The Chief has kept too much distance between the two of you. He started out apathetic towards you even though his department got a new Bronco in the deal. Seems that by now he is satisfied with you taking the beach off of his hands, while still concerned you could cost him his department and his job. Now Pat… friendly, knowledgeable, willing to give you a nudge as well as quiet cautions. She sits right in the middle of the affair. Pretty much knows what the chief knows. Sitting in the center of communications. Urging you to check out (quietly) the dead Marines and the yacht. Referring the friendly, yet questionable Richard. Had to be her.
Now if I could just figure out how the rest of the loose threads tie together. Like I’ve said before Lt., you write a good mystery. Just glad the key character isn’t wearing gumshoes.
Thanks Rick for the lengthy and most interesting comment. Not to mention the fact that I’m a pretty good mystery writer when I”ve never really
tried to write one. Just threads all coming from everywhere and weaving together, except where they don’t.
Thanks again for putting so much of you up here for everyone to read.
Semper fi,
Jim
Do not see how to buy and advanced copy of Cowardly Lion Book 2
Send a check made out to James Strauss, 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147 and you will go on the list
for first copy (there are 14 on the list right now and growing). The book will be signed or inscribed as you
desire. Thanks for the question and on next week’s chapter I’ll be sure to be more clear on how to get on the list
(thereby getting early copy and saving ten dollars). Thanks for the question and the help.
Semper fi,
Jim
I read the chapters as they come out so I don’t need to buy the book but I will make a donation if you’ll send me your information. When I read a book, I give it to someone else to read. I never read them again other than my bible.
Dear Johnny:
Can’t thank you enough, and this self publishing business isn’t what its’ cracked up to be!
Maybe Hollywood will buy in eventually but they are undependable as hell. Thanks for the compliment and any
contribution. I’m Jim Strauss at 507 Broad Street, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147 and my email for PayPal
is antaresproducitons@gmail.com…
Semper fi,
and so much thanks for being kind and caring on here.
Jim
Jim, Sir, LT,
Mystery solved as to who the mole was.
And now June Cobb gets dropped in your lap!
And once again your cliffhanger ending tantalizing your readers to b at full alert.
Just like having a piece of meat on a string that you pull in front of a dog to maximize his interest.
Thanks for this ever so interesting new chapter.
I hope you will have the next episode up tomorrow to quickly satisfy and assuage my salivary glands.
Bow wow!
Thank you Walter for the running compliment.
I guess you are not the only one, or the other’s on here who make regular comments.
Hollywood is apparently finally interested in the first book of the Cowardly series
although I have such a jaded understanding of that industry I will hold my celebrations
to a total minimum! I am on Chapter XXXIV right this minute…
Semper fi,
Jim
Hollywood’s interest is positive news!
Thumbs up.
Wouldn’t that be something Walter? After all this time….
Thanks for the attaboy….
Semper fi,
Jim
Pat? Never saw that coming. Next, fasten your seatbelt, return your tray to the upright position and prepare for take off. This was one of the most awesome chapters yet. You lived a wild and crazy life sir!! Semper fi
Bob, the wild and crazy life isn’t over yet.
Hollywood is apparently about to make an offer on the first book of the Cowardly series.
I am going to hold fast about being a big part of the heart and soul of the production
if the money ends up being brought forth.
Thanks of the great compliment about my writing and me in general.
Much appreciated,
Semper fi,
Jim
You sure got into some, um, “interesting” situations, Jim! Surprised that you made it through all of them.
And you sure have the back of your friends. I predict that Mike is well on hiss way to becoming a large asset to the community.
That Agent Orange crap seems to be advancing it’s effects on my body a lot faster now. Really getting nasty.
I am so sorry about your physical condition Craig. So many have paid such a price for the indiscriminate
use of that crap. Still shiver at the thought of back there when it just flowed down from the jungle
canopy and all over us below. Thanks for the compliment and the continued reading and commenting.
Semper fi,
Jim
I missed this three times…
How is it that banks run my credit not when I’m giving them money, but taking if from them?”
“it” instead of “if”
How is it that banks run my credit not when I’m giving them money, but taking it from them?”
Hard to believe that you miss anything even once! Thanks so much for the help.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Jim,
I’d like to pick mine up in person. Will be in Lake Geneva late July. Have to check with headquarters for the exact date. Will spend the night, and let you know when I know, to make an appointment. Lived there back when you were in the s**t.
Semper Fi 🇺🇸
080546
Thanks Troy, and I will stand by to greet and spend some time with you here.
I’ll be sure to have some copies on hand.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, There are so many questions to ask Pat. We shall see. Now June Cobb – could you be on the same team or are you adversaries? Interesting that the sergeant wanted you along. He probably knows more that he is admitting. This should prove interesting.
Julie in kindergarten? I thought she was about 3 year old. Time flies.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
faux Claymore had descended down upon me
Maybe “brought” instead of “descended”
faux Claymore had brought down upon me
ceaseless pounding the nearby surf on hard sand
Add “of” before “the”
Maybe add “the” before “hard”
ceaseless pounding of the nearby surf on the hard sand
thinking about the man and how he covered the way he held himself, walked or even dressed
“covered” seems a bit vague. Maybe “veiled” or “disguised”
thinking about the man and how he veiled the way he held himself, walked or even dressed
March 12th, the day the gathering would be held on.
“on” is extra
March 12th, the day the gathering would be held.
park the car at the early hour right in front of Galloway’s
Maybe “that” instead of “the”
park the car at that early hour right in front of Galloway’s
Tom remained in the back room where the single slab of a gas-powered flat top gridle accompanied by a set of burners located off to one side.
griddle instead of gridle
Maybe add “was located” after “griddle”
Or “manning” instead of “where”
Tom remained in the back room where the single slab of a gas-powered flat top griddle was located accompanied by a set of burners located off to one side.
OR
Tom remained in the back room manning the single slab of a gas-powered flat top griddle accompanied by a set of burners located off to one side.
when I’m giving them money, not taking if from them?
Seems this is end of Mike’s part of conversation. End quote
when I’m giving them money, not taking if from them?”
Also seems flipped. Maybe:
How is it that banks run my credit not when I’m giving them money, but taking if from them?”
My bank is down at the corner. You have to have a business account to accept credit cards and cash checks. After we’re done here you’ll have a business account in less than half an hour.”
This seems to be James speaking. Maybe begin with I replied, ”
I replied, “My bank is down at the corner. You have to have a business account to accept credit cards and cash checks. After we’re done here you’ll have a business account in less than half an hour.”
even though she hadn’t referred Mike for an appointment
In chapter 29 we read: “You have a luncheon appointment with a former Marine officer who owns a new business on Del Mar,” Lorraine, from the restaurant, said. Eleven-thirty and don’t be late,”
Maybe change to”
even though the original appointment had been a bust.
Lieutenant Gates Marauder
Possessive for “Gates” add apostrophe
Lieutenant Gates’ Marauder
Not for the Chief, not for me and not for the you and Dwarfs either
Move “the” before “you” to before “Dwarfs”
Not for the Chief, not for me and not for you and the Dwarfs either
the president was the one that had launched me
Maybe “who” instead of “that”
the president was the one who had launched me
Was it possible that someone in as lowly position as Pat
Maybe add “a” before “position”
Was it possible that someone in as lowly a position as Pat
It’s been such great fun though and I don’t have much great fun in my life.”
Open quotes
“It’s been such great fun though and I don’t have much great fun in my life.”
I’m not the only connection to these people were sitting near the middle of.
“we’re” instead of “were”
I’m not the only connection to these people we’re sitting near the middle of.
“Tom’s not your normal banker I replied,
Add comma and end quote
“Tom’s not your normal banker,” I replied,
“Why’d you got to his place for that?”
Maybe change to:
“Why aren’t you going to his place for that?”
Blessings & Be Well
Thanks a million Dan…could not make it without you….
Semper fi, and all the changes have been made.
Jim
Funny, my main thought was how all this had happened since we left from Linn for home! “Based on true events” is much more intriguing than imagined…..
Thanks Homan, I think…
“Based upon true events” is always disputable in our world today.
I have done the best I can to make this story as close to the reality of what went down in those times but can well understand, from the rather not believable other events I’ve reported on through the years in my life, that credibility has become ever more difficult as the communications systems we all use have become ever more sophisticated and yes, pervasive.
Thanks for the depth of thought behind the short comment.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
The swirling sands get deeper!!
You could not be more accurate in coming to that conclusion.
Thanks for laying it down on this site.
Semper fi,
Jim
Look for things in [brackets]
Lorraine almost ‘floated’ by, casually and smoothly setting a steaming cup of coffee on the table, not [toO] close but not too far away either. The coffee was cream colored because Lorraine knew how I took it. She also knew I’d eat nothing unless I called her over to order it. I sipped the coffee carefully. The amount of sugar she’d used was just right. Tom remained in the back room where the single slab of a gas-powered flat top [gridDle] accompanied by a set of burners located off to one side.
I didn’t mention that I needed to get Mike an account for the insurance withdrawals. Mike’s policy would validate my contract with Mass Mutual for the whole month as Mass would count the whole first year commission, not just a month of it. A hundred and eighty dollars, along with the other two policies I’d sold, meant that I didn’t have to worry through [about? with?] all the other stuff I was involved with.
I wanted to catch Pat in her office and then draw her away for a straight talk. Richard might be the heat and a plant but Pat had to be the major mole in our Dwarf outfit. She wasn’t [missing a or the] mole for herself but for the Chief.
Pat’s car was in its usual slot but so was Lieutenant Gates[‘] Marauder.
I jumped in the Volks and followed her. She drove straight down to South Ola Vista and then headed south on it until both of us reached El Presidio, which surprised me. El Presidio [led not lead] past Concordia grade school where my daughter was enrolled in kindergarten.
I wondered immediately whether the man was simply making new friends or sincerely concerned about somebody we were picking up. I hadn’t brought a [hand+gun] because it didn’t seem fitting, and I noted that the sergeant was not strapped into one either.
“Women, we [aRe] picking up two women,” he said, and I thought it would be more entertaining for them if we talked the whole way.
We made small talk after that, about San Onofre and why a presidential vacation home, whether it was called a ‘home of the Western White House’ or not wasn’t possibly the safest place to stick the nation’s leader. The sergeant had [no instead of not] better explanation than I could come up with.
The sergeant got into the car and we were off once more. I was relieved, as it was going to be a [simple not simply] pick-up and drop off.
Corrections all received, accepted, considered and then made! Thanks so much for the help in getting this
out in one legible document!
Semper fi,
Jim
chief’s job than here* own, although I wasn’t certain (*her)
“Women, we ae* picking up two (are*)
The sergeant had not* better (*no)
Funny that I had sort of figured Pat was more than she seemed to be on the surface..
Will the party actually take place now ? Hmmm…
Keep it coming James 🙂
SEMPER Fi
Thanks for the help Sgt Bob, and I will definitely keep them coming.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow….
Laconic reply but meaningful. Thanks so much Charley…
Semper fi,
Jim