Lady Justice on the Dark Side (Volume 19) Read Online Free PDF Page A

front porch when Kevin McBride pulled up in front of the building.
        Kevin is Maggie’s brother --- actually, half-brother.
        Maggie hadn’t seen or heard from her brother for nearly fifty years, presuming him dead, until a few months ago when he showed up at our door out of the blue.
        He was dying of kidney failure and had come hoping his sister might be a compatible and willing donor. Maggie was willing, but not compatible and that opened the door that led to the discovery that Maggie’s mom had a secret lover who was actually Maggie’s father.
        Kevin’s disappearance was the result of being placed in the Witness Protection Program after testifying against a Kansas City mobster.
        He had been relocated to Phoenix, where he spent the better part of thirty years as a private investigator.
        It just so happened at that point in time, we were investigating an organ trader ring which had set up shop in Kansas City. Kevin’s unfortunate condition made him the perfect shill to lure the ringleader into the open.
        An unforeseen series of events brought Kevin the kidney he so badly needed. Thankfully, the operation was a success, because shortly after, Ox and I were framed for multiple murders in the King Tut case by a pair of corrupt cops. We were exonerated and the bad guys were brought to justice as the result of a clever sting operation orchestrated by Kevin.
        Kevin was brash, hard-nosed and unpredictable, but lovable just the same. In the months since his unexpected arrival, he had become part of our extended family.
        “Hey Bro, how’s that new hole in your kiester coming along?”
        “Still tender, but healing.”
        “Good to hear. I’m sorry I didn’t get to the hospital when you were laid up. I really meant to but ---.’
        “Not a problem. So what brings you by today?”
        “What?” he said with mock surprise. “Can’t a fellow just stop by to see how a brother is getting along?”
        “Some people might,” I said, grinning, “but not you. What’s on your mind?”
        “Okay, okay, you got me. I need a favor. Are you busy this afternoon?”
        “Gee, I don’t know. I’ll have to check my calendar.”
        “Cut the crap, Walt. I know you’re retired and if I know you, you’re already bored out of your mind.”
        “Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what kind of scheme you’re involved in now.”
        “All I need is a couple of hours of surveillance for a case I’m working on.”
        “Case! I didn’t know you were actually working cases. I’ll bet you don’t even have a P.I. license do you?”
        “Don’t need one. I haven’t set up an office anywhere or done any advertising. It’s just a word of mouth kind of thing. Think of it like a teenager who does a good job babysitting. Some parent needs a night out, so they call. Same with me. A guy heard I was in town so he called. It’s just a one-time thing.”
        “So who’s the guy?”
        “Dino Bonnaducci. He owns Kodiak Furs. Some of his high end stuff has been walking out the door and he hired me to find out who and how. I’ve been working the case a couple of weeks --- that’s why I didn’t get by the hospital --- and I’m pretty sure I’ve got this thing nailed down.”
        “Then why do you need me?”
        “I think another fur is going to be lifted this afternoon, but it’s from a warehouse with two rear exits. I can’t cover both of them. I need you to watch one exit while I watch the other.”
        “So what am I supposed to do if the perp comes out my door?”
        “Shoot him!”
        “WHAT!”
        “Relax,” he said, tossing me an Olympus SLR, “shoot him with this. Just snap a couple of shots of the scumbag with the goods. That’s all you have to do.”
        Since there really wasn’t anything else on my schedule for the rest of the day, I figured I might as