An excerpt from the first draft of my latest Yale Larsson Private Investigator novel.
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At the Big Bucks, we had coffee and bagels. When I told Perkowski Keith was going into the belly of the beast, he fitted a wire to my friend, and gave me a portable recorder with ear buds.
“You’ll be close at hand in case it goes wonky?” Perkowski said.
Keith grinned and said, “Trouble is my middle name. If it gets wonky, I can take care of myself.”
Perkowski wiped cream cheese off his lips and met Keith’s gaze. Keith grabbed his coffee cup. Perkowski watch the muscles in his arm ripple. His eyes opened wide. “Wow. No doubt about it. Good luck guys.”
Traffic was light as I guided Lady north on the Interstate. But there was still the obligatory slowdown. Purple Toyota hybrid vs a bad in black SUV. SUV won. Turned onto I-4. The skyline of Tampa loomed in the distance. A few puffy clouds dotted the horizon. Took the Ybor City exit. Bebé Magnifique was located in a nondescript brick office building. No shingle on the door. Parked Lady. Entered the brick building and looked for signs of life. Restaurant on the first floor. Smelled spicy Spanish food. Spanish music wafted through the air. Murmur of quiet conversation. Early lunch crowd. Made our way to the second floor. Filthy threadbare carpet led us to the office of Bebé Magnifique. Did a sound check to make sure the wire was working.
“If you can get to the main man, keep him talking. Get the lay of the land as well.”
Keith nodded and walked in the door. Went downstairs to the restaurant and ordered a soda.
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My goal is to publish the novel before Thanksgiving. Stay tuned.
This is the fourth novel in my Yale Larson Private Investigator series. To learn more about Yale’s earlier exploits, scan the following QR code with your phone.
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