Desert Ice

By Janet Elizabeth Lynn and Will Zeilinger

In 1955, a missing Marine and stolen diamonds lead Private Eye Skylar Drake to Sin City, where the women are beautiful and almost everything is legal—except murder.
The FBI and a Las Vegas crime boss force him to choose between the right and wrong side of the law. All the while, government secrets, sordid lies and trickery block his efforts to solve the case.
Common sense tells him to go back to L.A. but is gut tells him to find his fellow Marine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shorebird
• Release date: Jan 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370604197

Janet Elizabeth Lynn

Janet has been writing for 10 years and writes mysteries. She has traveled to the far corners of the globe for work and pleasure. A semi retired clinical speech pathologist she loves to garden and play with her 7 year old niece Jenny. She lives in Southern California with her husband, Bill.

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DESERT ICE

A Skylar Drake Mystery

Copyright © 2017

Janet Elizabeth Lynn and Will Zeilinger

All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1541282087

ISBN-10: 1541282086

Ebook ISBN: 978-1370604197E

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please visit your favorite ebook retailer to purchase your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover design by Those Designers

Table of Contents

About the Authors

Other Books by the Authors

Acknowledgment

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Other Books by

Will Zeilinger and Janet Elizabeth Lynn

Skylar Drake Mystery Series

•Slivers of Glass

•Strange Markings

Janet Elizabeth Lynn

www.janetlynnauthor.com

Murder Mysteries

• South of the Pier

• West of the Pier

• East of the Pier

• North of the Pier

Cozy Mysteries

• Eggnog

• Charlotte Russe

• Crepes Suzette

Cookbooks

• Recipes from the novel

Eggnog Cookbook

• Recipes from the novelCrepes Suzette Cookbook

• Recipes from the novelCharlotte Russe Cookbook

• The Pier Mysteries Cookbook

Will Zeilinger

www.willzeilingerauthor.com

• The Naked Groom

• Something’s Cooking at Dove Acres

• The Final Checkpoint

Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge the following people for their contributions to our research for this book.

The staff at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Special Collections Library, and especially Claytee D. White, and Michael Green

The Nevada State Museum, Paul Carson, and Dennis Mc Bride

The Mob Museum staff

And the staff at The Clark County Library

We offer a huge thank you for their time and encouragement. If it were not for these generous people, DESERT ICE could not have been written.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to

J.R. Martinez and Toni Martinez Burgoyne

for their friendship, help and inspiration.

Chapter One

This was the first Veteran's Day Parade I'd attended since I got back from Korea. Seems like a lifetime ago. Claire wanted to go every year, even offered to make it a family affair... I never took her up on it. On my way, I noticed a ruckus near the parade route. I turned to see a couple of police officers blocking a Negro woman with a young child in her arms.

As I got close, the tall one drawled, Your kind needs to go to the other side of the street. He slapped his black baton in the palm of his hand, Stay with your own people.

Please, Officer, she pleaded. By the time I get over there, I’ll miss my brother’s regiment. She hugged the little girl. He’s her father.The two cops didn’t budge. In tears, she said, I took the bus here, I didn’t know this was.... Her pleading trailed off as she tried to calm the crying child.

What seems to be the problem here, Officers? I asked.

Y’all just keep moving. This is none of your business.

I took a quick look around and turned back to them. This is a public park. This is 1955 and they’re part of the public. I don’t see any signs that say they have to be Presbyterian to be here. You boys ought to let them pass.

They stared at me for a moment. The tall one got right up to me. Just move it along. I said, This is a public park. We don't have to move anywhere. You got a problem? Give me your badge numbers.They seemed to forget the woman and child and focused on me. It's dangerous for colored women to be alone here, the other one said with a smirk.

I looked at the thin woman holding the little girl. Fine, they’re with me.

I stroked the little one's back, And what’s your name?

Audrey. Her name is Audrey. The women’s voice was shaky.

By this time a small crowd had formed.

And your name ma’am?

Backing away, she said, Please I want no trouble.

Your name ma’am?

She didn’t respond.I’m former Detective Skylar Drake, retired. I said it loud enough so anyone nearby could hear.

The tall cop pushed his hat up on his forehead. Drake. I thought I recognized you. Word is you were a real blow hard.

I got toe to toe with him and whispered, Look, asshole, we're going to watch the parade right there on that curb. It's a public park, public street, and public parade.

They both had their hands on their guns.You want to make a spectacle with the press and so many witnesses here? I nodded toward the news trucks and reporters to their left.

Press cameras clicked away at the cops and of the four of us with the crowd waving flags behind us.

Your jobs are on the line here boys. You want this to get ugly and be on the front page or the six o’clock news? Now I ask you again—You got a problem?

I backed up. The woman held the child closely as I escorted her past the two cops and through the crowd. I gave her space and avoided touching her to keep from drawing undue attention to the situation. The girl stopped crying, but the two officers followed closely. I remembered Dolan said Chief Parker hired some Southern boys when he was cleaning up the department. I guess that didn’t work out so well.

Carol, the woman said in a trembling voice.What?You asked my name earlier—it’s Carol.

I nodded as we passed a police car. I stopped, leaned in the window and introduced myself. I could use some assistance for this woman.The officer in the car nodded at the two cops following us and ignored me.I continued back to him, "The Los Angeles Examiner is right behind us. You really want to look like bigger jerks than you are? I don’t think Chief Parker would like the bad publicity, what with all the hard work he’s put into cleaning up the force from bullies like you."

What’s going on here? A Captain showed up. It was Captain Robb, from my former precinct. He took a look at the officers standing around. Well?

I introduced Audrey and her aunt. They’re in need of help getting to the parade, can you help them? Again loud enough for the press to hear. The camera guys were poised.

Your choice, I reminded him. You can make public opinion go either way. And after the ‘Wrong Door Raid’ episode last year, I’m not sure the department wants any more bad press.

He smiled and nodded to the cameras. I’ll drive them myself. He waved two female officers over who held the door open for them.

Thank you, sir, Carol smiled. Audrey wiped her eyes.

I handed her my card. Call me if you have any more problems. Robb radioed ahead for someone to receive her on the other side.

I watched as they drove off. When I looked back at the other officers, I got cold stares in return. I knew they wanted to beat the daylights out of me. I returned their stares and continued on my way.

Standing at attention, I saluted as the color guard passed. Next came the tanks and trucks and I was transported back to my time in the Corps. A pretty young girl dressed in red, white, and blue approached me with a basket full of tin American flag lapel pins. She held one out to me. The paper tag attached to it read Veteran’s Day, November 1955, but my hands wouldn’t come out of my pockets.

Here sir, take one, they’re free.

I reluctantly pulled out my hand. She placed one in my palm, and smiled and turned away. The cadence of the drums sounded like artillery as a formation of jet fighters passed overhead. I was back in Korea on Jeju Island, snow, guns, bombs... I shut my eyes and clenched my fists. A woman wearing a big hat bumped into me. Oh, excuse me, sir.Slowly I opened my hand. The sharp edges of the flag pin were stained with my blood but I didn't feel a thing.

You should get something for that hand, she said.

I couldn’t move.

Come. She led me to a hot dog stand and handed me a couple of paper napkins.

I leaned against a chain link fence, wrapped the tin flag in a napkin and dropped it in my pocket. I looked down at my blood smeared hand, the one that took shrapnel at Jeju. My head spun. I leaned forward until my head rested on the fence. Keep breathing, I told myself.

So you’re a vet, the lady with the hat said. Korea?I nodded.

She lit a cigarette. Here.

I shook my head. No thanks.

Suit yourself. She hung the cigarette in her mouth and took my hand. After she wiped the blood, she wrapped another napkin around my palm.

Just a minute. She disappeared into the crowd. I stepped back and rested against the chain-link, staring at the tops of the trees. She returned and handed me a cup of coffee. I don’t know why, but my hand shook when I reached for the cup.

It was pretty tough over there. Her large hat covered most of her face.

I nodded, How would you know?

47th M.A.S.H., Ouijonbu. She joined me against the chain link fence and sipped her coffee. There wasn’t much more to say. After a few moments I looked at her. Jeju Island, 1948. We got caught up in the rebellion.

She held out her gloved hand. I'm Nancy. Still hidden under her hat she said, Pleasure to see you again, Mr. Drake.

I studied her. Have we met before?

We have a mutual association with an Officer Graves of the LAPD.

I spit out the coffee and threw the cup in the trash. Did that ass send you to...?

Nancy shook her head. No, he didn't. She took out a jeweled compact, held it at an angle and looked behind her in the mirror. I didn't say I knew him. I said you and I had a mutual association.

Still checking behind her, she whispered, Meet me at Hollenbeck Park in Boyle Heights. You know the area?

I said nothing.

In one hour. You drive a blue Ford Fairlane?

Yeah...?

Park on St. Louis Street, up the hill. If I’m sure you haven’t been followed, I’ll make myself known.

And why should I meet you there and not at my office?

She closed the compact and put it in her purse. Among other things, I have information on the death of your wife and daughter.

I was going to ignore her but that statement got my attention.

This is serious Mr. Drake—a matter of life and death. She turned and stopped. By the way, the geraniums on both sides of your place need watering.

CHAPTER TWO

That woman in the hat, Nancy, had to have been following me. How else would she know I drove a blue Fairlane? I just bought it a couple of weeks ago. What really piqued my interest was her comment about Claire and Ellie.

I found a spot near the south end of the park and pulled into a space when she appeared at my car window. Follow me.

Follow you where?

Before I could open the door, she was already walking fast down the hill. She turned and entered the Linda Vista Community Hospital. I followed after her. In the hospital courtyard, I found her waiting on a bench with her back to me. She spotted me by using the mirror in her compact. As soon as I stepped through the door she snapped it shut and stood. Without looking back, she headed down a hallway, out the doors and across the parking lot into another building. I tried to keep up, but she knew her way around this place and I lost sight of her.

When I caught up to her, she was standing in the building’s lobby, hat off, patiently primping in her compact mirror. She stashed it in her purse and slipped a cigarette between her lips with a trembling hand. Thank you for coming, Mr. Drake.

I flipped open my Zippo and lit it for her. She was a pretty brunette with pale skin and fine features.

So, what about this Officer Graves?

Why, Mr. Drake. I’m surprised you don’t remember me.

I searched her face. Her voice sounded familiar, soothing and calm. It hit me. You’re that nurse who helped at the street car accident last summer.

She forced a slight smile.

Wait a minute, you had blonde hair, but the television news said you were a redhead.

She blew a couple of smoke rings, fluffed her dark hair and smiled, You like it?

The FBI is looking for you—right?

A lot of people are looking for me. Some of them want me dead. I’ve been on the move for three years, hiding.

So, what do you know about my family, Miss... whoever you are?

She sat down on the ottoman and looked at her gloved hands clutched on her lap.

Just as I thought... I'm not a fan of being dragged clear across town to find out you lied. I stood up and turned toward the door.

Wait, please. In the spring you uncovered a prostitution ring Commissioner Black was running in Santa Rosa. He had information about your family. You tortured him to get it. Am I correct, Mr. Drake?

If you put it that way—but how do you know about that?

I know many things. She blew a stream of smoke into the room. To get the help I need, I have to know the weaknesses of many men. That’s how I’ve stayed alive.

Why did you want to meet me here?

I can’t trust anyone. This was the only way to be sure you didn’t contact any of your FBI or LAPD friends.

Why? What do you want from me?

I need your help and you’ve got character. How you stood up for me in front of Graves and the others after that accident showed character. I feel I can trust you.

I had to think back to Bev’s accident and I did tell Officer Graves off.

What do you know about my family’s death?

I know the cause of the house fire was documented as a faulty heater. But you know that was a lie. We’ve both read the report. It was a hot, Indian summer evening. They wouldn’t have had the heater on and the fire started way before they would’ve been in bed.

So? That’s not news. What else do you know?

Nancy stood and replaced her hat, I’ll be in touch.

I followed her out the back door like a dog after a squirrel. Once outside, she turned and opened her mouth as if to say something, but as we came around the corner, police sirens pierced the air and they were quickly getting closer. Nancy stopped and looked at me for an instant, then ran in the opposite direction.

I started down the alley after her, but stopped and let her go. After I retraced my steps through the hospital and out the front door, I spotted a total of eight LAPD black and whites parked just past my car. A couple of dozen officers streamed into Hollenbeck Park, down the hill, and across the grass. With the nurse gone, I decided to investigate and casually strolled over for a better view.

As I got closer, most of them had gathered around an old Sycamore across the pond. The rest stood around and gabbed. I had made my way around to see what was up when I was shoved to the side. The boys in blue kept all of us civilians out of the way.

What’s the hubbub. Officer? I asked in my most innocent tone.

Police business, just move along. I recognized Mike Baxter, a cop I used to work undercover within the garment district.

Hey, Mike Bee, I yelled. That was his cover name when we worked together.

The guy turned to face me. What the hell... Stu Lee? That was my undercover name. Mike broke out of the human chain and punched me in the arm. Gee, Stu—you look like hell.