I'll Protect You (Clueless Resolutions Book 1) by W B Garalt Page A

Gene had decided to operate his office specializing in corporate law for a reason.  He would have made a great trial lawyer but his speech defection would have detracted from his efforts.
    While they ate lunch, the chief told the Mayor about sending Lieutenant Salvadore to Pennsylvania for the course in public relations.
    “This whole thing over these killings was probably made a little worse by the way Salvadore handled the last press release”, the chief stated, “With the State Inspector here, I’m thinking it’s better if he’s out of contact for a few weeks.”  Mayor VanDyke agreed without question.
    With the meeting finished, the chief reminded the Mayor about the free lunch promise.
    “Okay Gene, put this one on your social members meals tab. A deal is a deal.”
    “You’ve got it Lou, said the Mayor, after a hearty laugh.

Chapter 17
    Max Hargrove was stopping back at his apartment for a notebook which he forgot when he left for an appointment earlier on this Tuesday morning.  As he drove into the parking lot he saw Bruce Grover talking to Mrs. Durham, a tenant.  Max was in sort of a rush so he waved as he went into the north entrance of the building.
    While in his office he noticed out of the front facing window, that Mrs. Durham was waving her arms and talking animatedly to Bruce, who was standing in front of her with a blank, rather stupid look on his face.
    As Max trotted down the stairway and exited the building, Mrs. Durham motioned him over to where they were standing.
    “Hello Mrs. Durham.” he said politely.  “Hey Bruce” he added, although more businesslike.
    “Look at my car!”  Mrs. Durham exclaimed anxiously to Max.  “It’s all scratched along the side.”  Max acknowledged the damage and turned to Bruce:
    “Is this something that happened on the property?” he asked.
    “I don’t know anything about it” he answered flatly.  At that, Mrs. Durham was turning a little pale and holding her chest with both hands.
    “Easy now, Mrs. Durham” said Max, trying to console her. “Why don’t you go inside and rest. I’ll be back later and we’ll try to settle this.”  The tenant, more calm, now, agreed.  She told Max that she usually went to bed at around 6 PM.
    “If I get back too late, I’ll knock on your door tomorrow morning.” Max answered.
    Before Bruce could add anything more, Max told him that he had an appointment and was running a little late.  They agreed to go over the matter later.  As he drove off he thought, what in hell was this about?
    Mrs. Dunham, a widow, was pushing ninety years of age and she didn’t drive much.  Bruce had told Max, some time back, that Mrs. Durham had asked him to drive her into town a few times. He also took her car to the auto dealer for servicing when needed.  She would give him a ten dollar bill each time.  They had a little chuckle over that but Max was considerate enough to realize that ten dollars was probably a typical weeks pay when she was a youngster.
    Max doubted that she had caused the scratches herself, but, it was possible.  She was hard of hearing and could have side-swiped something without realizing it.
    Jesus, he thought, I’ve worn a lot of hats since I bought this building, rental salesman, building manager, amateur plumber, furniture mover, detective…what now, Judge?
    He realized his speed and slowed a bit. A speeding citation wasn’t what he needed right now, he was on the way to meet Maggie.
    They had called Max’s boss, Carl Jenson, to arrange a meeting with him at his office. Carl had agreed and asked about the reason but Max had suggested it should wait until the three of them got together.  After a quick non-martini lunch at a local diner, the two arrived at Jenson & Associates at the pre-arranged time.
    “Well, Ms. Marshall, it’s certainly nice to see you.  It’s been a while” was Carl Jenson’s greeting as he shook her hand with both of his.  Maggie withdrew her hand tactfully as