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    A Man Vanishes-- Rafe Velez Mystery 8: Rafe Velez Mysteries, #8
    A Man Vanishes-- Rafe Velez Mystery 8: Rafe Velez Mysteries, #8
    A Man Vanishes-- Rafe Velez Mystery 8: Rafe Velez Mysteries, #8
    Ebook46 pages37 minutes

    A Man Vanishes-- Rafe Velez Mystery 8: Rafe Velez Mysteries, #8

    By AB Stonebridge

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    About this ebook

    Mild-mannered Bill Tolliver vanishes, seemingly without a trace. Perhaps his work for Champion LLC made him run. Champion has a nasty habit of mixing in dirty deeds with Big Business.

    Rafe Velez is a fictional character, based on a real person alive today. One thing you can be sure of: you will never, ever guess who he actually is!

    As a private investigator, Rafe dealt with decades of crime, divorce, death and depravity – and barely broke even. Pushing 50, he had a few extra pounds around the middle, a sprinkling of gray hair and a cynical view of life, relieved only by a deadpan sense of humor. All of that changed one day, thanks to a windfall he didn't expect.

    Enter the world of the Rafe Velez Mysteries: intrigue, suspense, mystery, crime and a cast of characters taken from real life (and changed just enough to protect their identities – at least, until the statute of limitations expires). Enter into the mind of a man whose life is an open book – that should be suppressed!

    Meet his friends, frenemies and frequent locations for his adventures:

    • Detectives Toole and Williams, Robbery/Homicide's finest – said nobody, never.
    • Harpo, a stray dog that wandered into his life and has a great sense of humor.
    • Jean Smalls, the first woman in a long time who threatens to take his bachelor card.
    • Keith Verdi, electrical contractor, who has other talents – and secrets.
    • Momo Argento, the semi-retired Don of a crime family, who keeps a hand in the game.
    • The Greasy Spoon restaurant, a real tribute to truth in advertising.
    • The Shiny Penny, your soon-to-be-favorite dive bar.

    ...and a motley crew of clients and suspects. Expect surprises: not every client is on the right side of the law and not every suspect is guilty.

    You won't always know what's going on in the minds of the supporting characters. You will always know exactly what Rafe is thinking – unless he's not thinking at all!

    Discover The Rafe Velez Mysteries. No, really, go ahead! PG Rated -- no four letter words or explicit sex, but if you read between the lines...

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAB Stonebridge
    Release dateJul 8, 2014
    ISBN9781501438370
    A Man Vanishes-- Rafe Velez Mystery 8: Rafe Velez Mysteries, #8
    Author

    AB Stonebridge

    You may have already read work by the author AB Stonebridge. As a ghostwriter for many different clients, his work has been seen all over the world. Writing a mixture of fiction, non-fiction and 'True Fiction' (also known as invented history), his work adorns many reports, stories, Web pages and more. Now, after repeated entreaties, pleas, threats and some mockery from fellow authors, AB Stonebridge is creating popular fiction for the Kindle Store. In it you'll discover a breadth and depth of experience that only an exciting life (that did not end abruptly in premature death) can bring you! AB Stonebridge has seen and done things in his life that most people shy away from. You are cordially invited to guess which plot elements are drawn from real life and which come from a rich imagination. In addition, he has met and befriended people from all over the world. Many of them appear in his works. The names have been changed to protect the guilty. If you like suspense, mystery, noir touches, cynical humor and surprise, you'll love his work. There will be characters you love, characters you love to hate and a wide-ranging view of life, in a world not unlike our own, that will draw you into its twists and turns. Take all the time you need, in the next thirty seconds, and decide to delve into the works and world of AB Stonebridge. The more you read, the more you'll find yourself entranced by the stories, personalities and just plain good fun packed into every work. AB Stonebridge is not a legend, myth or giant - yet. It's up to you, the reader, to discover the works of AB Stonebridge, share them with friends and family and decide for yourself. Without your support, he is nothing. With your support, more and more of his works will become available, for your delectation. https://www.facebook.com/abstonebridge/app_191387770912394

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      Book preview

      A Man Vanishes-- Rafe Velez Mystery 8 - AB Stonebridge

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Epilogue

      Chapter 1

      You're a good doggy! What a good doggy! Rafe was enthusiastically playing a game of chase-the-tennis-ball with his dog, Harpo, as the sun set in the West. The dog was a stray he rescued a while back and was proving to be the most docile, obedient and playful animal he could have wished for.

      From the kitchen window, Rafe's wife Jean called the two in for dinner.

      Here we come! Harpo, whose leash was on a trolley wire, made a beeline for the back door. Rafe followed at a more leisurely pace.

      Once inside, they went to the kitchen, where a bowl of food awaited Harpo. Rafe stopped and looked at the kitchen table. A beautiful medium rare steak and steamed vegetables was served up on two plates, with a side salad of romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes for each.

      This is great, honey – but why did you serve mine on two plates?

      Jean flicked at him with a dishtowel. You greedy gut! I slaved away for tens of minutes preparing this meal, and you don't want to share?!

      Just kidding. I have to store up calories for my fasting day tomorrow. Actually, I've noticed that I don't crave as much food as I used to. I think it was more of a habit of eating a lot than outright hunger.

      Rafe had dropped over 45 pounds of fat since he began his intermittent-fast diet. For two days a week, he limited his caloric intake to 600 calories, spread out over the entire day. In addition to weight loss, he found he was able to remember more easily the things he should remember and think more quickly. His doctor approved of the changes, especially to his blood pressure and disposition.

      Rafe had always been a bit morose, but that had evaporated when he met and eventually married Jean Smalls, who took his last name in marriage. Since the diet and new relationship coincided, it didn't really matter how much the diet had to do with the improved mood, as far as both the doctor and Rafe were concerned.

      The Velezes had just finished their meal when Rafe's office phone rang. He trotted to his desk and put the call on speakerphone.

      Mr. Velez? I'm Gina Tolliver. I need your help. My husband, Bill, took off without a word and emptied our bank accounts. He had been worried about something for weeks, but would never tell me what the problem was. Two days ago, he left the house before I was up and left his phone, wallet and keys here. I was frantic and called the police. They were helpful, but I don't think there's much they can do. Can you help me?! Her voice was plaintive and distressed.

      How did you get my name, Mrs. Tolliver? Did anyone refer you to me?

      "Yes. Keith Verdi is a friend of my husband. He

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