Free to Die By Bob McElwain His First Book Published Now Free... In Memory...

“I grew up and trotted off to war with the idea our government was the finest possible. It’s different now. I know it’s the best on this planet, but it’s a crock. We’re being used and abused by a bunch of powerful greedy bastards.” His gray eyes were flat with disgust. “
And our highly touted legal system? It flat-ass terrifies me. Walden had to wake that judge up twice in twenty minutes. Hell. I don’t mean any more to him than dust on a window sill.” Abruptly he resumed pacing.

“Even one night in a cell.” He shuddered.
 “Ever been in jail?” She shook her head. He looked away, out the dirty window. He was gone to a place far away, to an ever-present past. 


“They dropped me into a hole, then covered it over. There was no light, no sound, except from an occasional drop of water seeping through the ground above me.
 “I counted five hundred and twenty-three drops before I lost count the first time.” 
When he turned toward her, his face was pale. “I’ve never believed it was only a month. 
I just don’t know if I can do it. The night I spent when they arrested me seemed like years.” 
“You’re stronger now.” 
“Maybe.”

~~~

Free to Die

By Bob McElwain

I had picked up this book free back in 2011, but because of my need to get a better handle on requests, and putting first priority to printed books, I didn't get back to this until recently. When I began to read, and realized I had a bad copy, I went back to Amazon, knowing I was already hooked and that I would pay for it to make sure I could finish it! It was still listed for free... which confused me because I don't think authors should give their books away on a long-term basis...

So I started looking for more about the author... and was so sad to see on the publisher page...

In Memoriam
1933-2007

Bob founded Foremost Press in 2002. What a gifted writer he was. Even though we never met face-to-face, I felt I had known him my whole life. He was my mentor and such a true friend. I miss him. I will never forget him. He was truly one of a kind.           - - - Mary Holzrichter

Having just lost my good friend and author, Robert Noonan, I realize how much we have gained from the writers in this world, who have used their creativity to share with all of us, even in their later years... So, this is probably the one and only book I will read from Bob McElwain, even though there are others he has written. I noted that he had tried to get this book published, but when rejected over and over, he self-published. To me, it's a perfect example of how self-publishing will allow more gems like this one to be created for our enjoyment. I loved this book and wish he could have still been around so that all of his books would have caught on, with his knowledge... I don't know how long his books will continue to be sold, so I highly recommend you go out an get a copy of this one at least... You won't regret it, in my opinion...

The tall woman was leaning against the trunk
 of the nearly dead elm, holding her purse
 in both hands. Dangling rhinestone earrings
 accented her long neck. He decided the odd bulge
 in her purse was a pistol. “Amanda sent me,”
 she said evenly in a low-pitched contralto.
 “I’m Josie Botsworth.” “Why would Tom Fairchild
 interest either of you?” So far as he could tell,
 none of his tension showed in his easy,
soft bass. She shook her head.
 “You’re Brad Ashton and
you’re wanted for murder.”
~~~

We meet Brad as he's coming to a friend's service station. Jake is being held up and tortured for even more money. All Brad could find was a wrench. It was enough...

He made sure help was on the way, that Jake would make it, and then left, heading for a shower to get the grease and blood from his body before he left town...

He slipped into clean clothes, his best shirt and

 slacks and laid his sport coat on the bed. 

He dusted off his black dress loafers with a towel,

 then tightly rolled what little remained and packed

 it into the carry-all bag. He wrapped the boots in

 a towel and slipped them inside. The Colt .45 auto-load

 was the last item tucked inside. His plan was simple. 

He was known in Vegas as a poker player

 who won more often than not. He’d play long enough

 to hitch a ride out of town with someone leaving. 

The police would not be looking for him in the casinos.

 He stepped once again into the bathroom, 

reached under the toilet tank, and stripped the

 heavy tape loose, freeing the money belt. Tightened

 around his waist,

 the belt was hidden by the drape of his shirt.
 As he slipped into his coat and reached for his bag,
 he saw the first hint of dawn through the dirty,
 dusty window.

~~~

.

No matter whether you saved a life and stopped a robbery, the police are still going to want you, especially when there are bodies lying around at the scene... Except that wasn't what he was "already" wanted for... He had previously skipped bail for the murder of his ex-wife's brother! And Amanda, a woman he cared about, had lost bail money because of his leaving...

The issue for Brad is that he has never recovered from PTSD of being in a covered prison hole during his time in Vietnam, as well as, of course, just the trauma experienced by soldiers of that war. He still experienced tremors, nightmares, and knew that he could just not deal with being in prison!

But Josie Botsworth reported that his case was being reviewed and that there were people now who were supporting his innocence. While he appreciated that, he still could not consider that they would not win--and feared the resulting imprisonment... Finally Brad agreed to turn himself in to Sgt. Hank Walters. But even with having a friend work with him, still each time he'd awoken, he'd have to take a firm hold, breathe deeply and work to calm himself...

They went into court and it was looking good, with seemingly the Judge in agreement, but then the two lawyers seem to have made some other agreement and the prosecutor announced they weren't ready to release him! The Judge was the first to explode since he had been told an agreement was made! Brad caught a glimpse of Lt. Stratford, who had originally arrested him...Why was he in court? Something was very wrong...

Then two CIA agents, Cogswell and Feldersen, came to visit, asking about his time in Mexico, what he was doing and his relationship to a local man Tuckman. Brad had never met Tuckman before but he had introduced himself and said he was an uncle by marriage...of his ex-wife... Of course, soon after that his ex was murdered...

As Brad found out more and more, and things were growing more complex than he could have ever imagined, it was even suggested that he break bail again and get out of town! But by that time, Brad was sure he'd never be free if these murders were not all solved... 

“Coincidence bothers me.”
“I’m not following.”
“You’ve been away about three years?” Brad nodded.
“When you return, Lydia Allison dies suddenly. Is it coincidence? Or did you kill her?”
“I had no reason.” He could feel the dryness in his throat.
 “Some men don’t need one, Mr. Ashton. It’s in their blood. You’ve killed before. In Vietnam at least. Did you get a kick out of it? A special kind of high?”
 “No.” Despite himself, he said it harshly, demanding rebuttal or retraction. He leaned forward in the chair.

Rinolli watched with alert eyes, but gave no sign of response. “If you didn’t kill her, we have a coincidence, do we not? You return; she dies. It worries me.”
“Why? What’s your interest in my ex-wife?”
“Then,” Rinolli continued, as if he hadn’t heard, “you went to work at Overnite Air on Tuesday using the name Tom Fairchild. And suddenly others begin dying. A coincidence certainly, but a bothersome one.” He paused, stroking his mustache. “Did you know Gates, Talbert or Sanchez?”
“I met Talbert and Sanchez; I never saw Gates.”
“You only met them?” Brad nodded. “Can you see my problem, Mr. Ashton? These people can easily be replaced, but it wouldn’t do to let others believe there is no concern over their untimely departure. I must be absolutely certain you’re not involved. Can you help me out?"
~~~

So he went undercover, using the name Tom Fairchild, which he'd used before to work jobs and started working for Overnite Air loading freight... and...seeing some things he shouldn't have seen...

Things seemed to be coming together but then three different employees of the freight company
were killed one after the other... Somebody was cleaning up... And Brad was right in the middle to be charged with murder...again!

A Whodunit that leaves readers guessing... Is it about drugs? Who was involved? Did Brad get set up or was he just the best "person of interest" to blame? Readers see the villain moving from one individual to another, cleaning up by merely eliminating his associates...Cold-hearted, to say the least! But there are some twists that may mislead you, or confuse you and I really didn't know what was what until the end... I enjoyed Free to Die and think you will too! Check this one out quickly!


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