Free Silenced Justice: A Josh Williams Novel by Joe Broadmeadow Page A

here, he threatened me every other day and you know what? Nothing happened. He won't challenge Brennan. He knows Brennan's leaving next year and he's lining up support for the job."
    "Christ," Josh said. "Can you imagine that nitwit as Chief? I'd have to go back to midnights. It'd be a nightmare working for the clown."
    "Keep the faith my boy. That's a future problem. Let's see if we can find this major and go have a chat?"
     
    * * *
     
    Two hours later, armed with the address for the nursing home in Burrillville, they headed toward the small, rural town in northwestern Rhode Island.
    As Josh and Chris pulled into the parking lot of the Country Meadow Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, it was just past 5:00 p.m. The sun was fading and the temperature cooling off. They parked the car and walked towards the entrance. Josh pointed across the street to the Country Meadow Heaven's Gates Cemetery. "I guess, if the rehabilitation doesn't work, it's a convenient next stop for the residents, don't you think?"
    Chris shook her head.
    "You might want to take a brochure there, old broad. They'll wheel you into a place like this soon enough."
    Chris flipped Josh the bird, and then noticed the two nurses, escorting a patient in pajamas taking small baby steps, watching them. Dropping her hand, she opened the door.
    "Great impression you made there on Nurses Ratchett and Kervorkian," Josh joked.
    "If you don't shut up, you'll need their rehab services."
    Throwing his hands up in mock surrender, they walked to the reception desk.
    "How can I help you?" the receptionist, a scary looking septuagenarian said. She wore black bullseye mascara and an unnatural blond wig with the binding curled up. It looked like her skull was peeling.
    "Hello there, my dear," Josh said. "My grandmother and I would like to see Mr. Church, if he's not busy."
    Chris kicked Josh.
    "Ouch," Josh flinched. Turning back to the receptionist he said, "You'll have to excuse her, spasms you know."
    The receptionist nodded with sympathy and directed them to room forty-two. As they got to the door bearing the number 42, Josh said, "What do you know, the meaning of life," as he pointed at the number.
    Chris looked confused.
    " Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe . Answer to the meaning of life, 42. No? Haven't you read the book?"
    "No," Chris answered.
    "Jeez, you are getting senile. I gave it to you for your birthday, remember?"
    "Oh, that science fiction nonsense. I gave it to Vera."
    "I give up trying to give you some culture."
    "How about we do what we came for and then you can tell me all about it."
    Knocking on the door, Josh waited for a response. A moment later a tall, gaunt man came to the door, wearing a United States Marine Corps sweatshirt and holding a book in his hand. He looked at the two of them and asked, "Yes, can I help you?"
    "Major Church, my name is Josh Williams. I am a Lieutenant with the East Providence Police Department. This is Chris Hamlin; she's a retired Lieutenant from there as well, now a private investigator."
    "Well, nice to meet you. Are you related to Ed Williams from the State Police?" taking his measure of Josh.
    "I am, sir. He was my father."
    "Ah, good man, your father. How is he?" Church asked.
    "Dead. He died several years ago. Cancer," Josh answered.
    "Ah, sorry to hear that. I wish I had known. I went through a bad time a few years back. It must have been when I was in the hospital or I would have attended the funeral."
    "I appreciate that. Can we go someplace private to talk?" Josh asked, as he saw the two other occupants of the room looking over Church's shoulder.
    "Sure. We can go to the dining room," Church answered. "I'll buy the coffee,” putting the book down on his bed and heading down the corridor.
    The trio walked down the white-walled hallway. They maneuvered around wheelchairs and walkers occupied by other residents. They all watched them with varying degrees of interest, or perhaps consciousness. Several of them called out