Free What's Left is Right: Book two of The Detective Bill Ross Crime Series by Irving Munro

thankfully. I have some news, Bill!”
    The words had an effect like a triple espresso being injected directly into Bill’s brain.
    “Let me get to my office, Alex, it’s quieter there, and Elaine can continue watching ‘Good Morning America.’” Bill ran into his office.
    “Okay, Alex, I’m all ears!”
    “I talked with two chaps at the Hereford SAS HQ who were both members of my unit back in 2003 and are still active duty today. They agreed to do some digging around for me on the QT and they found some interesting stuff.
    “There were six hundred and thirty-six members of the joint Special Forces operation in the Iraqi desert in 2003. Over four hundred were American, one hundred and eighty-two Brits and the remainder were a mix of Australians and Polish. There was one team of six that made a particular name for themselves, taking out eight potential scud site installations and engaging with the enemy in six firefights.
    “This team of six was nicknamed The Spirit Riders . It was made up of four Americans, a Brit and an Aussie. The Brit’s name is Martin Peters and he is now retired from the service and lives in Leeds. The Aussie was Carl Conrad from Ballarat, Victoria in Australia, and the four Americans were Joe Nichol, Jimmy Martinelli, Mike Muguara and Raul Hernandez.
    “As it happens there was only one man named Raul Hernandez in the entire operation in the Iraqi desert, so this might be the Raul Hernandez you’re looking for, Bill.”
    Alex Forbes-Hamilton paused to let Bill process all of this.
    “Incredible!”
    This one word was all that Bill could think of, astounded that he might have now actually confirmed the identity of the body found at Whispering Hollow; however, his elation was short lived.
    “There is a piece of bad news, however, Bill. Raul Hernandez and Jimmy Martinelli were both killed before the desert operation was concluded. They were exploring a disused culvert when they tripped an IED. They died instantly.”
    Bill almost threw up. His gut tightened and his head pounded.
    “Damn, I thought I had him!”
    “Thanks for doing this, Alex, and thank your colleagues for sticking their necks out. I know that they took a risk in getting this info, so I do owe you and them on this one. Don’t really know where to go from here now. I’ll just have to think on it a bit.”
    “You might want to try Special Operations Command Europe. They’re located in Stuttgart, Germany. That was the center of operations for the American contingent that took part in the Iraqi Desert campaign. I can also give you the contact details for Martin Peters. I talked with him and as a favor to me he agreed to talk with you if you wish.”
    “Thanks, Alex. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and the next time I’m back in Scotland I’ll give you a head’s up and dinner is on me.”
    ~
    “Long face, honey,” said Elaine as she saw Bill walk into the kitchen after his call with Alex. “A bacon butty will cheer you up!”
    Bill couldn’t resist, as the entire kitchen smelled of grilled Irish bacon, Bill’s favorite. Elaine had found a local source in Austin and it was a breakfast treat for them every so often. It was a godsend that morning, and Bill grabbed another coffee and had his first mouthful of breakfast roll and bacon with HP sauce, the British equivalent of A1 steak sauce. He felt a hundred times better.
    He stared out over his backyard as the morning fog was beginning to clear, wishing he could find a way for the fog to clear on the Burning Cross investigation.
    ~
    “Martin Peters.”
    Bill had sent an email to the retired SAS commando to set up a time for the phone call and referenced the discussion with Alex Forbes-Hamilton. Martin Peters answered in his thick Yorkshire accent.
    “Thanks for agreeing to the call, Martin!”
    “Aye, that’s all right, how do you know Colonel Forbes-Hamilton then?” said Martin.
    This was a man who wasn’t going to worry too much