“Chief McNeil: "as a cop, you will meet a great many people. You will help a lot of them and you will hurt a few of them, too. The ones you meet, you’ll treat with respect. The ones you help, you’ll hope will be deserving of it. And the ones you hurt will surely have it coming. Just don’t give them any extra lumps and you’ll do just fine.” MysteryCrimeMurderPoliceLove StoryThrillerBeachVero Book:Lost In Paradise: The Rick Edwards File Source: Lost In Paradise: The Rick Edwards File
“...The plan is perfect, baby. No one will ever know it was us. We’ll be outta here like that,” he said while snapping his grubby fingers. “Now, here, hold this,” Ronnie said, as he passed his revolver to Susie. Susan held the small gun and began to slide her thumb back and forth over the smooth chrome finish. “I wish we didn’t have to do this, Ronnie.” “If you ain’t noticed, baby, we are broke and down to our last two smokes. It’s either this or you’re gonna hafta sell your ass again. Now, do ya want us to go back to the truck stop?” “No, Ronnie. I wanna go to the beach.” “The beach it is,” he said as he leaned over and gave her a peck on her cheek.” MysteryCrimeMurderPoliceLove StoryBeachVero Book:Lost In Paradise: The Rick Edwards File Source: Lost In Paradise: The Rick Edwards File
“Juan Esteban removed his gloves and raised the lid of the exquisite case to reveal a solid gold apple adorned with a reliquary silver crucifix embedded in the face. Juan Esteban held the heavy lemon sized orb in his bare hand and slowly wiped his thumb back and forth across the crucifix and asked, “How did you get it to be so flawless?” “It takes time. This was the fourth casting. The first three were good, but not good enough for a king,” Mateo replied. “This one is perfect.” The general had acquired a portion of a gold and silver shipment from the Santa Fe mint at Bogota to fulfill his personal mission to exalt favor with King Philip V of Spain. It was this ruler who had entrusted the general with command of the armada. As a devout catholic, Juan Esteban envisioned a holy gift to honor his king. With the expertise of this goldsmith, the golden orb was created in secrecy. An apple represented Adam and Eve’s ‘original sin’ and the crucifix symbolized Christ Jesus’ redemption of mankind. General Juan Esteban de Ubilla christened the casting as the Temptation of Paradise. “Yes, this one is perfect,” General de Ubilla replied. “You are a fine artisan. Now, before I leave, you must break the molds. There will never be another casting.” “But Your Excellency, I should retain the mold as you may one day require another,” Mateo pleaded. “There will be no others. This is the one. This is the only one,” he emphasized. “Yes, Your Excellency.” “And Mateo, if word reaches me that another orb exists?” “Yes, master?” “I will have your hands removed.” MysteryCrimeGoldMurderSilverPiratesVeroDoubloonSpanish Fleet Book:The Temptation of Paradise Source: The Temptation of Paradise