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    Echoes of Detroit
    Echoes of Detroit
    Echoes of Detroit
    Ebook115 pages1 hour

    Echoes of Detroit

    By Jonathan Staley

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    **Echoes of Detroit**

     

    In the heart of 1960s Detroit, a city pulsating with the rhythm of Motown and overshadowed by deep racial tensions, Private Detective Ezekiel "Z" Phillips navigates a world where danger lurks behind every corner and truth is as elusive as a hit record.

        A year after the brutal murder of prominent African American doctor Elliot Wyatt, the case has gone cold, leaving his widow, Geraldine Wyatt, desperate for answers. Reluctant but ultimately persuaded by her plea, Z Phillips takes on the case, unaware of the darkness he's about to uncover.

       Z's investigation leads him to the discovery that Dr. Wyatt was not just a healer but also a cog in the intricate machinery of Detroit's underworld. His medical office served as a front for laundering money for the notorious drug kingpin, Milton "King M" Johnson. This revelation shifts the murder's motive from a random act of violence to a calculated execution, possibly orchestrated by the very hands that ran the city's criminal empire.

       As Z digs deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption that stretches from the back alleys to the highest echelons of city government. Each step brings him closer to a perilous truth and deeper into a world where trust is a rare commodity and betrayal is a currency. The stakes rise when Z finds connections between Johnson and several prominent city officials, hinting at a conspiracy that could shake Detroit to its core.

       Complicating matters, Z is also investigating the disappearance of Brenda Young, a promising lounge singer whose case has haunted him for months. Her sudden vanishing acts as a constant reminder of the city's dark undercurrents and the personal cost of his relentless pursuit of justice.

       Meanwhile, Z grapples with his growing attraction to Geraldine. Her vulnerability and strength draw him in, but he knows crossing that line could compromise his investigation and his integrity. Balancing his personal desires with his professional duty, Z must tread carefully.

      In a city where shadows conceal both music legends and deadly secrets, Z Phillips must navigate through deceit and danger to bring justice to Dr. Wyatt's killer. But as he inches closer to the truth, he must decide whether he's willing to pay the ultimate price to see justice served.

    "Echoes of Detroit" is a gripping noir tale of love, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of justice set against the backdrop of a city as vibrant and turbulent as the era itself.

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJonathan Staley
    Release dateJul 13, 2024
    ISBN9798227847300
    Echoes of Detroit
    Author

    Jonathan Staley

    Jonathan Staley, born and raised in Detroit, discovered his passion for fiction at an early age. He has self-published four novels: "Casey Stone," "Last Dance with Death," "Primal Dance with Death," and "Shadows Over Detroit." As a proud father of a college senior and a ten-year-old, Jonathan is also an advocate for autism, driven by his experience as the father of an autistic son. His dedication to storytelling and his advocacy work reflect his deep commitment to his family and his community.

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      Book preview

      Echoes of Detroit - Jonathan Staley

      Chapter One

      The scent of scrambled eggs, bacon, and freshly toasted wheat bread greeted me as I stepped into Marcy’s Diner. This little joint had been my go-to breakfast spot since I hung up my gangster muscle days and picked up the badge of a private detective. The smells, the sounds of clinking dishes, and the familiar faces made it feel like home.

      I slid into my usual booth by the window, nodding to a couple of regulars. Linda, my favorite waitress, sashayed over with a smile that could light up the darkest Detroit night. Her blonde curls bounced as she moved, and her eyes sparkled with the promise of playful banter.

      Morning, Z, she said, her voice honeyed with charm. The usual?

      You know it, darling, I replied, leaning back and letting my eyes drift over her. Linda and I had a routine, a dance of words and glances that made breakfast more than just a meal. How’s your morning been, beautiful?

      Better now that you’re here, she quipped, scribbling down my order. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and wheat toast coming right up.

      As Linda walked away, I couldn’t help but smile. It was the little things that kept me going—like a good meal and some harmless flirting. I took a sip of coffee, savoring the bitter warmth, and glanced out the window at the bustling city. Detroit was alive, pulsating with energy, both good and bad.

      Linda returned with my breakfast, setting the plate in front of me with a wink. Enjoy, Z.

      You know I will, I said, grinning. I dug into my meal, savoring each bite. The eggs were fluffy, the bacon crisp, and the toast perfectly golden. Life’s simple pleasures.

      Just as I was finishing up, the bell above the diner door jingled, and in walked Gino, a low-level dealer with a nose for information. He spotted me and made a beeline for my booth, sliding in across from me without an invitation.

      Morning, Z, Gino said, glancing around nervously. His greasy hair and darting eyes gave him the look of a man perpetually on edge.

      Gino, I replied, leaning back. What brings you here?

      I got something for you, he said, lowering his voice. About that case you’ve been working on. Brenda Franklin.

      I put down my fork and gave him my full attention. I'm listening.

      Gino licked his lips, leaning in closer. Word on the street is that an Italian mobster’s been bragging about being with Brenda the night she died. Said he paid good money to get her an audition with some sleazy record producer.

      My heart skipped a beat. Brenda’s case had been a knot in my gut for three years, a reminder of a bright star extinguished too soon. You got a name?

      Gino shook his head. Not yet. But I’m working on it. Thought you’d want to know.

      I nodded, reaching into my pocket and pulling out a few bills. I handed them to Gino. Keep your ear to the ground. And if you hear anything about Dr. Emile Wyatt’s murder, I want to know about that too.

      Gino’s eyes widened, and he leaned back, shaking his head. Z, you might want to stay away from that one. It’s dangerous, even for you.

      Just do what I asked, Gino, I said, my tone firm. Let me worry about the danger.

      Gino pocketed the money and nodded. You got it, Z. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.

      As Gino left, I finished my coffee, pondering his words. The connection between Brenda and the record producer was a lead I couldn't ignore. And as for Dr. Wyatt’s murder, I wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, no matter how dangerous.

      I paid my bill and left a generous tip for Linda, flashing her a smile as I headed out. See you tomorrow, darling.

      Can’t wait, Z, she called after me.

      Stepping out into the Detroit morning, I felt the familiar rush of adrenaline. Two cases, two lives cut short, and a city full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. It was time to get to work.

      Chapter Two

      The morning air was crisp as I stepped out of Marcy’s Diner and into the bustling streets of Detroit. My mind was racing with thoughts of Dr. Emile Wyatt's murder. The cold case had recently become my primary focus, driven by Geraldine Wyatt's desperation and the tantalizing challenge it presented. Brenda Franklin’s murder, though still important, had taken a back seat for now.

      I walked to my office, a small but well-furnished space on the edge of downtown. The building was old, with a creaky elevator that seemed to groan louder every day, but it had character. I liked that. As I walked in, I was greeted by the familiar scent of leather and old books. I took a moment to straighten my suit and ran a hand through my wavy hair before settling behind my desk.

      My office was my sanctuary, a place where I could sift through the chaos and find patterns, connections. I pulled out the file on Dr. Wyatt and spread it across my desk, the photographs and notes a grim reminder of a life abruptly ended. The distinguished doctor had been well-respected, his death leaving a void in the community.

      I was deep in thought when the phone rang, jarring me back to the present. I picked up the receiver.

      Zion Phillips, I said.

      Z, it’s Gino, came the familiar voice on the other end. I’ve got something for you. Meet me at Joe’s Bar in an hour.

      Joe’s Bar, an hour. Got it, I replied before hanging up. Joe’s was a dive, the kind of place where deals were made in shadows and secrets exchanged over cheap whiskey. It wasn’t my favorite haunt, but it had its uses.

      I gathered my notes on Dr. Wyatt and headed out. The drive to Joe’s was uneventful, the city’s morning rush giving way to the midday lull. I parked a block away and walked the rest, keeping an eye on my surroundings. You could never be too careful in this line of work.

      Inside, Joe’s was dimly lit, with a haze of smoke hanging in the air. I spotted Gino at a back table, nursing a drink. He looked up as I approached, his eyes wary.

      Hey, Z, he said as I sat down. Thanks for coming.

      You said you had more info, I replied, cutting to the chase.

      Gino leaned in closer. I heard some things about Dr. Wyatt. People are saying he was into some shady business before he died.

      I raised an eyebrow. Shady business? Like what?

      Money laundering, Gino said, his voice low. For Milton 'King M' Brown.

      The name hit me like a punch to the gut. King M was a notorious gangster, a man who controlled half the city’s black underworld. If Dr. Wyatt had been laundering money for him, it meant this case was far more dangerous than I’d anticipated.

      King M, I repeated, my mind racing. "Why would a respectable doctor

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