Barcelona Jones - Murder on Broadway

Barcelona Jones

  Murder on Broadway

  Barcelona Jones is a Broadway star. Her new play, Murder on Broadway is a big hit with people waiting months to buy a ticket to see it.

  At one evening performance, at the end of the first act, real bullets are put into the prop gun killing one of the cast players. Were the bullets meant for him or one of the other players?

  Soon, another murder occurs, as well as two attempted murders: one of them on the star, Barcelona Jones herself.

  Barcelona hires a private detective to investigate the crimes, and he completely falls in love with her on their first meeting.

  Will her feelings for Sam, the detective, be the same? And who is the murderer? Could it possibly be Barcelona's friend and stage actress, Brenda Summers? That's up to you, the reader, to find out.

  Barcelona Jones

  Murder on Broadway

  by

  Chuck Antone, Jr.

  © 2014 Chuck Antone, Jr

  Barcelona Jones is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

  .

  Direct Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE® Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

  Hearten Publishing

  P.O. Box 4404

  Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

  United States of America

  [email protected]

  Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Books by Chuck Antone

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Chapter 47

  Chapter 48

  Chapter 49

  Chapter 50

  Chapter 51

  Chapter 52

  Chapter 53

  Chapter 54

  Chapter 55

  Chapter 56

  Chapter 57

  Chapter 58

  Chapter 59

  Chapter 60

  Chapter 61

  Chapter 62

  The Prayer

  Dedication

  To Doni, my wife of sixty great years as of this writing. How many more will the Lord graciously give to us?

  While writing Barcelona Jones I reminisced a lot about how we met and how I knew you were the one I was going to marry, even tho' you were not my date that April night in 1953.

  When I told my mother and father that I had found the girl I was going to marry, my mother responded just as Sam's mother does in Barcelona Jones, "How do you know? You haven't even kissed her yet." A lot of the characteristics of Sam and Barcelona Jones come from us.

  We were both so young, but praise God, when He puts something together it lasts forever.

  I LOVE MBW . . . FROM YFP

  Acknowledgements

  As always to my wife, Doni, for the many proof readings and suggestions . . . plus her patience.

  To Chris, my editor, who has been a blessing to me. This is our fifth book together. Each one gets better and better because of you. Many thanks, and may Jesus bless you, my friend, each day.

  About the Author

  Chuck and Doni have been missionaries since 1981. They live on the Big Island of Hawaii.

  They have two children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

  They have helped start churches in the Philippines, Hong Kong, So. Africa and also Taiwan where Chuck ministers four months each year.

  They have also done outreaches in Japan, Indonesia and in the mainland USA. They have smuggled Bibles into mainland China and have hiked up mountains in the Philippines while being watched by the New Peoples' Army, a Communist group that lives and hides in the mountain areas.

  Chuck was also arrested in a third world country and faced a year in prison for teaching a seminar on how to be a witness for Christ. After three weeks he was deported and sent back to his home in Hawaii.

  He says, "Being a Christian is only boring when one makes it be boring."

  Chuck is the Pastor of the Kona Coast Chaplaincy on the Big Island of Hawaii, and he along with Doni are the Directors of Go Spread His Word Ministries, Inc. founded in 1990.

 

  You can contact Chuck at:

  [email protected]

  or write

  P.O. Box 4404, Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

  Chuck's paperback books can also be purchased through major Internet sellers, and some titles are available as e-Books...

  Books by Chuck Antone, Jr.

  Lord, Send Me

  The author’s feelings and emotions while facing a one year prison sentence in a third world country.

  Paperback only

  You’ve Got to be Kidding, Lord. You want me to tell WHO about You?

  Share the Gospel? Does the thought make you want to hide in bed with the blankets over your head? If it does, you’re not alone, but help is at hand. Here is what Chuck Antone, Jr. says in this exciting book written with great humor and much understanding:

  Are you ready to experience sharing Christ with the lost? Does one name keep popping into your mind? Has God been whispering in your ear? If so, be challenged, make that contact and see what God can do.

  Be encouraged by just being available. Just be the instrument, the tool. Let God do the work. He is much better at it than we are, for He has had a lot more experience in bringing someone to His Son, Jesus Christ. After all, He is God, the Mighty One, the Powerful One, the Creator, Our Savior, Our Father, the One and Only God.

  Paperback ISBN 978-1-9350-7934-7

  Also available as an e-Book in most formats

  You’ve Got to be Kidding, Lord

  (See previous book for details)

  This edition is in Chinese.

  Paperback only ISBN 978-1-4818-2238-1

  You Can’t Be
Serious, Lord. You want me to love WHO?

  This book is written to encourage you to love one another. Not always easy, but it’s a command from our Lord Jesus Christ. Has God ever told you or commanded you to love someone you find hard to love? Have you ever heard yourself say, "You can't be serious, Lord, you want me to love who?" And then when you give in and love that person, he or she can become your very good friend.

  This book will help you to understand God's special love that He has for each of us. By reviewing 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, and Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit, we not only see His love, but the love we should have for one another.

  At the end of each chapter you will be challenged to do just that. So have your writing instrument and a notebook ready and be honest with yourself.

  Paperback ISBN: 978-1505514629

  Also available in most e-Book formats

  Paul’s Island

  Fiction. Volume 1. A Kit and Kat mystery. A mystery about eight university graduates who spend five days on the island. When one of them is murdered, the others help the Inspector solve the case. The two main characters are Christians with criminology degrees.

  Paperback ISBN 978-0-6154-7577-6

  Also available in most e-Book formats

  High Seas Murder

  Fiction. Volume 2. A Kit and Kat mystery. Kit and Kat have just set up their own private detective agency, and are ready to go on a Mediterranean cruise before they open up their doors for business. The cruise is meant to be a time of relaxation, but the onboard theft of a necklace worth over $3,000,000 needs their investigative skills. Soon it’s not just stolen jewelry that Kit and Kat are involved with, as theft turns to murder on the High Seas.

  Paperback ISBN 978-1-4681-2356-2

  Also available in most e-Book formats

  Barcelona Jones

  Murder on Broadway

  Fiction. Barcelona Jones is a Broadway star. Her new play, Murder on Broadway is a big hit with people waiting months to buy a ticket to see it.

  At one evening performance, at the end of the first act, real bullets are put into the prop gun killing one of the cast players. Were the bullets meant for him or one of the other players?

  Soon, another murder occurs, as well as two attempted murders: one of them on the star, Barcelona Jones herself.

  Barcelona hires a private detective to investigate the crimes, and he completely falls in love with her on their first meeting.

  Will her feelings for Sam, the detective, be the same? And who is the murderer? Could it possibly be Barcelona’s friend and stage actress, Brenda Summers? That’s up to you, the reader, to find out.

  Paperback ISBN 13: 978-1-4949-6945-5

  Also available in most e-Book formats

  The Centurion and the Crown of Thorns

  A fictional story about the Centurion who, at the foot of the cross, said, "Truly this was the Son of God."

  As people leave the scene of the crucifixion, the Centurion, known in this book as Marcus, stays a little longer. While he’s looking up at Jesus who is still nailed to the cross beams, a small earthquake happens. The crown of thorns falls off Jesus’ head and rolls to the feet of Marcus, where it stops.

  As Marcus bends down and touches the crown he senses a strong power coming from it. He immediately feels clean and new, and a great peace comes over him. He doesn’t understand it but he enjoys the feeling.

  He takes the crown home to share his story with his wife, who wants nothing to do with it. After all, she was one of the many who were in the courtyard yelling for Jesus to be crucified. On the other hand, his ten-year-old son is fascinated by what his father tells him, and is intrigued by the crown and wants to learn more.

  Marcus and his son Antony become believers, and Marcus searches out ten Bible prophecies that Jesus has fulfilled. He wants to teach his son many things about their new Messiah.

  The crown not only gives Marcus strength and peace, but it also has healing powers that bring him and his son Antony closer in their walk with the Lord.

  As the story unfolds, Marcus learns how each of the ten prophecies was fulfilled. And because of this, he is now ready to completely give his life to his new God, especially after he has an opportunity to meet with the risen Jesus face to face, who tells him it is time to give up the crown of thorns.

  Paperback ISBN 13: 978-1-4812-9390-7

  Also available in most e-Book formats

  Ava Montez -- Her Life and Death

  Fiction. Who killed Hollywood legend Ava Montez, once known as the most beautiful woman in the world? The murder has been unsolved for over forty years. But that’s about to change, when the New York Reader’s reporter, Rae Collins, is assigned to do a story on the life and death of Ava Montez.

  The murderer, who has felt safe all these years, is now threatened by Rae’s interviews with the four original suspects. And she’s already getting too close. The only way to prevent being caught and sent to prison for life is to murder again. And Rae is to be the murderer’s next victim!

  Paperback ISBN 978-0-6154-4522-9

  Also available in most e-Book formats

  Barsabbas

  Fictional love story between a man and a woman, and their love for Jesus, as He teaches them from the book of Mark.

  Paperback ISBN 978-1-6157-9058-6

  Paperbacks books and e-Books (where done) are available from most online retailers.

  For paperback order form and information on books and CDs:

  P.O. Box 4404

  Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

  United States of America

  Chapter 1

  Tuesday

  When anyone hears I'm married to Barcelona Jones, the questions begin:

  "How did you meet her?"

  "When did you fall in love with her?"

  "How long have you been married to her?"

  And of course the statement that I've heard so often, "You sure are a lucky guy."

  I don't think there's a soul living on this planet that hasn't heard of Barcelona Jones. And they all seem to be madly in love with her.

  Tonight Barcelona and I are celebrating our fiftieth wedding anniversary. Time has flown by so fast.

  I'll be with her in just over an hour. Our three children will also be with us.

  So while I'm getting ready, let me take you back a little over fifty years to the 1960s, and tell you the story of how I met and fell in love with Barcelona Jones, stage and screen actress.

  It was on a rainy evening when I left my office. I was at that time a private detective, just as my father was. When he decided to retire he asked me to take over the business. I'd been preparing for it for a long time. By his encouragement I went to college and received my degree in criminology. I also studied some law as I believed it would help me. I knew it would be important while investigating the many cases I had, for protection of me and my clients.

  Our daughter Lisbon now runs the agency and she's very good at it. She also holds a degree in criminology.

  I was being trained by Dad while going to school. And after I graduated we worked side by side for almost six years. When he thought I was ready to take over, he retired and left it all to me. For over thirty years he'd built the business into a very successful and well known agency. His words to me were, "Sam my son, you're ready. I have no second thoughts. Your mom and I are going to enjoy our remaining years together."

  My home was just a little over two miles from my office, so most of the time I walked. But that night because of the rain I looked for a taxi. I saw one parked across the street, so I ran over and got in the cab just about the same time as Barcelona did through the opposite door.

  She smiled and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought this was my cab. I had called for one," while putting her hand on the door handle ready to get out.

  I said, "No, it's me who's sorry. I thought it was available and just got in. I'm sure it must be your cab."

  "It's okay, I'm not going very far. Just to the Shuster Theat
er. We can share if you like. It's a terrible day with the rain and wind. No one should be walking in it."

  "That would be great. The theater is right on my way. I walk past it most every day, but on the other side of the street. Sharing would be fine, if you don't mind." I paused for a moment, then stretching out my hand I said, "Hi, I'm Sam."

  "Hello, I'm Barcelona," looking up at me. For a second I thought she was expecting some kind of a reaction. I wasn't sure why, so I said, "Barcelona? That's an interesting name. How did you come by it?"

  Flashing that wonderful smile of hers, all she said was, "My parents had their reasons."

  As we rode the short distance in silence, I took in her features: the blonde hair, her eyes, and of course the face. I was thinking she was beautiful enough to be a movie star. Little did I know who she really was.

  When we arrived at her destination she reached into her bag to pay the fare.

  I said, "Please let me get it. After all, this is your taxi and you have graciously let me ride in it. That's the least I can do. Please, I insist."

  "All right, since you insist. But here take these two tickets. It's for the performance tonight at this theater. Bring a date, a wife, fiancée or a friend."

  "A friend I can bring. Don't have a wife or a fiancée. Thanks. I was wondering what I was going to do tonight. Will I be seeing you there?"

  "Yes, I'll be there." She got out of the taxi, turned to me gave me that dazzling smile of hers, and a look as if I was missing something.

  Chapter 2

  At that time I was not much on theater plays, so I knew little about them. My thing at that time -- remember, it was over fifty years ago -- was watching a good movie either on TV or at one of our movie houses. But since I had two free tickets in the palm of my hand when I got home, I called my sister Erica who was always talking about one of the many plays she and her husband Rick had seen.

  I knew that if she hadn't seen this one, whatever it was and if it had good reviews, she would want to go if she had no other plans for the evening. Besides, Rick was off someplace on a business journey, and she was all alone because my mom had taken their kids for a few days. Don't get me wrong: they had and have a great marriage and have two adorable children, and I love being called Uncle Sam even these many years later. Rick and I have always been good friends. He met my sister on a double date that I had arranged.