The Doctor's Bag

by John Schlarbaum

In March 1990, after kissing his wife and boys goodbye, Barry Jones departed his small town home and headed to work in the city. He never arrived. Now seven years later, in order to collect his life insurance, Cathy Jones is set to have the courts declare her absentee husband dead once and for all. Enter Private Investigator Steve Cassidy - a man with a checkered past and looking for a second chance. Hired by Global Insurance to take a fresh look at this cold case, Cassidy must try to uncover new clues to Jones’ disappearance. However, with the court date looming, there is precious little time to complete his investigation. In addition to seeking out the truth, Cassidy must overcome another major the skeptical locals in his hometown of Delta, which he left under mysterious circumstances years earlier. Cassidy must also explore his own heart when confronted by his high school sweetheart - the girl he left behind. Like Barry Jones, he too had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind countless unanswered questions. Did he and Jones have more in common than he would like to admit? If so, would the information ultimately help him find his man? Global Insurance was gambling he could, while the good citizens of Delta were wagering he couldn’t. Steve Cassidy, a disgraced ex-cop with a broken soul, had his work cut out for him. He knew this time around, he had one final shot at redemption and could blame no one but himself if he failed to solve his first big case.

Genres: Adult Fiction

77 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

John Schlarbaum was raised in the small town of West Lorne in Southwestern Ontario. After graduating from a respected Television Broadcasting Program, he worked in the television industry for several years. It was during this period he began his professional writing career while working as a Field Director and Writer for several nationally syndicated daily television programs. He has also been a licenced Private Investigator for over 17 years.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle short story about a father and son's definition of manhood, growing up and family, metaphorically expressed through a family heirloom. The doctor's bag itself is sort of a character too, containing treasures within that also represent the story's theme. A good story but kind of expensive since the story is very short and can be read in one sitting.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a good book, and I'm not just saying that because John is making me. (hehehehehe)