2021 – Page 2 – Phil Cline

The Alumnus, a novel by Phil Cline,

November 12, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Chapters 25 through 27 Chapter Twenty-Five Back in my law office, I searched through the pile of messages I had discarded on my desk looking for the one from Wanda. I would try calling the number again on the oft chance she would answer. I listened to the ringing for long minutes before I returned the receiver […]

Cline on the Constitution-Property Rights

November 10, 2021 by philcline in Bill of Rights / Blog / Cline on the Constitution

The power of government at every level is wide, intrusive, and growing. In the last 18 months, cloaked in a doctrine of necessity justified by a pandemic, the expansion of governmental power over our lives has been unprecedented and unchallengeable. Should it be restrained? Can it be? Absent a wholesale turn-around in how government officialdom […]

The Alumnus, a novel by Phil Cline

November 10, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Chapters 22 through 24 Chapter Twenty-Two I sat in a quiet office staring at the file folder in the middle of the desk before me. It was thick and looked like it would take a few hours to review. I put off opening it. Procrastination was not unusual for me. Especially when faced with a large unpleasant task. I left […]

The Alumnus

November 9, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

The Alumnus, Chapters 19-21 Chapter Nineteen Like any good lawyer I checked off in my mind an array of threats I might make. And like any good lawyer I knew that in this, as in most situations, threats of legal action were empty. Logically I next thought of threatening to call the authorities, but my belief in […]

The Alumnus, Chapters 16-19

November 7, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

The Alumnus, a novel by Phil Cline Chapter Sixteen “I want to talk to you, counselor.” Maurice’s tone of voice left no room for debate. Brenda had been returned to her waiting area. Wanda had lumbered down the hall to use the restroom. I had just entered from the interview room from where I had been observing on […]

The Alumnus, Chapters 13-15

November 3, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Chapter Thirteen I drove over to the county administrative complex. It housed not only the Sheriff’s headquarters but also the main jail and, down in the basement in the far northeast corner of the building, not that far from the cafeteria, the Morgue. The morgue’s proximity was one reason I never ate in the cafeteria. Not even on […]

The Alumnus, Chapters 10-12

October 29, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Alumnus, Chapter 10-12 Chapter Ten I was battered and bruised. Wanda had encouraged me get drunk and then had her way with me and now, standing at the bathroom sink, I was bemoaning what remained of my abused manhood. I hurt down low. Thought maybe I had a cracked rib a little further up. A large bruise was forming […]

The Alumnus

October 24, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

The Alumnus, A Novel by Phil Cline Chapters Seven through Nine Chapter Seven “Looney.” We were alone again, just the detectives and me. Detective Wiley had just weighed in with his considered opinion. Characteristically short, but I was inclined to agree with his assessment. However, I was not anxious to see our suspect so described in official police […]

The Alumnus, Chapters 4-6

October 22, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Chapter Four I sat staring at my autographed baseball. “Mickey Mantle” handwritten. And right below; “NO. 7” also in script. Best centerfielder ever. Maybe the best ball player ever. I looked at the other autographed baseballs on their individual glass stands on my office credenza. “Ted Williams.” “Willie Mays.” “Duke Snyder”. Good ballplayers. Great ballplayers. But not as good as “The Mic.” Now there was […]

The Alumnus

October 17, 2021 by philcline in Blog / Literary Writings / Novels

Chapters One through Three, Chapter One I held Brenda’s nametag in my hands. Gingerly. I hated cutting myself and the plastic’s broken edges were ragged and sharp. It had been split in a diagonal line from top left to bottom right. I was careful of the back too. Just as hazardous was that awkward needle pin lock contraption […]

Year: 2021