This is the story of an inept and bizarre contract security company, providing guards, and investigative work. The book is set in the late 1970s through the early 90's

A shake-up in the NYPD homicide squad following a high-profile murder is bad for business for private investigator Nero Wolfe. When wealthy and popular crusader and reformer Lester Pierce is gunned down in front of his Park Avenue residence, the public outcry forces the NYPD to restructure its homicide department. As the deceased was highly critical of Inspector Lionel Cramer, the longtime head of homicide is temporarily relieved of his badge. But it seems Cramer was not just a scapegoat: He was seen dining in Little Italy with mob kingpin Ralph Mars. All of which amounts to little more than conversational fodder for PI Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie Goodwin. But if Cramer’s provisional replacement, Capt. George Rowcliff, becomes permanent, Wolfe’s future dealings with the force will be much compromised. Loath to depart from his routine, Wolfe makes the unusual decision to take on a case without an actual client. His investigation quickly points toward Pierce’s organization, Good Government Group, where high-minded idealism is often trampled under the competing ambitions of the staff—several of whom would clearly have benefited from Pierce’s demise. Despite the burgeoning list of suspects, Wolfe hasn’t ruled out the involvement of the underworld and its connection to Cramer. But in order to untangle an abundance of motives and end the inspector’s forced furlough, Wolfe may have to venture out of his comfort zone—and the premises of his brownstone. Continuing his beloved series—which also includes Archie Meets Nero Wolfe, Murder in the Ball Park, Archie in the Crosshairs, and Murder, Stage Left—Nero Award–winning author Robert Goldsborough “demonstrates an impressive ability to emulate Rex Stout’s narrative voice” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). The Battered Badge is the 60th book in the Nero Wolfe Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

The author describes how she went from a gang member, married to an abusive husband, and on welfare to becoming a member of the Santa Ana police force.

She was only eighteen years old when she first tasted the blood of violence. She was a young mother tired of the abuse and constantly on the run, escaping the raging fists of her husband, the man she once loved and trusted. Betrayal of his promises, the beatings and a near-death experience brought her to find refuge behind a police badge. Her chilling details of abuse, takes you on a long journey where she finally ends the family violence and becomes a cop. Based on a true story, Aileen Christine takes you back into the early 1970's when most police officers were reluctant to make an arrest during a domestic violence call.

Bring the Classics To Life. These novels have been adapted into 10 short chapters that will excite the reluctant reader as well as the enthusiastic one. Key words are defined and used in context. Multiple-choice questions require the student to recall specific details, sequence the events, draw inferences from story context, develop another name for the chapter, and choose the main idea. Let the Classics introduce Kipling, Stevenson, and H.G. Wells. Your students will embrace the notion of Crusoe's lonely reflections, the psychological reactions of a Civil War soldier at Chancellorsville, and the tragedy of the Jacobite Cause in 18th Century Scotland. In our society, knowledge of these Classics is a cultural necessity. Improves fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

Sam Cielakie, a longtime police officer, shares thirty-one uplifting devotionals for those serving in law enforcement. Drawing on his experiences with the patrol division, criminal investigations, and administrative services, he highlights struggles, challenges, and life lessons from his career while relating them to Scripture and the Word of God. Some of the insights he shares include: • It’s the silence before the storm that keeps us on edge. • We need to focus on Jesus when stressors overtake us. • Being lost is not bad when we have guidance. The author also emphasizes that we must remember that our lives are not defined by being law enforcement officers. When we go home, we have to be husbands, wives, dads, or moms. We are people foremost and should never be branded only by the badge we wear. After each devotional, the author includes a prayer and further reading from the Bible, so you can capitalize on your learning and move closer to the Lord.

From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author: “The story of L.A.’s dirtiest cop . . . A riveting glimpse of the dark side of human behavior” (Flint Journal). Bill Leasure was among the least ambitious officers ever to wear the badge for the Los Angeles Police Department. He was content to work the traffic beat and only rarely gave out tickets. He also ran scams that netted him countless riches, from stealing yachts to collecting guns and cars. And he further enriched himself by setting up a murder-for-hire ring. Was he in it for the thrills? Was he a cop playing both sides of the law for the fun of it? Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Edward Humes explores the lies and psychopathy that enabled Bill Leasure to fool even the most savvy of city prosecutors, his own wife. “Rife with vivid description. Disturbing.” —The Miami Herald “Fascinating . . . A superbly crafted chronicle of one of the most complex, enigmatic criminals in memory. Far stronger and more compelling than most crime fiction.” —Kirkus Reviews “Excellent . . . Authoritative, impeccably documented and disturbing.” —The Orange County Register “Painstaking research and hair-trigger pacing.” —Publishers Weekly

Rafe Cardoza was a government agent, a professional who knew better than to let his emotions get in the way. But that was before duty brought him back into Daniela Fabrizio’s life as suddenly as he had been forced to leave it twenty years before.... The boy she’d once been forbidden to love was now the man responsible for Daniela’s safety. The single mom with a baby on the way wasn’t sure what scared her more, the fact that someone wanted her dead...or that Rafe still wanted her. Was he ready to take on fatherhood, or would he walk away when his mission was accomplished?

''He’s a cold-blooded murderer behind his badge and we can’t keep him around as town marshal.'' ''You really think Mark has turned killer?'' one of them asked. Rohle, who had appointed himself head of the group, said smoothly, ''This last shooting proves it to me. The marshal gunned down an unarmed man. I think Mark is unbalanced. Killing sometimes gets to be a habit that can’t be stopped. ''We’ll give Mark until sundown to turn in his badge and leave town. If he refuses, well - he’ll get a taste of his own medicine.''