Charles J Sellens

The 48th Ronin Charles J Sellens

Protagonist Bradley Phillips writes what he asserts is a novel. He is unfairly dismissed from the army over issues with stolen rifles. He takes a job in Frederick County, Kansas where he finds most county employees much less than professional. Bradley struggles to resist the charms of a beautiful, sexy clerk in the engineer's office, Angelia Rubio. Emergency Management Director Denice Ellis mistakenly believes Bradley is there to steal her job. Bradley attempts to spin her physical assault attempt into a positive event. Friends and relatives of a recently deceased county commissioner inform Bradley that the commissioner was murdered. Other residents try to convince him that the county is controlled by the Mafia. There are claims that several county employees are Mafia members including County Clerk Larry Locascio and County Attorney Stuart Capecia. Anecdotal evidence suggests there may be some truth in the rumors of Mafia connections. Many people assume he is an undercover agent for the FBI or KBI investigating the commissioner's death or perhaps Frederick County's Mafia connection. Bradley rents a house through Real Estate Agent Eddie Townsley. Townsley is suspected of being a principal in a right-wing, paramilitary organization. Bradly finds an attractive rental property under term that are almost too good to be true. Townsley sues Bradley claiming breach of contract. Bradley's pro se defense is successful with the help of County Attorney Stuart Capecia. Bradley is compromised when he is given assignments beyond his ability. He crosses legal lines attempting to resolve a controversy with members of Townsley's paramilitary organization. He counts these dim-witted, muscle-bound farmers as his new friends. Bradley does part-time investigative work for Clerk Lacassio despite Bradley's concern Locascio may have Mafia connections. Locascio's generous payments further complicates Bradley's life. Bradley's army friend, Mercedes Hamilton, informs Bradley that he is a suspect in stolen weapons from his former post in Germany. Bradley decides that he must leave the US and take a new identity in Japan. His plans for a new life includes getting a new identity and passport. He meets attractive, wealthy Peggy Oyler. She agrees to help Bradly get a passport in the name of her severely handicapped husband. Peggy makes Bradley an offer of marriage and wealth that he decides he will take. Bradley plots to expose Frederick County residents that he is convinced are Mafia members and murderers. He plans on going to Japan with Peggy after his successes. Bradley's plans are thwarted in an unexpected twist of fate. He teeters closer and closer to insanity. He begins creating a fantasy world in which he will act as the hero in a famous Japanese historical event and legend, The Forty-seven Ronin. Bradley's plots for closure provide an end to his novel. Bradley informs his readers he will write a factual book to document his newly planned successes.