Running Fast and Loose

Book excerpt: Running Fast and Loose by Ronald Raptor is the sequel to the author’s first book, MONEY Is The DEVIL. The protagonist, James Falcon, M.D., a.k.a. “Falcon” , is a successful orthopedic surgeon whose career has been derailed by false accusations of sexual assault by two patients, Wanda Leblanc and Bea Dubuque, both diagnosable with borderline personality disorder. Falcon has found temporary work as a limousine driver, but wants to return to practicing his specialty of arthroscopic surgery. As this book opens Falcon decides to seek his fortune in Dubai, where he meets a group of Canadian orthopedists who have been contracted to provide medical care to the Emirati. His hopes are dashed, however, following a Google search prompted by the Canadians’ experience with the “South African Slasher.” Upon his return from the United Arab Emirates, Falcon grows bored with his limousine job and decides to step up to driving 18 wheeler tractor-trailers. He has a string of adventures in this endeavor over the next 18 months when the police leave a summons at his front door. Wanda and Bea, out of spite for having their civil suits dismissed, have filed felony criminal charges of indecent assault and battery. Ryan Leary, Falcon’s attorney, guides him through the legal process, culminating in a plea bargain. The sexual charges are dropped, and the felony charges are reduced to a misdemeanor assault and battery, with a one-year probation, during which time Falcon makes monthly visits to a psychotherapist, Mark Randolph. Mark realizes that Falcon was given a “bum deal” by the women of the Board and champions his cause. Wanda has managed to have her civil suit reopened due to the Board’s finding and hires a new attorney, Norman Beaudoin, after her long-time friend and attorney, Joyce DiGiacomo, is disbarred by the Bar Board of Overseers for unethical behavior on another case. Falcon is forced to file bankruptcy, which infuriates Wanda because it delays the civil trial. She convinces Attorney Beaudoin that Falcon must have “millions” hidden away because she knows he owned a private jet at one time. In a complicated set of legal maneuvers, it is revealed to Judge Levine of the Bankruptcy court that Wanda and her husband committed perjury on their own bankruptcy petition several years earlier when they failed to disclose that they had filed a civil suit against Falcon. The Judge rules that the matter first be turned over to Attorney Steven Powalski, the bankruptcy trustee who handled the Leblancs’ bankruptcy 6 years earlier, to see if he wants to reopen the case. In a twist of events, Powalski relays a solicitation of a $20,000 bribe through Falcon’s bankruptcy attorney, Dan Dimeless. If Falcon pays up, Powalski will refuse to reopen Wanda’s old bankruptcy case and Judge Levine has already ruled that the civil suit will not “abandon” to Wanda Leblanc and her husband, meaning they cannot go forward with the civil suit. When Falcon refuses to pay the bribe, Powalski reopens the old bankruptcy case which means the civil suit can proceed. In a another surprising twist of events, Falcon learns through his network of friends and supporters that Wanda has been caught shoplifting across state lines and has been evading arrest by using aliases and false addresses. He contacts a Sergeant Moreau, who is investigating the case, and relays the details to Ryan Leary. Ryan then decides to call Sergeant Moreau as a last minute addition to the witness list for the civil trial. When Attorney Beaudoin learns of his client’s criminal activities, he throws in the towel, and abandons the case. He signs a “Joint Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice” along with Ryan and the case is dismissed for the second time. Falcon is finally rid of Wanda after 10 years. Very quickly, Falcon’s frame of mind changes, and he decides that it is time to direct his energies to reactivating his medical license. As the book ends, Falcon establishes c