Guest Post & #Giveaway: The Pawn (The Lemaster Files #2) by John David
- Archaeolibrarian
- 5 hours ago
- 13 min read
Book Details:
Genre: Mystery, Conspiracy Thriller
Published by: Tule Publishing
Publication Date: May 13, 2026
Number of Pages: 251
ISBN: 9781970840513 (ISBN10: 197084051X)
@ByJohnDavid @thetulegroup @partnersincrimevbt
@ByJohnDavid @TulePublishing @partnersincrimevbt
When TV reporter Pete Lemaster gets an after-hours call from a college friend, he doesn’t expect it to catapult him into another big story in his reporting career. Scott “Uncle Scotty” Wilkins—a globe-trotting, charismatic businessman—has been arrested at a Singapore airport with enough drugs to guarantee a life sentence.
The case explodes into an international spectacle. Viral images of Scotty charm the public, fuel conspiracy theories, and attract opportunists eager to profit from the scandal. For Pete, it’s personal—he owes the family a favor. But pursuing the truth could compromise his career.
Teaming up with police lieutenant Rebecca Dawes, Pete follows a trail that leads from glossy boardrooms to Singapore’s prisons. Every clue exposes another enemy: betrayed lovers, vengeful spouses, shady investors, and rivals with millions at stake.
But the closer Pete gets to uncovering who framed his friend, the more he realizes he may be the next pawn in a deadly game of deception.
If you enjoy journalist-sleuth mysteries like The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, you’ll be hooked on The Lemaster Files!
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Chapter One
Jacksonville, Florida, USA Thursday, 7 p.m. EST
HE PHONE STARTED to vibrate its way across the kitchen counter. I hated that. It shook when it went
unanswered, bleating like a wounded sheep.
Pay attention to me. Answer me.
But it was my day off, and my phone had been set to DO NOT DISTURB. Yet it still rang. I was watching the NCAA basketball tournament, as was my right on my day off. My Florida Gators were struggling more than they should as the favorite in their first-round game. I had a little bit of money but mainly pride on the line.
Still bleating.
I read an article recently, saying members of Generation Z were now offended if you called unannounced. Text before you call, they so arrogantly professed. Make an appointment to hear any voice associated with the participation-trophy generation.
Being neither a Gen Zer nor a trophy, I didn’t know who was calling. Someone in my contact list had called in rapid succession, working around the do-not-bother-me setting. So, either something was up, or the spam callers had
cracked another smartphone code.
I got up and went to the kitchen and to the phone. I wanted another beer anyway.
The name on the screen said Cole Nathan, one of my college buddies.
Not work. Thank you, basketball gods.
I was fully expecting we would immediately jump into a conversation about why our star player was launching three-pointers without anyone under the basket to rebound. The phenom had also seemingly forgotten how to pass.
I picked up the phone and just started talking, “Can you believe this guy? I mean, I know he’s gonna be in the NBA next year, but he’s like one step from half-court and letting it fly.”
“Pete, I’m not watching the game, sorry,” Cole said. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Oh, okay,” I said. “What’s going on?” “Uncle Scotty is in jail.”
“What?” I said. I had to think for a second. I had met Cole’s uncle a few times in college. We went out to bars with him. “What happened?”
“He got arrested yesterday at the airport in Singapore.” “You’re kidding. Shit. For what?”
“Drug possession.”
“Damn. That sucks. Singapore?” Questions were flowing through my head faster than I could articulate them. “Um, I don’t really know what to say, man. I can’t even remember Scotty doing drugs. It was usually fun, but it’s been years since you have even mentioned him. Did he have a problem?
And wait, Singapore?”
“He’s not a drug dealer, if that’s what you’re asking,” Cole said.
“I don’t know what I’m asking. Let’s start with what happened and what you know.”
“I’m not exactly sure what’s going on. We got a report they found drugs in his luggage when he was going to Singapore on business.”
“What kind of business?” I asked. Scott was always pretty slick.
“He works for a real estate fund. He’s been there before.
It’s a big mess,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Cole. It’s terrible. Do you need a referral for a lawyer? I can talk to my brother. I don’t think this is the kind of thing he does, but he knows a lot of other lawyers.”
“Well, he’s got a lawyer over there, and we’re talking to some guys here. But we think it might hit the news and be bad, and that’s why I thought about you.”
“Okay, Cole, you know I cover Jacksonville, right? Every once in a while, something crazy happens and I cover national news, but I’m not sure how I can help.”
“Uncle Scotty lives in Jacksonville,” Cole said.
“He does?” I said, putting down the not-yet-opened new beer and looking for a pen.
“Yes, he does.”
“Oh, okay, if a business guy from Jacksonville just got arrested in Singapore, I’m guessing our desk already knows about it. I don’t know who’s going to cover this or even if it’ll get assigned to somebody. Do you guys want the world
to know about this? I mean, I can’t kill it if the desk is on it, but I might be able to help. What do you want?”
“Pete, we’re worried the world will think my uncle is a drug dealer. You know him. I don’t know what happened, but something is not right about this. It makes no sense. I need help figuring out what is going on. My uncle is rich. He has no reason to smuggle drugs.”
“Was he traveling alone?” I asked. “Did he ever get mar-ried?”
“My uncle, married? That’s a good one.” Cole said. “He was traveling alone, baching it like always.”
“Got it. Well, I was supposed to be off today to watch the game, but it looks like our Gators have this one under control.”
Famous last words.
The Gators were up eight with seven minutes left. “I will make some calls, see what I can find out, and call you back. Is this the best number?”
“Yes and thanks,” Cole said.
As I hung up, our star guard again launched a bomb from the mid-court logo, which clanged off the rim and bounced over the backboard. Not sure who was giving me more heartburn—the star player or Cole’s uncle.
I called the breaking news desk at WJAX-TV where I work as a general assignment reporter and sometimes investigative journalist. My friend and colleague Olivia Marquez, a breaking news digital journalist and all-around technology maven answered.
“I thought you were off,” she said.
“I am, but when did that ever stop me from bugging you?” I said. “Have you heard anything about a Florida businessman being arrested in Singapore on drug charges?”
“Is he from Jacksonville?” “He is.”
“I think I would have noticed that.” I could hear her typing, and I turned to take another look at the game.
A moment later, she found it. “Well, here’s something from the Associated Press about American executive Scott Wilkins arrested in Singapore, I guess yesterday.”
“That’s the one,” I said.
“But isn’t it already tomorrow over there, like a major difference, twelve hours ahead?”
There were several questions in there. Olivia had a su-premely quick brain. “Says he entered the country from a flight from San Francisco, and he originated in Orlando.”
“Gotcha. Well, he’s from Jacksonville.” “Do you know him?”
“Well, sort of. He’s my friend’s uncle. I met him when I was in college. We painted the town a few times, among other things. The family is freaking out.”
“Can’t blame them. What do you want me to do with this?”
“Do me a favor and just hold tight on it. I will call you back.”
Cole answered on the first ring. “Pete, what do you know?” he asked.
“It’s on the AP wire with his full name and that he’s an American businessman arrested in Singapore on drug
charges. It’s short. The story is tagged Orlando because I guess he flew out of there. I’m guessing the story hasn’t gotten any traction because he’s not from Orlando and the time difference.”
“What do you mean about Orlando?”
“Stories come across the wire tagged with locations, kind of like keywords. In Jacksonville, we care about stories relevant to Jacksonville. In Orlando, they are looking for stories tagged to there. Doesn’t mean anything except it kind of gives you and your family some time to try to get ahead of it.”
“Okay, so it’s not all over the place?”
“Not yet. But it may not turn into anything because, you know, the news gods are fickle. Right now, Orlando news stations might be trying to confirm he is from Orlando, but they aren’t finding anything because he’s not. So the story is in limbo.”
“You are in a weird business, Lemaster,” Cole said with a sigh.
“Yes, I am. Listen, it’s up to you. It’s my day off. I can do nothing on this story and be fine with it, but I can’t prevent somebody else from covering it. If you want me to do something today, then you have a bit more control because, well, we’re buddies, and I’m gonna make sure it’s balanced. Honestly, we would probably start with a short item that this local guy was locked up in Singapore. If I get you on the record, confirming it and the basic info, then we can pull a short story together, maybe thirty seconds or so. Just a short item. We don’t have a lot. We would need to get
a picture.” I paused. “Or I could watch the end of the game, and we can wait it out and talk tomorrow. It’s up to you.”
“My uncle has been locked in a fucking jail cell in Singa-pore for like the past two days, so whatever they’re doing now hasn’t gotten him out,” he said, somewhere between pissed off and distressed. “So I say let’s try to generate some support. We’ve got to maybe try to get the government to help us or somebody to help us.”
“I get it,” I said.
“Do you know what the penalties are for drug possession in Singapore, Pete?”
“I have no idea.”
“Google it. It’s scary. We need to do the story.”
“Okay, Cole. So, let me get this on the record and make it official. You are confirming that your uncle, business executive Scott Wilkins of Jacksonville, was arrested in Singapore on drug charges?”
“Yep, 100 percent. He lives in Ponte Vedra Beach.” “And you are saying he is being wrongfully detained?” I
added, coaching-prodding in a way I technically should not do.
“Absolutely. Singapore has made a huge mistake, and we need the support of the US government to get him out. How does that sound?”
“That helps me. Do you have a picture of him?” “I will send you one.”
“Okay, I will let you know if I need anything else.” We hung up.
I called Olivia back.
“Hey, so is Rod there?” I asked.
Rod Kirby was the acting general manager of the station and my boss.
“Yeah, he’s in his office. Do you want to talk to him?” she said.
“No, not yet. Please do me a favor and take this down. I can confirm business executive Scott Wilkins of Ponte Vedra Beach has been detained on drug charges in Singapore. Looks like it happened two days ago. I’m trying to get you a picture. The family in the US is saying he has been wrongly detained, and they want the US government to intervene. Please take this to Rod and see what he wants to do with it.”
“Okay,” she said.
My phone chimed, and I opened a text message from Cole with an image attached, and there he was—Scott “Uncle Scotty” Wilkins—just as I remembered him. He had light brown hair just past collar length, with a little bit of gray in the temples, and steely blue eyes that accented high, chiseled cheekbones. In the photo, he had a light tan, a big smile, showcasing perfect teeth, and a day or two of manicured stubble. He looked like a model, straight off a billboard. He was wearing a casual linen long-sleeved shirt with a sweater pretzeled over his shoulders in a way no one ever wore—just people who were posing for pictures. He wore jeans and unfinished leather loafers, no socks. The perfect, eligible rich guy online dating photo.
“I just got his photo—sending it to you now,” I said.
I forwarded the image to her and a moment later heard her phone beep.
“Oh my god, he’s hot,” she said, giggling. “Is he single?” “Well, I don’t know, but he’s not available because he’s
in jail in Singapore.”
“He’s ridiculously good-looking. Gotta share this with the girls in the office.”
“How about talking to Rod first?” I suggested, hoping to bring her back to earth.
“Yeah, I’m on it.”
“Thank you, Olivia.” I hung up and texted Cole that we were probably going to run an item with the photo, and I would stay in touch.
I turned the basketball tournament back on, watching my Gators advance to the next round, not knowing I had just lit a most unusual fuse.
From Breaking News to Breaking Through: Connecting with The Pawn and The Bystander
By John David
Every writer has a moment when an idea refuses to let go. For me, that moment led to my first novel, The Bystander, and ultimately to the second book in the Lemaster Files series, The Pawn. What has surprised me most is not just the process of writing these books, but the way readers have connected with stories that feel both familiar and unsettlingly close to the world we live in today.
The Unexpected Beginning
I did not set out to write fiction. My background is in communications, storytelling for others, and helping shape narratives in the real world. But The Bystander was different. It was inspired by a real-life event that stayed with me. The kind of story you can’t shake.
Once I started writing, something clicked. I found myself working every day, writing, rewriting, adjusting scenes, thinking constantly about the characters and where the story needed to go. Over about six months, the book became part of me. When the manuscript was finally complete and ready to be shared, I realized something else had happened. I had built a creative muscle that did not want to rest.
The Birth of The Pawn
That creative momentum led directly to The Pawn. The idea came from watching the news, as so many of my ideas do. I followed the story of Brittney Griner and her arrest in Russia. What struck me was not just the situation itself, but the scale of attention it received.
At the same time, other individuals facing similar circumstances remained largely unknown. Their stories never reached the same level of visibility. That contrast struck me. It raised a question that became the foundation for The Pawn: What happens when someone without fame or influence gets caught in a similar situation, but the story suddenly goes viral?
From there, the narrative took shape. Not just as a thriller, but as an exploration of how stories are amplified, who gets attention, and how the news itself has become part of the story.
A Series About Truth and Narrative
Both The Bystander and The Pawn follow reporter Pete Lemaster, a character who operates in the space between fact and perception. The books are about how a mystery is presented, interpreted, and consumed.
The Pawn builds on those ideas with a sharper focus on viral culture, public reaction, and the speed at which a story can spiral beyond control. It asks readers to consider how quickly someone can become the center of global attention, and how little control they may have once that happens.
Where to Start
One of the questions I hear most often is whether readers should begin with The Bystander or jump straight into The Pawn. The honest answer is that either approach works.
The Pawn stands on its own. You don’t need to read the first book to understand or enjoy it. At the same time, some readers prefer to start with The Bystander to get a deeper sense of Pete Lemaster and his world.
As an author still building a readership, my advice is simple. Pick one. Or pick both. But definitely pick one, ha.
Writing for Today’s Reader
What I have tried to do with this series is blend the traditional elements of a mystery with themes that feel current. Stories that are rooted in the world we are all navigating right now.
There is suspense. There is investigation. There are twists. But there is also a layer of commentary about how information moves, how perception is shaped, and how quickly truth can become blurred.
I also try to bring a touch of humor and perspective into the narrative. Because even in high-stakes situations, there is often a human element that grounds the story.
Looking Ahead
I have already completed a third book in the Lemaster Files series, and the response so far has given me hope that there is more to explore with these characters.
My goal is simple. To continue telling stories that feel immediate, relevant, and engaging. Stories that reflect the complexity of the world we live in, while still delivering the kind of experience readers expect from a great thriller.
If you are considering the series, I would encourage you to read an excerpt or listen to an audiobook sample to see if my stories resonate with you.
At the end of the day, that is what this journey is about. Connecting with readers. Earning their time and attention. And hopefully, leaving them thinking long after they turn the final page.
If The Pawn or The Bystander can do that, then I have done my job.
John David is a long-time public relations and crisis communications consultant, author of a non-fiction business book, and a corporate ghostwriter. His debut novel, The Bystander (The Lemaster Files Book 1), was longlisted for the BPA First Novel Award, was awarded as a finalist for the 2025 Storytrade Book Award for traditional mysteries, and was named to the shortlist for the 2025 Page Turner Award for mysteries and cozy mysteries. It was released by Tule Publishing in September of 2025. Though not a big joiner, he is a member of the International Thriller Writers Debut Author program. When not working or writing, he enjoys fishing, talking about politics, and following the Florida Gators. He and his beautiful wife Pamela live in Pinecrest, Florida.
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