The Weed Eater — Edward S. Baker

Two of Victor French's employees are found dead, their bodies partially devoured by a bear. Several of his garbage trucks have been hijacked. Victor realizes that war has been declared. Not wanting the police to pry into his business affairs, French hires private detective Bartholomew Jones to solve the murders and identify the enemy who has targeted his company. Recently disciplined and furloughed by the police department, Jones walks a thin line between possible retention and permanent dismissal. He calls upon his ex-partner for support in solving the case. She pulls no bones about his situation: Department officials are after him. If he doesn't straighten up, he'll be begging for money on a street corner by the bus station. When he identifies the man who has declared war on his client, Jones' secluded cabin is riddled with bullets and then burned to the ground. An innocent woman is murdered. To keep his job, Jones must bring the perpetrator to justice without involving the police. But can justice truly prevail in a corrupt criminal justice system?