Meet Scott McHenry and Tony Razzolito aka The Razzman
If you read my post from January 12th, you got to meet Vinnie Gabrianno from my PI series, The Razzman Mystery Crime Files. This time I’d like to introduce you to the Razzman himself and his partner in the gumshoe business, Scott McHenry. But instead of just me telling you about these two characters, I thought I’d let them speak for themselves. So, what follows is part of a recent conversation I had with them when I got the chance to sit down and interview the fellas about how they got into the PI biz:
Scott: First, thank you for having us. We are deep inside
our current murder investigation, so it’s nice to take a break and just talk. He
should be along in a minute. He texted to say he was picking up some sandwiches
and a six-pack of beer for us. And I’m gonna forgive you for calling the
Razzman the world’s greatest… you know I trained him, right?
Me: Yes, Scott. I know you trained him. In case it slipped
your mind, I write the stories. But while we’re waiting for him to show up, I’ve got to ask-- What’s the obsession you guys have with all the food? It
seems like you’re always eating when you, Tony, and Vinnie get together.
Scott (laughing): Well, you can blame Vinnie for that. He’s
the one that started it by always bringing pizza or sub sandwiches, other assorted snacks, and of course, beer, every time we wanted to hash through the clues about whatever case we were working on. It’s kind of become our thing. Now it’s weird if we’re
not eating or drinking whenever we get together. And that happens now even when
it’s just me and the Razzman.
Me (looking over Scott’s shoulder): Here comes the Razzman
now. Hey Tony, come on in and pull up a seat. What did you bring us?
Tony (passing out the grub he brought along): Meatball subs
for everybody… and some nice cold brewskis. I went to a new family-owned Italian
sandwich and pizza joint that’s close by. They recently opened and they
add that kiss of Brooklyn love to all their recipes. I know you’re gonna love it. Go
ahead. Eat up… or as the Italians say... Mangia!
Me (taking a bite and smiling): Wow, this is good. Vinnie
would be proud.
Scott (laughing): Vinnie’s the one who turned him on to the
place.
Me: So, Vinnie approved, then. Okay, guys, tell me about how
you got into the PI business and what type of cases you usually take on?
Tony: Well, I met Scott a few years back when I was investigating
my wife’s murder back in my hometown, Syracuse, NY. I wasn’t actually in the PI game at that time. I was an
out-of-work appliance salesperson. Without giving away the whole story, my wife and I
were going through some rocky times. To the point that we were constantly at
each other’s throats. I was out of work and really wasn’t too focused on
finding another job. It was hard on her. I see that now. Anyway, we were
fighting again, and she went out to a club with a friend of hers
to blow off some steam. That was the last time I saw her alive.
Scott (Seeing that Tony was getting a bit choked up): I’ll
take it from here, buddy. I used to be a cop, and I went through the academy with
a friend of Tony’s. I had left police work to start my own business as a private
investigator and moved to North Carolina. Joe, that’s Tony’s friend, made the introductions
when it became obvious that the killer had a connection here in Charlotte. So, the
Razzman and I got together and pursued the bad guys.
Tony: Once that case was wrapped up, I knew I had to make a
fresh start somewhere. Scott offered me a job as a jr. investigator so I moved
to Charlotte and joined his firm, McHenry Investigative Services. He helped me
get my PI license and taught me the ropes. Eventually I bought into the
business and now co-own the firm.
As far as the type of cases we work, our bread and butter is
the cheating spouse stuff. Never a shortage of those type of cases. But we’ve
also been involved in a few high-profile murder investigations over the years
as well. Those are the cases we like to share with our readers.
Me: You’ve come a long way, Tony, and folks can read about your journey through that first case in your first book, Dead is Forever: A Tony Razzolito PI Story.
I understand that since
moving to Charlotte you’ve gotten your life back together.
Tony: Well, it took about five years from that first case to
becoming a co-owner, but I learned a lot in that time period. And not just
about how to be a damn good investigator, but also how to be a better person to
my friends and family.
Scott: Yeah, the Razzman has definitely experienced some
personal growth since I first met him. He’s in a steady relationship, and he’s
been a good friend to me over the years. Especially during the period when my
father passed away. I don’t know if I would’ve come out of my depression if not
for the Razzman.
Me: I agree. I see how confident Tony has become with
himself over the series. That confidence has helped him to build inner strength
that has helped his PI career as well as his relationship with you, Scott, and
of course, with his girlfriend, Karen.
I think the readers would be interested in hearing a little about
the case you’re working on now.
Tony: Our current case has been frustrating to the both of us.
A rookie sensation for the Charlotte Hornets basketball team was murdered and
left in the alley behind the arena where the team plays.
Scott: It’s been frustrating because the murder might tie
back to a previous case we worked on a year ago. Our connection at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
police department hired us to help her detectives look into the shooting. Detective
Cahill—he’s one of the detectives—is convinced that both murders were committed
by the same person.
Tony (scoffing): I’m still not convinced the two deaths are
connected. Cahill’s a horse’s ass and probably doesn’t know what he’s talking
about, but we’re working all the angles just in case.
Me: Sounds interesting. When can we expect to read all about
it? I know you’ve got some readers that are waiting patiently for your next PI
adventure to hit the bookstore.
Tony: I can’t tell you the exact date just yet since we’re
still sorting through all the clues. But we should have this case solved sometime in March.
Me (in between finishing the last of my meatball sub): That's awesome and not that much longer to wait.
This really is a
great sandwich. What’s the name and where in Charlotte is this new Italian
eatery? I need to check it out.
Tony (smiling): That’s my little secret for now. Maybe, if
you’re lucky, you can read about it when the new book comes out.
Me: Is it part of the mystery?
Tony: Only by way of trying to guess what kind of pizza Vinnie will bring to one of our debrief sessions—you know he’s gonna bring some of those real deal Brooklyn
inspired pies to one of those meetings.
Me (laughing): You're right about that! Listen guys, this has been fun. I've enjoyed sitting down and having this chat with you and I'm looking forward to the release of the next book. What's the title?
Tony: It's called, Best Served Cold: A Tony Razzolito PI Story.
Scott (rolling his eyes): There you go again; putting your name all over the title. No wonder everybody thinks you're the world's greatest PI.
Me (still laughing): Come on, Scott. You know the stories couldn't be written without you. You're an integral part of the series.
Tony (grinning at his partner): Yeah, Scott. We both have equal roles in the series.
Scott: Okay smart guy, how about we put my name on the title, then? A Scott McHenry PI Story has a nice ring to it.
Tony: Sorry, the cover is already done.
Scott: Okay. The next one, then...
Tony: Scott, let me explain someth...
Me (cutting them off before this turns into a real fight): Okay guys, time's up. Gotta go. I appreciate you both giving me some of your time today.
Scott: This isn't over, Razzman. We'll pick up this discussion later. Maybe get Vinnie's opinion.
Me (Speaking louder than the two of them so maybe they'll get the hint): I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read my blogpost. And of course, your thoughts and comments are always welcome.
Meanwhile, you can find my books here: The Razzman Mystery Crime Files
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Until next time...😎
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