Tag Archives: law enforcement

Today I have the privilege of interviewing award-winning author, Kelly Miller. We’ll discuss her newest book, Deadly Fantasies, but we’ll touch on a few other subjects as well.

Q: What is your #mystery novel, “Deadly Fantasies,” about?

A: A ringing phone at 1:17 AM is never a good thing, but Homicide Detective Kate Springer doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring the call. On the other end of the line, a confessor admits to murdering her husband. Dr. Nina Grace needs help, and Kate knows it’s time to repay a debt. No matter the consequences, Kate must fight to keep the investigation from focusing solely on her friend.

Jonathan Grace controls the people in his life like he does his business—with a chokehold. His insatiable appetite for living life on the edge leads him to a club where he’s encouraged to act out his darkest desires. But what happens when one man’s fantasy becomes another person’s nightmare?

Did Dr. Nina Grace kill her husband or did Jonathan’s secret life lead to his death? Detective Springer believes that no matter what her friend admitted, she couldn’t be capable of the horrific torture and murder of her husband. But will Kate’s blind loyalty be her downfall?

Q: Do you have any other books published?

A: Yes. “Deadly Fantasies” is actually the second book in the Detective Kate Springer Series. The first book, “Dead Like Me,” was all about the protagonist. It’s her story and in it, the reader finds out what makes Kate tick, why she makes the decisions she does. In this second book, “Deadly Fantasies,” I wanted to develop the secondary characters and explore Kate’s relationship with them. But even though the two books build off each other, it’s not necessary to have read the first novel, to enjoy the second.

Q: Can you give us an insight into your main character?

A: Homicide Detective Kate Springer is a flawed woman. When you first meet her, you may not like her—she seems a bit cold and bristly. It’s just her way of keeping everyone at arm’s length. She’s lived too much life in her thirty-eight years and she struggles with issues of trying to control the people and the circumstances in her life. Yet once you get deeper into the story you realize she’s trying to become a better person. She knows her faults and she wants to overcome them. But just like all of us, she makes mistakes on the path to becoming the woman she wants to be.

Q: How would you describe your writing style?

A: I’m the “Law & Order: SVU” of books. My stories deal with dark adult themes, but they would still only get a NC-17 rating.

Q. Why did you decide to write in the genre of mystery/crime fiction?

A. You’ve heard the saying, “I didn’t pick the genre, it picked me.” For me, this is true. Before I started my writing career, I was a voracious reader. I still love to read, but now my schedule is so full it’s difficult to find time to finish reading a book. At the bookstore, I’ll pick up a variety of genres. My favorites are mysteries, suspense, thriller, and paranormal novels. The way my voice comes through in a book perfectly matches the crime fiction genre. So for now, I’m sticking with what works.

Q. What advice would you give to writers trying to get a book published?

A. Enter your novel into writing competitions. When my novel kept getting rejected, I entered the manuscript into the Florida Writers Association RPLA competition. I won second place in the Best Mystery category. In addition to winning the award, I got back invaluable information from three judges who’d critiqued my work, pointing out the weak areas. It was an inexpensive way to get feedback on my work.

Something else happened after I won the award. I finally got the attention of agents and publishers. I changed my query letter, adding the information about the award I won and each submission was met with positive feedback. I got past the first stage with the agents and publishers, each requesting the first three chapters of my book. Eventually, I signed with Black Rose Writing. Another option to keep in mind is that many small independent publishers offer their own writing competitions. Prizes sometimes include a publishing contract.

Q: What was one of the most surprising things you learned when first started out in the business?

A: I always thought, “If you write it, they will come.” That’s a laughable thought now, but I really thought if I wrote a great book, I’d easily hook an agent. But I started querying when the economy was sour, and I couldn’t get a bite. The same thought goes for readers. Just because I published a book, doesn’t mean everyone wants to read it. It takes a lot of work to get attention in such a crowded marketplace.

Q: Do you enjoy watching movies or TV shows?

A: When I’m not reading during my downtime, I’m watching television. I have to admit, I’m a reality TV junkie. In fact, when I was trying to sell my first book to an agent/publisher I created a comical animated movie on what a reality show based on writers would look like. You can check it out on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM4FRGTMogw. In my wild imagination, I envisioned the video going viral and eventually getting an agent out of the whole deal. Did I mention I’m a dreamer! Anyway, I’m a real sucker for all the reality shows where the average Joe gets a shot at making his dream come true. I love Project Runway, Top Chef, Face Off, and The Voice to name just a few. It’s amazing I ever find time to write!

Q: What should readers walk away from your books knowing? How should they feel?

A: I write mysteries with a sexual element. And not the 50 Shades of Grey kind. I shine a light on sexual taboo topics like in the case of Dead Like Me, childhood sexual abuse. But not in a preachy way. In the first book in the series, readers see one example of a girl who’s lived through horrible childhood trauma and the path she took because of it. I also want to make sure my readers get a satisfying ending. You know the type of story where you exhale. Readers have invested days, sometimes weeks into reading my book. They’ve immersed themselves in my characters, they’ve followed them through thick and thin, and when that final resolution happens, I want readers to close the book, hug it to their chest, and exhale. As a reader and author, it can’t get much better than that.

Bio for Kelly Miller

Kelly Miller lives in Tampa, Florida where her novel is set. She’s married, has three children, and a black Labrador named Gracie. Kelly is a proud member of the Florida Writers Association.

Deadly Fantasies is the second book in the Detective Kate Springer series. The first book, Dead Like Me, won second place in the best mystery category of the 2011 FWA Royal Palm Literary Awards competition. It was also named a semi-finalist in the mystery category of The Kindle Book Review’s 2013 Best Indie Books Awards competition.

REVIEW OF DEADLY FANTASIES

Detective Kate Springer is back! And this time, she has to save her friend, Dr. Nina Grace.

What do you do when the phone rings at one in the morning? If you’re Detective Kate Springer you answer it. And what do you do when your friend is on the line confessing to murdering her husband? Kate never hesitates: she plunges into a dark world to find the real killer before Dr. Grace winds up in prison.

The thing I like about Kate is her loyalty; misguided perhaps, but always there. It is her strongest asset and her greatest liability as she races into situations most of us would turn away from.

Author Kelly Miller weaves the past and the present together, creating a tangled web for her characters. In this second book, Ms. Miller deepens some of the supporting characters from Dead Like Me, Book 1 of the Springer Series. Not only do we get a different perspective on Dr. Grace, but we see another side to Detective Patrick Jessup, Mr. Quiet himself. To tell the truth, I was a bit shocked at how he acted this time, but when I understood why, well…I had to forgive the guy.

One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Miller’s work is the way she uses the past events to illuminate the actions of her characters in the present. It is part of what makes her characters real: the stress of personal issues tangles with the need to follow the facts and trips Kate up, time and time again. Still, she isn’t a quitter.

A good, solid story.

Buying Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Fantasies-Detective-Kate-Springer-ebook/dp/B00HNDRYP6/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388949073&sr=1-5&keywords=kelly+miller

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/kelly-miller?store=allproducts&keyword=kelly+miller

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/393871

Social Media Links

Author Website: www.kellymillerauthor.com

Author Blog: http://apps.kellymillerauthor.com/blog

Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kelly-Miller/218746298149725

Twitter: @MillerMystery https://twitter.com/MillerMystery

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/KellyMillerMysteries

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/ksmill7/

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=298040958&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104212278637740810813/posts

Rafflecopter

This rafflecopter is a giveaway to one person for two signed paperback copies of each title in the Detective Kate Springer series, “Dead Like Me” and “Deadly Fantasies.”

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b193cf0/

I hope you enjoyed reading about Author Kelly Miller as much as I enjoyed speaking with her. Would LOVE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS!

For more author interviews, as well as the latest about my upcoming novel, Street Harvest, JUST CLICK AND FOLLOW my blog.

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HE SAID WHAT??!!

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In order to support my addiction to writing novels, I work outside as a wildlife habitat designer/manager. Today was a long one battling invasive plant species while trying to preserve the indigenous plants, ones that wildlife and wild birds so desperately need. Back screaming, hip throbbing, wrists aching from bending and whacking; pulling and carrying, I finally stumbled home.

But, there’s no time to rest just yet. I have four German Shepherd dogs and two Papillons. They all have needs, and wants. So, it wasn’t until close to 11 PM that I at last sat down at my computer and opened up my social media to….

Gunnar Lawrence, author of A Perfect Day, posted his review of my book, Sketch of a Murder.

To see just what Mr. Lawrence thought of my book, go to http://gunnarangellawrence.blogspot.com

You might be surprised. I was.

FINDING THE GOLD!

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There are literally millions of #books in the world, but it is ALWAYS a thrill to find those extra special ones. It’s like finding gold when you’re panning your backyard creek! Kelly Miller is a wonderful find!

Dead Like Me by Kelly Miller ( a #murder #mystery)
Detective Springer has just returned to work from an administrative leave after a righteous shooting, and is called out when a dog finds a young girl in the yard of an abandoned house. The girl has been strangled. As they brush the leaves away from the girl’s face, Detective Springer is looking at her own face at the age of thirteen!
Is the likeness a macabre coincidence, or is there a far more sinister meaning behind it?
The twists and turns of this plot as the author interweaves a past case with the present one will keep you reading well into the night.
I enjoyed the well developed characters. By the end of the book, I wanted to hand Detective Springer a can of Coke. And, if I ever need a therapist, I am definitely getting Dr. Grace’s phone number.
Dead Like Me is available on Amazon. For more information about the author, Kelly Miller, visit Aya’s blog the week of January 27th when she will be hosting Ms. Miller. http://www.ayawalksfar.com/

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GOVERNOR MARLETON CHOOSES HEAD OF #SPECIALCRIMESTEAM

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#Governor Andrea Marleton crossed her shapely legs and rested her long, elegant fingers in her lap. She cocked her head to one side and her long, auburn hair swung over her shoulder, framing one side of her oval face. Large, expressive dark eyes studied Lieutenant Michael Williams as he sat on the spindly-legged, antique chair. The only thing in the expensively decorated governor’s library that looked congruent with Mike’s rugged face was the books crowded together on the bookshelves behind him. She glanced at her wristwatch. 8 PM. Her choice of the library in the governor’s mansion was not be accident. The room radiated serious purpose. Mike was a serious man. In her opinion, too serious since his wife Emily died of cancer eight years ago and his police daughter was killed while saving a young girl’s life.

“Mike, let’s be reasonable. You are the logical person to head my Special Crimes Team. You’re a lieutenant and you have maintained the best clearance rate of any homicide #detective in the state of Washington, bar none.”

He carefully shifted in the chair as if afraid that any sudden movement might cause it to shatter. “I am being reasonable, Andrea. I’ve put in my years in law enforcement and it’s time to quit. I’m tired of butting heads with my superiors.”

She chuckled. “As I’m sure they are tired of butting heads with you since you have a knack for doing exactly what you planned to in the first place.” She uncrossed her legs, clasped her hands between her knees and leaned forward. “That’s why this is perfect for you. You answer to no one, except me.” She sat up straight and put her hands out, palms up. “What could be more perfect?”

“Time at home with my son.”

All joviality faded from her face, leaving only the look of determination that her political opponents so dreaded. “I need you to head the team, Mike. Harvey Realto was not only the wealthiest landowner in #Washington State, he was also a big contributor to my last campaign.” She held up a delicate hand when he started to interrupt. “That isn’t the real problem.” She bit her lip, a habit she’d been trying to break. “It’s come out that several months ago he beat a young man who worked on his ranch so badly that the boy will carry several facial scars for the rest of his life. The boy was gay. I didn’t know he was like that, Mike. You know I don’t hold with that kind of bigotry.”

Mike grunted and glared at her. “Told you that you needed to vet your contributors, Andrea.”

“Gregory…”

“Gregory Whitehall is an incompetent ass.”

“Yes, well.” She sighed and settled against the uncomfortable back of the settee. “He’s a necessary evil. Mike, I’ve gone to bat for you….”

“That was because you owed Eleanor Hastings, big time.”

She threw her hands up in the air. “What will it take to get you to accept? Yes, so far this monster has only murdered two men, both who arguably deserved what they got and worse, both wealthy men who used their positions, power and money to sidestep justice for crimes we all know they committed. But, Mike, what happens when this vigilante doesn’t get the full story before he strikes; what happens when he goes after someone who was perhaps falsely accused? Do you really want an innocent man’s death on your conscience when we both know the best hope we have is for you to head a team whose only goal is to stop this maniac?”

She knew she’d scored when he began rubbing one hand over his hair. Like her lip chewing, it was a telling gesture.

He stood and paced over to the bookshelves, ran a thick finger along the books’ spines. When he turned back to face her, his heavy features were set and she knew whatever he demanded she would have to concede or he would walk away.

“I’ll head your Special Crimes Team, Andrea, but there are conditions. It’s my team. I don’t care who you pick, but they answer to me; not you. No jurisdictional boundaries to stall my investigations. When a case meets the criteria for my team, the other jurisdictions hand over the case; I head it and let them know how they can assist. One crime scene unit on-call for us. If they’re at another scene, too bad. Put it on hold for a different unit. Lab work we need goes to the head of the queue. No special considerations for politicians or wealthy people. Even if I decide I want to investigate you, no one will try to strait-jacket me, got it?”

She nodded, sensing that he wasn’t quite finished.

“Top of the line equipment. Computers, cell phones, digital cameras, whatever we need in technology. You can scrimp on the office furniture.”

When he jammed his hands in his front pockets, she knew he’d finished with his list of demands, nothing she didn’t expect. “I can agree to all of that, Mike. The only thing I want in my control is the media. Let Gregory handle the media. The man is an ass, but he’s the best PR person I’ve ever seen. I swear he could make people believe it’s the dead of night at high noon.”

Mike narrowed his eyes, and for a moment she thought he might balk. “Whitehall can have the media,” he held up one blunt-nailed finger, “unless I feel that it interferes with my investigation. At that point, I will do whatever I feel is necessary, understood?’’

A smile slowly spread across her lips as she stood. He met her in the center of the conversation area and they shook hands over the antique rosewood table. “Understood.”

As he put his hand on the doorknob, he twisted his head and peered over his shoulder. “Andrea, I don’t doubt that you’re sincere about wanting to catch this killer before someone dies who shouldn’t, but I also know if he can’t be caught in a timely fashion that you won’t hesitate to throw me, and my team, to the media wolves.”

She didn’t respond as he stepped out and quietly closed the door. Above everything, she was a political animal, and sometimes that called for distasteful sacrifices. He understood her too well, and sometimes, she hated him for it.

To learn more about the SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM read: SKETCH OF A MURDER, NOW AVAILABLE at http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Murder-Special-Crimes-Team-ebook/dp/B00KU6AIPQ

or visit Author AYA WALKSFAR at:

http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar

The above photos of the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia, Washington and the Library in the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia, Washington are from the Washington Governor’s Mansion Foundation at http://www.wagovmansion.org/photogallery/ Many thanks to this great non-profit, non-political organization for all of its efforts toward preservation of Washington State’s heritage.

MEET RONALD ARNEAU, COMPUTER SPECIALIST, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

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MEET RONALD ARNEAU, COMPUTER SPECIALIST FOR SPECIAL #CRIMES TEAM

Interviewer: Mr. Arneau, thank you for coming to this #interview.

Ronald Arneau: (grins) Just call me Ronald. Everyone except the Special Crimes Team does.

Interviewer: Why don’t they call you Ronald?

Ronald Arneau: (shrugs) Everyone’s too uptight right now.

Interviewer: Why’s that?

Ronald Arneau: (frowns) This case we’re working on…(shakes head) It’s, well, it’s really difficult, but that’s all I can say about it or Lieutenant Williams will skin me.

Interviewer: (smiles) Okay, I won’t ask anything else about the case. I don’t want to get you skinned. May I ask why you wound up on the Special #Crimes Team?

Ronald Arneau: (presses lips together for a moment before answering) Well, the governor wanted me on it. That’s really all I’m allowed to say. I don’t need to piss the governor off. (murmurs very softly: again)

Interviewer: (steeples fingertips together) All right. I don’t want to tick off the governor, either, so we’ll leave that line of questions. Tell me, Ronald, what do you do on the Special Crimes Team? You’re not a #cop, are you?

Ronald Arneau: (Big grin) Not a cop. Don’t want to be a #cop.

I do whatever they need done that involves a #computer. Like the first thing Lieutenant Williams wanted me to do, even before we had our first official team meeting, was to set up everyone’s #laptop and create a Team Room where everything about the case can be posted.

Interviewer: Hmmm… Don’t laptops come pre-installed these days?

Ronald Arneau: (sits up straight and leans toward interviewer. Eyes are sparkling with enthusiasm) Most laptops that the general public would purchase come with a basic operating system and whatever application you order. The laptops for our team require additional software that only the police department has access to, as well as additional security software.

Interviewer: (cocks a brow at Arneau) Hmmm, I get the feeling you are telling me much less than the whole truth with that answer. What is a Team Room?

Ronald Arneau: You can think of a Team Room as a big library where we can securely store all kinds of information about active cases, and even have an archive for closed cases. This allows the team members to share information more easily.

Interviewer: (purses lips, gives a little whistle) Wow, that sounds darn complicated. I’m a technosaur, myself. What else will you be doing once everything is set up?

Ronald Arneau: Well, if they need research, I’ll do that; post #crime scene photos in the Team Room, examine computers or storage devices recovered in raids to extract evidence, trace IP addresses to find where communications or postings originated. If any of the team members have a problem with their laptop I can trouble shoot and help resolve those issues. Like I said before, anything related to a computer is my job.

Interviewer: (widens eyes and rolls them) Wow! I’m impressed! That’s a brain fry; maybe we can move on to something that I’ll actually understand.

Ronald Arneau: (chuckles)

Interviewer: Do you live in #Seattle?

Ronald Arneau: (face settles into serious look) Yes. I wanted to get my own place, but I’ve kind of put that off for a little while. My dad’s sick.

Interviewer: I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like you’ve lived here for a while. What are some of your favorite things about Seattle?

Ronald Arneau: I grew up in Seattle. I guess the thing I like most about Seattle is the #Pacific #Science #Center. My parents started taking me there when I was a kid.

Interviewer: What do you like about the Pacific Science Center?

Ronald Arneau: (big grin) I love Science on a Sphere. They use computers and video projectors to display these radical images of the atmosphere, oceans and land on an illuminated sphere about six feet in diameter. And the images are dynamic. There’s datasets that let the system explain complex environmental processes. That exhibit just opened in 2010.

Then there’s the Laser Dome….Man, that is so awesome. These laser artists do live laser art set to music. Really slammin’.

The IMAX Theater is really great, too. The Hunger Games is going to be shown there soon.

But I guess one of the things I’ve loved about the Center for years is the Tropical Butterfly House. You walk into this tropical jungle set up and there’s all these different types of live butterflies, just hanging on the plants and walls, and flying around, and sometimes they even land on you. There’s even a chrysalis viewing window where you can watch a new butterfly emerging.

Interviewer: I’ve gone to the Pacific Science Center years ago, but now I’m going to have to make time to visit it again. I’d forgotten about the Butterfly House, and the Laser Dome.

Well, Ronald, I’m afraid we’re out of time, already. It has been a pleasure talking with you.

For those who would like to know more about the Pacific Science Center:

http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org

To learn more about Ronald Arneau, read Sketch of a Murder, Book 1, Special Crimes Team http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Murder-Special-Crimes-Team-ebook/dp/B00KU6AIPQ

MEET DR. IRENE NELSON, #FBI, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

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MEET DR. IRENE NELSON, FBI, #SPECIALCRIMESTEAM

Interviewer: Dr. Irene Nelson is with us today. Thank you, Dr. Nelson for consenting to this #interview.

Dr. Nelson: (inclines head slightly) My pleasure.

Interviewer: How did you happen to be assigned to the #Special #Crimes #Team, Doctor?

Dr. Nelson: Governor Marleton and I met a few months ago at a conference. When she felt it would be beneficial to create a special law enforcement unit to deal with certain crimes that crossed jurisdictions, she contacted the Assistant Director. They had known each other for years, so it was logical to ask him for input. My name came up, and….(she spreads her hands a little in an open gesture with a small smile) here I am.

Interviewer: Are you referring to the #murders of Dr. James Benning and Roland Henry?

Dr. Nelson: Those cases were assigned to the Special Crimes Team.

Interviewer: Wasn’t Dr. Benning a contributor to Governor Marleton’s last campaign?

Dr. Nelson: You would know the answer to that question better than I would. Politics is not my forte.

Interviewer: From my research, I understand that Lieutenant Williams, the head of the Special Crimes Team, has in the past objected to what he referred to as “Bureau interference.” How did he feel about Governor Marleton bringing you in?

Dr. Nelson: (face very serious) Lieutenant Williams is a dedicated professional law enforcement officer. He recognizes that additional resources can sometimes produce quicker results.

Interviewer: (gives a little grin) Hmm. So he really wasn’t all that thrilled at getting an #FBI agent dumped in his case, but figured that since he couldn’t kick you out, he’d take advantage of the extra help. Is that about right?

Dr. Nelson: (a smile tugs the corners of her lips. Her eyes twinkle) What an interesting theory based on your original question and my response.

Interviewer: I hope you aren’t offended, but I did a bit of research on your career.

Dr. Nelson: I’m honored that you found me that interesting.

Interviewer: It seems that you’ve taken the long road to where you are today. Your first career was as a heart surgeon then you became a psychiatrist. Why?

Dr. Nelson: I found heart surgery rather …predictable.

Interviewer: Is that code for boring?

Dr. Nelson: It is never boring to save a life. (She gives a small smile that takes any sting out of her words) I simply find the mind a more interesting part of the human body.

Interviewer: How does a heart surgeon slash psychiatrist– whose father is a well-known heart surgeon and whose mother is an equally well-known gynecologist– go from practicing psychiatry to becoming a Special Agent in Charge with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and then from there go on to join the Behavioral Analysis Unit, the #BAU, of the FBI?

Dr. Nelson: (raises a brow and quirks a smile) My, my, you really did research my background. (all levity fades from her face) However, you didn’t spread your net quite wide enough. A few years after I began practicing psychiatric medicine, my first cousin, Peter O’Reilly, was murdered in his own home. He had been a Special Agent in Charge for a number of years. His killer was eventually apprehended due to the work of the BAU. Being only children, and growing up in the same neighborhood, Peter and I were exceptionally close.

Interviewer: I’m sorry for your loss, Dr. Nelson. And, you’re right; obviously I didn’t research deep enough. Thank you for sharing.

Dr. Nelson: It’s been many years since Peter’s death, but I still miss him.

Interviewer: (glances at watch) It appears that our time is almost up. We’ve been talking about some pretty serious stuff, so let’s end this on a happier note. Will you share with us one #facebook page that you enjoy, one #restaurant you love, and one place you want to go visit someday?

Dr. Nelson: (a big smile spreads across her face and up to cause her eyes to twinkle) I’d love to. One #facebook page, hmm, (taps lip with index finger) I believe the one I am currently enjoying the most is called Wild and Wise Women; a close second, though, is one called Cops Kind to Critters.

As for a restaurant…. As you know, I live in Virginia and haven’t been in this area for long; however, I met a lovely lady at Pike Place Market in #Seattle and we got to talking. She told me about a small eatery in #Anacortes. She said the town itself was well worth the drive north and she recommended #Gere-a-Deli as the place to have lunch. It’s in an old bank building on Commercial Street. The prime rib sandwich had thick slabs of prime rib, the bread was melt-in-your-mouth fresh, and the deserts are simply to die for.

Interviewer: Wow, now I’m hungry!

Dr. Nelson: (chuckles) You really have to try it out. Now, the last question: a place I would like to visit. ( a dreamy look settles on her face) There are so many beautiful places in our world: #Mount Haleakala on #Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. I’ve seen photos of it, simply fascinating. #Yellowstone Park, I’ve never been there, but I’ve always wanted to see the geyser, Old Faithful. A cruise to Alaska’s on my list, too. (Her light laugh is like warm chocolate) However, of all the beautiful places I have yet to see, I think the one I would most like to visit is the #Redwood #Forest in California. Even though I am not a woodsy-type woman, I feel it must be so inspiring, so spiritual to walk among those ancient trees.

Interviewer: I did have the good fortune a few years ago to visit that area. Those trees are truly awesome, and the drive is beautiful. Well, Dr. Nelson, we are out of time. I want to thank you again for coming.

For those who would like to know more about Dr. Nelson’s choices:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildandwisewomen

http://www.facebook.com/copskindtocritters

Redwood National Park: http://www.redwood.national-park.com/

Maui, Hawaii: http://www.gohawaii.com/maui/regions…maui/haleakala-national-park

Gere-a-Deli, Anacortes, Washington: http://www.gere-a-deli.com/

To learn more about the Special Crimes Team and Dr. Irene Nelson:

To learn more about Irene Nelson, FBI, read Sketch of a Murder http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Murder-Special-Crimes-Team-ebook/dp/B00KU6AIPQ

Stay tuned to this blog for all the latest and greatest!

Visit Aya at http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar or http://www.facebook.com/AyaWalksfarAuthor

MEET OFFICER DRISCOLL MULDER, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

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MEET OFFICER DRISCOLL MULDER, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

Interviewer: I am so glad you could make this #interview, Officer Mulder.

Officer Driscoll Mulder: Yeah, well, the Lieutenant said we should play nice with you. (Folds his arms over his chest)

Interviewer: Well… (interviewer gives a small frown) Does that mean you would prefer not to be here?

Officer Driscoll Mulder: (Gives a big shrug) It’s okay. So what do you want to ask me?

Interviewer: What do you want me to ask you?

Officer Driscoll Mulder: (Purses lips) You’d make a good cop. Answer a question with a question. (Gives another shrug) It’s your show.

Interviewer: Okay. Why did you join the #Special #Crimes #Team?

Officer Driscoll Mulder: (Brows shoot up to his hairline) You go right to the meat, huh? All right. ( He sits up straight and locks his eyes on the interviewer) I joined them because I’m #gay. (He leans against the back of the chair, his eyes never leaving the interviewer’s face.)

(Interviewer raises a brow) Why would being #gay be the deciding factor on whether you joined the team, or not?

Officer Driscoll Mulder: (Purses lips and makes a sucking sound between teeth as he watches interviewer) There are still neanderthals who believe that being a cop means being a ‘man’s man’ (He makes air quote marks with his fingers) and to them being gay makes me less than a man. Oh, I could’ve hid in the closet, kept my mouth shut and blended, but that isn’t me. I march in the Pride Parade, I speak up in the locker room when someone thinks some of their heterosexist jokes are oh so funny. Doesn’t make me popular.

(Interviewer gives a small head shake) Being on the Special Crimes Team is better?

Officer Driscoll Mulder: (He slouches in his chair, stretches his legs out in front of him) Don’t know yet. Just got there. Can’t be any worse than where I was.

Interviewer: If being a #cop is so difficult, why do it? Why not go into some other line of work?

Officer Driscoll Mulder: (A weariness settles on his young face) Being a cop is difficult, and dangerous. Between the bigots on the street who would love to shoot a gay cop for being gay, and the bigots in the force who wouldn’t mind turning a blind eye to that kind of shooting, being a gay cop is even more dangerous, but if not me, then who? If I don’t push forward, there will be no trail for any other LGBT person to follow.

And those queer kids out there, the ones who hate cops, well maybe they can relate a little better to a queer cop. At least, it lets them know there is someone who might understand. Do you have any idea how many of the street #kids are LGBT–lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender? The last stat I read said that 50 percent of the street kids are there because they are #LGBT. Many of them are thrown out of their houses, or they run from parental violence. That’s one of the reasons why I’m an out, gay cop.

If that means I transfer into what other #cops see as the Siberia of law enforcement…. (He gives a one-shouldered shrug) then that’s where I’ll go. No bigot is going to stop me from representing my people—LGBT people—and giving a voice to them from within law enforcement. Besides, (he gives a grim smile) if I keep shining a light, maybe others will see the kinks in the system, and maybe there will be a chance to effect a change.

Interviewer: That is quite a burden, but I admire your courage. If we don’t forge a trail and create changes, then who will?

My wife and I married as soon as it became legal for lesbians to marry in Washington State. Not only does it protect our right to be with our loved one in a medical situation, and to make those important health calls, but the inheritance law won’t penalize us as it does when two people who build something together, but can’t marry are penalized. And that is just two of the rights that heterosexual couples have enjoyed all along, but were denied to lesbian couples, to all LGBT couples.

(Interviewer smiles) One of the things I appreciate about being able to marry is letting other people realize: my choice of who I love does not take anything away from you, and it brings to the world nearly 25 years of two people living a life of commitment and love. In this world, especially today, we need all the honest, healthy love we can get.

Well, Officer Mulder, I truly do thank you for coming. For those who would like to learn more about who LGBT people really are, I suggest you visit sites such as Have a Gay Day (FB) http://www.facebook.com/MyGayDay .

(Remember: that no single site, or any number of sites, can claim to speak for “all LGBT people” just as no site, or any number of sites, can claim to speak for “all heterosexual people”.

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MEET DETECTIVE FREDERICK ALBERT, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

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MEET DETECTIVE FREDERICK ALBERT, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

(Interviewer) It is my pleasure today to interview Detective Frederick Albert of the Special Crimes Team. Detective Albert, thank you for coming.

Detective Albert: You’re quite welcome. (sits straight, hands resting on the chair arms, spring-green eyes meet interviewer’s in a friendly gaze.)

Interviewer: We have been getting to know some of the members of your elite law enforcement team. My audience and I would love to get to know you. (Interviewer waits to see if Detective Albert will respond, but he sits quietly) What can you share with us about yourself?

Detective Albert: (elbows propped on chair arms, fingertips steepled lightly together, a slow smile touches his well-shaped lips) There are many things, Ms. Walksfar, that I could share with you, however, since our time is limited I will attempt to stick to the most salient facts.

I spent a number of years in the Marine Corp and when I left the Service I entered the police academy. Fresh out of the Academy, I hired onto the Spokane Police Department where I worked my way up to detective. When the opportunity arose to join the Special Crimes Team, I accepted. Lieutenant Williams has an exemplary reputation as a fair superior with excellent investigative skills. (falls silent and lifts a brow as if to say: next question)

Interviewer: Is the reality of the Special Crimes Team what you expected?

Detective Albert: (tilts head slightly as he watches interviewer for a moment) Is anything in life exactly as we expect? (His slow smile is warm) As for the Special Crimes Team: the team is staffed by dedicated, capable investigators. According to the guidelines set out by Governor Marleton when she formed the team, we are mandated to deal with the worst cases of man’s inhumanity to man. Before I joined the team, I was made aware of our mission.

Interviewer: (He fell silent and went into waiting mode again) Do you live in Seattle, Detective Albert?

Detective Albert: (takes a sip of his coffee that has been setting on the table next to him) Yes, ma’am, I do. Seattle is a fascinating city. It boasts a wide variety of ethnic foods and cultures; there are theatrical and musical performances one might attend; and the waterfront is awash—pun intended–with interesting activities. How can one not appreciate such diversity?

Interviewer: Do you have any special places, or activities, that you would like to share with us?

Detective Albert: (gaze turns thoughtful) I believe two of my favorite places are the Seattle Art Museum and the University of Washington’s Botanic Gardens, also known as the Arboretum. Art is uplifting and trees are peaceful.

Interviewer: (glances at clock) Darn it! We are out of time, Detective Albert. It has been such a pleasure speaking with you.

Detective Albert: I assure you, Ms. Walksfar, that the pleasure was mine.

SKETCH OF A MURDER, THE SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM’S FIRST CASE!

Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Murder-Special-Crimes-Team-ebook/dp/B00KU6AIPQ

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To learn more about the University of Washington’s Botanic Gardens go to: http://www.depts.washington.edu/uwbg/gardens/wpa.shtml

To learn more about the Seattle Art Museum go to: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org

Aya Walksfar, Author

Hard hitting, in-the-news murder mysteries

Tag Archives: law enforcement

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