Tag Archives: police

STREET HARVEST, Book 2, Special #Crimes Team

OPENED EMAIL AND…OMG!

Two-thirty eight in the morning. Finally, finished rewrite of third draft of Run or Die! Had to fix an error in the next to the last chapter. Last thing to do: check email.

Opened up my email and this is what I read: (the book she is referring to is: Sketch of a Murder)

Suzanne Eviston

9:22 PM (14 hours ago)

to me

Loving the book! Especially now as I read the killer talking in first person…it is great! and also because now that I’m a detective in the special assault unit…how timely!

I am so very proud of this young lady! (And quite honored by her words about my novel) She has worked incredibly hard to rise to her position as a detective.

In 2007, Suzanne and her K9 partner, Axel, were one team of several officers responding to the call of a burglary in progress. Her vehicle was t-boned by a stolen Jeep Cherokee driven by one of suspects attempting to escape the scene. Suzanne was in critical condition.

You don’t come back from such a vicious vehicular assault without hard work, and pain. Lots of both.

Suzanne not only came back from the assault, but as soon as she was able, she returned to work. Though she was frequently in incredible pain, you never heard a word of complaint. I truly admire Suzanne, and am honored that she extended her friendship to me.

She’s the kind of person who quietly goes about making our world a better, and a safer, place. (Click the link below to view the vehicle Suzanne was cut out of)

….and lived to tell about it

This woman is a mini-hurricane of activity! Whenever I visit with her she is inevitably training German Shepherds, arranging delivery of dog food or dog items from her store (she is a big advocate of healthy eating for dogs and sells a wonderful raw diet), setting up puppy viewing times for the excellent babies her kennel, von Grunheide Shepherds, produces and any number of other activities. But, she has never been too busy to talk with me, to assist me with my own dogs, or to give me information on police questions–everything from homicide procedures to how does a taser hit really feel.

CONGRATULATIONS, SUZANNE! You truly deserve all the good things that come your way!

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 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

STAY TUNED TO THIS BLOG ( http://www.ayawalksfar.com )FOR UPDATES ON THE NEWEST RELEASES!

VISIT AYA AT: http://www.facebook.com/ayawalksfar

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

MEET DETECTIVE MAIZIE O’HARA SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

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Interviewer: This week I am privileged to interview Special Crimes Team member, Detective Maizie O’Hara. Detective O’Hara, thank you for taking time for this interview.

Detective O’Hara: (smiles) Lieutenant Williams said it would be good for us to talk to you, so here I am.

Interviewer: Are you a native of Seattle?

Detective O’Hara: No, ma’am. I grew up in Ellensburg, but I moved to Tacoma.

Interviewer: Were you a detective in Tacoma?

Detective O’Hara: Yes, ma’am.

Interviewer: What brought you to Seattle and the Special Crimes Team?

Detective O’Hara: (a cloud passes over her face) I…felt like it was in my best interest for my career.

Interviewer: (lifts brow) Would you care to elaborate on that?

Detective O’Hara: No, ma’am. (Her lips press tightly together)

Interviewer: Okay. Let’s talk about something else. What do you think about having a woman as the second in command of your unit?

Detective O’Hara: (Beams a big smile) I think it’s awesome! Don’t get me wrong, though. Lieutenant Williams is really great, too.

Interviewer: Why did you become a police officer, Detective O’Hara?

Detective O’Hara: (All signs of levity disappears) To help women. I want to help men, too, but I became a cop to help women.

Interviewer: Do you think you’ve been able to do that, so far?

Detective O’Hara: (A furrow appears between her eyes and her lips turn down at the corners) Yes, I believe I have.

Interviewer: Then why the down look on your face?

Detective O’Hara: (Bites her bottom lip) Well…I guess I idolized law enforcement before I became a cop, and for a while after. (takes in a deep breath and lets it out slow) But sometimes, being a cop isn’t enough. As a cop, I have to stay objective, but sometimes, I need to get involved to make sure that justice happens. It kind of…(she shrugs) It kind of wore the shine off the brass, I guess, when I figured that out.

Interviewer: (after she is silent for a long moment, interviewer speaks) Can you tell me anything more specific about your epiphany?

Detective O’Hara: No, ma’am.

Interviewer: You’re a police officer and you serve all of us that way. Are there things that you do to specifically try to help women?

Detective O’Hara: Well, I volunteer at a domestic abuse women’s shelter. I read to the kids so the women can have their support meeting. You know, so the little kids don’t interrupt and…well, women don’t always like to talk about stuff around little kids. And, I’m going on a walk in November with some women friends to show support for domestic abuse survivors. And, I have a friend with a facebook page and sometimes I post links on it that are important.

Interviewer: Sounds like you’re pretty serious when you say you want to help women. Why don’t you have a facebook page?

Detective O’Hara: (ducks head) I’m not very good with techie stuff. (raises her head and gives interviewer a shy smile) I have a girlfriend who’s going to teach me about doing a facebook page. We just haven’t had the time yet.

Interviewer: I’m not great with techie stuff either. (gives a smile to Detective O’Hara) What kind of links do you post?

Detective O’Hara: Stuff about domestic violence, and sometimes links to pages where women are doing something important to help the world and each other.

Interviewer: If there was only one link you could recommend that people go check out, which link would that be?

Detective O’Hara: (catches lip with teeth and worries at it) Well…there’s a blog called upworthy.com and they posted this link to a site where these women in Amsterdam do this really powerful dance performance. They’re in the Red Light District over there and they’re dancing in the windows of this building, like an apartment building and there’s all these men gathering on the street to watch them dance because….(a flush reddens her cheeks), because it’s really very sensual. You know?

Interviewer nods

Detective O’Hara; Anyway, after the dance is over a big sign up on the top of the building flashes and says: “every year thousands of women are promised a dance career in Western Europe. Sadly, they end up here.” Then it flashes “Stop the traffick. People shouldn’t be bought and sold.” Actually, according to Upworthy millions of people are affected by human trafficking every year; not just women in Europe. Their whole dance was about making people, men especially, understand how terrible human trafficking is.

Interviewer: Whoa, sounds like a powerful video. I will definitely post that link here. We’re almost out of time. Is there anything else you’d like to share with the women of our audience?

Detective O’Hara: Just…well, just don’t let anyone tell you stuff like you aren’t good enough, or pretty enough, or thin enough. You are enough, just the way you are!And, if they say stuff like that, get away from them because they aren’t really your friend.

Interviewer: Again, Detective O’Hara, thank you for coming in and sharing with us.

To visit the site recommended by Detective O’Hara:

“Who Doesn’t Like to Watch Half-Naked Girls Dancing? These Guys After They See Why It’s Happening http://www.upworthy.com/who-doesnt-like-to-watch-half-naked-girls-dancing-these-guys-after-they-see-why-its-happening (Red Light District, Amsterdam.)

To learn more about Detective Maizie O’Hara, read Sketch of a Murder, Book 1, Special Crimes Team http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Murder-Special-Crimes-Team-ebook/dp/B00KU6AIPQ

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

MEET SERGEANT SLOWATER, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

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Interviewer: Sergeant Slowater, thank you so much for coming to visit with us today. I am pleased to interview you, again.

Sergeant Slowater: Look, this interview wasn’t my idea. It was strongly suggested that I participate in your series about the Special Crimes Team, so here I am. As I told you before: I am not a fan of the media.

Interviewer: Yes, I believe you did make that clear the last time I spoke with you, Sergeant, but I am happy to have the opportunity to see if we might forge a bit more amicable relationship. With that in mind, I have given a great deal of thought to what I’d like to ask you. (Interviewer stops and waits for acknowledgement from Sergeant Slowater)

Sergeant Slowater: (shrugs) Whatever.

Interviewer: I understand that you lived in Mount#Vernon before moving to Seattle. How do you like Seattle?

Sergeant Slowater: (Frowns): I am not a fan of big cities. Too much noise. Too many people all crowded together.

Interviewer: (Raises an eyebrow): Why did you transfer here if you feel that way?

Sergeant Slowater: Let’s just say it was strongly advised as a wise career choice.

Interviewer: Okay. Since you don’t like big cities, can you tell me why you like smaller cities?

Sergeant Slowater: (looks at interviewer and restlessly taps fingers on chair arm) They’re the opposite of big cities. Quieter, not as crowded. Where I grew up, there was farmland all around us.

Interviewer; Tell me something else about Mount Vernon, Sergeant.

Sergeant Slowater: Like what?

Interviewer (gives a small shrug) Whatever you would like to share. Like what is your favorite time of year up there?

Sergeant Slowater: The spring. (gives a little smile) I love how the trees start leafing out, and I like going up to the tulip fields in bloom. There are rows and rows of colors: red and yellow are the most prominent, but the one I like best is the deep purple; the orange-red ones are my choice for second best.

Interviewer: That sounds lovely. You know, I’ve never gone up during the Tulip Festival. I think I might have to, now. (gives a warm smile to Sergeant Slowater) There is one thing I think Mount Vernon cannot ever top Seattle in: the best pizza. (Interviewer gives a sad shake of head)

Sergeant Slowater: (slight snort): Seattle has nothing on Mount Vernon in a pizza contest. The absolutely best pizza I have ever eaten came from a place in Old Town, called Pacioni’s.

Voted Best Pizza in Skagit County! Best Pizza in Western Washington per Sergeant Slowater!

You can buy a pizza from the list of different ones, or you can build your own. You start with a crisp, thin crust, then you pick from a list of sauces, meats, fruits, veggies and cheeses. There’s three different sauces. My favorite is marinara. Then you have eight different meats; I like Pacioni’s Italian sausage and Black Forest Ham. Then you add the fruits and veggies. I love the roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, Portabella mushrooms, zucchini, and pineapple for a bit of sweetness. That’s all topped off with a choice of seven cheeses. The ones I like are feta, shredded parmesan and shredded mozzarella.

Interviewer: Now I’m hungry, and challenged. I’ll have to try Pacioni’s. I didn’t know Mount Vernon had an Old Town section.

Sergeant Slowater: Some of the buildings there date back to 1906. The Lincoln Theatre dates back to 1926.

Lincoln Theatre Mt Vernon Washington

Interviewer: Are old buildings of special interest to you?

Sergeant Slowater: (gives a solid head shake) Not really. I’m not a history buff, and I don’t get all gaga over the way a building is built or who the architect was. I just like how some of the older buildings look, the sense of having been a survivor of unplanned progress and unconsidered development. It makes me think there are people who value the old, not because it’s old, but because it’s beautiful, and functional and solid. Something you can depend on. Some of the buildings built today won’t last fifty, much less a hundred years.

Interviewer: I have to admit. I like old buildings, too. I like the sense that if they could talk they would have fantastic stories to tell. (looks at watch) We don’t have a lot of time left, so tell me, Sergeant Slowater, what are the three best things you remember about growing up in Mount Vernon?

Sergeant Slowater: I didn’t grow up in town, just close to it, and the area was still considered Mount Vernon. What did I like about it? (purses lips and gazes off thinking. Fingers tapping again) Fresh food. There’s farm stands during the summer, plus Farmer’s Markets–usually on Saturdays–and the Skagit Valley Food Co-op year round.

Fresh, organic food!

The Food Co-op has been around for forty years–before I was born–and is still the place to buy organic food,

Vine ripe Tomatoes!

free-range meat including pork, and well, it just smells interesting. I go into most food stores and there isn’t any smell to them. When I walk into the Co-op that is one of the first things that happens: I’m greeted by these spicy, sweet, tangy smells. All of them pleasant, and intriguing.

The second thing I like about Mount Vernon and Skagit County is the farms. Tulip farms, berry farms, alpaca, cattle, and horse farms, flower farms. There is myriad things grown around the Mount Vernon/Skagit County area. It is a place that feels….well, for want of a better word, alive. Alive and hopeful. Do you know what I mean?

Interviewer: Yes, yes, I believe I do.

Sergeant Slowater: (gives a little smile) THE thing I love about that area, though, is a little produce stand called The Snow Goose Produce Market. It’s up close to La Conner. It has homemade ice cream, the longest list of flavors I have ever seen, and waffle cones made right there as you are ordering your ice cream. You can smell the sweet smell of waffles cooking. And the ice cream scoops are GINORMOUS! They even have some specialty ice cream from Lopez Island. I love the Skagit Strawberry and Wild Mountain Blackberry.

Interviewer: Now that is a place I am absolutely going to visit! It appears that we have run out of time, today. Again, thank you, Sergeant Slowater, for being my guest. You’ve have given me a new perspective on a small city that I really hadn’t given a lot of thought to. Now, I’m going to have to go up there and visit.

For more photos of Mount Vernon, Washington go to: http://www.pinterest.com/ayawalksfar

For more information on the places Sergeant Slowater told us about:

www.skagitfoodcoop.com All about local farming and sustainable food production. Newsletter and more information

www.pacionis.com Voted Best Pizza in Skagit County

www.tulipfestival.org

www.snowgooseproducemarket.com A f amily-owned seasonal produce stand known for “immodest ice cream cones”.

Read Sketch of a Murder and discover why Sergeant Slowater is “not a fan of the media”. http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Murder-Special-Crimes-Team-ebook/dp/B00KU6AIPQ

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MEET LIEUTENANT MICHAEL WILLIAMS, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

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MEET LIEUTENANT MICHAEL WILLIAMS, SPECIAL CRIMES TEAM

(Interviewer): First, I want to thank both you and Governor Marleton for making these interviews possible; for encouraging your team to speak with me.

(Lieutenant Williams): (Shifts in his chair and clears his throat.) As I hoped I made clear, any interviews my team members give is strictly up to them. I will not force any of them to speak with you, or to give interviews to any media person, unless I believe it will assist in solving a case. I made that clear with Governor Marleton as well.

(Interviewer nods vigorously) Of course. (Interviewer pauses to reorganize thoughts): You stated that questions about ongoing investigations were taboo, but I was wondering if you would care to give us an idea of the types of cases your team will be investigating?

(Lieutenant Williams gives interviewer a steady look): According to Governor Marleton’s guidelines, our team will be handling certain types of serial killings, especially if they cross jurisdictional lines, extraordinarily gruesome murders, some cases of violent rape, and a few cold cases that fall into those categories. We will also handle any cases the Governor specifically requests us to investigate.

(Interviewer): What about gang violence?

(Lieutenant Williams shakes his head slowly): At this time, Governor Marleton has not included that in the criteria she established.

(Interviewer): Tell me, Lieutenant Williams, how did you decide to become involved with the Special Crimes Team?

(Lieutenant Williams purses his lips as he gives the question some thought): Let’s just say I was encouraged by my immediate superior to take advantage of the Governor’s invitation.

(Interviewer raises eyebrows): Was that a good thing, or a bad thing?

(Lieutenant Williams’ mouth turns up slightly at the corners): Not everything falls into a good or bad dichotomy. This is especially true of police work. As a detective, I am ultimately dealing with complex human beings.

(Interviewer cocks head and studies the lieutenant for a moment): Speaking of complex human beings: what do you think of your second-in-command, Sergeant Slowater?

(Lieutenant Williams): We are working our first case together, so I really don’t have a long term acquaintance with Sergeant Slowater; however, it is my understanding that she’s a good, solid cop. I expect her to be an asset in solving the murders we are investigating.

(Interviewer): Is there any member of your team you feel might not fit into the group?

(Lieutenant Williams crosses his arms over his broad chest): EVERY member of my team is a professional, Ms. Walksfar. Our team is not a social clique. We are police officers, detectives and “fitting in,” as you put it, is irrelevant. We do our jobs.

(Interviewer holds up hands in stop gesture): Whoa! I apologize, Lieutenant. I didn’t mean to offend you or to allude that any member of your team is less than a professional. I simply meant that since they are such a diverse group from diverse backgrounds that it might be difficult to come together without any rough spots.

(Lieutenant Williams uncrosses his arms but crosses his leg over his knee): You have my answer.

(Interviewer takes sip of water): How does Dr. Irene Nelson fit into the Special Crimes Team since, as I understand it, she answers to the FBI?

(Lieutenant Williams): Dr. Nelson is a well-respected agent and behavior specialist. We did not request her assistance, but since that assistance has been offered, we are glad to accept the additional resources.

(Interviewer glances at watch): Oh, my! Looks like we have run out of time for today, Lieutenant Williams. Again, thank you for coming. I am looking forward to getting to know the members of the Special Crimes Team.

To learn more about Lieutenant Michael Williams, head of the Special Crimes Team, read Sketch of a Murder http://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Murder-Special-Crimes-Team-ebook/dp/B00KU6AIPQ

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Aya Walksfar, Author

Hard hitting, in-the-news murder mysteries

Tag Archives: police

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