tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63546038363970916672024-02-20T17:57:50.440-08:00Larceny is GrandInvestigations into great writing, with examples from mysteries and thrillers of all stripesGlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-42026311590476295452022-11-19T16:02:00.000-08:002022-11-19T16:02:00.254-08:00<p><span style="font-size: large;">This blog, as you may have guessed from the previous post date, is no longer active. You don't want to read a blog anyway, do you? Of course not! What is this, 2005?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">What you want is a shiny, sweet-smelling newsletter, delivered as if by magic to your virtual doorstep. Get all the latest news on Van Shaw books, my ramblings on a writing career, book and film recommendations, giveaways (yep, free stuff!), and other notions. It's free and worth every penny. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://glenerikhamilton.com/#newsletter">Click here to Subscribe!</a> </span></p><br />GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-91199916244233746492020-04-14T07:26:00.000-07:002020-04-14T07:26:40.384-07:00Essential Business: A Van Shaw Story<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">ESSENTIAL
BUSINESS</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Van Shaw looked down at the streets of
Seattle from thirty stories above and counted the seconds between pedestrians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever a new person appeared from around a
corner or emerged from a building, he restarted the count at one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His personal best after a full hour of
watching was twenty-six.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Twenty-six ticks was a long time for any
stretch of downtown blocks to be completely empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even at close to midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly half a minute during which you could
easily imagine yourself the last person on Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cabin fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That must be it, Shaw decided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been inside for most of the past three
weeks, complying with the governor's stay-at-home order during the pandemic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the rare instances that he'd ventured out
during daylight hours, it had usually been a rapid sortie to grab bread and
meat and beer—whatever cuts and brands the corner market had managed to restock
overnight—before returning directly to his apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He'd wipe the packages down with disinfectant
and scrub the hell out of his hands, as per the guidelines on every reputable
news media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His clothes went straight
into the wash, every time, including the bandanna he used as a makeshift mask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His friend Addy Proctor had said the red
kerchief made him look like an Old West pistolero.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last time Shaw had taken an order so
seriously, he'd still been in the Rangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then again, he considered, those orders had <i>also</i> been intended to
keep himself and others alive, so maybe that was the key. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nights were better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw would take his car from the high-rise's
underground garage and drive the highways, with no destination required and no
chance he might meet anyone up close.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He had no fever, no cough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably wasn't infected at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two guys on the same volunteer crew had tested
positive so far, so said the grapevine, but Shaw hadn't run into either of those
men on the motel job weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that
time they had all had been keeping the requisite six feet or more away from one
another, as if someone might take a wild swing with a hatchet at any moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still, it was possible he’d caught the
virus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crew had been moving damned
fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The county had bought the rundown
Travelodge in Renton knowing it would need a ton of work, as quickly as it
could be done, to retrofit the motel's eighty units for isolation and
quarantine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the carpet torn out and
replaced with sterilizable tile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
beds removed and the showers modified for the mobility impaired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the veterans groups around Fort Lewis
had heard the county's plea, desperate for anyone with construction experience.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw had been roped in by a former 1st
Battalion lieutenant who owned the gym Shaw worked out at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He'd shown up for the volunteer team the very
next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe during the rush to get
materials off the truck somebody had breathed in his direction, or coughed into
their hand and touched the same wooden palette moments before he had, and that
was all it took, didn't it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It could be worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw hadn't visited Addy Proctor and her
foster kid Cyndra in the days immediately after the motel job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was good luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe Addy's smarts were the real
blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She'd put her house into
quarantine well before most of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At eighty years old, the crafty woman wasn't taking chances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cyn hadn't kicked at the sudden confinement
as much as Shaw had thought she would.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
teenager lived most of her life online anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">So Shaw lived alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bar he worked at was closed for the
duration, and it wasn't like he'd been pulling a ton of hours lately anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had enough money squirreled away to hold
out for a few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe months, if he
kept living like a monk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">That longer timeframe looked like the most
probable outcome as the number of reported cases of the virus in the state
climbed steadily toward quintuple digits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shaw burned the days checking in with friends like Hollis Brant on the
phone, or binging TV shows he'd missed during his years in the Army, or playing
board games over Zoom with Cyndra and Addy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cyndra liked King of Tokyo, and usually won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Addy preferred chess for the same reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They'd all mutually agreed that the game of
Pandemic could be set aside for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the fourth night of his isolation, Shaw
had climbed the stairwell to the top level and deactivated the alarm on the
door to the roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wide expanses of
rubbery bitumen flooring between the shed-sized air conditioning units offered
plenty of room for jumping rope or jogging around the perimeter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every night since, he'd visited the roof
again, even if just for a few minutes of fresh springtime air on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reset the alarm when he left each time, in
case some bored child wandering the building happened upon the same door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ping of an incoming video call
summoned Shaw from the balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He set
his bottle of Deschutes on the cracked pine veneer of the only table in the
apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the two months since he'd
moved in, he hadn't gotten around to finding better furniture than had served
for his old studio off Broadway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hollis
had said it was like putting a half-dozen rustbucket Chevettes in a Tesla
showroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw retrieved his laptop from the antique
leather wingback chair and sat down to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He stared at the caller's name for another three pings before he clicked
Accept.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Luce," he said when she
appeared on the screen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Hi, Van." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She looked good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No makeup that he could detect, but Shaw had
never thought Luce Boylan needed embellishment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"How are you holding up?" he
said it even as Luce began to speak the same words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"That's everyone's question now,
right?" she replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"We're—
I'm all right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plenty of food and supplies, and no one at
work has come down with it yet, thank God."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">From the corkboard covered with photos over
Luce’s shoulder, Shaw could tell that she was in the bedroom of her small
apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably sitting on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered briefly if it was the same
queen-sized bed he'd known, and if it still squeaked, before he kicked that
line of thought far away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Same here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except for the work part."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw told her about the motel job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"So all of us on the LT's group text are
just waiting, hoping nobody else wakes up with a temperature of a hundred and
four."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Addy's okay?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tougher than ever." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Great,” said Luce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And Hollis?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Sailing offshore most of the time,
like he's on vacation."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Good."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stalling like this wasn't Luce's way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I want to ask a favor," she
said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"It's about Carter," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">And there it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carter was Luce's new husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy she'd been with before Van, and
after.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"He's working at Harborview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of the team they brought in to deal with
the surge," Luce said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw recalled that Carter was an EMT and
in medical school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe doing his
internship by now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A baptism of
fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"How bad off are they?" he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You should see the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They've got tents outside to triage anyone
with symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the ICU beds full up
they’re using any space that can be safely cordoned off from exposure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctors and nurses have outfits like hazmat
suits with piped-in air, so awkward it takes two people to put them on." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luce paused for a breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with the limited resolution of her
laptop camera, Shaw could see the fine lines of long-held strain around her
oceanic eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Carter's in the middle of it?"
he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Like a bullseye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that's what it feels like to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was already training for respiratory care
when all this started, so they've got him shadowing specialists in the COVID-19
unit now." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"What's the favor?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You don't have to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There probably isn’t anything you <i>can</i>
do."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Luce."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Okay."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tucked a stray
lock of blonde hair behind her ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"The hospital was going to receive two high-pressure ventilators
from a clinic near Spokane today, along with protective equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Masks and gloves, mostly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know about the shortage of ventilators?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody had become familiar with the worldwide
scarcity of machines to keep critical care patients breathing in the worst
cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next-to-worst cases, he
corrected himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worst cases were
already past help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Then you know how much those machines
mean right now, I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much good
they could do."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luce rubbed her
brow, as if to wipe the worry from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The
truck was hijacked outside of Ellensburg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Its driver had pulled off the freeway to get coffee at a
drive-thru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he stopped at a light,
two cars boxed him in and men with guns forced him out of the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Left him standing there and drove the truck
away."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Uh huh."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You say that like you already saw
the story on the news."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I figured it had to be something like that."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Or else I wouldn't be calling you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I'm just— it's been a hard time."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Luce was underselling it, Shaw
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Married only a couple of
months, and suddenly her new husband is working the plague ward and only coming
home on those rare hours they could spare him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All while she never dared to see anyone else in person, because how
could Luce take the chance that neither of them had caught the virus yet, with
Carter on the front lines?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">She closed her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I keep thinking if Harborview had those
ventilators, that might tip the balance somehow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hospital isn't turning people away, but
they already have to make hard decisions about who's on the machines and who
isn't.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most critical patients need assisted
breathing for something like two or three weeks, Carter told me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three whole weeks where that machine can't
help anyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if they had more
protective stuff, then he might not have to keep wearing the same mask—"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"It's all right," Shaw said, and
then amended his statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It
will be."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I wouldn't have called if I knew what
else to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounded like talking to you was the last
thing I'd ever want, and that's not true.” She swept her hair back from her
forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know it isn't."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">But Shaw and Luce had agreed to be apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the way apart, because that was easier
than trying to toe some line that seemed to be made of quicksilver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social distancing, before that was a
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"What do the cops say?" he asked.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"From what Carter can glean through
his friends in administration, the sheriff in Kittitas County will be
investigating, but nobody's holding out much hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one thing, the jurisdiction is
complicated by the ventilators being in transit across the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And every police department has their hands
full with the lockdown and all that comes with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The county cops can't spare much
manpower."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Is the driver from Spokane?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"No, Seattle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was on a round trip to pick up the
ventilators and return."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">A full day, driving across the wide part
of the state and back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least he’d had
the advantage of sparse traffic on the freeways.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"The first person the cops will look
at is the driver," Shaw said, half to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"He knew the route and the cargo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he'd have had plenty of lead time with
the long drive, if he and some friends got ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's assuming there was any hijacking at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he stashed the ventilators
before he left Spokane and lost the truck somewhere in Ellensburg before
calling 911."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">But Luce shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I know him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aurelio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He's an ER nurse at Harborview, and he was using his off-duty day to
make the run to Spokane so they'd get the masks and other things as soon as
possible."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Not exactly a low-life."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"There's no way I can picture Aurelio
stealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's devastated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it's not like the trip was a secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in the ICU knew the ventilators and
masks were on their way, just like I'm sure the Spokane people knew too."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Get Aurelio to call me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell him—just tell him I'm a volunteer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's accurate enough." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don't actually expect this to lead anywhere, but..." Luce
shrugged.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"It's something we can do," Shaw
finished the thought, "when we're out of other options."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Exactly."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Aurelio called ten minutes later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ER nurse had a resonant baritone voice
that stretched into tenor as he recounted his very stressful afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Three dudes, or maybe four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't know for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled off I-90 and right then a car raced
past me on the ramp, driving halfway onto the shoulder and kicking up all kinds
of dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured it was some little
punk gone crazy staying at home with his parents, blowing off steam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he slammed on the brakes and I stopped
of course and the next thing there's a gun in my face."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"What did they say?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don't look back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Literally that
much, eight words out of the guy pointing the gun at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As chill as if he was ordering lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I walked back down the ramp toward the
freeway like he told me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought sure
he was going to shoot me any second, even after I heard them drive away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a moment for me to dare turning
around and going the other direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a gas station a quarter-mile up the road and somebody there called 911 for
me."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You did the right thing, staying
calm."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I don't know how calm I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt numb mostly, until I got the shakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shock, you know? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
I saw them get out of the car in front of me with masks over their faces, I
didn't think anything was weird at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody
has masks on all day now, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We're
used to it."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Tell me what you remember about them."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I only really saw the guy at my
window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with the mask and
sunglasses, his face was down to nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>White dude with brown hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And big,
bigger than me anyway, and I'm six-two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
hoodie was gray without any writing on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sunglasses were Oakleys, not like that could be a clue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told all this to the cops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You're working with them?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"If I learn anything useful."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"About the only thing that really
sticks was when the dude waved me out of the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The light shone kinda sideways through his glasses
and I could see through them for a second, you know how that is?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw said he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Well, one of the dude's eyes looked all
milky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a cataract, but he wasn't an
old guy so maybe not."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"But his eye was clouded?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I had to swear on a bible, I'd have to say
I was only mostly sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it'll give
the cops a way to find him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't
have a chance to get the car's license number."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw suspected that wouldn't have mattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This crew sounded like they'd had some
experience pointing guns and relieving people of their possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cars were probably stolen and wiped
clean, though if the gang had worn gloves it wouldn't strike anybody as strange
nowadays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the whole bunch had
followed Aurelio all the way from Seattle, a small convoy, or maybe they'd had
one half of the team ID the truck in Seattle and call ahead to their partners
in Spokane, who'd wait for Aurelio to show at the clinic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No need to tail him for hours when they could
keep some distance and move in when they saw their chance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">And Aurelio was a dead end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw would have to try to find a lead on the
other side of the supply chain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ER nurse's voice, deep once again, cut
into his line of thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What
kind of assholes would do this right now?" he was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I mean Jesus, don't they give a shit at
all?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw didn't have an answer for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Market forces, he figured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The demand reached a certain point and
whatever reservations this crew might have had about stealing from deathly ill
people, if they had ever had any qualms to begin with, were overruled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everybody had a price.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once he'd ended the call with Aurelio,
Shaw prepared to go streetside for the first time in five days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put on a shirt and hiking vest as proof
against the cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a moment's
thought he added a compact Colt in a clip-on holster as proof against other
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn't expecting trouble, but
it was a time when everyone was taking extra precautions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He drove south, a winding course through
the empty streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three miles on he
passed CenturyLink Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A line of
refrigerated trucks stood in close formation just outside the north entrance,
on the paved plaza normally reserved for fans walking from the nearest parking
lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trucks' gleaming paint jobs
glowed pale in the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">No prizes for guessing why the cold
storage trucks were there, Shaw thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Army was converting CenturyLink into a field hospital, to handle overflow
when and if—looking more like when and less like if every day—medical centers
like Harborview became overwhelmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
trucks could be the final stop for many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Potentially a long stop, too, until funeral homes found a way to manage
the crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">There had been no trucks for extended
storage in Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Body bags came
in by air or road and the soldier in question would be swiftly prepared for
transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any personal effects removed
and bagged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remains placed into an
ice-packed aluminum case already draped with the flag, to be sent off with a
ramp ceremony—seeing the body onto the aircraft home—as soon as schedules
allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw had stood in a few of
those ceremonies, saluting as a brass quintet played and a short parade of
Humvees drove slowly across the hot tarmac toward the ramp of a giant C-17,
each vehicle carrying one transfer case, one soldier going home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dignified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Army had the
benefit of years of practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw
prayed his hometown wouldn't have to learn the same lessons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Dugout tavern was closed, of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which was not the same as saying
it was unoccupied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the city was
told to stay at home, Shaw figured certain people would consider the Dugout
their home far more than whatever house or apartment happened to contain their
possessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The tavern wasn't near a ballpark, either,
though someone had once told him that the Seattle Pilots had played at a nearby
stadium, both team and venue vanishing long before Shaw was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Lowe's hardware store occupied the site now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plywood sheet with painted letters
pronouncing the Dugout CLOSED FOR THE DURATION had probably been purchased
there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gold dots spelled out the tavern's name on
the face of the building, like the bulbs in an old-time light-up scoreboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doors carried the letters G and O.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He adjusted the red bandanna over his face
and knocked hard in the center of the G.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Half a minute later a male voice called from within.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Who is it?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Van Shaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking for Milford."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Ain't here." The answer coming
so fast it might have been reflex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask
the voice if he was awake, he'd deny it instantly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"His car's at the curb," Shaw
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I'll wait."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another minute passed while a debate
presumably raged inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Dugout's
door cracked open and a rotund man with a blue paisley scarf concealing his
nose and the top half of a bushy beard looked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You can't come in."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Don't need to."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man glared over the top of his scarf
before retreating to shout into the depths of the tavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Mill."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The three-inch opening stayed black for a
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Milford Kettering appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was less round than the doorman, but only
in the way an egg is less round than a cantaloupe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old fence wore no mask, but Shaw imagined
Kettering pulling up the fold of his yellow turtleneck if he felt the need,
like a turtle retreating into its shell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Van," Milford said, sounding as
surprised as if he hadn't been told Shaw was at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"How wonderful. Are you here to check on
my welfare?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Business."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Even better, even better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't realize you were back in the game,
though certainly when I heard you'd returned to Seattle after so long
away..." Kettering fluttered his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"One hopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and your
grandfather were always a welcome sight, and profitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have you brought me?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I want information."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kettering's face, pitted with scars from
acne that had vanished fifty years before, looked crestfallen. "Van. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Call it a public service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medical equipment was stolen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two COVID-suitable ventilators, and personal
safety gear."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"And you're looking to... re-acquire
these?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something in Shaw's tone made the purveyor
of illegal goods blanch a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Quite like your grandfather, now
that you're full-grown, I see," Kettering mumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cleared his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What can you tell me about the
theft?" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw described every detail Aurelio the
nurse had told him, right down to the cloudy-eyed leader's plain grey
sweatshirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kettering listened intently,
his fingers playing idly with the buttons on his corduroy sport coat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I'd owe you a favor, if it works
out," Shaw finished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Certainly, certainly," Kettering
said, still half in thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Do
you mind occupying yourself while I make some calls?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the people I'm trying to reach may
still be up at this hour."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"And home."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That's almost guaranteed, isn't it?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kettering vanished into the interior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw spent twenty minutes waiting, during
which only half a dozen cars drove past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One was a police SUV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cop in the
shotgun seat turned to give him a once-over. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw tensed reflexively, expecting the
Interceptor to stop, but it cruised northward without pause.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">On another night they'd have braced him, a
lone man standing outside a closed business in a low-traffic area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was good being out, Shaw mused, before
clarifying the thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good to
be on the hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Milford Kettering reappeared, bold enough
now to step out onto the sidewalk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I may have something," he
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"A favor, you said?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Of comparable size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won't knock over a jewelry exchange for
you."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I suppose you're a fellow of your
word, though what could I do if you weren't?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Regardless, your mention of the gentleman with the eye problem sparked a
memory. McReynolds was his name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
bought a shipment of DVD players from him, back when people still wanted such
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McReynolds was a strong-arm
thief, and perhaps worse, at least until recently."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"What changed?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"The eye changed, certainly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some disease of the optic nerve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't know if he's the same man who robbed
your poor nurse, but I do know who he works for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harold Vulpe."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw stared at Kettering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You say that like I should know the
name."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Perhaps not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though if you and your grandfather were still
working together, the name might be as familiar as mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Vulpe works a similar line as me, only he
deals primarily in technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Counterfeit
software licenses or illegal duplications of intellectual properties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's very lucrative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were I young again and knowledgeable about
such things I might be tempted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it
is," Kettering glanced at the Dugout's unimpressive exterior, "I'm
content to ease into retirement."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Medical supplies are a weird jump
from bootleg movies," Shaw said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Maybe
McReynolds is in business for himself."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"If you're intending to confront
either of them, I would advise extreme caution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Harold wouldn't employ a man like McReynolds if he were given to
reasonable discourse."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"And if I felt reckless?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kettering smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I took the liberty of acquiring his
address. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harold Vulpe lives in Dash
Point, near Tacoma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know where that is?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He checked his watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunrise was
three hours off yet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Harold Vulpe's house was simple enough to
find and proved even easier to approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trees bordered the grounds and a broad swath of lawn, allowing the
occupants privacy from the neighbors but also giving Shaw an unobstructed view
of the rear of the home from fifty yards away without fear of being spotted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The home consisted of three separate
structures connected by enclosed hallways of glass windows atop short stone walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those modernist halls didn't quite match the
Tudor style of the grand house in the center, and Shaw supposed they'd been
added years later when the outer buildings were constructed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farthest building from him was a four-car
garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closest, even larger than
the garage, might be guest quarters or perhaps an oversized home office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lights shone from the main house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guest quarters were dark. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a long shot that the ventilators
would be in Vulpe's house, Shaw knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
better odds than it might have been weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone was sticking close to home lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if the stolen machines were elsewhere,
and even if Vulpe had nothing to do with their theft, he might be able to steal
a cell phone or laptop and get a lead on McReynolds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Motion detectors had been planted every
few yards around the perimeter of the lawn, like white toadstools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Set to trigger exterior lights, or maybe
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a wrench from a pocket kit
he’d retrieved from a hidden compartment in his car, and disabled two of the
detectors before beating a path across the grass to the rear of the guest
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking through the window into the dark
interior, Shaw could make out the shape of a simple contact pad alarm on the
top edge of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used a snap gun
to unlock the deadbolt within seconds, and a magnet to disable the alarm sensor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A job he could have handled when he was
twelve years old and just starting out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
the rest of the house was this soft, he estimated he’d be back on the road within
half an hour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The space inside was a laundry room, and
beyond it an entertainment area, complete with pool table and a ceiling-mounted
projector aimed at a movie screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Billiard balls and cue sticks remained on the green felt as if a game
had been interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw moved through
the room to the opposite entryway, which led him to the guest house's
foyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coats hung from pegs just inside
the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shoes and boots formed a
neat line underneath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And standing like
an attentive butler beside the bannister of the stairs leading to the second
floor, the tall rolling cart of a ventilator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Son of a bitch, Shaw thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There it was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the reflection off the machine's
display screen, he caught a shadowy image of his own startled expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along with something else behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw ducked right, just as the swinging
pool cue whipped past where his head had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He went for the Colt on his hip, but his attacker's backswing came too
fast, hitting Shaw’s elbow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His gun
clattered to the tile floor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw flung
himself at his attacker, more out of desperation than coordination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their bodies thudded together, stumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two men fell back into the darkened game
room, Shaw half on top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He punched with
both hands, hitting the man in the chest and arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slim end of the cue stick smacked him
hard across the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thrashing, the attacker tumbled free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw lost him in his daze and the dim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He scrambled madly, expecting another swing to
fracture his skull at any second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
vicious kick caught his left shoulder instead, numbing Shaw down to the
fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the force of the blow
got him rolling the right direction, under the shelter of the pool table. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The descending cue cracked against the table's
stout leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The man rushed away, rounding the broad table,
eager to end the fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw got to his
feet on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed the
9-ball from the felt surface and threw it with all his strength, a frantic
heater that struck the attacker's forehead with a note two octaves lower than
the wooden cue had made hitting the table leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man’s head snapped back and he fell, bouncing off the lip of the
table and down to the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cue
stick rolled from his grip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw, gasping for breath, replaced his
skewed bandanna and knelt to check if his enemy was still alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blood had already begun to trickle from the purpling
spot where the ball had caromed off the attacker’s skull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trickle changed direction as Shaw turned
the man's head to check his pupils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
lifted the eyelid and saw a cloudy gray-white orb. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">McReynolds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must have seen Shaw coming across the lawn
towards the guest quarters and circled around to sneak in through the same door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky that the thug hadn't brought a gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But maybe his boss Harold Vulpe or another
person in the main house was calling for backup right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best to grab the ventilator—both if he could
find the second machine—and get the hell out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He returned to the foyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Colt had tumbled under the caster wheels
of the ventilator cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Shaw
holstered the pistol, he looked out the windows at the Tudor house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sign of movement, nobody staring back at
him from the well-lit first story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McReynolds
might have been alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the only one
awake in the wee hours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where was the second ventilator?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vulpe may have already passed it off to a
buyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first machine had been set by
the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would only take seconds
to check the upper floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw took the stairs
two at a time, only to halt abruptly at the reedy sound of a man's voice
calling from the rooms ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Harold?" the voice said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I heard a noise."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">A cough followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dry rasp and the wheeze of labored inhalation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Harold?" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw knew he should retreat, take the single
ventilator and count himself lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
the unseen man's cough had nudged his curiosity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">He padded silently down the carpeted
hallway to look through the first open doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A bedroom, antique in decor, with oaken wainscoting and floral wallpaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But instead of a four-poster, he saw a modern
hospital bed, set so that its occupant sat up at an angle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oxygen tanks had been fixed to the safety
railing of the bed, and trays holding prescriptions and other care rested on a
vintage dresser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Against the far wall,
the second stolen ventilator, ready like its brother on a rolling cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">A small lamp on the elevated bedside table
cast the only light in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man
on the bed peered at Shaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was tall
and as thin as a heron, and even in the low illumination Shaw could tell that
his color was bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pallor washed out even
the liver spots on his neck and scalp while his cheeks remained flush with
fever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the patient seemed frightened
by the sudden appearance of a large masked stranger in his doorway, he didn’t
show it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Who are you?" the man said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"One of Harold's men?" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">His spindly fingers pressed a button on a
cord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Calling for help, and stalling
until it arrives, Shaw reasoned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm here for this, not you,"
Shaw said, crossing the room to the ventilator on its cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The screen folded down flat for easy
transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"My eyes are for crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"A ventilator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Helps people breathe."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the damn thing doing here?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw loosened the straps holding the
ventilator to the cart and hefted it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty
pounds, at most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could carry both
machines in one trip, one under each arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If he didn't have to worry about interference. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">A door opened downstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old man heard it too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw set the ventilator back on the cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You're Harold Vulpe's father?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"He's my boy."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Your boy stole two of these from an
ICU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From people who need them to
survive."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The old man grunted and glanced at the
oxygen tanks at the side of the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm taking them back," Shaw
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Sorry."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Screw your sorry," the man
said, then called out again with surprising volume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Harold?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw drew the Colt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Dad?" Vulpe shouted from the
stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You okay?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I'm peachy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This bandit here has a gun, so maybe you
don't come charging in like a fool, hah?" <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Cops are already here and I've got a
gun too," Vulpe shouted to Shaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"There's
nowhere for you to go, asshole." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Hell," the old man said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Harold, put that thing away and get
your ass up here."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He coughed again
and managed another curse between breaths.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">A pause followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw moved to a more defensible position
behind the wall of the attached bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The old man watched him but said nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vulpe appeared at the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He'd obeyed half of his father's
instructions; he still clutched a nickel plated 9-millimeter automatic with
pearl grips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw thought the gun looked
oddly formal for a man wearing sweatpants and a V-neck sweater, the uniform of
the quarantined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You two idiots can shoot each
other," the old man said, wheezing a little, "but first I wanna know
where that came from."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waved a
finger at the ventilator on its cart.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"You need it," Vulpe said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You're getting worse."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"That's not what I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I'm getting worse, I'm the one who's
in this damn body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I know I've got
the sick, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably caught it from
that attendant you hired who keeps taking my food away before I'm done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You take that gadget from a hospital?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vulpe looked stricken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I had to. They’ll turn us away if you
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let somebody younger take your place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know they will."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I don't know that and neither do you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s beside the damn point," the old
man said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You wouldn't remember
this, Harold, but when I was a kid, your grandmother went to work at the
shipyards building destroyers for the Navy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not for money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because she
thought it was her duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when I was
about your age and Boeing nearly went bust, I was on the committee that put
bonds together to hire some of those laid-off workers to build
parks."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old man coughed again,
nearly doubling over.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Dad," Vulpe said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father waved a palm impatiently and Vulpe
and Shaw both waited, guns drawn but at their sides, until he recovered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Shut up a minute, Harold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you're into some criminal garbage, now
that I live here and I’ve seen the kind of people you’ve got coming around at
all hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's stupid but I let it go
'cause it's your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My integrity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can't take from people in need to benefit
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won't have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy," the man gestured toward Van,
"is going to take those machines back."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"And the masks," Van said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"And the masks or whatever," The
old man agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"And if I die like
I figure I will, so what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I
won't be dragging any souls along behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That's one last thing I can do for this town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You follow, son?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vulpe stood stock still for a long moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he set the automatic on the dresser
beside the cornucopia of prescription bottles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Go on,” Vulpe said to Shaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Take the shit and get the hell out before I
change my mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">His father nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Come sit by me, kid," he said to
Vulpe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His final reserves of energy
spent, he sank as far into the pillow as his emaciated frame allowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Keep me company a while."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"What's your name?" Shaw asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Francis," the old man said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I'd ask yours, but maybe it's better
you stay anonymous, hah?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Thanks, Francis." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Nothing to it," said Francis
Vulpe and took his son's hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The younger Vulpe pointed Shaw to a
cardboard box in the bedroom closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside
were individual boxes of wrapped sterile masks, fifty per box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaw wrapped each ventilator in a towel and
placed them on a blanket, which he bundled up to make a crude sack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the cardboard box under one arm and the
ventilators slung over his back like Santa Claus, he stepped over the snoring
bulk of McReynolds and out the back door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Driving to Harborview, Shaw thought about what
he’d said to Luce hours before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About
how tracking down the stolen ventilators was something for him to do when there
were no other options left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that
hadn’t quite been true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d made a
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An easy choice, true, between
doing something that might save lives and sitting on his ass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But still a decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Francis Vulpe had made a choice as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe his final one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And maybe he’d turned over the goods just to
keep his crooked son Harold from getting shot, though Shaw doubted that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
old man had seemed resolute, even when the life in question was his own. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enough, Shaw thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You chose a path, and you walked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, his path led to a fast and very
discreet stop at the hospital and then home for sleep and more sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No need to call Luce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would find out about the mysterious
reappearance of the stolen gear soon enough through her husband, and she would understand
why Shaw hadn’t told her himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">And tomorrow, he would spend another day
inside. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the day after, and the day
after, until this thing was dead and gone and the world started spinning again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shaw didn’t mind. It was what he could do. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">*********</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Afterword<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I miss my hometown. I'm also tremendously
heartened and proud of how the city has faced up to a challenge that makes the
fire of 1889, a blaze that gutted the town's entire center, look like a minor
inconvenience. People are staying home, and when they can't, it's most
often to do the critical work keeping the rest of the community healthy and
secure and fed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While following the local news in the Seattle
Times and other sources, I got to wondering what another hometown boy might be
doing during his own quarantine. Van Shaw might be a little more
aggressive in his actions, but he cares just as much. He’d want to do
something. I wanted to do something. So I wrote this story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And if
this story is anything, it's a love letter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the days following that 1889 conflagration,
Seattle rebuilt. Bricks and stone instead of wood. An improved
water supply. The city's first professional fire department. Stronger and
more importantly safer than ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We, too, will rebuild. With improved
crisis management protocols, more stockpiles and supply chains, expanded
medical services and increased personnel, and economic guardrails. Our
children will know how to handle a crisis from our examples and also our mistakes. If you’d like to help right away, here’s a terrific guide from the Times to let you
choose exactly where and how: <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/want-to-donate-to-coronavirus-causes-in-seattle-heres-how-to-help/">Seattle
and Puget Sound Coronavirus Relief Efforts</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stronger and safer. I love you all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-49411622277704903622020-03-13T23:36:00.000-07:002020-03-14T01:43:24.026-07:00Left Coast Crunch: Celebrating What We Have<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Friday the 13th is a suitable day to write about luck: Bad luck, worse luck, and salvaging some good fortune from the wreckage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The worse, of course, is our current global pandemic and all that comes with it. Like nearly everyone in the world, our family has been bracing for business closures, suspended classes, and general isolation. I'll just say I'm grateful that we had time to ready ourselves and that the coronavirus has not yet touched those close to us. With luck (there's that theme again) we'll all weather this storm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The less-bad-but-still-crummy news is the crisis's impact on Left Coast Crime 2020 in San Diego this weekend. As local cases were very limited and there had not yet been a restriction on gatherings, the conference originally proceeded as planned on Thursday. The LCC organizers<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">—</span>this cannot be overstated<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">—</span>were doing a phenomenal job of rolling with author and guest cancellations and juggling panel lineups and other events as needed, hour by hour. Our thanks to Lucinda Surber, Stan Ulrich, Tammy Kaehler, Lisa Brackmann, Kim Keeline, Maryelizabeth Yturralde, and everyone else who scrambled like mad to make life easier for the rest of us. I even had my shot at appearing on a re-focused and re-assembled panel at 2:30 that afternoon.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrfwTgWez1BhD45M48fJGj1IsBlrBkJdRDlU-8iMZaxdYxcPvJzPEkOJSdPDEOxCE_nTesUf7Ro7edqHwqZZ22ZnYPOJd7uvqfSp6JpL6tZtSyl8Q2qhErmo2wo-iulqfvVCxiTJ0PEXM/s1600/IMG_0813-+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrfwTgWez1BhD45M48fJGj1IsBlrBkJdRDlU-8iMZaxdYxcPvJzPEkOJSdPDEOxCE_nTesUf7Ro7edqHwqZZ22ZnYPOJd7uvqfSp6JpL6tZtSyl8Q2qhErmo2wo-iulqfvVCxiTJ0PEXM/s320/IMG_0813-+cropped.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Three hours later, it was over. San Diego County strongly recommended (<i>prohibited</i> is the actual word, but everyone knows enforcement is a whole other issue) that all large gatherings immediately cease. LCC leaders made the tough but absolutely correct choice to comply. Left Coast Crime 2020 will forever be a one-day wonder.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As authors do, we adjourned to the bar. Misery loves company, and as disappointed as we all might have been with the circumstances, damn it was good company to have at that moment. The real point of conventions is to see old friends and make new ones. In that, LCC was a resounding success. And we'll all see one another in Alberquerque in 2021.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMUent1mCtkupU9Xhg68wDdThA4tHgtvr_F7HSCrO5rIuKhsTzGRQfnRe6SnehakaQ04wz6oDgjb3YDMsRPQ6ROF_93u44O5BFP_l00F8-5C_687F4kX1hATTM8vXq3fwKihB2lfG1WCb/s1600/IMG_0824-+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1600" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMUent1mCtkupU9Xhg68wDdThA4tHgtvr_F7HSCrO5rIuKhsTzGRQfnRe6SnehakaQ04wz6oDgjb3YDMsRPQ6ROF_93u44O5BFP_l00F8-5C_687F4kX1hATTM8vXq3fwKihB2lfG1WCb/s320/IMG_0824-+cropped.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Nadine Nettmann, Jay Shepherd, Erica Ruth Neubauer</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIDIXg6dUiO_PXFm124c48lwmjoUSIrhK60RY08phFTdapRUSvGSSZtlW_gTEIk71V6jdxLM3oEm3geC3S-3DMP-ijtb6HPwF4CbW4FdEWR2DGecbUg-ncB0EbmndeSILVzmvn1pW_mUY/s1600/IMG_0814-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIDIXg6dUiO_PXFm124c48lwmjoUSIrhK60RY08phFTdapRUSvGSSZtlW_gTEIk71V6jdxLM3oEm3geC3S-3DMP-ijtb6HPwF4CbW4FdEWR2DGecbUg-ncB0EbmndeSILVzmvn1pW_mUY/s320/IMG_0814-cropped.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">More or less facing the camera: Catriona McPherson, Matthew Quirk</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T9xLeLHHTuBa9e1JDFJTOZWM189XjQtmp-uzlp6L_zUpSbv9E02GfnHsftbPkZe1DvCYo03-A-dVZIw9HF17ja4Z2cD-2HkjEZ7koR75SMIbBzEHIdLqaKAIaXXlIEzqMy0FjnBjIyII/s1600/IMG_0816-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1T9xLeLHHTuBa9e1JDFJTOZWM189XjQtmp-uzlp6L_zUpSbv9E02GfnHsftbPkZe1DvCYo03-A-dVZIw9HF17ja4Z2cD-2HkjEZ7koR75SMIbBzEHIdLqaKAIaXXlIEzqMy0FjnBjIyII/s320/IMG_0816-cropped.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beverly Graf, John McMahon</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa6dWEbpsL24Tw_S3tLhwVh_lDgclhw5PeIAuB9ZHgzuIjW1oBRo1duYk7DJgBwLUgbbWx7vorDECsBTlWnOZtl_p351Q8Q2jk-_pAcPA3VipRIU6D2KnMoGCNCO4Jfhb18Qpar9r1-JA/s1600/IMG_0841-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1600" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa6dWEbpsL24Tw_S3tLhwVh_lDgclhw5PeIAuB9ZHgzuIjW1oBRo1duYk7DJgBwLUgbbWx7vorDECsBTlWnOZtl_p351Q8Q2jk-_pAcPA3VipRIU6D2KnMoGCNCO4Jfhb18Qpar9r1-JA/s200/IMG_0841-cropped.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Given travel challenges and whatnot, some of us are staying through the weekend. My specific whatnot will be taking the time for some focused work on the next Van Shaw thriller. We'll find out whether a global crisis sparks local creativity.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But long before that book is finished and I pray long after the pandemic abates, I'll enjoy the launch of A DANGEROUS BREED this coming July. As part of the lead-up, I have a newly revamped website.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEkn_sCpt2zYEooRBEKPftVAu2ZPMoocLz-Ovg6E2cFtcGw9DhrK9bmuc2iRGCHzsvuB4w_OtdEH2HuqdJw3ExzbOdnLIPSv5tgV3NqcEYrULaCOrGa3rpoDbcBFwpvoxpkv-31GtsE5R/s1600/Website+header+snapshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="1128" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEkn_sCpt2zYEooRBEKPftVAu2ZPMoocLz-Ovg6E2cFtcGw9DhrK9bmuc2iRGCHzsvuB4w_OtdEH2HuqdJw3ExzbOdnLIPSv5tgV3NqcEYrULaCOrGa3rpoDbcBFwpvoxpkv-31GtsE5R/s400/Website+header+snapshot.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Same link as always, <a href="http://glenerikhamilton.com/">glenerikhamilton.com</a>, but with a snazzy new look and cleaner design, thanks to the excellent team at <a href="http://xuni.com/">Xuni.com</a>. I'm truly delighted with how the site turned out, as you can tell from this unprompted plug. Check out Xuni's catalog of author sites if you're curious about what they can do for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Over the coming weeks, please look after yourselves and your loved ones. Like LCC, make the hard but wise decisions to limit your exposure and risk. Read your old favorites, and maybe try a new author or genre. Write a review (reviews are important!) or send a note of appreciation to a writer or reader you love.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Promote kindness. Snub panic. And if you can't hug in person, do it with words.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L6-nqu2GhkQNAU8r5d529XWyETi1RGVPQ9rgslSV3OpyL_tue2V8Le-92ssp3WPsu0Qpvx5kX6e3AaQnVJghAUkKNZqVDnI5Pyn2z-Nc4xvSZcMl5oohmbo88ptWYyLPb1l1hcKCBpJd/s1600/IMG_0818-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1043" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L6-nqu2GhkQNAU8r5d529XWyETi1RGVPQ9rgslSV3OpyL_tue2V8Le-92ssp3WPsu0Qpvx5kX6e3AaQnVJghAUkKNZqVDnI5Pyn2z-Nc4xvSZcMl5oohmbo88ptWYyLPb1l1hcKCBpJd/s200/IMG_0818-cropped.jpg" width="185" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Susanna Calkins</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DnIe2V1fgHswcsclXKYunTpBC3EUHv0rjkp_NeX_-fC25MqJEYWEnhZPJiTEYiXeszDuWTtXDmKzpbgR-ScwVk4f9FFeszkirIff0l1PsCRCmbGEFPbif4f0iuosLPvdRgkuD3p3uAi_/s1600/IMG_8234-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1600" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DnIe2V1fgHswcsclXKYunTpBC3EUHv0rjkp_NeX_-fC25MqJEYWEnhZPJiTEYiXeszDuWTtXDmKzpbgR-ScwVk4f9FFeszkirIff0l1PsCRCmbGEFPbif4f0iuosLPvdRgkuD3p3uAi_/s640/IMG_8234-cropped.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Murderers' Row: Glen, Jay, Nadine, Jamie Mason, Mike McCrary</span></div>
<div>
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GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-84177047200855811482020-02-01T10:19:00.000-08:002020-02-01T10:19:39.890-08:00Larceny is Live (Again)!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So… What have <b><i>you</i> </b>all been up to these past thirty
months?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Whatever you’ve been doing, I'll bet it hasn’t been waiting
breathlessly for a new blog post from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even before this long hiatus I wasn’t exactly a dependable content
provider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Why the sudden revival? </b>By chance, I’ve gotten into a habit
of writing regular posts, just not for this blog. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the past two years I’ve been president of
the Southern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and among the
many (many) tasks that accompany that job, I would write the introductory
column for the chapter’s monthly newsletter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of my random thoughts on writing and career quirks went into the Rap
Sheet, as it was called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now that I’m out of office—my administration’s dictatorial stance
on oxford commas proved to be a powder keg—I want to keep the momentum going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>I’ll aim to post here at least once a
quarter, ideally every couple of months or whenever there’s big news or a fun
event on the horizon.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of: <b>The fifth Van Shaw thriller is headed to the
printers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A DANGEROUS BREED </b>finds Van following
a thread of information about his mother Moira, who died when Van was only six
years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That thread leads to the
discovery of the teenaged Moira’s boyfriend, who may very well be the father
that Van never knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the man in
question has a past and family connections that make Van’s own criminal history
pale in comparison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he a blood relation?
Or just a man with blood on his hands?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A DANGEROUS BREED hits shelves in the U.S. on July 14.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (See the awesome cover from William Morrow below!) </span>Before then, I’ll be at Left Coast Crime in
San Diego in March and working hard on the next book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And collaborating with the good people at
Xuni to revamp my website, allowing for quicker updates on news and appearances
in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I also want to have more interaction with fans through email
and especially on Goodreads. <b>If you have
a question about Van, the writing biz, or any other related topic, send those
my way!</b> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8323979.Glen_Erik_Hamilton" target="_blank">Here's my page on Goodreads.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ku-weTP2iGiVg3Jz4awZgjK87SBB5bSVowLxcbuTwNBemrytD0oPx0CC4TpEcs3iTinasIPYXn9BXY1Y6-MgjOy0iP8AKgJ9TK4R703GLwV2habBsIa0o4x1WkuGad24-Ce-z6CviRoI/s1600/ADangererousBreed_HC+%2528002%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ku-weTP2iGiVg3Jz4awZgjK87SBB5bSVowLxcbuTwNBemrytD0oPx0CC4TpEcs3iTinasIPYXn9BXY1Y6-MgjOy0iP8AKgJ9TK4R703GLwV2habBsIa0o4x1WkuGad24-Ce-z6CviRoI/s640/ADangererousBreed_HC+%2528002%2529.jpg" width="419" /></a></div>
<br />GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-51888794948248145662017-07-12T19:57:00.002-07:002017-07-12T19:57:49.956-07:00Don’t Fear the FOMO<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is the first full day of ThrillerFest, the annual New York
conference hosted by ITW, International Thriller Writers.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">ThrillerFest is home turf for me.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">It’s where I found my agent, and where I originally met at least a dozen wonderful friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And for the first time in five years, I’m not there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Z0OANDQklB23BfTxJZuia5h_2vDs16k8Zfu99dPY2EJKYoiCCtz4uFfnvkycv1LnDH1wlVuevKb8SQpJ68oSxCxexhb6A_a2IPVWYEOR9m6KrMvSnzg9Bmt6w1329fXZA7LzI5Vh7GxX/s1600/Plane+watching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="532" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Z0OANDQklB23BfTxJZuia5h_2vDs16k8Zfu99dPY2EJKYoiCCtz4uFfnvkycv1LnDH1wlVuevKb8SQpJ68oSxCxexhb6A_a2IPVWYEOR9m6KrMvSnzg9Bmt6w1329fXZA7LzI5Vh7GxX/s400/Plane+watching.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With my family’s support, I decided to take 2017 off the
conference circuit*.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, that circuit
means Left Coast Crime, ThrillerFest, and BoucherCon, but for many other
mystery writers it might include Malice Domestic, Romantic Times, or a host of
other national and regional events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
writer could attend one conference a month, easily, without ever leaving the
contiguous forty-eight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me
started on the number of cool gatherings in Europe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday, Bloody Scotland, someday…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can probably guess the major reasons for my
sabbatical:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saving money (or more
accurately, not adding to our overburdened credit cards), saving vacation time,
allowing me more days with family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus: more hours and energy to
concentrate on my fourth book, a standalone thriller which, at the time of
this post, is kicking my ass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write
best when a little challenged (read: scared) and this is damn challenging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like what I’ve got on the page, but there
are miles to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Taking time for myself was the right decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still… Dang it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Conventions are fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hugely</b> fun, especially for a writer
with a couple of books out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cocktail parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conversations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s wisdom shared by keynote speakers and
instructors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s the camaraderie of
fellow authors and those aspiring to finish or publish their first work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late nights and too little sleep and being
hoarse from laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see some of my
conference friends more often than I see friends at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So it smarts a little to see the ThrillerFest posts on
Facebook, and know that there are hilarious group texts flying around the ether
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">right now</b> with my friends trying to
one-up the last quip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside jokes while
I’m on the outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But there’s some comfort in that word <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">while</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll always be on the outside of something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t always be on the outside of
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty good at long-term
thinking, enough to clearly imagine the day when I’m free to attend any
and all gatherings I choose, with family in tow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And heck,
maybe a couple of those conferences will even foot the bill, so long as I can
think of something pithy to say in a speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> D</span>ream big.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For now, I’ll wish my friends a happy time and safe travels,
and toast them in their absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
I’ll continue to use this year as best I can, which means getting done with
this post and back to Book Four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a
grand time, you magnificent reprobates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll see you soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">G.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmX0SFGJduSSnGNEN8wn51-7WKMWb9dj1NOKHaH-hXEqUc7ZGXiwv5BEGa3NarSqqAscmyaZTnUwwYFqU4LvXSLXqBATXDiTEqTqr6QkRkrPCBErY4QVm61FKTyTt9QpOOmYR_ccNmhlP/s1600/McQueen-toast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="635" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmX0SFGJduSSnGNEN8wn51-7WKMWb9dj1NOKHaH-hXEqUc7ZGXiwv5BEGa3NarSqqAscmyaZTnUwwYFqU4LvXSLXqBATXDiTEqTqr6QkRkrPCBErY4QVm61FKTyTt9QpOOmYR_ccNmhlP/s640/McQueen-toast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*I made a small exception in June for CCWC, California Crime
Writers Conference, because it’s local to L.A. and because as a board member of
Sisters in Crime I was sort of obligated to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a blast, and reminded me of what I was missing. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-63627423144609077562016-09-09T12:24:00.000-07:002016-09-09T13:00:18.385-07:00Resurfacing<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So, how’s your summer been?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I should say spring <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">and</b>
summer, because it’s been nearly two seasons since I’ve posted here, and just
about that long that I’ve been scrambling, literarily speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> With Bouchercon* in New Orleans on the horizon, I'm ready for some serious R&R. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The short version of the story: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a book due, and it was a tight deadline,
and I made it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The longer version will require some explanation of
publishing timelines, and sharing some of my recent lessons learned about publishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_cA03dn02wWOIMZ96BNuPmvbkixcpQAEG4w5UfJOyL7zoSCi9hI9L85v6cmmWPfhRyJ3zcPKkjeC6DgjKXRifKNS5imz79wR1H2eHWJ5818BlNSvNOOHmNvfSb9onuACXewruWN2DUwk/s1600/9072c0a6-3c1b-4e44-b45e-3c3427a5bf7c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_cA03dn02wWOIMZ96BNuPmvbkixcpQAEG4w5UfJOyL7zoSCi9hI9L85v6cmmWPfhRyJ3zcPKkjeC6DgjKXRifKNS5imz79wR1H2eHWJ5818BlNSvNOOHmNvfSb9onuACXewruWN2DUwk/s320/9072c0a6-3c1b-4e44-b45e-3c3427a5bf7c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My second book, HARD COLD WINTER, was first delivered to my
publisher at the end of February last year, just in time to launch my first
book, PAST CRIMES, in early March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
not an uncommon situation for genre fiction; the goal is usually to produce at
least one book each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When PC launched, I was lucky enough to have a few in-person
appearances at bookstores, and virtual appearances on mystery fan blogs and
other websites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> V</span>irtual
appearances require some extra effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
author is usually writing a guest article or providing answers for a
Q&A.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those blogs are terrific
exposure, and I’m delighted to be asked to join the party, every time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The hitch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because those articles have to be written in advance, of course, I found myself working
on many of those guest posts while also finishing HCW. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A *lot* of posts; I think I wrote eighteen
articles and Q&As for PAST CRIMES last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lesson
#1: Consider the Timing. </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Book
launches require a lot of pre-work and creativity, so make sure you’ve got
enough bandwidth, or at least enough runway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I received rewrite notes on HCW from my most excellent
editor in late May, and agreed to deliver those by end of July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rewrites went well, and HCW was in the
pipeline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And then I waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the frenzy of the previous months, the rest of last summer felt
very calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unnervingly so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine was a two-book deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would my publisher want another? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Finally I asked my lovely and spectacular agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She patiently informed me that the publisher
would be waiting for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i> to bring <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i> opening chapters and a
synopsis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d burned a couple of months, fretting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lesson
#2: Don’t Wait For News; Ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially
if you’re a noob.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Okay, let’s get some opening chapters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had an idea, I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reworked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sent some notions to
my agent, and she provided feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
the time we deemed the chapters and synopsis ready to submit, we were into the
holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Remember Lesson #2?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was late January before we resumed
conversations with my publisher, and fortunately things moved quickly after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By end of month we had agreed on a new two-book
deal, and I was ecstatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And also
freaking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Because this third book would have to be delivered <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fast</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Between delivering the rewrites on HCW and signing the new deal, I had
burned through the better part of six months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
because we needed to hit as close to a Spring 2017 release date as possible (one
book a year, remember?) I would need to deliver Book Three in seven months, by
end of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had forty pages, or about
ten percent, done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ninety percent still to
go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Oh, right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> L</span>esson
#1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i>also</i> had to launch HCW, complete with appearances and writing guest
blogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The question was not whether I could write a book in seven
months minus travel and blog time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
pages a day will get you that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
question was: Could I write a good one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I do enjoy a challenge...</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Fast forward through drafting and redrafting and shredding
(pages and fingernails) and tiny cuts and landed punches, and Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And there it goes, off to my most excellent editor for notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rewrites yet to come, but I’m very happy with
Book Three, and I think fans of the series will be as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Plus, I’m getting better at this game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Book Four is due in 357 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a whole five months longer than I had
for the last one; positively luxurious. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I’m waiting, because I think I’ve
already learned <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lesson #3: Every Day
Counts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Writing, and for
Rejoicing.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And with celebrations in mind, I hope to see you at Bouchercon. Cheers!</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">*Bouchercon World Mystery Convention is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization which holds an annual convention in honor of Anthony Boucher, the distinguished mystery fiction critic, editor and author. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Readers, writers, publishers, editors, agents, booksellers and other lovers of mystery and crime fiction gather for a 4-day weekend of education, entertainment, and fun! Check out <a href="http://www.bouchercon.com/">http://www.bouchercon.com</a></span></div>
GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-89518020396006229472016-05-06T12:04:00.000-07:002016-05-06T12:04:32.892-07:00Awards and Appreciation<span style="font-size: large;">Since my last post, I've had a whirlwind of book launch events for HARD COLD WINTER (huzzah!), signed the contracts for my next two books (double huzzah!), and joined the annual </span><span style="font-size: large;">Mystery Writers of America</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">celebration </span><span style="font-size: large;">that is the Edgar Awards. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">As a first-time attendee to the Edgars, let me tell you: It was worth the transcontinental flight and every moment of the mild headcold that came with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No, I didn't win for Best First Novel, and yes, that was a little disappointing (hey, I'm human). More on that emotion after the photos. But to let Not-winning spoil the honor of being nominated and especially all of the fun my wife and I had meeting old friends and making new ones would be ignorant, not to mention profoundly ungrateful. It really was a spectacular time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A few snapshots, and then a heartfelt comment... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the famed Mysterious Bookshop, in Tribeca. We came straight from the airport, dragging luggage behind us.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2OAbCb7naqoUUTOEMNRrXsX_boC_NPrz8ftX8kueZTOMUZ2XqFuvbwWlAV__JqQzFbsQC0BxOgnGYFq593Gcw2lklM1XNOV_7XC463DXaAW1PWBMNSsi32F6VfaHz3MVSpL0wNG5kRsl/s1600/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2OAbCb7naqoUUTOEMNRrXsX_boC_NPrz8ftX8kueZTOMUZ2XqFuvbwWlAV__JqQzFbsQC0BxOgnGYFq593Gcw2lklM1XNOV_7XC463DXaAW1PWBMNSsi32F6VfaHz3MVSpL0wNG5kRsl/s320/photo+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With fellow authors Nadine Nettmann, Jay Shepherd, and Dan Hale (right), who was awarded the <span 19.32px="" color:="" line-height:="">Charles Todd Distinguished Service Award on the night of the banquet.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdFFaaQHCrnxX3amh-LECXihZWpTAyZ8L83ScnqaUSY-ksf7qe-BhKN2kwnDaBElovpdVACcrNYza7v8m4DbMuLYPLdNfD9c_-afGgjkGq_07c-LCgssXab_QeKSqh6VLy5SXk2i0zK8U/s1600/image+%25287%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdFFaaQHCrnxX3amh-LECXihZWpTAyZ8L83ScnqaUSY-ksf7qe-BhKN2kwnDaBElovpdVACcrNYza7v8m4DbMuLYPLdNfD9c_-afGgjkGq_07c-LCgssXab_QeKSqh6VLy5SXk2i0zK8U/s320/image+%25287%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The panel "A Dram of Poison" at the symposium, with new friends </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span 19.32px="" color:="" line-height:="">Brendan DuBois, Susanna Calkins, Gilly MacMillan, and Lori Roy.</span><span 19.32px="" color:="" line-height:=""> Let's just assume I'm saying something profound.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e5RhcqpDRK6DmAZM-hFyK6dhBO2G4JlYje2HSeM4tTBtnnsJ2mA4-2_0acUolALa9rpL37GPzrsm8a-rH5Z9EJy1P_MmCqPqC907oQ6YmTk1YmF-3rDgq8eHfVdq9aOyUcRnj0Fs3I4M/s1600/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e5RhcqpDRK6DmAZM-hFyK6dhBO2G4JlYje2HSeM4tTBtnnsJ2mA4-2_0acUolALa9rpL37GPzrsm8a-rH5Z9EJy1P_MmCqPqC907oQ6YmTk1YmF-3rDgq8eHfVdq9aOyUcRnj0Fs3I4M/s320/photo+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span 19.32px="" color:="" line-height:=""><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span 19.32px="" color:="" line-height:=""><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Photobombed by a Grand Master: Walter Mosely!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the banquet itself, with my superb editor Lyssa Keusch and my exemplary agent Lisa Erbach Vance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations to the MWA directors and volunteers who carried off a huge event with style and panache. It was a magical night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">One last note, or rather, a list: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Patricia Highsmith. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Donald E. Westlake. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Tony Hillerman. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Martin Cruz Smith. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Bill Pronzini. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth George. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Walter Mosely. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Don Winslow. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Janet Evanovich. </span><span style="font-size: large;">C.J. Box. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Gillian Flynn.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What do all of these authors have in common? They were also nominated for Best First Novel. And they lost, too. </span><span style="font-size: large;">There's a whole lot of success and acclaim and even a couple of Grand Masters listed there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Incredible company, in other words. </span><span style="font-size: large;">See why I'm not too upset? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-81440241993580258122016-02-17T11:03:00.000-08:002016-02-17T11:03:00.793-08:00Dancing with Edgar<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: large;">About four weeks ago, while hustling out the door to the day
job, I did the habitual preoccupied squint at my cell phone to see if any
messages had blown in on the night wind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Notifications Galore.
Double digits coming in on every feed.
If I’d had the phone’s buzzer turned on, the device would have rattled
its way off the damn table before six a.m.
What the hell?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">January 19. Edgar
Allan Poe’s birthday, and the annual announcement of Edgar Award
nominations. I’m such a rookie, I hadn’t
thought to mark the date on my calendar.
Friends in the writing community were claiming my book PAST CRIMES had
received a nod for Best First Novel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After a very careful re-reading of the tweets and the texts –
and double-checking the Mystery Writers of America website for myself – I held
back an extraordinarily loud Howl of Jubilation. The family was still sleeping. I managed to grant them an extra thirty
seconds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The rest of that day was a joyous frenzy. When telling family and friends, I would start
out explaining that the Edgars are sort of the Oscars for mystery writers. And their usual reply was “Yeah, I know.” I had forgotten that people outside our cabal
of plotters and pantsers might have heard of an award whose recipients include authors
from Raymond Chandler to Ruth Rendell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What my friends might not know is that all of the judging is
finished before the first announcement hits the virtual streets. Unlike the Oscars, the MWA voting process
determines both the nominees and the eventual winner. Somewhere in an envelope, the answer awaits... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Which is a relief.
The results are already decided, so all the nominees get to enjoy the time
before the awards banquet, without anything more pressing than searching the
couch cushions for plane fare or finding a suitable dress (mine is electric
blue). No second-guessing, and Thank God
no lobbying. Can you imagine For Your
Consideration ads for the Edgars? I
might mock some up, as a spoof. “Best Mixing
of Metaphors”. “Outstanding Fingertip
Calluses”. “Best Use of Caffeine and
Whisky in a Three A.M. Random Word Spew”.
I might be a shoo-in for that one.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A month has passed since that morning. While the initial shock has worn off, the
excitement remains. My gratitude has only increased. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’ve got a book launch to keep me busy before April 28, but
I’m making time to read my fellow First Novel nominees. Not to compare my book to theirs—an
impossibility; I don’t know how the MWA judges manage the volume, let alone the
decisions – but to admire the range and skill of their writing. It’s encouraging as hell, to read great work
and know you’re in that company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">And on the banquet night, whatever happens, I’ll celebrate. Howls and all.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-42202901840904946302016-01-07T20:07:00.000-08:002016-01-07T20:08:10.101-08:00Opening Volley<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year, everyone! Here's a little post-holiday present, courtesy of my excellent friends at William Morrow: If you can't wait the two months until HARD COLD WINTER is released, just scroll below to read the opening chapters!</span></div>
<div style="-x-system-font: none; display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 12px auto 6px auto;">
<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/294759509" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Hard Cold Winter by Glen Erik Hamilton excerpt on Scribd">Hard Cold Winter by Glen Erik Hamilton excerpt</a></div>
<iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" data-aspect-ratio="undefined" data-auto-height="false" frameborder="0" height="600" id="doc_1582" scrolling="no" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/294759509/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%"></iframe>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-57668210574086219422015-11-22T17:28:00.000-08:002015-11-22T17:28:08.658-08:00Larceny is Gradual<div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've been pretty lax about writing posts here recently. Partly because -- a lame excuse is better than none, right? -- I've been very focused on the proposal for Van Shaw Book 3. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proposals, for those not familiar, usually consist of a plot description (tough) and a few opening chapters that will hopefully knock the collective socks off of anyone who so much as glances at the title page (really tough). For me, the process involves multiple re-writes and lots of chewing on pencil erasers. Since I write with a laptop instead of a pencil, I chew on the Delete key. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without any real planning, Facebook has become the channel where I post more frequent updates for friends and readers. Twitter is the collective online cocktail party, BYOB. At the start I thought Larceny is Grand would be my regular journal, but perhaps it's best as it is: a place to capture</span></span></span><span style="font-family: helv; font-size: large;"> random moments in a new career, and put writing that doesn't really fit anywhere else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">But in the next few months, you'll see more activity here as I prep and celebrate the launch of HARD COLD WINTER in March, and the paperback of PAST CRIMES. And there will be a tour of other blogs as part of the fun, too. So more to come, is what I'm saying, and huge gratitude to those who have been following along and have asked me when the next post is coming. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">(And of course, in the meantime there's always <a href="https://www.facebook.com/glenerikhamilton/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></span></span></span><span style="font-family: helv; font-size: large;"> and <a href="https://twitter.com/GlenErikH" target="_blank">@GlenErikH</a>. Don't be shy; pop by and visit!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">And within the next couple of <b>weeks</b>, the proposal for my third book will be in the hands of my publisher. I'm nervous. I'll probably write about being nervous here, because that's how writers deal with crap like that. <i>Place butt in seat, place words on page.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "helv"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
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GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-81260415744596418162015-10-01T08:58:00.000-07:002015-10-01T08:58:02.788-07:00Raleigh Rally: Preparation for Bouchercon<span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Helv; font-size: x-small;"><div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-size: large;">In one week, I'll be deep into Bouchercon, the largest mystery and detective fiction convention in the United States. Three and a half days of panels, speakers, cocktail receptions, and (if time allows) sleep. I also get to be a New Author this year, which will be loads of fun. I'm only slightly worried about the hazing rituals. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-size: large;">B'con has had forty-five years of practice before this, while I've only had one, just down the road last year in Long Beach. This year the convention is all the way across the country in Raleigh, NC, so I'm looking forward to the barbeque and the Southern hospitality. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even with only one previous year under my belt, I've learned a few important lessons. Here are some of the essentials on my packing list:
</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first three books off the tall stack of novels written by friends, which I'm months behind in getting around to reading. Thank heaven it's a cross-country flight.</span></div>
</li>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Chocolate-Peanut-Butter Luna Bars, for those critical boosts of energy between panels</span></div>
</li>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Toothpicks, because CPB Luna Bars are really chewy</span></div>
</li>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Breath mints (self-explanatory)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cash for coffee, in case the cocktail party the night before runs really late</span></div>
</li>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Visine, because of course the cocktail party the night before will run late, it always does, why do I fool myself</span></div>
</li>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Extra Bag to bring home books that I've bought</span></div>
</li>
<li><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Backup Extra Bag to handle the overflow of additional books from the Extra Bag </span></div>
</li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Credit Card to pay for all those books. And in case I need to buy a Auxiliary Backup Extra Bag</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Spot remover, because at some point I'm bound to get barbeque sauce on my shirt and possibly my shoes</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div dir="LTR">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tragically, galleys of my second book HARD COLD WINTER will not be ready in time for Bouchercon. We *barely* missed the date, but I console myself that I'll be able to hand out a whole raft of copies the next weekend at the Northern California Independent Bookseller Association (NCIBA) in San Francisco. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you're coming to the convention, I'm on the panel "Keeping it Moving: Maintaining Pace in the Narrative" at 10am on Saturday. Come by and say hello! I'll be the guy with the toothpick and the stained loafers.</span> <br />
<br />
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</span></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-10263887208604010942015-09-09T17:49:00.001-07:002015-09-09T17:49:57.096-07:00<span style="font-size: large;">It's been a fairly quiet summer, much of it spent hunched over the keyboard finishing the rewrites for Book 2. Except it's not quiet anymore, and it's not just "Book 2" anymore! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Announcing the second book in the Van Shaw series: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">HARD COLD WINTER</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Much more to come soon, with launch plans, Bouchercon in early October, and the paperback release of PAST CRIMES. But for now, I'm just gonna bask in the glow of this gorgeous cover design!</span></div>
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GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-86058756592903159992015-07-12T08:12:00.001-07:002015-07-12T08:12:26.884-07:00ThrillerFest X-ploits (Part Two)<span style="font-size: large;">We've just crossed the finish line at ThrillerFest, the annual convention for ITW (Int'l Thriller Writers). The festivities wrapped up (late late late) last night. Here's a rundown of the last two fun and frazzled days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Although the entire week is called ThrillerFest for convenience, Friday and Saturday are T-Fest proper, and aimed at the genre's fans. Since most of us writers are also fans, it's huge fun for everyone. We get to see and often chat with leading authors like Lee Child, Gayle Lynds, Steve Martini, Kathy Reichs, Karin Slaughter, Douglas Preston, John Lescroart, Tess Gerritsen, and David Baldacci, among many many others. My first year, David Morrell talked to me (I didn't corner the man reverently called the Professor, I promise!) for twenty minutes about the journey to first being published. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Their are panels on various topics, like this one hosted by Peter James on International Thrillers. Panelists from left to right: Kathleen Antrim (USA), Mark Billingham (England), Eric Giacometti (France), Maria Gustafsson (Sweden), David Khara (France), Mark Leggatt (Scotland), Chris Pavone (USA), and Anne Trager (USA and France, and publisher of mysteries translated from French.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are interviews with and by famed authors. Here's the crowd for this year's Thriller Master honoree, Nelson DeMille, being interviewed by David Morrell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For authors like me who have publishers in New York City, there's even more fun. HarperCollins hosted a giveaway and signing for us. Handing out free books to book lovers is one of the great joys of writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here I am with friend and fellow HC author Simon Toyne, who is making sure I spell my name correctly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For authors in their debut year, ITW hosts a breakfast banquet on the final day (just this morning; I'm still decompressing!) Last night, we met for a much more relaxed dinner of genuine NYC pizza. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And this morning, each of the thirty or so authors had a chance to stand up in front of the very large audience and promote their book, ideally without freezing up and falling over. Here are SJI (Susi) Holliday, me, and Simon Gervais, all putting on brave faces before the carnage begins.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One true cliche of writers: we like a good drink, and the conversation that comes with it. Most nights there is a cocktail reception thrown by a publisher or literary company...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...HarperCollins hosted a reception for their authors at the famed Algonquin Hotel...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...and when those are over, the bars are still open. Yes, that is the hugely popular and successful author F. Paul Wilson on the left...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, there is the annual Thriller Awards banquet, where we all get dressed up to celebrate the year's honorees, and cheer on the friends nominated for ITW awards. For a large event, it's very informal and welcoming. Which is true of the mystery and thriller community in general; it's the company that keeps us coming back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, the banquet is preceded by, and followed by, (what else) cocktail receptions. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">with Jay Shepherd and James Ziskin (author of the Ellie Stone mysteries)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jamie Mason</span> <span style="font-size: large;">(Monday's Lie), Nancy Matuszak, and my amazing wife Amy</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Amy and me with Liz Nemeth, Ursula Ringham, and Cara Brookins (Little Boy Blu) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It may be a shock after all of the carousing mentioned above, but I'm <b>not</b> writing this while in the grips of a hangover. I've learned to pace myself at these things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's worth mentioning that while ThrillerFest is one of the more expensive conventions (adding up registration, NYC hotel, and the general cost of Manhattan) that it's also an entirely volunteer shindig. The authors and supporters donate their time and energy to make TFest one of the biggest and brightest gatherings, and also to keep ITW a dues-free organization. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, enough of this online stuff. We're off to enjoy a last day in NYC. See you soon! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Glen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-64559541319745301142015-07-10T09:42:00.000-07:002015-07-10T09:42:35.995-07:00ThrillerFest Exploits (Part One)<span style="font-size: large;">Hello from New York City! ThrillerFest is the annual conference for mystery and thriller writers, held each July at the Grand Hyatt in midtown Manhattan. Conference-wise, TFest is sort of home turf for me, as it was the first big conference I'd attended since starting to write with intention, and it's also where I first met my literary agent two years ago (more on that below!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Thrillerfest is the short-hand name for a combination of events, with different aims. There are pre-conference teaching sessions with law enforcement, forensics, and other specialists. The FBI day has been especially popular the last couple of years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday and Thursday are for CraftFest, which offers a variety of great classes taught by leading authors. Here's friend and fellow HarperCollins author Jaime Freveletti talking about when and why to kill off characters:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday afternoon is given over to PitchFest. This is the time of week when the whole conference buzzes with excitement and tension. PitchFest is essentially speed dating with literary agents. Aspiring authors wait in line for each agent (having wisely done their homework ahead of time to know which agents are looking for the kinds of books they write!), and have 3-5 minutes to pitch their ideas. If the agent likes what she or he hears, they may ask the writer to send them some or all of their manuscript. In the course of about 3 hours, a writer can usually talk to 8-10 agents. When I went through PitchFest in 2013, I got a lot of interest in the book that became PAST CRIMES, and that subsequent turned into a couple offers of representation. You can read more about that in the Success Story I wrote for the ThrillerFest site: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thrillerfest.com/thrill-ride/">http://thrillerfest.com/thrill-ride/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a photo of this year's practice session. The established and very successful authors who help to run ThrillerFest offered their time to give the pitchers a dress rehearsal:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Each day there are coffee gatherings and cocktail parties (official and unofficial), where we all have a chance to mingle and relax. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Come back to the blog later this week for more on the Friday and Saturday portions of ThrillerFest. And the cocktail parties. 'Cause those can be a minefield. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Glen</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-79970237655501770132015-07-05T13:46:00.003-07:002015-07-05T13:52:01.989-07:00Foot on the pedal, engine revving...<span style="font-size: large;">The green flag has already waved to start July off right, and the month is only going to get faster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the last weekend in June, I flew to San Francisco for the American Library Association's annual conference. I had two signing hours, hosted by the terrific people from Sisters in Crime and by my outstanding publisher, HarperCollins. In between, I had time to wander the two gigantic conference halls, which were packed full of booths and presentations from other houses and organizations. I returned home that evening with a bag loaded with books and other swag. But the very best part was giving away dozens of copies of my own novel to librarians and library professionals from all over North America (and a handful who had traveled even farther.) There's nothing quite as much fun as giving a true book lover a free copy. Huge thanks to William Morrow for sponsoring the giveaways, and for making the arrangements to have their authors present.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now I'm in Florida, visiting family and gearing up to fly north to NYC and ThrillerFest X during the last half of the week. ThrillerFest feels like the home track for me. It was the first big conference I attended, back in 2013, and that same year I met my agent at the PitchFest afternoon. Because my book PAST CRIMES was published in March, this will be my debut year at ThrillerFest, and I'll get to join about 30 other authors who have had their first novel released since the last gathering at the Debut Authors Breakfast. It's tremendously exciting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And as usual, the week will also be loaded with classes, guest speakers, business lunches, the awards banquet on Saturday, and by my conservative estimation, twelve dozen cocktail parties. ThrillerFest is some of the most fun I have all year, but it's also sixteen hours a day of being<i> on. </i>I'll write some posts from the conference to let you know how the race is going.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What have I left out? Oh yes: Book Two. I'm working every day on finishing the rewrites, with about two weeks to go. I'll be plugging away at<i> </i>those in New York too. There will also be a visit to Boston, which I'll tell you about later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So if my first post in August looks like gobbledegook, you can blame it on lack of sleep. And those cocktail parties.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-31244043773839407472015-06-25T17:41:00.003-07:002015-06-26T16:37:40.435-07:00Catching Up, and On the Run<span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Dear Patient Friends,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 21px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color:; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br style="line-height: 21px;" />It's been stupidly long since I've written something for my own blog -- like a cliffhanger in the first act that's forgotten until the close of the book. Here's what's been happening the past three months:<span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span><br style="line-height: 21px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px;" />I turned in Van Shaw Book 2* to the publishers smack on schedule, at the end of February. It was a very full day: I fired off the completed manuscript, packed up what few things were left in my little temporary office, drove home, threw clothes in a suitcase, and flew to Seattle to launch PAST CRIMES. The next week or so was a whirlwind of appearances at booksellers large and small. All of them were very generous to a nervous rookie clutching his first novel. <span style="line-height: 21px;"></span><br style="line-height: 21px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px;" />During flights up and down the coast, I pieced together my last few guest blog posts as well. All told, I wrote about sixteen articles, for some of the best mystery and thriller blogs in the US and UK. While I wouldn't have skipped any of them, boy oh boy, I wish I had known in advance just how much time launching a book required (while finishing the next one!). I would have done a LOT more manuscript work last summer. A good lesson for this year. I'm already drafting Book 3 while awaiting rewrite notes for Book 2. Van is as busy than I am, and finding a whole lot more trouble. <span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span><br style="line-height: 21px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px;" />I'll post a master list of those guest blog articles here soon -- if not for posterity, then to help me remember what I wrote in my caffeine-and-jet-lag daze. <span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span><br style="line-height: 21px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px;" />Okay, I'll aim to make my visits here much more frequent, as I tackle rewrites and gear up for the American Library Association's annual convention in San Francisco this weekend, and ThrillerFest in New York City in July. Thanks for your understanding! I've hugely enjoyed receiving emails and meeting many of you during the past couple of months, and I hope our paths cross at a bookstore or convention soon. <span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color:; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br style="line-height: 18px;" />Cheers,<span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span><br style="line-height: 21px;" />Glen<span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span><br style="line-height: 21px;" /><br style="line-height: 21px;" />*In case you're wondering: I'm not being coy about the title. Book 2 doesn't have a name just yet, but I am kicking around ideas with smarter folk than I. Watch here for announcements!<span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color:; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-57205844356548350602015-01-12T17:11:00.002-08:002015-01-12T17:11:57.115-08:00Winter Hibernation<span style="font-size: large;">This blog's been awfully quiet of late. TOO quiet...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But at least there's a good reason for that. In addition to the usual hubbub of the holidays, I've been banging away at the second Van Shaw adventure, which is due to publishers at the end of February. Today I moved into the office space I'll be using for the next seven weeks. No internet. No window. No escape. (except maybe to Republic of Pie, just around the corner. A piece of strawberry-rhubarb provides great incentive to finish a chapter...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll post updates here occasionally, including my upcoming appearance dates for the release of PAST CRIMES in March! </span><br />
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<br />GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-4087171790277169282014-11-09T18:07:00.001-08:002014-11-09T18:08:06.606-08:00Gregg Hurwitz, and prepping for Bouchercon<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I’m smack in the middle of final preparations for Bouchercon this coming weekend. Bouchercon is the foremost convention for mystery fans in the United States. HarperCollins (my publisher) is hosting the opening ceremonies and holding a signing for their authors, and I’ll also be appearing on a panel on Thursday afternoon: It’s a Dark and Twisty Book, with Clair Lamb, Christopher Farnsworth, Alex Marwood, Ivy Pochoda, and Gregg Hurwitz. This is my first time at Boucher, so I'm both hugely excited and pacing myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which is as good a segue as any for a quick Larcenous entry about keeping momentum in our writing. Fellow panelist Gregg Hurwitz is an expert at propelling his novels along without sacrificing speed and energy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're going to Bouchercon, come by the panel or find me wandering around (I'll be the scruffy guy downing the quad espressos) and say hello! I’d love to meet you!</span></div>
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GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-63982409925129730402014-10-24T18:14:00.001-07:002014-10-24T19:05:01.303-07:00Agent Exemplaire: Lisa Erbach Vance<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In this month's issue of The Big Thrill (the online magazine from International Thriller Writers), author Anthony Franze shines the industry spotlight on literary agent Lisa Erbach Vance. Lisa and I met at ITW's 2013 ThrillerFest conference, held each July in midtown Manhattan. We were both attending the conference's "PitchFest" afternoon, which is essentially speed dating with agents. I was there to get some practice pitching my nearly-completed book, and it was my astoundingly good fortune that Lisa had also chosen to cast her net that year. She's been a dream of an agent, and I'm honored to call myself one of her clients. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you're curious about the daily life of a (very expert, and very busy) literary agent, and how to attract the interest of same, click here for the full profile:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.thebigthrill.org/2014/09/industry-spotlight-literary-agent-lisa-erbach-vance/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.thebigthrill.org/2014/09/industry-spotlight-literary-agent-lisa-erbach-vance/</span></a><br />
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<br />GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-470923454768278902014-10-07T19:22:00.000-07:002014-10-07T19:25:40.753-07:00First Time at Bouchercon, the K2 of Conventions<span style="font-size: large;">I'm gearing up for my very first Bouchercon, and wrote this post for their blog. In need of guidance, I seek out the convention sherpas who have climbed this hill before.</span><br />
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<a href="http://bcon2014.blogspot.com/2014/10/first-shot-at-moving-target.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://bcon2014.blogspot.com/2014/10/first-shot-at-moving-target.html</span></a><br />
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<br />GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-26726428960280634862014-09-07T15:03:00.001-07:002014-10-07T19:26:29.070-07:00Lee Child, and writing effective action scenes<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">In the modern thriller, we often find action dominating scenes and sometimes whole chapters. Action may have a different rhythm on the page, to help the reader follow and appreciate each moment.</span><br />
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Lee Child's series featuring the hero Jack Reacher is hugely popular, and one of the reasons is that his action scenes crackle. We'll look at a short example from BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE for tips on how to make each moment pack a punch.</span><br />
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<a href="http://leechild.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">| Author Lee Child: Jack Reacher Novels</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>From Lee Child's BAD LUCK AND TROUBLE, read in LIG Ep8:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Reacher put Dixon’s Ford in gear. Checked north, checked south. Hit the gas and turned the wheel and slammed into the lot. Ignored the worn circular path and aimed straight for the center of the space.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Straight for the bag man, accelerating, front wheels spraying gravel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">The bag man froze.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ten feet before hitting him head-on Reacher did three things. He twitched the wheel. He stamped on the brake. And he opened his door. The car slewed right and the front wheels washed onto the loose stones and the door swung out through a moving arc and caught the guy like a full on punch. It smacked him solidly from his waist up to his face. He went over backward and the car stopped dead and Reacher leaned down and grabbed the vinyl duffel left-handed from the floor. Pitched it into the passenger seat and hit the gas and slammed his door shut and pulled a tight U-turn inside the slow Mercedes. Roared back out of the lot and bounced over the curb onto Highland. In the mirror he saw dust in the air and confusion and the bag man flat on his back and two guys running. Ten yards later he was behind the bulk of the wax museum. Then he was through the light, back onto Hollywood Boulevard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Twelve seconds, beginning to end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-9635359062057001572014-08-31T12:33:00.004-07:002014-10-07T19:27:15.562-07:00Robert Crais, and emotional resonance<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I heard a saying when I was a kid that stuck with me: To a dog, everything is forever. You leave for work each morning, and they are devastated. You return home, and it's like the second coming. Sorrow and joy are absolutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br />
In this post we'll look at Robert Crais's book SUSPECT, and the contrast between complex human feelings and conflicts, and the primal emotions felt by his canine protagonist. Both are powerful methods of forming a connection with readers.</span><br />
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<a href="http://robertcrais.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://robertcrais.com</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-63311480821681415112014-08-10T07:11:00.002-07:002014-10-07T19:26:47.995-07:00Getting Cozy with Louise Penny<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm settling in at home after an overstuffed summer -- the perfect time to read a mystery set in a warm (if occasionally sinister) country village. Since her debut ten years ago, Louise Penny has quickly become recognized a modern master of the small town whodunit. "Cozy" mysteries have a lot to offer writers and readers of thrillers. The pace and focus of cozies allow more time for buried secrets, an emphasis on character eccentricities over action, and rich settings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.louisepenny.com/">http://www.louisepenny.com</a></span></div>
<br />GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-77269627275036857532014-07-12T04:21:00.000-07:002014-10-07T19:30:23.286-07:00Lawrence Block, and using digressions in dialogue<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">This week I’m in New York for Thrillerfest, the
annual convention for writers and fans of the thriller genre. It’s a busy
time, with classes on writing technique, interviews with leading authors, and
approximately six dozen cocktail receptions hosted by publishing houses.
Per day. But I wanted to post at least one video while in NYC (even if it
means staying up very late to have the Grand Hyatt ballroom lobby as a fun
background.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I had no trouble choosing the author for this
episode. I’ve been a fan of Lawrence Block, whose various series range
from hardboiled to humorous, since I started reading fiction for
grown-ups. To keep this post from going all night, let's focus on just
one of Block's strengths: Conversational tangents that keep the dialogue
light and snappy, while also revealing bits of character and situation.
The excerpt I read in the video is included at the bottom of the post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqH2pAFQRSJR7_GLifZdQ6QEvZODRE9uO_ipqcvxTZ1ETcbNCd2MDBSrofHCAAC1VcSrSU1u9xAvW4CNKGM9lD0uE9_7APDvVymjhPbJHc6_mElvjfLAm0CEYazNIqIaKuqJPB4-or36L/s1600/ADOTHS+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqH2pAFQRSJR7_GLifZdQ6QEvZODRE9uO_ipqcvxTZ1ETcbNCd2MDBSrofHCAAC1VcSrSU1u9xAvW4CNKGM9lD0uE9_7APDvVymjhPbJHc6_mElvjfLAm0CEYazNIqIaKuqJPB4-or36L/s1600/ADOTHS+cover.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lawrenceblock.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://lawrenceblock.com</span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><u>From Lawrence Block’s A DROP OF THE HARD STUFF, read in LiG Episode 5:</u></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s not surprising if you never
heard of him, because he was very small-time, and it’s no surprise you didn’t
hear about the homicide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there was
anything in the papers, I didn’t see it myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was frowning in concentration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jack, Jack, Jack. Did he have a sobriquet?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come again?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A nickname, for Christ’s sake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t tell me you didn’t know the word.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I knew it,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve come across it in print, but I’m not
sure I ever heard anyone say it before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I certainly never heard anyone say it in Poogan’s.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s a perfectly fine word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s not exactly the same as a
nickname.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take Charles Lindbergh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His nickname was Lindy –“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As in hop,” I suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“—and his sobriquet was the Lone
Eagle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George Herman Ruth, nickname was
Babe, sobriquet was the Sultan of Swat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Al Capone—“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I get the idea.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I just wanted to keep on saying it,
Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sobriquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know from reading, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I </i>don’t think I ever heard it before, and I know for certain I
never <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">said</i> it before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if I’m pronouncing it correctly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m the wrong person to ask.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’ll look it up,” he said, and
picked up his glass and put it down without drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“High-Low Jack,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wasn’t that his fucking sobriquet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that what they called him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6354603836397091667.post-33692450853619405272014-07-09T20:08:00.003-07:002014-10-07T19:28:48.575-07:00Niamh O'Connor, and tormenting your protagonist<div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We’re the tail end of our family trip to Ireland, and squeezing in one
last visit to a favorite place – the Roisin Dubh pub and music venue in Galway. The pub is a lot bigger than the last time I
saw it, but just as great a spot to find a pint and a song. And to unravel a mystery or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Continuing with Irish thriller writers, I’ve been reading <i>If I Never See You Again</i> by Niamh
O’Connor, Dublin crime writer and journalist.
O’Connor creates immediate empathy for her protagonist, detective
superintendent Jo Birmingham. Jo is
juggling departmental pressure and disrespect from colleagues, children
(teenage and infant), money troubles, and a marriage running what looks like
its final lap. If it weren’t for the
serial killer running amok in her district, she’d have nothing to look forward
to at all. For writers aiming to raise
the stakes for their own heroes and heroines – especially in realistic
circumstances – O’Connor offers great examples.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I picked up my copy of O’Connor’s novel at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop on
Middle Street, which offers some of the best browsing in Ireland. Drop by and pick up something to enjoy over
your pint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Niamh-OConnor/e/B001KIH9OG"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.amazon.com/Niamh-OConnor/e/B001KIH9OG</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://charliebyrne.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://charliebyrne.com</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.roisindubh.net/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.roisindubh.net</span></a></div>
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GlenErikHamiltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08607878773051509249noreply@blogger.com0