(Revamping the blog. Please excuse the odd headings. Working on it!)

Writing History & Mysteries

When I'm not delving into historical research, I'm planning a character's demise.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Milk Carton Murders 27

SETUP: We continue the scene of Dave's dad, Hal, being questioned by the sheriff and Investigator Pepper Black for 20-year-old crimes---the murders of three small girls. One of the victims was Melissa Riggs (whose real name turns out to be Samantha Briggs), a foster child in their house when Dave was a kid. Their bodies were recently found when three coffins slide out of the Wiscoy Creek bank after a storm. Pinned to each is a piece of a milk carton with a missing child photo. Back then, Hal worked in the plant that made the milk cartons at the local Wiscoy Dairy.

Hal insisted they bring along a box of old "Friends of Foster Families" files that Dave had pulled out of the attic, thinking it would help clear things up. And now the snippet.

 Sheriff Nazzaro put the photograph of Samantha Briggs that was sent to them by the Center For Missing Children to the left of the photo marked Melissa Riggs from his dad’s file box, and the milk carton piece to the right.

“I’m not seeing how your foster files help you, Hal,” said Pepper, then she turned to face Nazzaro. “Look closely at the pictures sheriff; all of them are the same girl, no doubt about that—but the photo of Samantha used on the milk carton, and the photo of Melissa from Hal’s file are exactly the same —identical.”

Dave was perplexed; it was true—they were the same pose, dress, hairstyle—duplicates, a reprint. “Maybe the killer made a copy somehow,” Dave said, trying to defend his father.

“Oh come on, Dave, someone else got their hands on your dad’s files to put the photo on the milk carton? This paper clip has been stuck to that photo on the file folder so long it’s rusted to it,” Pepper pointed out, “like it's never moved."

 “I can’t explain it, okay?” Dave blurted out.

“Well I can,” said Hal.

***
This is the last I'll post of this scene as I can't tell you what Hal says. It is after all a mystery.:) I plan to get it published one way or another and don't want to give away too many clues.
***

The link to the other Weekend Writing Warriors is here. You're bound to find something to pique your interest.

The Sunday Snippet writer's on Facebook are here. Between the two there is something for everyone. Thank you for any comments you leave me. Much appreciated!

*** 
BLURB:
When three small coffins are unearthed near the Wiscoy Creek during a routine dredging operation, it’s the last thing DAVE ROBERTSON, of the Lamont Weekly Times, expected. Pinned to the skeleton’s clothing are pictures from milk cartons of missing girls.

Dave is stunned to find that one of the girls is Sally―a foster child his parents had cared for through the Friends of Foster Families (FFF) program. Cold case files reveal the girls disappeared over 20 years ago. Knowing his house was the last place he saw Sally alive, he can’t help but suspect his dad.

How can he write the biggest story of his career if his father turns out to be the killer? If the voice in his head would shut up and let him remember, he might figure it out before he loses his mind and his dad is charged with murder.

Full blurb and snippet recap here.





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31 comments:

  1. ha, you're seemingly leading us to Hal's confession--but it is a mystery so I'm betting whatever Hal says is not going to be "because I killed her." :D I love how you create suspense in these excerpts! Riveting story, Cindy :D

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  2. Great hook!
    Good luck with publishing.

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  3. Ah, well even if Hal threw suspicion on some one else, it may or may not be true. Maybe a red herring or maybe not. :)

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  4. It's not looking good for dad. Nice description and details.

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  5. I'm sure Hal didn't do anything. I wonder what is explanation will be though.

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  6. So good...can't wait for your book!!!! It's on my to own list : )

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  7. Gah! I've been waiting to find out what happened. I know (instinct) it's not Hal but...*pouting* I want to know for sure. :) (Great story, hurry up and publish so I can buy).

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  8. Come on Hal, explain it to us! Intriguing eight.

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  9. It feels like someone just got cornered here. Lots of tension and suspense.

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  10. Arrgh! I understand your reasons for stopping here, but I HAVE to get my hands on this book. :)

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  11. A mystery and you've wrtten it so well with a different twist. Yes there's something new under the sun. Thanks.

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  12. Aw, man! Sooo not fair! I wanna know what he says! (When is the book coming out?)

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  13. Interesting. It seems highly improbable that someone else would have access to his dad's files - but Hal seems pretty confident. Eager to read more next weekend!

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  14. Love the mystery of this story and the photo issue in this snippet just upped the level that much more! Can't wait to read next snippet!

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  15. this looks great.. really got my interest!

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  16. Yes, please get this published so I can read all of it! I loved the detail about the rusty paperclip...excellent excerpt from a terrific mystery.

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  17. What! Fabulous end to a snippet. Well done. :)

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  18. You can't tell us! lol Great snippet!

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  19. Cannot wait for publication so I can read the whole of it. Great use of the 8!

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  20. Poor Dave - I feel like he's in a corner Great tension!

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  21. The only reasonable explanation I can think of is trying to hide the kid... like witness protection of from an abusive parent.

    What an evil cliffhanger to leave us with--good luck with publication!

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  22. Frustrating for us, but I can understand your stopping there.

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  23. Nicely done, Cindy! You better get this thing published. I have to know what happens! :)

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  24. Ooo, twist!! You, tease, you! Definitely want to know what comes next! :D

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  25. Thank you all or your comments this week!

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  26. Well done. Thank you for posting your snippet.

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  27. Very good lead. Congratulations.

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  28. Poor Dave, he's so loyal! I understand why you will stop here, good luck with publication, I can't wait to read the whole thing!

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  29. I love the detail of the rusted paperclip. Interesting snippet!

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  30. What a point to leave us at!

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  31. Good luck with getting published. Been a nice read since I found your blog.

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