SETUP: We’re jumping ahead a
little. We’ll get back to the clues on the milk cartons later. Dave wonders if his dad is
responsible for the killing of three little girls 20 years earlier that were recently
dislodged from the bank of Wiscoy Creek. Dave’s Mom and Dad (Hal) were foster parents
when he was a kid. Dave is in the
office of the Lamont Weekly Times when Margret, the society page
reporter; rushes in with exciting news that she’s just
busting at the seams to tell. So of course Dave asks,” what?”
Text below
in italics is the voice inside Dave’s head.
"I just got the skinny that your dad is getting an award from the Friends of Foster Families
for all the wonderful work he did over the years in the foster care program," Margaret said, beaming, "and the Rotary's hosting it."
Dave
missed his mouth with his mug as he stumbled backward coming close to spilling
his coffee all over his shirt. "Shit!” He checked his front while he held
his mug away from himself.
"I
know, right? I was surprised too."
No Margaret, he really means, oh
shit! An award for all Hal’s good deeds—how’s that for irony, Davy?
"Well,”
said Dave, as he sat his mug on his desk and tried to compose himself, "I
bet he'll be just thrilled about it."
"That's
what I thought," Margaret said, "your mom too―posthumous of
course."
"Well,
that's just ... swell," said Dave.
***
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.
The Sunday Snippet writer's on Facebook are here. Between the two there is something for everyone.
***
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.
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.
Oh, sheesh! Yeah, that's probably ironic as hell.
ReplyDeleteThough I'm still wondering about the actual perpetrator . . .
nice irony .... Jen
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Definitely riddled with irony. And poor Dave. I was totally drawn into his sad circumstance.
ReplyDeleteHa, I really did laugh out loud at Dave's reaction at the end! This is a great kind of lighthearted moment after a lot of drama. You've got some cool characters and I really like how you 'show' us their personalities.
ReplyDeleteBTW, is this book out yet? Soon to be out? Because I'm definitely hooked :-)
ReplyDeleteOooh, that sounds like trouble... Very ironic, indeed!
ReplyDeleteVery nicely done. Nice humorous scene while still propelling the plot forward and with nice character revelation. I'll have to go back and read the previous snippets.
ReplyDeleteNice snippet! This sounds like an amazing book! I'm looking forward to more snippets!!
ReplyDeletePoor Dave, huh? Glad you all are enjoying it. I will be hopping around on and off today into Monday. Doing the mommy day thing. :)
ReplyDeleteAn interesting, ironic twist to be sure. I thought Davy's reaction was perfect. Terrific snippet in this intriguing story!
ReplyDeletePerfect end to the snippet. It was cool to hear both the exterior words and interior voice in his head.
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel bad for Dave! How will he be able to sit through the award ceremony with the suspicions he has?
ReplyDeleteI'm hooked too! Can't wait to read more.
ReplyDeleteGreat twist, Cindy! Love it! :-) Poor Dave :-)
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what's going on but your "show" is excellent
ReplyDeleteGreat tension and juxtaposition of his thoughts in this scene. It's really easy to picture.
ReplyDeleteOoh that voice in his head seems to have its own sentience (sp?) which makes me worry (in a good and intriguing way) if Dave is the killer and not his father. hmmm
ReplyDeleteNice emotion in the physical cues. Very interesting premise. I look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteIntriguing snippet. Tension and tone are great. Looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteLove the irony! Wonder if Dave's suspicions about Dad are true? Looking forward to the next instalment.
ReplyDeleteOh, this sounds intriguing! What a great set-up:)
ReplyDeleteEven though this scene had a bit of humor, I feel sorry for Dave. It can't be easy for Dave to have doubts about his father.
ReplyDeleteWell done. Love the premise of this and am looking forward to next week!
ReplyDeleteGoodness me - this is a totally catching hook. I would really like to read more of this..x
ReplyDeleteThis makes you want to read more! I hope Dave's initial instinct is wrong about his father.
ReplyDeleteYikes! No wonder he spilled his coffee. Great snippet. :)
ReplyDeletePoor Dave. I'm really feeling his torment. Looking forward to more clues and more insight into Dave's dilemma.
ReplyDelete~Joyce Scarbrough
Or is the voice in Dave's head the real culprit? You have me hook, line, and sinker!
ReplyDeleteI like the confusion when he says "shit!"
ReplyDeletehmmm "poor Dave, huh" you say. Is this a clue?
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda with Dave on this one. I'm not sure that's a good thing. Great snippet, Cynthia. I'm enjoying your story. :)
ReplyDelete