Milk Carton Murders 22

I'm back! It's been a busy month. Last time Hal (Dave's dad) was about to be arrested by Investigator Pepper Black for the 20 year old murder of one of the girls who was found by the creek. Sheriff Nazzaro shows up at Dave's house after the station is called to send a squad car.

“Pepper,” yelled the sheriff as he slammed the door of the patrol car, “what the hell is this about—arresting Hal for murder?”

“That’s right, sheriff, one of our milk carton victims was living here under a false name and Hal just said himself he killed her.”

“Oh wait a minute, now—he said no such thing!” said Dave. “What he said was it was his fault she was dead and buried by the creek.”

“Exactly,” said Pepper.

“Jeez, Pepper, it’s not the same thing, it doesn’t mean he killed her,” Dave said, exasperated.

“Alright—enough you two!” shouted Nazzaro. “Hal, when you said that, did you mean you killed her?”

***

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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Milk Carton Murders 21

Okay, I lied to you last week. I said I was going to end the scene right there and jump ahead this week so as not to give too much away. I changed my mind. I decided it wouldn't hurt to finish the scene to the end of chapter 19. 

If you read last week's post, the truth is trickling out, and Pepper now knows through questioning Dave's dad, Hal, that they personally knew one of the victims from 20 years ago. I'll give you the last line from last week (if you don't want to look back) just to keep the flow of the scene.

“I called her Sally.” Dave paused. “You know her too, Pepper--you found her five days ago in a wooden coffin. Her real name is Samantha Briggs.” - See more at: http://historysleuth.blogspot.com/2013/07/milk-carton-murders-20.html#sthash.l8H76hGh.dpuf

 “I called her Sally.” Dave paused. “You know her too, Pepper--you found her five days ago in a wooden coffin. Her real name is Samantha Briggs.”  

And now the snippet. Pepper speaks first.

 “Don’t say anything more. God, I didn’t want to have to say this—Hal Robertson, you’re under arrest for the murder of Samantha Briggs aka Sally. You have the right …”

Her words trailed off until Dave couldn’t hear them anymore. Funny, he did the same thing as a child when he couldn’t cope with tragedy, when he was scared—recede into his own little world, escape where he couldn’t get hurt—and his imaginary friend would be there waiting for him. No wonder he still talked to himself inside his head. There was something part of him was hiding from, something terrible, something that had happened to him and Sally. If he wanted to save his dad, and himself, he was going to have to figure out what that something was.

 ***

 Next week we will jump ahead.

***

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.

“I called her Sally.” Dave paused. “You know her too, Pepper--you found her five days ago in a wooden coffin. Her real name is Samantha Briggs.” - See more at: http://historysleuth.blogspot.com/2013/07/milk-carton-murders-20.html#sthash.l8H76hGh.dpuf

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The Majestic Driskill in Austin

While we were in downtown Austin visiting the capitol, my son took me to what is said to be one of the most haunted hotels in the country, also said to be the most haunted place in Texas. Doesn't it figure I totally forgot my iPad has a T.A.P.S. app on it? Silly me. In case you're wondering I'm speaking of The Driskill. More on the ghosts later.

The Driskill is a gorgeous building inside and out. Built in 1886, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. You can find out more about the building's history on their timeline page. If you want to see a few of the famous people who have stayed there, and the Driskill's ghostly guests, visit  their video page. I've spent quite some time browsing around their excellent website.

The inside of this building is stunning. 

Here are some of my photos.

The floor tiles are so shinny it reflects the ceiling light shown in the previous picture. 

 We stopped in at happy hour and sat here for drinks and appetizers. I was thrilled they were so open to tourists even though we were not hotel guests.

One of the best things about Austin is the unique food, and the The Driskill Hotel ranks right up there. Although I will have a separate post on Austin food, I had to mention the Driskill now. I was so impressed. I of course asked our waitress (the word waitress seems almost too diner-ish for this place) if she had ever seen a ghost. Without a flinch, she nonchalantly confirmed that people have seen them, but she herself had only heard them.

In the basket we have (as worded on their menu) Hand-Crafted Baked Hot Pretzel Sticks - Cheddar & Peppercorn, Prosciutto & Goat Cheese, Maytag Blue & Bacon. My taste buds were overjoyed.

In the little tray we have Bacon Wrapped Medjool Dates stuffed with Manchego, Smoked Chorizo. (My spell check was going nuts with that line!) Now I get the bacon and dates part, but have no clue what the rest of it was---but who cares! It was delicious.

I'll leave you with a picture of my son, Nick (above), killing time texting while his mom plays tourist. Proportionately to Nick, you have an idea how majestic the inside of the Driskill really is.

And a photo of me, looking regal thinking if I ever become one of them there famous author types (HA!) I'm booking me a room at this place!

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