Nighthawk Talks to Cynthia Young from Murder for Glacier Blue

"A bleached blonde struts into the studio, dressed in a slinky red dress, six-inch Manolo Blahnik heels, and a full-length sable fur."

No, this isn't the start of a blond joke. This is tonight's guest Cynthia Young, making her entrance. Ms Young appears in Diane Rapp's new book, Murder for Glacier Blue.

The book title refers to a painting which is taking an Alaskan cruise as part of a charity auction. Steven Young and his fiance Kayla are working security for the cruise line. As if art theft and murder aren't enough, the couple have to contend with Young's ex-wife, who is now coming through the door.

Anyone here? Hey, out there! Is anyone coming to chat me up? Bloody Hell! You’d think a proper gent would show up on time. Where is this Nighthawk chap?

Ms Young. Over here. Please sit down.

Who’s really talking through this here bird? I was married to a bloke who did a magic act, so you can’t fool me.

So, you were married to a magician. You were also married to Steven Young, right?

Yes, he’s my ex-husband. Stevie worked undercover for Interpol, but I weren’t allowed to tell nobody and got ever so bored. Now he’s all over the press as a bloody hero, saved a ship from sinking in the Mediterranean and arrested a ring of smugglers. Workin’ for the cruise line, I bet he makes lots more money. I might just give him another tumble.

What about his fiance?

Kayla? I don’t know what Stevie sees in her. She’s got no sense of style, loves to wear trainers and pulls her ponytail through the back of a sport’s cap. You know, I can steal Stevie away from Kayla any time I wants.

Mind if I take off me fur? It’s gettin’ a bit warm in here.

Sure but don't put it...


*****<silence> ****

Don't worry, Ms Young. My producer will put your coat somewhere safe. Away from our equipment. Let's get back to the interview. What prompted you to take a cruise at the same time as your ex and his fiancé?

I came along with Phillip, one of Stevie’s mates from school. Me and Phillip are engaged. At least we were engaged before Jeffrey got murdered…

The artist you were having an affair with, right?
I can’t talk about those events without me lawyer present. Are you recording this? Who can hear me? Honest! I never knew the details of Jeff’s scheme to steal that painting, and them coppers can’t hold me responsible for…

“I know! This is one of Steven’s tricks!

 Ms Young, will you please sit down.

That copper thinks he’s ever so clever, using a talking bird to get me to spill me guts. I won’t cop a plea without a deal in writing! You tell Mr. Law-and-order that he made a big mistake! He can’t trick me into tellin’ all I know before I gets into witness protection. That murderer is still out there waiting for me. I don’t care if Steven thinks he’s getting married! I’m in danger, and I’ll make him help me! We took our vows long before he met that tart, Kayla

And Cynthia Young has left the studio. I wonder if she'll remember her coat. 

 Imajin Books on sale until August 31, 2013.

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Chiku from Devolution

Our guest tonight is Chiku Flynn. She was born in the Congo rainforest. For the first eleven years of her life she is raised alongside the chimpanzees her anthropologist parents are studying. When her mother died, she was sent back to the United States only to return, at age sixteen, when her father disappears.

Chiku is a Swahili name, isn't it?


In Swahili, Chiku means’ chatterbox’, the chimps call me Talk Talk.

You must know a lot about chimpanzees.

I was born in the rainforest. Me and Scals played tag and hide-and-seek right where elephants come to drink. The chimps always loved when I read to them. Scals’s favorite was Curious George. I bet you didn’t know they could understand me. My dad taught them sign language and I can speak to them as well as I can speak to you. Maybe better.

There's a lot I don't know... like this trouble you're trying to get out of.

None of this would have happened if. my dad hadn’t sent me back to the States. I know my chimps better than anyone. And my dad, well, my dad wouldn’t have done the things he did. Now my family’s in all kinds of hot water. It’s a mess, and I don’t know what I’m gonna do.

What do you mean, your dad wouldn’t have done the things that he did? 

I can’t say. I can’t. He…. It’s not something I like to talk about.

Okay. I take it you won't be leaving again.

My guys are still in trouble. The civil war is still going on, and Union Miniere still wants what’s on Chimp Island. But I’m staying now. I ain’t going home. This is where I belong, and together me and the guys will win.

When you talk about the guys and family, you don’t mean your father, do you?

It’s hard for me to talk about my dad. He could be wonderful sometimes. And sometimes he wasn’t. Now I have my sister Cary and my wonderful grandmother Lucy Burchill. Besides that, Scallion, Pan, Scopes, Dora and the other guys are my family now. They need me. So much is happening in the forest. They’re still in great danger, and they need Talk Talk to stay with them.

Then we'll let you get back to it. The rest of us will have to read about it in Peter Clenott's book Devolution.

Buy Devolution, or any other Imajin Book, in August and enter to win a Kindle Fire.