Freesia Worth from Dark Waters

Tonight we welcome Freesia Worth.

(Muffled.) Wow. Sitting in here reminds me of the creepy interview room I was in when they were questioning me about Mizu and Rick’s Dad, Frank. You know, except there’s a lot more equipment in here.

Freesia’s story is told in Dark Waters from Imajin Books. Though only sixteen, Freesia tackled the mystery of her mother’s disappearance...

(Slightly clearer.) And more windows instead of the mirrors they have in those police rooms, you know?

Not much like an interrogation then.

And it’s a heck of a lot more echo-y in here. My sister, Sage, would really hate it in here. (Laughs)

If you come closer to the mike, the listeners will be able to hear you better and we’ll lose the echo.

Oh.

After losing your father in Afghanistan a few months earlier, your mother mysteriously disappeared. Despite the hard work of Detective Barry Cuaco – he did work hard right?

Yeah.

Despite his hard work, the case was going cold...

Y' know none of this would have happened if people had just listened to me from the beginning! From the get-go, I tried telling people that something wasn’t right. I tried telling everyone that my mom wouldn’t have just left us alone, not with how much Sage needed her and after we’d just lost our dad. But no one listened to me, so I just went and figured things out on my own. Well, Rick and Mizu helped a lot too. Just goes to show that younger people have what it takes to solve problems too.

Rick is the guy you like?

Well yeah I like him – but I don’t LIKE him... well maybe I do a little but...

Why don’t you tell us about Mizu instead.

Wow. I’m not sure I really can. It hurts too much. I mean, I can tell you that she was a very strong presence. She was definitely someone who set her own path and didn’t listen to what others said was right or wrong. But there was something so hauntingly familiar about her, it was scary to be around her. And that’s all I can say about her.

You’ve had a helluva rough time in your short life.

Actually, life started really good for me and my sister, Sage. Then things kind of got really crappy for awhile. We lost our dad, then our mom, Sagey lost her voice on top of having to deal with all her sensory stuff and it was super rough. But everything turned out okay.

So you’re dealing.

It sucks not to have our parents with us but, well, we only have good things ahead of us, I think.

I hope so. Thanks for joining us, Feesia.

Find out more about Feesia and Sage Worth, Feesia’s not so secret crush Rick, and the mysterious and illusive girl named Mizu in Dark Waters by Chynna Laird.

Kate Garrett of Deadly Legacy

Welcome back to Nighthawk Talks, I’m your host Nighthawk...

You’re a bird.

Well, yes.

Common nighthawk, aka chordeiles minor. Owl-like insectivore. You look more like a crow. No, a raven. I remember my father telling me that ravens have longer tails and hookier beaks.

Nighthawk is my name, not my species... Never mind that!

Tonight we welcome Detective Kate Garrett.

Is Nighthawk your real name?

No my real name is “Quoth” - YES, it’s my real name!

Calm down, ma’am, it was just a routine question. How long have you been a virtual radio host?

I’m supposed to interviewing you, Detective Garrett.

You haven’t asked me anything yet.

Tell us about your father.

Which one?

Joe Garrett, of course. How many father’s do you have?

Well there’s Joe of course - everyone knows Joe. Then there’s my step-dad David. He’s a physician and counsellor at the university. I guess a lot of people know him too, but not as well as he knows most people. The Chief, Igor Thorsen, is my godfather. I used to call him Papa Igor when I was younger. Not so much now he’s my boss.

You say “everyone knows Joe”. He must cast an awfully large shadow on your life.

Well, he is taller than me, but compared to the Chief...

You know that’s not what I meant.

Yeah, but I get tired of the question. It’s almost as bad as “How are you feeling?” How am I supposed to be feeling when my Dad dies? As for living in his shadow... think of it more like shade. Sometimes I get a little lost in it, but mostly it provides protection.

Fair enough. What are the benefits of being Joe Garrett’s daughter? You didn’t exactly have a normal childhood with your father being injured and turning to alcohol, and your mother having an affair with another man

If you think that’s abnormal, you’ve never looked at family services stats. Anyway, my childhood was happy. It was my teen years that were ... challenging. I got through them. Even if I was willing to talk about what I went through – which I’m not – you’re prying into events that involve people who are not here to speak up.

Does that mean you won’t tell me about your new partner, Jake Carmedy? He called you the “damned woman.”

He did, did he?

He thinks you’re crazy to leave the police force.

Police services. Even in your time, it’s police services.

What do you think about Mr Carmedy?

I have generally found Carmedy to be polite and professional with people other than myself and, it seems, with you.

He walked out on the interview when I suggested he was attracted to you.

(Sputtered laughter.) According to this wiki, ravens are supposed to be highly intelligent problem solvers. So, before you ask me something that will make me walk out, why don’t we end this interview and have an off the record chat over coffee.

That’s an offer I can’t refuse. If you want to learn more about Kate Garrett, dear listener, you’ll have to pick up Deadly Legacy by Alison Bruce.

In 2018, rookie detective Kate Garrett lives in the shadow of her near-legendary father Joe. When Joe dies unexpectedly, he leaves Kate half interest in Garrett Investigations, his last case that ties to three murders, a partner she can't stand and a legacy to live up to.



Don't forget to check out the Reader Appreciation contests at Imajin Books... where SUMMER SIZZLES!

Jake Carmedy from Deadly Legacy

Hmm...This place is really old school....

Wonder what that button does...

Don’t touch – Mr Carmedy, that’s my seat. Could you go over there? Thanks.

Welcome to Nighthawk Talks. Tonight we have Jacob Carmedy from Deadly Legacy.

You’ve been talking to the Chief, haven’t you?

Chief Igor Thorsen has been a guest here. Why do you ask?

It’s Jake, not Jacob. I can show you my birth certificate if you want proof. I let it go with the Chief. With you, not so much. And I’m with Garrett Investigations. Is Deadly Legacy another detective agency? They must specialize in estates. We – that is Garrett Investigations – specializes in bodily injury, security and related criminal investigation support.

What does related criminal investigation mean, exactly?

It means we’re licensed to act as consulting detectives to the police. My partner, Joe Garrett, was a violent crimes detective with the City Police Services before he was wounded on the job. My specialty is security but I’ve done my share of following up on complaints of violence when I was an MP.

Most of the time Joe and I get hired by the police when one of our civil investigations turns out to be criminal. Sometimes Joe get’s called in just cause he’s Joe.

Now that Joe Garrett is dead, will you still be hired by the police?

I have my consulting license – took me long enough. It’s a lot harder to get than the private investigators license unless you were a cop first. Military police doesn’t carry as much weight, I found out. But I am qualified and experienced, so the business is still eligible for police contracts.

And your new partner, Kate Garrett?

If she’s crazy enough to leave a secure job with police services, she’d probably get licensed fast enough. She’s been a cop for a while and she made detective last spring. I remember Joe was really jacked up about that. Really proud.

How would you describe your relationship with Detective Garrett?

If you mean Miss Kate, professional is how I’d describe it. Joe, on the other hand, was my best friend and mentor.

Did you hit it off from the start... with Joe that is?
Yes and no. We hit it off, as you put it, well enough for him to hire me, but we both had a steep learning curve.

Both of you?

I had a lot to learn about civilian investigation. Joe had a lot to unlearn about military culture.

Tell us about your military career.

No.

Okay. Tell us about you and Kate Garrett.

[Mutters] Damned woman!

You call her "Damned woman!" But you really think a lot of her, don't you?

No comment.

Then let’s go back to your service in Iraq.

I think Ms Garrett is being foolish. She has a secure job, doing what she wants to do, and benefits to boot. Why the hell does she want to be a private investigator? Because she thinks her father wanted it. Well, maybe he did, but Joe wasn’t infallible, no matter what some people think. And she’s bossy... well maybe not bossy but the take charge type. Independent.

You don’t like independent women?

That’s not what I said, Ms Nighthawk. Independent is good - but not in all circumstances. If she wants to be my partner, she’s got to stop acting like my boss.

And you’re attracted to her. That must be awkward.

Nice meeting you Ms Nighthawk. I’m outta here.

Maybe we'll learn more about Jake Carmedy from Kate Garrett. Meanwhile, find out more on your own in Deadly Legacy by Alison Bruce.

Jake Carmedy has lost a partner, mentor and friend, but grief will come later. First, he has a case to solve, one that has detoured from a simple insurance case to a murder investigation. If that isn’t enough, Joe’s daughter seems to want to take her father’s place as his boss.


Also check out the Reader Appreciation contests at Imajin Books... where SUMMER SIZZLES!

Emily Taylor from The Bridgeman

Tonight we welcome Emily Taylor from Burchill. Ms Taylor is the principal of a small school in, what she describes as, “a sleepy little village.” More like the stuff of nightmares by what I've read in Catherine Astolfo's The Bridgeman. The sleepy village is rocked when the body of the school caretaker is found in the basement. He has been shot and has left behind a diary. Inside these pages, Ms Taylor discovers a very different character from the person she thought Nathaniel Ryeburn was: the writer is angry, cruel, and perverted.

You look uncomfortable Mrs. Taylor. Is there anything wrong?

This brings back memories of a time I'd rather forget. When the police questioned me about Nathaniel and his diary, I was reminded of the tragedy that befell my husband and me in Vancouver in 1980. I was plunged back into the terror, the disbelief, the injustice of it all. My poor husband languished in jail for years. We were deprived of children.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Taylor.

Bad things can happen to good people. Trust me, I know.

Sometimes good people go through more because they get involved more -- as you involved yourself in the investigation of Nathaniel Ryeburn's murder. How did that sit with the police?

Chief Superintendent Edgar Brennan of the OPP is not very happy with me, but it's not my fault. How could I explain my desire to chase down the truth? I'd have to reveal my husband's real name. You can imagine the response!

I'm not sure I can, but I see that you put yourself at risk.

I know I put myself in danger, but I certainly didn't plan on that. After all, something good did come out of my meddling. I am still quite nervous about the media presence in our village, but my husband has made me promise not to get involved any more, so I won't.

So, nothing bad happened to you...?

I thought I had gotten out of harm's way. It's not my fault that there was another nasty surprise awaiting me.

So who is your husband really, Mrs. Taylor?

You know I can't answer that. Not yet, anyway. We're not ready for the notoriety. We had enough of that in Vancouver. I'm developing a wonderful friendship with May. Langford, my husband, has a career in art that's taking off. We don't want to jeopardize any of that. We have no reason to open that Pandora's box.

Fair enough, but... well, you know things like that rarely stay buried.

I know. I have the feeling it ain't over yet. I am nervous and afraid. I like my life here in peaceful Burchill, surrounded by wonderful people and beautiful scenery. But it seems to me that the universe is conspiring against me. Events have caused me to feel restless, dissatisfied and suspicious. What's going to happen next? How will I cope? Will I ever be happy again?

Not for a few books, anyway. 

Find out more about the Emily Taylor Mystery series at Imajin Books or www.catherineastolfo.com. Better still, go buy The Bridgeman. Available in Kindle eBook and trade paperback.

Jarrack from The Havenshire Resistance

When chaos erupts in the kingdom, Havenshire falls to Jarrack. Krystal must devise a plan to rescue Donovan and keep her daughters safe. She forms an underground black market to finance her “resistance army” of ragtag peasants, Samurai women, and renegades among the gentry. Can willpower and fortitude defeat Jarrack?

They say one man's villain is another man's hero. With that in mind, let's welcome Jarack to the studio.

How did I get here? Last I remember I was entertaining two of my wives and now I’m cast into this dingy, windowless room filled with archaic looking equipment.

I'm Nighthawk and this is my virtual radio station.

Radio equipment? I read about such devices in history books as a child, but since the Institute spread through civilized space, we’ve used hyperlink communications. I knew Drako was a backward planet, but employing radio to broadcast messages? Ridiculous!

Be that as it may, you've been invited here for an interview. Inquiring minds want to know your side of the story.

Ask me what you must, but your ploy won’t work! I know you’re in league with Krystal’s underground resistance. No matter how long you interrogate me you won’t learn how to release your precious King Donovan from my stasis device.

Not my king. Not my problem. But maybe this is a good place to start. Why do you have King Donovan in a stasis device? What is him crime?

(Gasp) Did I see one of those blasted telepathic wolves staring at me through the door? Keep them away or I’ll make you sorry you cast eyes on me.

I'm sure you're mistaken. We only brought you through. Look can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea? ... I'm not sure if you really want ...

(Sigh) Yes, thank you for that draught of whiskey, I feel much better.

Actually, that was my colon-cleanse. The doc thinks I've been eating too much fast food lately and...

You know my breeding program would not have been necessary if Donovan and Alexander allowed me access to their hidden Transfer equipment. I can’t stand the thought of aging for another span!

Breeding program? Span?

Span? It’s usually a period of fifty years, but as a valuable officer working for the Institute, I was granted Transfer more often. I’m proud to say that I’ve undergone twelve Transfers over the spans.

(Shuffling papers) Ah yes. The transfer system allows human consciousness to be transferred into a clone. With that technology, you could be immortal. I understand it has other benefits too.

Yes. I developed the ability to use mind control due to Transfer. No one is supposed to know about the side affects (chuckle) and I make sure they forget.

Yet, your adversaries must be aware of the side affects. Donovan, Alexander and Krystal all have enhanced abilities. 
No comment? How about the cloning program -- or lack there of? It must be awkward not having clones at your disposal... but that's why you've got a harem isn't it? To breed children to be your future hosts.

What? As King these wives and children are my property and I won’t explain my future plans to an underling like you. On the other hand, you could be quite helpful. Do know where Krystal hid her precious daughters? If you answer willingly, I can summon a chest of gold for your trouble.

So you can use them too? I don't think so.

No? Perhaps you’d like to feel my mind painfully strip the information! Weak minds like yours take less trouble to control, just look into my eyes.

Hey! That's enough of that!

Too bad you didn’t explain about your ignorance before I expended valuable energy. Let’s finish this sham interrogation.

Feel free to leave any time, Jarrack. Could someone get me an aspirin? This guy has given me a headache.


A headache is the least of your problems. Your army will never catch me and if it does I have a secret plan that will rock this world to its core. I need not wait forever, you know, since Institute’s battle drones will eventually hone in on this backward planet. I’ll be restored to my proper rank. (Laughing followed by screaming) I told you to keep those wolves away from me! Don’t come near me….


Well, maybe we brought a few wolves through as insurance.

If you want to find out more, I suggest you leave Jarrack alone and go straight to the source. Heirs to the Throne Series by Diane Rapp -  Book 1: Howl of the Wolf and Book 2 The Havenshire Resistance. If you want to learn more about the author, check out Diane's website: www.quicksilvernovels.com

Igor Thorsen from Deadly Legacy

I usually leave this blog up to Nighthawk, but I thought you might be interested in knowing a bit about Igor Thorsen's origins. He was inspired by the picture of a viking on a gift bag from York, UK. I visited the newly found viking digs with my parents in 1976. Getting that close to an active archeological site was amazing. And that viking on the bag... well I developed quite a crush on the guy. 

Someday I'd like to go the Jorvik Viking Centre and see how the place has changed over the years... but mostly I need to replace my bag.

I'm Nighthawk and this is no place for authors. Instead, I have a real character: Igor Thorsen, Chief of Detectives, City Police Services, brought back from the future. 


Welcome Chief. You're a close friend of Joe Garrett, our previous guest, right?

I’ve known Joseph most of my adult life. He was a community cop back when I was partnered with him as a rookie. Even then, everyone knew Joe and Joe knew everyone. He wasn’t so much older than me, but it took me a while to figure it out. He seemed like he’d been a cop forever.

You also know Joe's daughter Kate.

I’ve known Kathleen all her life. I drove Joseph to the hospital so he could be there when she was born. He was so proud and he wanted her to be proud of him. She was the reason he took the detective’s exam. I don’t think he was all that ambitious for himself. He preferred dealing with people over collecting evidence.

Is it true that Joe pushed Kate to follow in his footsteps?

He was pleased when she chose to become a police officer. I think he wanted her to become a detective. He never came out and said it, but he was always setting her puzzles to solve and playing observation games with her when she was growing up. I know that’s what she thinks he wanted.

Kate didn't get a lot of time to process her father's death.


Life doesn’t stop just because you lose someone you love. You know about the murder of Delano Gage, but my detectives had another dozen or so violent crimes to investigate at the same time. Even so, I gave Kate time off.

I soon saw that wasn’t what she needed. She needed distraction and I needed the manpower. Having her babysit one of the potential targets of our killer seemed like a good idea at the time. To be honest, I didn’t take the threats against him seriously. He was like the boy crying wolf to get attention. But there’s always a real wolf eventually.

In your future, police sometime use consulting detectives. How do you feel about that?

Funnily enough, Joe was one of the biggest opponents of the consulting detective idea. He embraced community policing – not all our colleagues were on board with it – and like I said, he didn’t originally want to be a detective. The hours stink. You’re always on call, even when you’re not supposed to be. You’re always having to upgrade your skills... and it’s nowhere near as glamorous as say Tactical. Sorry. I didn’t mean to go on a rant. The point is that Joe didn’t like the idea of consulting detectives until he became one.



That's not what I asked, Chief. What do you think about consulting detectives working with the police?

The reality is, we don’t have the budget a big city has to have all the detectives we need all the time. Even the OPP is stretched with the cutbacks we’ve had over the years. Like the idea of consulting detectives or not, there are times when I need to engage them. Most of them are former cops, which takes the sting out. Joe’s the only one I’ve brought in on violent crimes though.

You must really miss your friend.
<grunt> I’m really pissed off at Joseph. Not only have I lost my best friend, but because of his death, I’ve had to give up one of my most promising detectives... temporarily. Kathleen Margaret Garrett will be back in my department, legacy or no legacy. You can count on it.

Will she? Maybe we'll ask Kate Garrett that question. Later.

Deadly Legacy, by Alison Bruce, is available in Kindle format and paperback.

Alison Bruce is on a virtual mystery tour of blogs for the coming week. Check out links here. 

Nighthawk is seeking interesting new characters to interview. Direct message @alisonebruce on Twitter if interested.

Joe Garrett - Deadly Legacy

Welcome back! It's been a while, I know, but I had to go beyond the veil to get our next guest. Joe Garrett, formerly of the City Police Services, more recently the principle of Garrett Investigation, is dead but far from forgotten. His shade is felt throughout Deadly Legacy. Now it's here with us in the studio.

Hi Nighthawk. Thanks for inviting me.

Perhaps you could start by telling us how you died.

Well, er... that's a bit embarrassing. I was tailing a client at his request. He thought someone was after him and it was my job to spot the perp. I spotted the guy - it was someone I knew. In my surprise, I wasn't paying attention. Neither was the driver of the HSUV who hit me. Evidently I died in hospital, but I don't remember much. Maybe I don't want to.

HSUV?
Hybrid Sports Utility Vehicle. I think they were around now - maybe we didn't call them than then.

That's right, we didn't just bring you back from the dead, we brought you back from the future.
Ah, Back to the Future - I loved those movies. Yeah, your present is my past. Right about now I'm getting shot in the hip defending an abused wife. Or maybe I'm in rehab already.

That's the wound that led to your retirement from the police and you becoming a private eye.
<laughs> Not that I mind, but the PC term is "private investigator". I'm also a consulting detective.

What's the difference?
A thousand dollar bond and second license that qualifies me to be hired by law enforcement agencies. It wasn't a big deal for me because I had twenty plus years in service before I went private. It was a bit more difficult for my partner Jake. He was a detective with the military police, but that doesn't have as much sway. Kate might have trouble getting the license. She's only been a cop for five years and she's a rookie detective,


What do you think about your daughter Kate following in your footsteps?
Couldn't be prouder or more worried.


Worried for her safety?
No! Well maybe a little. I'm a father after all. I'm more worried about living in my shadow. I've lived in my own shadow long enough, I know it isn't easy. I guess I haven't helped things by leaving her half my business. In fairness, though, I wasn't planning to die so soon.

So what's it like in the future?
You'll have to wait and see... or read the book. I'm outta here.

You can find Deadly Legacy on Amazon.com. Guess I better go get my copy now.

In 2018, rookie detective Kate Garrett lives in the shadow of her near-legendary father Joe. When Joe dies unexpectedly, he leaves Kate half interest in Garrett Investigations, his last case that ties to three murders, a partner she can't stand and a legacy to live up to.

Please join Alison Bruce on Twitter and Facebook - she's trying to get as many friends as Joe.