in Uncategorized, Blog, Lit, Serial Fiction 8:30 pm Sunday, August 5th, 2007

 “Death On The Breeze”
A Danny Stark Mystery
by James Walling 

Chapter 1
Chapter 2

Angie parked the truck in a muddy turnoff across the highway from the burning house. She and Danny took in the scene.

“It’s the Schaller place, Dan,” she explained gravely. “Looks like it’s gonna burn right down to the ground, too.”

Lights flashed and heat wafted from the blaze. The rain abated.

Danny and Herb Schaller had gone to the same high school, knocked back gallons of sauce in their youth, and were known to meet occasionally for a few fingers’ worth of single malt now that they had become respectable adults.

Angie had known the Schallers since she was in diapers, and occasionally babysat for Herb’s wife Leslie when she wasn’t away at college. Danny reached forward and switched on the radio scanner, but all it relayed was an eruption of static.

“Fucking thing,” Danny bitched.

“It’s busted,” muttered Angie needlessly.

Danny hit the dashboard and switched off the cackle.

A small crowd had gathered and a reporter from The Chelatchie Gazette bleated into a cell phone, issuing impotent requests for information.

“The EMTs don’t seem to be in much of a hurry,” Angie said. “Does that mean that nobody’s hurt?”

“Either that,” Danny answered, “or everybody’s dead.”

“Christ, don’t say that.”

“What say we poke about?” Danny asked. He didn’t wait for a response before popping open the cab door and sliding down to the ground. Angie emerged on the other side and joined him at the edge of the highway. They crossed together arm in arm, Angie’s hips swinging unselfconsciously, attracting lustful glances from several onlookers less interested in the Schallers’ fates.

The area was in chaos. Authoritative shouts and yells filled the air. Police lines were already up, and the heat was oppressive, even at a safe distance. The firefighters were waging and losing a battle to contain the inferno. The lower branches of some nearby Douglas firs had been cut and the hoses were trained on the ground surrounding their trunks. Men were digging out a large section of what remained of the Schallers’ front lawn to prevent the flames from leapfrogging along the shrubbery. There was no thought to saving the house. It was a goner.

Angie guided Danny toward a spot in an adjoining field where some police and fire officials from the city were holding court. A youngish state patrolman approached and attempted to impede their progress.

“Folks,” he snapped curtly, “I’m gonna have to ask to remove yourselves to the opposite side of the highway. Any fool can see this is a restricted area.”

Danny smiled wryly. Only the most observant noticed his disability right off, some never did. “We live near here, officer,” he said calmly. “The Schallers are friends of ours. We just want to know if everyone’s alright.”

”Be that as it may,” the officer answered automatically, ”please direct yourselves to the—“

“We don’t want to get in the way,” Danny interrupted. “Why don’t you cut the bullshit and fill us in.”

Angie added a challenging smirk for good measure.

“I’m sorry,” the officer began, “but I’m afraid I can’t discuss the details of the situation with either of you. Now, if you’ll kindly—“

“Alright,” Danny said, waving him off angrily. “I get it. You’re in charge. You’re a goddamn big shot.” The officer flushed and attempted to formulate an answer, but Danny beat him to the punch. “I should have sent little Angie over here alone,” he said, cocking his thumb at the girl. “I bet a little cleavage and helplessness would go a long way with a guy like you.”

The two men shared a tense moment of silence.

“Is…anyone…hurt?” Angie asked through clenched teeth.

The officer’s pause was just long enough to confirm Danny’s worst suspicions.

The officer let out a long sigh. “It’ll be in the news,” he said at last.

Angie’s hand went to her mouth. “Not the girls,” she gasped, referring to the Schallers’ two children.

The officer shifted his feet nervously, with newfound humility. “They’re alright,” he said quietly. “They’re with family. Their mother is with them. She’s been notified.”

Angie didn’t breathe.

“And Herbert?” Danny asked perfunctorily, but he didn’t need the cop to tell him that his friend was dead.

 [Editor’s Note: Tune in next Sunday for Chapter 3!]