by Frank Zafiro
“She’ll write the truth, you figure?”
Reott nodded. “Yeah, I think she would.”
Crawford shook his head and sighed. “If that is the case, what is she going to write that’s any different than what’s already out there?”
Reott lowered his eyes, seeming to stare into his coffee cup, not answering.
“Truth is,” Crawford said, “we failed.”
TWENTY
Sunday, March 19, 2005
1104 hours
END OF TOUR
He stood as far away as he could and still see the ceremony. He was surprised at how few people were there. When he’d gone to Karl Winter’s funeral, there’d been so many people that most couldn’t hear the words the police chaplain spoke because they were too far away in the crowd. But fewer than a dozen stood at Amy Dugger’s graveside.
Maybe that’s the way the parents wanted it, Kopriva thought.
He couldn’t hear the pastor’s words from his position up on the hill, seated beneath a tree. But he watched as the old man spoke and occasionally waved a hand. He watched as the people at the graveside bowed their heads and as they raised them again.
Eventually, the pastor was finished. As the casket was lowered into the ground, he offered his comfort to a woman that Kopriva guessed was Amy’s mother. She had the same dark hair as Amy, but he couldn’t make out any other features from the distance he was at.
Once the pastor left, the remaining dozen broke up slowly. They stopped by in singles or couples to share condolences with Amy’s parents and then wandered away to their cars. Kopriva couldn’t see if her mother was crying or not, but her father held the woman close to him, almost as if he were supporting her weight.
Kopriva took a drink from the bottle of Corona in his hand. The taste of beer washed over his tongue and he swallowed past the bile in his throat.
When the last of the mourners had driven away, the man walked his wife to the remaining car. He opened the door for her and she got into the passenger seat woodenly. Then he got into the driver’s side and drove slowly away.
Kopriva waited patiently as the cemetery workers moved the faux grass to expose the earth from the grave piled on a small tarp. They worked quickly to backfill the grave and lay sod over the top of the dirt. Even with two of them, the job took almost an hour. Kopriva watched, drinking slowly from his bottle. When the bottle was empty, he set it gently against the tree and opened the second one he’d brought along. He sipped patiently and with dread.
Finally, the two workers ambled away from the gravesite and it seemed then that the entire cemetery was empty.
Kopriva rose unsteadily to his feet. The pain in his knee and shoulder was only a dull throb, kept at bay with pills and uncounted beers throughout the night.
He should go down the grave, he realized. He should stand next to the light rose-colored stone and trace the engraved letters. He should whisper her name.
His feet refused to move.
I don’t have the right to grieve for her.
He stared down at the freshly turned earth and at the small headstone. “I…” he started to say, but the words died in the back of his throat and he fell silent.
He wanted to tell her how sorry he was, how he’d failed her, but no more words would come. He bowed his head, ashamed.
At least I wanted to say it, he thought. That’s a start, isn’t it?
He took a faltering step toward the grave, then stopped. From across the cemetery, the silent stone seemed to answer him back.
That’s not good enough, it said. Not even close.
Kopriva let the Corona slip from his fingers. The bottle fell to the grass with a thud. Warm beer foamed and spilled from the lip.
Below him, the little grave lay like a scar on the earth. Kopriva stared at it until the image was burned forever in his mind. Then he turned and shuffled away.
THE END
About the Author
Frank became a police officer in 1993 after serving in the U.S. Army. He writes crime fiction set in River City. In addition to writing, Frank is an avid hockey player and a tortured guitarist. His wife, Kristi, and his three children are about the only folks who will watch him do either activity.
You can keep up with him at http://frankzafiro.com or his blog at http://frankzafiro.blogspot.com.
He also writes under his given name and you can check that out at http://frankscalise.com and http://frankscalise.blogspot.com
Other books by Frank Zafiro
(Available from Gray Dog Press and as ebooks)
River City Series (Crime Novels)
Under a Raging Moon
A violent robber is loose in River City. Meet the cops that must take him down.
Stefan Kopriva, a young hotshot. Katie MacLeod, a woman in what is still mostly a man’s world. Karl Winter, about to retire but with one more good bust left in him. And Thomas Chisolm, a former Green Beret who knows how dangerous a man like the Scarface Robber can be.
These are the patrol officers of River City – that mythical thin blue line between society and anarchy. They must stop the robber, all the while juggling divorces, love affairs, internal politics, a hostile media, vengeful gang members and a civilian population that isn’t always understanding or even grateful.
Written by a real cop with real experience, Under a Raging Moon is like a paperback ride-along. Enjoy the ride.
Under a Raging Moon is the first River City novel.
“Engrossing, fast-paced, suspenseful…highly recommended.”
LJ Roberts, DorothyL Mystery List
“Gritty, profane, and compelling.”
Lawrence McMicking, curledup.com
“If you like McBain, or any gritty police procedural, then Zafiro is someone for you to pick up, enjoy, and then wait for the next book.”
PJ Coldren, Amazon.com review
“Under A Raging Moon is an extraordinary crime novel. Like Ed McBain’s Isola, River City is a combination of the best and worst of the human species, and its cops are as complex and haunted as the criminals they battle each day. Frank Zafiro has created a gritty, totally authentic world with believable characters, nonstop action, and snappy dialogue (think Hill Street Blues in Washington state). Don’t miss this book–It’ll keep you turning pages well into the moonlit night.”
John M. Floyd, award-winning author of Rainbow's End
“In Under a Raging Moon, Frank Zafiro doesn’t tell you about the mean streets, he takes you to them with clear, concise writing as solid as the asphalt beneath your feet. You feel the tension between those out there to prey and those there to protect. You feel the anxiety of knowing every routine traffic stop could turn into a killing, and every junkie and pusher you bust wants you dead. He also takes you deep behind the badge. His ensemble cast of cops have issues within themselves and with each other and can’t leave them at home any more than we can. You’ll be there with them in the squad room, in the patrol cars and in their favorite watering hole.
“Frank Zafiro has woven a powerful story with realistic, memorable characters, a suspenseful plot and a climax that will leave you breathless. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would be like to put on the blue uniform, wear a badge and carry a gun, this one is highly recommended.”
Earl Staggs, Derringer Award-winning author
Beneath a Weeping Sky
River City is plagued by a serial rapist. His attacks are becoming more brutal and Detective John Tower is sure that he’ll go from rape to murder if he isn’t stopped soon.
Meanwhile, the rapes stir up ghosts for both Officer Katie MacLeod and Officer Thomas Chisolm. Both struggle to put those haunted memories to rest even as they are drawn into the center of Tower’s investigation.
When a series of mis-steps and near misses push the rapist even further, everyone involved must face their old fears…or be destroyed by them.
Beneath a Weeping Sky is the third River City novel.
"Frank Zafiro channels Ed McBain and
Joesph Wambaugh in this taut and frightening thriller."
Simon Wood, author of Terminated
“Frank Zafiro's River City series succeeds where so many fail of late, in not only delivering whipcrack plotlines, but characters as real as the breath in your lungs. You feel with them, rage with them, and bleed alongside these cops. Mr. Zafiro's writing deserves more than comparison with the greats of the police procedural sect, it holds it's own amongst them.”
Todd Robinson, editor of Thuglit
And Every Man Has to Die (Coming March 2011)
Russian gangs are taking over the River City underworld. The men and women of the police department are the last line of defense against the former Soviet bloc criminals. But both groups will soon learn how far the other will go to win this battle. They’ll learn that the price of victory can be high. They’ll learn that sometimes blood flows...And Every Man Has to Die.
And Every Man Has to Die is the fourth River City novel.
Once Upon a Time in River City: (Coming September 2010)
Welcome to River City, where you get to meet the good cops, the bad cops and the bad guys, all in one collection of short stories. Some are action packed, others heart-rending, but all will leave you satisfied.
Once Upon a Time in River City is an anothology of River City short stories featuring many of the characters and situations from the novels…and more!
As Frank Scalise
All That Counts
All That Counts is a novel about life and a man's discovery about what is truly important in it.
Graham Wilson is a thirty-something recreational hockey player who decides to follow a long-held desire to become a goaltender. His transition is both comedic and inspiring as he seeks to challenge himself in the midst of a mundane life. Also on display is the curious paradox of the recreational game in American culture (i.e., it means everything, but it is only a game, but it is more than a game, but...). When his team's regular goalie leaves, Graham steps unsteadily into the crease, causing conflict on a team that is used to winning.
Graham's journey is a microcosm of life. Humor, inspiration, camaraderie, love and spite all make their appearances both on and off the ice as Graham struggles to learn what truly is "all that counts."
“With a nod toward Spokane’s long puck tradition, All That Counts is a book about life and hockey that you will love. Will Graham’s vision quest is something we can all understand and cheer for and his inspiring journey reveals the wonder and absolute joy that hockey brings into this world.”
Mark Rypien
(NFL Quarterback and Superbowl XXVI MVP)
“All That Counts is a must read for anyone who has ever laced ‘em up. The locker room banter combined with the on ice antics are so true at all levels of hockey. The book made Eagles Ice Arena come alive in my hands. I can visualize the walk down the stairs and going down onto the ice. Nothing’s better in recreational hockey after the game than a cold shower topped off with a cold one. Frank does a great job combining the real life and on ice drama. No hockey fan should miss out on this entertaining read.”
Head Coach Bill Peters, Rockford Ice Hogs
(Spokane Chiefs, 1996-97, 1999-02, 2005-08)
“All That Counts by Frank Scalise is an intriguing read for any avid hockey player, hockey fan, or sports fan alike. His ability to incorporate the intangible, unique elements of hockey with the always changing aspects of life outside of hockey provides an exciting read from cover to cover. Frank's writing style provided an easy read, as well as keeping me hooked until the very end. People will be able to draw connections to their own lives through Graham's experiences. I enjoyed the story, and would recommend it to anybody that enjoys sports and good books.”
Derek Ryan
(Spokane Chiefs, 2003-07)
"ALL THAT COUNTS is full of hard-hitting hockey action, great locker room banter, lots of laughs and realistic, touching relationships. Players at all levels, hockey fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this Spokane hockey tale. Scalise really captures how hockey is a one of a kind sport that brings people together in a way that can't be explained until you slap some skates on and see it for yourself.”
Cam Severson
(Spokane Chiefs, 1997-99)
"Scalise knows what counts…from that insatiable itch that draws a wannabe goalie to the crease and into the inevitable struggles that come with the job. He’s captured the essence of goalkeeping in so many ways: the first infuriating attempt at strapping on the pads, the never-ending study of the game, and agonizing over those big, blazing scoreboard numbers. The reader grows convincingly with Gray through his self-doubt, embarrassment, and finally to the grains of confidence which soon pile up into a mountain of swagger that separates the goaltender from the rest of hockey. As I read this book, I can smell the stink of used gear, hear the crunch of steel blades on a fresh sheet of ice, and feel the thud of a hard shot well stopped. But while Scalise is obviously at ease in the Rangers' raucous rec league locker room, he is not the least bit afraid to peel off the stinky gear and expose Gray's tender side while he and his wife embark on a life-altering journey. Scalise shows us that what’s on the scoreboard is truly not all that counts."
Jill Maser
Goaltender, University of Pennsylvania (retired)
Author of the romance novel, Red Passion
“This was a great book. It really highlights the challenges of a new goalie and how to work through them.”
Brad Moon
Former WHL goaltender
You can order any of these books from Gray Dog Press at http://graydogpress.com or at any book outlet. Or get the eBook edition anywhere eBooks are sold!
