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Fiction Characters Interviewing Fiction Characters – Part 35

13 Feb

Amazon.com link to Sharon A.'s short story collection
Amazon.com link to Sharon A.’s short story collection

Storytelling is about two things; it’s about character and plot.

–         –  George Lucas

In this post Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford (Blue Denim Press, 2012) scenario, Detective Sergeant Donald Fielding is back from Barrie where he interviewed Doris Bowman’s next door neighbour, Mr. Crankshaw. Cory Swan the photographer was not in his Barrie home. Detective Larry Hutchinson joined Fielding and Cooks Regional Police backup to check out the premises where Bast and Dana had originally looked for office space for The Attic Investigative Agency. Cory Swan, photographer no longer has offices there and the space is vacant. Dana was allowed to enter the building after police gave it the all clear. The three are now meeting at the actual Agency offices at 10 Maitland in Thurston to check out Bast’s published crime stories for any possible connection to his kidnapping. Dana, as usual, is trying to get “police business” information from the two detectives. Aunt Doris has been placed in a safe house with a constable posted outside.

Dana is booting up Bast’s desktop PC. while Fielding and Hutchinson search Bast’s print files of published stories.

Dana: Bast might have this password protected but I’ll see what I can find about his story notes. Meantime, Detective Fielding, I’d like to know what Aunt Doris’ neighbour had to say for himself.

Fielding, rifling through files: Ms Bowman that is police business.

Dana: Oh for Christ’s sake, you let me see that photographer’s former office and I helped you there. I identified the watch on the floor as belonging to Bast so we know he was there and… So now it’s your turn to give me something.

Fielding: We let you into the room. That’s what we gave you.

Dana: Might I remind you that it is my brother, my fraternal twin who is missing. This isn’t the first time somebody in my family was kidnapped. When David was kidnapped, you were shall we say a little moreforthcoming.

Fielding: David is a child.

Dana: So, my brother doesn’t count because he’s an adult?

Fielding: D…Dana that’s not what I’m saying.

Dana: Then why won’t you tell me?

Fielding: Very well. I will tell you this much. Mr. Joseph Crankshaw saw Cory Swan put something into your Aunt Doris’ mailbox within the time frame Doris received that envelop. He also said he doesn’t trust Cory Swan because he’s heard car doors slamming shut at all hours of the night and when he got up he would see a car that wasn’t Swan’s speed out of the driveway.

Dana: Did he actually see a person? And get a licence plate number?

Fielding: No and No. And that’s all I will say.

Dana, gritting her teeth: Fielding …

Hutchinson: I think I found something.

Fielding and Dana join him. Hutchinson holds up a photo of a young man in a hoodie and a young woman sitting at a table on either side of Bast. Bast’s tape recorder rests in front of him. Hutchinson flips the photograph. On the back is stamped Cory Swan Photographer.

Hutchinson: I know the two people with Bast. The fellow in the hoodie is Robbie Stuart. The woman is his sister, Susan Stuart. Susan was murdered and I investigated her homicide.

Dana: Susan Stuart? Isn’t that the name scrawled on that abstract painting in the library boardroom?

Cheers.

Sharon A. Crawford

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to Sharon A. Crawford’s profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

Sharon A. is teaching Getting Your Memoir off the Ground Workshop, Saturday, February 22, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/SpeakersBureau.html

Also see more of See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, guest blog posts, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html

 
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Posted by on February 13, 2014 in Interviewing fictional characters, Plot and Characters, Sharon A. Crawford, Short Story Collection, Uncategorized, Writing

 

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Fiction Characters Interviewing Fiction Characters – Part 34

06 Feb

Click on the book cover to go to amazon.com

Click on the book cover to go to amazon.com

A picture is worth a thousand words

–          Attributed to various sources from Napoleon Bonaparte to Frederick R. Barnard

Detective Sergeant Donald Fielding has left the Thurston Library boardroom to drive to Barrie to interview Cory Swan the photographer who lives across the road from Aunt Doris and her next-door neighbour, Mr. Crankshaw. Detective Larry Hutchinson remains behind to continue questioning Aunt Doris about the envelope of photos left in her mailbox. Dana hovers nearby trying to get in a word. All but Swan, Crankshaw and Ron Bowman, are characters from Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford.

 Hutchison: Now, Mrs. Bowman, I want you to look carefully at these three photos and tell me if you recognize anything in them.

Doris: Well, I recognize Dana’s twin, Bast.

Hutchinson: Of course, but anything in the background, does it look familiar?

Doris: Hmm. Give me those photos young man.

Hutchinson: It’s better if you don’t touch them. Fingerprints…

Dana: Oh, stuff it Hutchinson. Fielding already has our fingerprints for elimination. Aunt Doris is an old woman so her eyesight…

Doris: There’s nothing wrong with my eyesight, young lady. I don’t even wear glasses except to drive. And as for calling me an old woman, well, I never.

Dana: But you are and you said so yourself.

Doris: standing up and glaring at Dana: Now listen here… and what Ronald Bowman ever saw in you to marry you I’ll never understand.

Dana: Ron and I are divorced Aunt Doris and he has nothing to do with this.

Hutchinson, raising his hands: Ladies, please. And Mrs. Bowman, will you please sit down. Now I find that interesting about Ronald Bowman, your ex-husband, Ms Bowman. What makes you think he isn’t involved? Wasn’t he arrested for the kidnapping of your son?

Dana: Those charges were never actually laid.

Hutchinson: But he was charged with a B and E and vandalism?

Dana: Yes, but he got off with community service and one year’s probation.

Hutchinson: He still has a record. Do you know where he is?

 Dana: I don’t know. Ask her. (she looks at Doris). He’s her nephew.

Huchinson: Mrs. Bowman, do you know where you nephew is?

Doris: He moved to Orillia Ontario after he finished his probation and community service. He should never have been arrested. Dana, this is all your doing; this is….

Hutchinson: Ladies, we are getting nowhere fast with these photos.

Dana: Fine. Let me look at them. Maybe I can recognize something, besides my brother, of course.

Hutchinson slides the photos over to Dana and she looks from one to the other and to the third. She repeats that a couple of times, looks slyly at Hutchinson, then pushes two away with her fingertips. She keeps the one with Bast sitting in a room.

Dana: I might recognize this room but if it’s where I think it is, it’s not in Barrie, but right here in Thurston.

Doris: What?

Hutchinson, raising his hand at Doris and then looking at Dana: Go on, Ms Bowman.

Dana; Going back a few years when Bast and I were planning to start up our Attic Investigative Agency, we did some looking at places outside the house where we live. One of the places was upstairs over a convenience store on Main Street here in Thurston. The two rooms were bleak looking. The first room which could be used for reception had no windows and the back room, I guess for the office, didn’t have much light, just from a small round window up high. Well, this room Bast is sitting in has the same type of window up high. No, I’d say the same window because the window in the room Bast and I looked at had this big scratch mark embedded in the right top corner. And if you look closely, so does the window in this picture.

Hutchinson and Doris both lean over towards the picture.

Hutchinson: Son of a gun, so it does. Ms Bowman, do you happen to know who or what did move into this room?

Dana: Well, it was awhile ago. Let me think. Wait… I seem to remember Bast mentioning a photographer who the newspaper he used to write for sometimes hired on a freelance basis. I think Bast said the photographer sometimes did the photos for some of his stories.

Hutchinson: And your brother was a crime reporter before he started this private detective business.

Dana: I see where you’re going with this and I have to agree. It could be connected to a story Bast wrote.

Hutchinson: Does your brother keep copies of his published stories?

Dana: Yes, in our office and he has the stories on his computer too.

Hutchinson: Well, Ms. Bowman, I think we better get over to your place and check out these stories.

Doris: What about me? I don’t want to be left alone. Someone sent me anonymous photos and threatened me on the phone.

Hutchinson: Where are you staying now?

Doris: In a hotel, but I’ve been looking over my shoulder, locking my door and putting a heavy chair up against it.

Hutchinson: Well, I’m a Toronto detective; Thurston is out of my jurisdiction except when working with Fielding, but we’ll see what we can do. Let me give Fielding a call.

Hutchinson calls Fielding on his cell. Dana continues looking at the photo.

Dana: Oh for Christ’s sake. The photographer who moved into that room over the convenience store in Thurston? I remember seeing the sign outside that upstairs window blowing in the wind. Detective Hutchinson, I think we have our connection. The sign read C. Swan Photographer – weddings, funerals – which I thought odd – parties and celebrations. I never met the man but I bet Bast did.

A noise came from the other end of the room. All three looked to the far wall as the abstract painting fell to the floor.

Cheers.

Sharon A. Crawford

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to Sharon A. Crawford’s profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

Sharon A. is teaching Getting Your Memoir off the Ground Workshop, Saturday, February 22, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/SpeakersBureau.html

Also see more of See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, guest blog posts, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html

 
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Posted by on February 6, 2014 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Plot and Characters, Sharon A. Crawford, Short Story Collection, Uncategorized, Writing

 

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Fiction Characters Interviewing Fiction Characters – Part 33

30 Jan

Amazon.com link to Sharon A.'s short story collection

Amazon.com link to Sharon A.’s short story collection

If in doubt, have two guys come through the door with guns

                         RAYMOND CHANDLER

Detective Sergeant Donald Fielding, Detective Larry Hutchinson, Doris Bowman, and Dana Bowman (all from various stories in Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford) sit and huddle around the end of the Thurston library boardroom table. They are staring at the photos and list that Aunt Doris dumped out of an envelope.

Fielding and Hutchinson are wearing latex gloves.

Dana: Where did these come from?

Doris: I told you I don’t know. They just arrived in the mail.

Fielding: Give me the envelope.

Doris hands it over. Fielding and Hutchinson scrutinize it. Dana tries to horn in and when she can’t see it she stands up and leans over Fielding’s shoulder.

Hutchinson:  The stamp isn’t cancelled and there is nothing to indicate it was put in the mail. Mrs. Bowman he turns to Aunt Doris), was this with the regular mail in your mailbox?

Doris: Yes, I think so. I remember the phone bill came the same day and some junk mail.

Fielding: What time does your mail arrive?

Doris: anytime between 10 a.m. and noon.

Fielding: Do you remember what time it arrived that day and what day was it?

Doris: Three days ago, same day I received that phone call on my land line. I brought in the mail just before noon, right after that phone call which came through about 11.40, 11.45 a.m.

Hutchinson: Did you hear anyone at your mailbox?

Doris: I suppose so; I don’t remember.

Dana: Think, Aunt Doris. This is important.

Hutchinson: Ms Bowman, the police are conducting this interview.

Dana: It’s my brother who is missing and unless my eyes are mistaken that is him in those photographs.

Fielding: Very well. Mrs. Bowman, please answer the question.

Doris: What was the question?

Dana: Aunt Doris, don’t be coy. Did you hear anyone at your mailbox that morning? And don’t ask what morning?

Doris: I know what morning it was. And…wait a minute. I was getting another cup of coffee  around 11. 30 or so and was just heading for the kitchen when I did hear something at the mailbox. And I remember thinking that’s funny because I had heard the mailman drop something in just after 10. And I know it was the mailman that time because I looked out the kitchen window and saw him walking down the driveway.

Fielding: And you didn’t check the mail then.

Doris: No. My neighbour was banging on my back door.

Fielding: You didn’t mention her before, Mrs. Bowman.

Doris: It slipped my mind. I am an old woman. And it wasn’t a she, but Mr. Crankshaw, come over to find out if I had seen his cat, Merde.

Dana: Merde? That’s French for…

Doris: I know what it means. But that’s his cat’s name and very appropriate. The little rascal is always in my flower garden leaving little deposits and spraying around.

Hutchison, smiling: It’s called marking their territory. My wife’s cat does the same, but fortunately in our backyard. Now how long did Mr. Crankshaw stay at your door?

Doris: Just a few minutes. Once I told him I hadn’t seen his cat and I better not or it would be sorry, and he started ranting at me about being a bad neighbour, I slammed the door in his face.

Hutchinson: And he left right then.

Doris: Of course. He knows better than to mess with me.

Hutchinson: Did you see him leave?

Doris: I heard his footsteps but when I looked out my kitchen window I saw him heading around the side so I guess he was going back to his place.

Hutchinson, turning to Fielding: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Fielding: Yes. Now Mrs. Bowman, how long has Mr. Crankshaw lived there, how old is he and…

Dana: Just a minute, Fielding. What about these photos of my brother?  Don’t they show that he is still alive?

Fielding: Ms Bowman, we have to cover all the angles.

Dana; I know that. But let’s look at what we have here and then you can deal with Mr. Crankshaw. Hey, you can even go up to Barrie and work with their police department to question him. Maybe he saw something.

Fielding, looks at Hutchinson, who nods. Very well Ms Bowman, let’s look at the photos.

Hutchinson: Try not to touch them, although we’ll have to eliminate your fingerprints.

Doris: Well, you have them already back when Dana’s house was broken into.

Dana: Can you move over Fielding, so I can sit in between the two of you and see the photos?

Doris: And what about me?

Dana: You’ve seen them already.

Doris: But I might have something valuable to say about them.

Hutchinson: Ladies, please. We can all look at them, just not touch.

Fielding picks up the first photo of the three.

Dana: That’s Bast all right. But what is he doing. He just seems to be sitting there staring at the camera.

Fielding: It would appear he is in a room, perhaps where he is being held.

Dana: Oh, so you now figure he has been kidnapped. But there has been no ransom note.

Fielding: No.

Dana: He doesn’t look well, like he’s sleep-deprived. Fielding, you have to do something. Can’t you trace these photos?

Fielding, turning over the photo: There is a photographer listed here – a C.W. Swan Photographer, Barrie, Ontario. No phone number though.

Dana hauls out a piece of paper and pen from her purse and starts scribbling: Good, that’s a start. We can check 411 and…

Hutchinson, waving his arms around: Just a minute, Ms. Bowman. This is police business.

Dana: It’s my brother who is missing. Do I have to keep reminding you of that?

Fielding and Hutchinson: Ms Bowman…

Doris: Quiet. I may have something. There’s a Cory Swan who lives across the street from me and I believe he is a photographer.

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to Sharon A. Crawford’s profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

Sharon A. is teaching Getting Your Memoir off the Ground Workshop, Saturday, February 22, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Details at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/SpeakersBureau.html

Also see more of See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, guest blog posts, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html

 
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Posted by on January 30, 2014 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Credible Fiction Characters, Interviewing fictional characters, Plot and Characters, Writing

 

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Fiction Character Interviewing Fiction Character – Part 32

23 Jan

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford's mystery short story collection

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford’s mystery short story collection

A story to me means a plot where there is some surprise because that is how life is – full of surprises

–          Isaac Bashevis Singer

–         

Since Fielding’s startling news about Aunt Doris’ disappearance, Dana Bowman has kept her son David close to her where possible and arranged with Fielding to have a police car parked outside her house. David appears to be the only family member besides herself who is still around and Dana is worried. However, this morning she received a pay phone call from one of the missing family members, requesting a meeting in the library boardroom. Dana persuaded the constable in the car to come inside to keep watch on David as she didn’t trust what might happen to him if she brought him with her because of that abstract painting on the wall. So, Dana now sits in the boardroom waiting for someone from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, Oct. 2023), Sharon A. Crawford’s mystery short story collection.

The door opens. Dana swings around from her seat at the table.

Dana: Good. You made it okay. Were you followed? And where have you been?

Aunt Doris sits down: One thing at a time, please. I’m an old woman. I don’t think I was followed. Look, you know I’m not a fan of your brother, but when things affect Ronald’s (Note: Dana’s ex-husband) son, I have to do something.

Dana: Like disappear for a few days? Where were you?

Doris, lowering her voice: I hid out in a hotel – I’m not saying where.

Dana: Why? And how does this all affect David?

Aunt Doris, scowling her face into its gargoyle look: Things haven’t been normal lately.

Dana sighs: Tell me about it. Now, David.

Aunt Doris waves a hand: Let me tell this. First there were all those calls supposedly from your brother on my cell. But when I picked up there was no one there.

Dana: Fielding did mention that and that your cell is missing.

Aunt Doris: Still is. But now they’ve gotten into my land line? And that’s why I disappeared – so they wouldn’t find me and to think.

Dana: And you didn’t think to call me or the police at least?

Doris: I thought they would get to David. They said not to call the police.

Dana: Who are they, Aunt Doris?

Aunt Doris shrugs: I don’t know. But this time they left a message about David.

Dana, leaning towards Doris: What message? What did they say?

Aunt Doris: That David is next. Don’t call the police or David will be sorry.

Dana, her heart starting to beat fast: And?

Aunt Doris: That’s it. Is David going to disappear too? I don’t want him to go through all that again. You’re his mother so you need to do something.

Dana: I need more information than that. Did you recognize the voice? Man or woman?

Aunt Doris: I don’t know. It was muffled.

Dana: Have you told Fielding?

Aunt Doris: I did decide to call from a pay phone just before I came here. He wasn’t there so I had to leave a detailed message for him in his voice mail. I kept his number that you gave me last year when David went missing…  But I am here now.

Dana: Hm. What aren’t you telling me Aunt Doris? You are being too co-operative with me and I don’t think it’s just concern for David.

Aunt Doris hems and haws.

Dana: Aunt Doris. As you pointed out, David’s security is at risk. Now spit it out.

Aunt Doris: Well, I never. You don’t need to be rude. Very well.

Aunt Doris opens her purse and hauls out an envelope which appears to be stuffed to its limits.

Dana: What’s this?

Aunt Doris: I’m coming to it. This came in the mail the same day as they called about David.

Aunt Doris dumps out the envelope. The contents appear to be some photos and a typed sheet of what looks like some list. Dana leans over to get a better look.

Dana: What is all this?

The door bursts open. Detective Sergeant Donald Fielding and Detective Larry Hutchinson rush in.

Fielding: We’d like to know too. Hand it over.

Cheers.

Sharon A. Crawford

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to my profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, guest blog posts, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html  

 
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Posted by on January 23, 2014 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Credible Fiction Characters, Interviewing fictional characters, Plot and Characters, Writing

 

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Fiction Character Interviewing Fiction Character – Part 31 – Fielding

16 Jan

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford's mystery short story collection

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford’s mystery short story collection

Dana Bowman had planned to interview Lilly Clarke of  “Unfinished Business” from Sharon A. Crawford’s short story collection Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, Oct. 2012), but Lilly hasn’t returned Dana’s calls. Meantime, Dana has been into Cooks Regional Police Headquarters to look at all the surveillance tapes of someone using Bast’s debit card at ATMs and a short selected video of that is now out in the media. The only thing definite about the person caught on the tapes is that it is not her brother Bast. Now Dana has received an urgent call from Detective Sergeant Fielding and he is meeting her today in the Thurston Public Library boardroom.

Fielding enters the room, nods at Dana, sits down, opens his briefcase and hauls out a laptop which he turns on.

Dana: And good morning to you, too. What have we here?

Fielding: I’m asking the questions today. But have a look here.

Fielding swings the laptop around towards Dana. She leans in to take a look.

Dana: What are all these numbers?

Fielding: Phone numbers – all to and from your brother’s cell phone. I need you to take a look and see if any are familiar to you, particularly that one (He points), which is repeated 12 times from Bast’s cell and eight times to Bast’s cell.

Dana: No, the number doesn’t sound familiar. Let me check my cell’s list of saved numbers…Nope. Is it a burner number?

Fielding: Probably.

Dana: Oh come on, Fielding.

Fielding: Very well, yes a burner phone. Our IT is working on it. Now please check through the remaining numbers.

Dana: Fine. Oh, this one looks familiar. Just a sec and I’ll check my phone list. Aunt Doris? Her cell phone. What was Bast doing calling her and I see she called him back – six times. Fielding, what is going on? You’re not insinuating Aunt Doris had something to do with Bast’s disappearance? She and Bast aren’t best buds but Aunt Doris is old school and committing crime is not her style.

Fielding: Understood. We have contacted her and…

Dana: And you didn’t think to let me know?

Fielding: At first she had nothing to say – she hadn’t heard from Bast. We called her on her land line by the way. Then she called back and said she couldn’t find her cell phone. That was timed with when the calls to and from her cell number started.

Dana: Again, I repeat…you didn’t think to tell me?

Fielding: I’m telling you now.

Dana: Yeah, but those calls started two weeks ago. When did you actually talk to her?

Fielding: A number of times. Right after Bast disappeared and then one of my detectives called her back about once a week to check in.

Dana: And you used her land line for all these calls.

Fielding: No, we used both, but only the land line two weeks ago because her cell had no room in her voice mail.

Dana: I’m still not getting why you didn’t tell me this before. Fielding? Fielding, there is something else you are not telling me.

Fielding: D…D…Dana, your Aunt Doris has also disappeared.

Cheers.

Sharon A. Crawford

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to my profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, guest blog posts, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html  

 
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Posted by on January 16, 2014 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Plot and Characters, Sharon A. Crawford, Short Story Collection, Writing

 

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Fiction Character Interviewing Fiction Character – Part 30 – Oliver

09 Jan

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford's mystery short story collection

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford’s mystery short story collection

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes            – Marcel Proust

Dana Bowman, one-half of the Attic Investigative Agency’s PIs has been getting nowhere fast trying to find her business partner and fraternal twin Bast Overture who disappeared on Halloween. In particular the police have been giving her the run around. Today she talks to PC Joseph Oliver, the head of Cooks Regional Police Records Bureau. Oliver has helped her in the past with information, particularly in the short stories “Gone Missing” and “Saving Grace” from Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford (Blue Denim Press, October 2012).

P.C. Joseph Oliver sits kitty-corner from Dana Bowman at the head of the table in Thurston Public Library’s boardroom.

Oliver: First, Dana, I want to again say I’m sorry about your brother disappearing. If there’s anything I can do to help…

Dana: Yes, thanks. And there is something you can do. I’m not getting much info from Fielding and Detective Larry Hutchinson who was the lead homicide detective in Susan Stuart’s murder (“Missing in Action” Beyond the Tripping Point), is now avoiding my calls.

Oliver: I understand how frustrating it must be.

Dana: Okay, if you understand, don’t you agree that as Bast’s twin sister and his partner I should be given updates on the investigation.

Oliver: Agreed, but you know the police can’t tell all in their investigation.

Dana: Oh, come on, Oliver. Considering our history and particularly your history with Bast when he was a crime reporter, I thought you at least would help.

Oliver: All right. I can reveal a bit but you didn’t hear it from me.

Dana: My lips are sealed.

Oliver: We have been tracing your brother’s financial records, including credit card use, and cell phone use. As you know, his cell phone disappeared with him.

Dana:  And?

Oliver: Well, someone has been using his credit card since Halloween with the last entry so far yesterday as well as ATM hits on his personal banking account. His cell phone, however, has not been used, at least we can find no record of that and our IT experts have been on it since Day 1.

Dana: I see. And what and where from are credit card entries showing?

Oliver: Well…

Dana: Come on Oliver. I have a right to know.

Oliver: Very well, without going into a lot of detail – they seem to be from Toronto and Barrie.

Dana: Where in Toronto and Barrie?

Oliver: Hmm. Well without going into specifics, mainly department stores, sports stores, computer stores and a few fast food places.

Dana: Oliver, Oliver, you need to be more specific.

Oliver: Very well, The Bay – both in Toronto and Barrie, McDonald’s and Timmy’s –again in both cities, IT Etc. in Toronto, and Sports Unlimited in Barrie.

Dana: What is this person buying?

Oliver: Sorry, that I can’t tell you. The fast food places should be obvious and I can tell you that at the IT store one item was a burner cell phone.

Dana: Damn. So, you can’t trace the calls.

Oliver: No.

Dana: What about a laptop or iPad? Bast’s laptop and iPad weren’t stolen. In fact his iPad was left in the boardroom.

Oliver: Can’t say right now.

Dana glares at Oliver: Well, PC Joseph Oliver, what can you say? Can you tell if it is a man or a woman who is using Bast’s credit card?

Oliver: Er…not at this point.

Dana: What about those ATM hits? Surely their surveillance would show something.

Oliver taps his fingers on the table, nods his head, and seems to come to a decision: All right, Dana, I can tell you this much as we would be contacting you about it shortly anyway. All the ATMs are from banks, not the same branch or even the same bank. But the person wears a hoodie and sunglasses and is bending down in most of the photos so we don’t get a clear photo of the face. But there are photos of the person walking away so we can see the build…

Dana: Man or woman?

Oliver: Can’t tell. But we were planning on letting you view the photos to see if perhaps you had any idea – from the build or even what is seen of the face – who it could be.

Dana: And you were going to do this when?

Oliver: IT is still trying to get more info with the photo, so then.

Dana: Can you give me a date and time?

Oliver: A couple of days. Fielding will get back to you.

Dana: Thanks. One more question. Is Fielding doing anything about that abstract painting on the far wall. You do know the info about it?

Oliver: Yes, I do. And Fielding is looking into it. And that’s all I can say about that for now.

Dana: Fine. Just make sure he or you get back to me on it.

Oliver nods: And I’ll call you in a day or so to get you to come in to look at the surveillance tapes.

Dana: Fine.

Oliver gets up, nods at Dana: Take care, Dana. We’ll find your brother.

After Oliver leaves, Dana holds her head in her hands.

Dana: Why didn’t they get back to me with the ATM surveillance tapes sooner? And Oliver didn’t give me any timeline for that. Guess I’ll have to speak to Lilly Clark (from “Unfinished Business” in Beyond the Tripping Point) as she lived in both Barrie and Toronto. I’ll have to check Bast’s interview notes with her first. At least they didn’t disappear.

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to my profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, guest blog posts, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html  

 
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Posted by on January 9, 2014 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Credible Fiction Characters, Interviewing fictional characters, Plot and Characters, Sharon A. Crawford, Writing

 

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Fiction Character Interviewing Fiction Character – Part 29 – Fielding

02 Jan

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford's mystery short story collection

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford’s mystery short story collection

If you will practice being fictional for a while, you will understand that fictional characters are sometimes more real than people with bodies and heartbeats.

–          Richard Bach

After all the nonsense with the abstract photo on the wall, especially “seeing” Bast’s head appear there – or did it – Dana decides to speak to the artist who painted the picture. However, it may not happen as the artist is now dead – murdered in one of the short stories in Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford (Blue Denim Press, 2012). She tries to get another interview with Detective Larry Hutchinson, the last person Bast interviewed before he disappeared on Halloween. Hutchinson is still playing hard to get, but Dana can get Detective Sergeant Donald Fielding to return. He’s the detective in charge of finding Bast. Dana decides to play on Fielding’s feelings for her to get some information.

Fielding has arrived at the library boardroom and is sitting opposite Dana, who is at the head of the table.

Dana: Thank you Fielding, I mean Don, for coming back.

Fielding nods: You’re welcome but I can’t go into police business.

Dana, smiles and puts her hand on Fielding’s arm: Don, Don, you don’t know what I’m going to ask. I want you to take a look at that painting on the far wall and tell me what you see.

Fielding: Painting? It’s an abstract, not very interesting from what I can tell from here. What of it?

Dana: Do you know who the artist is who painted that photo?

Fielding shrugs.

Dana: Okay, Don, humour me. Let’s go up to the painting and take a look at it.

Fielding shrugs again but gets up as Dana does the same. The two walk to the end of the room and stand in front of the painting.

Dana: Look at the artist’s signature.

Fielding: S.B. Stuart. So?

Dana: Do you know who S.B. Stuart is?

Don: The artist who painted the picture. What of it?

Dana: Don, Don. Don’t you realize that S.B. stands for Susan Barbara Stuart?

Fielding jerks forward: Susan Stuart. The woman murdered in “Missing in Action?”

Dana: One and the same. I googled her. She had the start of a promising career as an artist when she was killed.

Fielding: Hmm, interesting. But she wasn’t killed for her artistic endeavours.

Dana: True, but some strange things have been happening with that painting. At first I didn’t believe any of them, until I sat here with David on Boxing Day. At one point the lights went out and I swear I saw Bast’s face in that painting… and

Fielding: You were probably just imagining things what with the power outage.

Dana: I would have thought so, too, but it was David who noticed it first and pointed my hand to it. He’s also been drawing pictures of Bast a lot lately.

Fielding: He’s probably just missing his uncle. Tell me, when the lights went back on did you still see what you er, claim you saw in the dark?

Dana: No, and I don’t think David did. With him not speaking it’s kinda hard to tell although his body language said he didn’t. He kept staring at the painting and frowning – even went up to it and looked closely. When he started banging on the painting I went up to it to calm him down.

Fielding: Interesting.

Dana: Interesting? Is that all you can say about it? I thought this might be of some help in your investigation.

Fielding: I’m investigating Bast’s disappearance, not Susan Stuart’s murder. Detective Hutchinson solved that one and the suspect is in jail awaiting trial. And certainly not any mumbo-jumbo about an abstract painting suddenly showing faces.

Dana: Don, Don, not just any face – my brother’s and David saw it too.

Fielding shrugs.

Dana: Okay, will you at least consider this and look into it?

Fielding: And call in a so-called psychic?

Dana: Come on Fielding. I know police forces sometimes call on psychics to help them find missing persons so I’m taking a leap here and presuming Cooks Regional does this too.

Fielding: Well, your leap is for nothing.

Dana: I understand. You don’t want to admit it. But please consider this painting, the artist who painted it, and that my brother, just before he disappeared was alone in this room with only the painting. Detective Hutchinson did confirm that he left him alone and Sara, my librarian friend saw Hutchinson leave but not Bast.

Fielding: Yes, but she wasn’t keeping constant watch on the exit down the stairwell from this floor.

Dana: Ah, so you did talk to Sara. What else did she say?

Fielding: Sorry, I can’t say. Police business.

Dana: Police business my ass. Bast is my brother, my fraternal twin. Don’t you think I have the right to know how your investigation to find him is going?

Fielding shrugs: I might be able to tell you some. Right now I have a meeting to be at. Look, D…Dana, I’m not trying to be evasive. I understand you and your brother are close. I…I’m somewhat conflicted here. Let me think about it and I’ll call you.

Fielding places a hand on Dana’s hand, stands up, appears about to say something more, but doesn’t. He leaves the room.

Dana: That went well. Damn the man. I’ll have to talk to Oliver.

You can read more about the characters and their stories in Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to my profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

 
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Posted by on January 2, 2014 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Credible Fiction Characters, Interviewing fictional characters, Plot and Characters, Sharon A. Crawford, Writing

 

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Fiction Character Interviewing Fiction Character – Part 28 – David

26 Dec

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford's mystery short story collection

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford’s mystery short story collection

The story…must be a conflict, and specifically, a conflict between the forces of good and evil within a single person.

 

– Maxwell Anderson

Bast Overture is still missing. His fraternal twin and PI partner Dana Bowman is determined to find him. She has decided to interview everyone Bast interviewed from some of the short stories in Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford (Blue Denim Press, Oct. 2012).

Dana has spent a horrible Christmas Day in the dark – widespread power outages caused by an ice storm hit southern Ontario early morning December 22. Thurston, Ontario just north of Toronto where Dana and her son David live got hit and power wasn’t restored there until 8 p.m. Christmas Day. She and David also spent a bleak Christmas without her fraternal twin, Bast Overture who has been missing since Halloween.

Today, Boxing Day, she is back in the library boardroom. After David drew a dark picture of the inside of the room and Bast’s head – drawn kid style but she can’t mistake the red hair and beard – in that abstract picture on the wall, and David’s continual pointing at the picture, Dana has no choice. She calls her friend, Sara, the head librarian, and Sara lets them into the boardroom, where they now sit.

Dana: David, I wish you could tell me what you mean by that picture.

David continues to point at his drawing and then at the abstract on the far wall.

Dana: I can see anything but the abstract – the lines, squares, colours. Nothing. What do you mean?

David continues pointing at his picture and the abstract. Dana looks back and forth between the two.

Dana: David, I can’t see anything on the painting on the wall. What do you see?

David starts nodding his head frantically and pointing back and forth.

Dana: Still nothing.

David grabs Dana’s hand and lifts it up so her fingers are pointing forward towards the painting on the wall.

Dana, shaking her head and looking straight ahead, then down at David’s painting: Still nothing, son. Sorry.

The lights suddenly go out.

Dana: Shit, not again. Sorry David.

Dana feels David gripping her hand harder. She looks up and across at the painting.

The abstract painting lights up in the dark and Bast’s face suddenly appears to be coming from the painting.

Dana:  Bast? Is that you? Are you there?

The lights come back on. Dana continues to look at the painting on the far wall. It is only an abstract.

Happy New Year to all and hope 2014 is much better for all than crappy 2013 was and is.

Cheers.

Sharon A. Crawford

You can read more about the characters and their stories in Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to my profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

 
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Posted by on December 26, 2013 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Credible Fiction Characters, Sharon A. Crawford

 

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Interview of Fiction Character by Fiction Character – Part 27 – Robbie

19 Dec

Amazon.com link to Sharon A.'s short story collection

Amazon.com link to Sharon A.’s short story collection

I try to leave out the parts that people skip.

–           Elmore Leonard

Bast Overture is still missing. His fraternal twin and PI partner Dana Bowman is determined to find him. She has decided to interview everyone Bast interviewed from some of the short stories in Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford (Blue Denim Press, Oct. 2012). Last week she talked to Todd, Chrissie’s somewhat mysterious co-worker in “Missing in Action.” Dana is still trying to get another interview with Detective Larry Hutchison but he is still not returning her calls. However, she has tracked down Chrissie’s elusive cousin Robbie Stewart and today she will be talking to him – if he bothers to show up.

Dana taps her fingers on the boardroom table and glances at her digital watch for at least the tenth time. Robbie Stewart is 15 minutes late but what did she expect of a guy who disappears regularly and shows up only when someone in the family dies. She stares at the abstract painting at the end of the room. Yet again, she wonders what everyone else seems to be seeing there and for some reason she can’t see. Maybe she’ll have to bring David back in – although she hesitates to do so considering all he’s been through. But children can often see things grownups can’t.

Dana muttering to herself: Come on Robbie. The sooner you get here the sooner we get the interview done.

Robbie (from behind Dana): I’m here. Sorry, had transportation problems with the GO.

Dana (swinging around). Robbie, you startled me. Thanks for coming. Yeah, this is Thurston, not Toronto but you know there is that new bus transit system for the area. You don’t need to take the GO.

Robbie shrugs: Whatever. So, what did you want with me?

Dana: As you know my fraternal twin and business partner, Bast Overture has disappeared and…

Robbie: What’s that got to do with me?

Dana: Well, for starters, just before he vanished he was interviewing the characters from “Missing in Action” and that includes you.

Robbie: Yeah, but I wasn’t the last one he talked to. That would be that detective, what’s his name – Hutch something or other.

Dana: Detective Hutchinson. And I’ve already talked to him.

Robbie: So, what do you need me for? Nothing.

Robbie turns to go. Dana grabs his arm.

Dana:  Not so fast. Sit down, Robbie. You just might know something you don’t know you know that can help.

Robbie: Fine. But get your paws off me.

Dana complies and Robbie sits down on the right side of the table, three chairs down from Dana’s end.

Dana: Thank you. Now Robbie, you were close to your cousin Chrissie when you two were growing up. But then you did your own disappearing act somewhere in your late teens. Why was that?

Robbie: You know damn well why. My father left my mother, my little sister Susie and me and ran away with his secretary.

Dana: How did that make you feel?

Robbie shrugs his shoulder: What do you think. Abandoned, betrayed.

Dana: Yes, but you still had your mother and sister Susie and of course, Chrissie.

Robbie: Not now. Some of those people are now dead.

Dana: Did you ever try to find your father?

Robbie: Didn’t have to. The old buzzard showed up back in Toronto.

Dana: But then he died too.

Robbie: Good for him.

Dana: Did you see him before he died?

Robbie: Why would I want to?

Dana: I repeat – did you see him before he died?

Robbie: No.

Dana: What about your sister Susie?

Robbie: What about Susie?

Dana: Did she see your dad before he died?

Robbie shrugs his shoulders.

Dana: Come on. Don’t play stupid with me. I know you and Susie re-connected before Chrissie found out. Why did you send Chrissie that cryptic email?

Robbie: Because I wanted her to know that none of us still living in this family were safe.

Dana: Not safe from what?

Robbie:  Read the damn story.

Dana: I have.

Robbie: Well?

Dana: Tell me about your sister Susie.

Robbie: She was my younger sister. I missed her. What do you want me to say?

Dana: Just the truth. How long before you emailed Chrissie did you re-connect with Susie and what did you two talk about?

Robbie: None of your damn business. This was all before your brother disappeared. Take it from one who knows about this disappearing business. Maybe your brother wanted to disappear and just did it all by himself.

Dana: I don’t think so. I know my brother better than you do and Bast and I were close. He would tell me if for some reason he had to “disappear.”

Robbie: Suit yourself, but it’s something to consider.

Dana pointing to the end of the room: What do you know about that painting on the wall down there?

Robbie: Painting? Looks like an abstract to me. Never seen it before. What does it have to do with me or even your brother?

Dana: That’s what I’m trying to find out. I don’t see anything odd about it, but everyone else whom I’ve talked to has seen something in it and runs out the door.

Robbie: Not me. It’s a painting. Still. An abstract. It’s not going anywhere. It’s not vibrating. Nothing happening there.

Dana: I find that surprising; I mean you do write novels so do use your imagination.

Robbie: Well, my imagination on that painting is zilch. Is there anything else? Because if not, I’m out of here.

Dana: That’s all for now. But I may call you back.

Robbie: Whatever.

Robbie stands up and leaves. Dana is left staring at the painting and scratching her head. She has about made up her mind to bring David back in here. But Christmas is almost here, so she wants to spend a normal Christmas with her son – and not here in this boardroom.

Cheers and Merry Christmas.

Sharon A. Crawford

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to my profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, guest blog posts, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html  

 
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Posted by on December 19, 2013 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Credible Fiction Characters, Interviewing fictional characters, Sharon A. Crawford, Uncategorized, Writing

 

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Interview of Fiction Character by Fiction Character – Part 26 – Todd

12 Dec

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford's mystery short story collection

Cover of Sharon A. Crawford’s mystery short story collection

Nothing so fretful, so despicable as a Scribbler, see what I am, & what a parcel of Scoundrels I have brought about my ears, & what language I have been obliged to treat them with to deal with them in their own way – all this comes of Authorship.

– George Gordon, Lord Byron

Bast Overture is still missing. His fraternal twin Dana Bowman is determined to find him. She has decided to interview everyone Bast interviewed from some of the short stories in Beyond the Tripping Point by Sharon A. Crawford (Blue Denim Press, Oct. 2012). Last week she talked to Chrissie, the main character in “Missing in Action” and we know how well that went. She had planned to interview Detective Larry Hutchinson again but he isn’t returning her calls. So, today she is talking to Todd, Chrissie’s co-worker at the Ontario Government.

Dana sits in the Thurston library boardroom. She is staring at the abstract painting on the far wall and shaking her head.

Dana: I just don’t get it.

Todd: What?

Dana swings around: Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in. You must be Todd.

Todd: That’s correct. Chrissie emailed that you wanted to see me.

Dana: Yes, and as she might have told you or perhaps you found out through the media, my fraternal twin brother Bast Overture disappeared from this room right after interviewing Detective Larry Hutchinson.

Todd: So, what does that have to do with me? I wasn’t here then.

Dana: True. But Bast did interview you before and you are involved with the sequence of events in “Missing in Action.”

Todd: Well I work with Chrissie and I could see she was upset.

Dana: So you started following her around and…

Todd: Who told you this?

Dana: Todd, I’m not stupid. I’ve read Sharon A. Crawford’s story “Missing in Action” so I know exactly what you did and didn’t do. (She glares at him). Do we understand each other?

Todd: Yes, but…

Dana: No “buts,” or “ifs” or “ands” either. Just honest communication. I’m not here to get you into anymore shall we say difficulties, unless you had something to do with my brother’s disappearance.

Todd: I don’t know anything about your brother’s disappearance. He was fine when he interviewed me and still here when I left.

Dana: I know that, if for no other reason than he interviewed Detective Hutchinson after you.

Todd: Then why don’t you speak to him again?

Dana: Oh, I will. But now I’m speaking with you and I’d like some co-operation. Now, to answer my question – you started to follow Chrissie around right after she got that cryptic email alleged to be coming from her long lost cousin Robbie Stuart.

Todd: Who isn’t lost anymore as you probably know from reading the story. Why don’t you talk to him?

Dana: I will, but today, right now I’m talking to you, so answer my question.

Todd: Yes, I was following Chrissie. Like I said…

Dana: Oh screw, what you said. You had another reason besides Chrissie’s welfare. Never mind that now. Remember I read the story too. What I want to know is this: are you still following her around?

Todd: No. Should I be?

Dana: I wouldn’t know that. Okay, let’s go to something else. (She turns to look at the far wall and points to the abstract painting). What can you tell me about that painting on the wall?

Todd: What painting?

Dana: Oh come on, Todd, don’t be dense. The abstract painting on the far wall – look straight ahead where I’m pointing.

Todd: I just see a bare wall.

Dana. Christ. Okay, Todd, we’re going to take a little walk to the end of this room and look at the wall.

Dana and Todd get up and walk to the wall. Todd shrugs his shoulders.

Dana (pointing to the painting): Now Todd, tell me what you see.

Todd: A blank light green wall. No painting. Sorry.

Dana: Oh for Christ’s sake. Chrissie saw it; even Detective Hutchinson saw it. It scared Chrissie right out of this room. Didn’t she tell you that?

Todd: No. We’re not speaking.

Dana: That must be fun. I mean with the two of you working together.

Todd: I’ve been moved to a different office, different section.

Dana: I see.

Todd: Just until I’m cleared. I still have a job. I didn’t want to upset Chrissie.

Dana: That’s rich. You already upset her a lot.

Todd: Look. You don’t understand. I cared…care for Chrissie.

Dana: That must be awkward with all that’s happened.

Todd shrugs his shoulders: So, you can’t help who you care for.

Dana: I agree. Now one more question…for now. When following Chrissie around, what was she doing?

Todd: I said I wasn’t following her around now…

Dana: Todd, the truth.

Todd: Oh all right. I keep an eye on her – for her own safety. She’s been doing nothing out of the ordinary – going to work and returning home. Visiting her cousin Robbie – a lot of that recently. Going out to dinner – with Robbie and girlfriends. Not much else.

Dana: You must be watching her almost 24/7. Has she noticed?

Todd: That’s two questions. And enough. I have to go.

Dana: Fine. But I may call on you again.

Todd: Whatever.

He gets up and leaves the room. Dana gets up and walks back to the abstract painting. She runs her fingers lightly across it.

Dana: What the hell is it with you and why can’t I see it?

You can read more about the characters and their stories in from Beyond the Tripping Point (Blue Denim Press, 2012). Click on the book at the top and it takes you to my profile – including book reviews – at www.amazon.com. The book is available there in print and Kindle. For Kobo e-book  go to http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/beyond-the-tripping-point or go to any bricks and mortar store and order in a print copy. Spread the word.

See Sharon A.’s Upcoming Gigs, workshops, etc. at http://www.samcraw.com/Articles/BeyondtheTrippingPoint.html  

Cheers.

Sharon A. Crawford

 
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Posted by on December 12, 2013 in Beyond the Tripping Point, Credible Fiction Characters, Interviewing fictional characters, Plot and Characters, Sharon A. Crawford, Writing

 

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