I - INVESTIGATION

I is for INVESTIGATION

At the discovery of a crime, there are procedures followed by the first officer on the scene to secure the area. In Murder & Obsession, Helen Gabble, is that officer.

You can read more on the Standard Operating Procedure of Homicide Investigations written by John M.Howell.

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

Standing close to the fire, Detective Helen Gabble could not get warm, even with the proper winter gear she’d had brought in with the forensics team. A partial tent in the front of Steven’s cabin served as murder central while the crime scene investigators finished their job. The shelter had no walls, and despite a canvas roof, the snow swirled in the breeze. The burn barrel ate the wood and provided little to no warmth in the openness. After forensics gave her the all clear, the detective would move her team inside, but right now their operations headquarters resided in the elements. Some of her men waited in warm vehicles, and for a few minutes, she had too, but huddling against the cold didn’t feel right, so she directed the investigation outside. She kept things moving.

Ginger Diehl finally approached her at three in the morning. “We’re done; we’ve collected all the evidence from the bedroom and the grave out back. We’ve swept the place for fingerprints and taken photographs. You have full access now. The bedroom is off-limits, but you can use the downstairs. I just need your signature. Is there something else you need?”

“The body?”

“Sorry. No luck there. I had men on the other side of the bank. We found more bear tracks, but the water is moving too fast. She could be miles downstream. They’ll search when daylight hits.”

*****

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H - HYPOTHERMIA

H IS FOR HYPOTHERMIA

Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature. A temperature of less than 95 degrees Fahrenheit and 35 degrees Celsius means hypothermia. Shivering is an attempt by the body to warm itself. Confusion and eventually a loss of awareness are symptoms to follow. Approximately 600 deaths occur each year in the United States because of hypothermia. Many people remove their clothes as the delirium gets worse.

I suffered from hypothermia during an incident in Alaska when it was 30 below and my car was stuck on a mountainside. Even though I was dressed in winter gear, I'd been in the cold for over two hours. Getting warm after that occurrence took well over eight hours. It's not something I ever want to repeat. Today, my fingers are still ultra sensitive to cold.

Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

Shivering uncontrollably, Steven wondered if hypothermia would be his Waterloo. He wrapped a woolen blanket around his shoulders and did his best to remain alert. He prayed the heat from the fire would be his salvation, but his body struggled to find the warmth promised.

Steven gazed at flames that seemed to him determined to withhold their lifesaving heat. His lips were blue, his thoughts muddled, and tears like ice droplets tumbled from his eyes. His body vibrated violently from the unending chill, loss, and his situation.

His heart pounded like a percussion drill through rock, and his lungs struggled for air. His mind sought understanding and forgiveness. He'd neglected his vow of protection, a promise he never thought he’d fail to deliver.

Intense grief filled his soul. Bordering on a complete collapse, Steven surrendered his hold on reality. He wanted, needed to join her.

*****

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Al Gore won the Presidency in 2000. 
The earth is dying and people are
trying to escape, well, in my story they are! 

G - GRIZZLY

G IS FOR GRIZZLY

The grizzly's terrain is the Brooks Range, but in the foothills, you'll find the black bear. Seldom do these two species cross borderlines. When they do nothing good comes from their meeting.

         I hiked the Brooks Range during the spring and saw many a footprint. I was even foolish enough to follow them. And then in one night (from the safety of a truck) I saw nine grizzly's, my attitude changed dramatically. Respect for these massive creatures was born.

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Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

             With Bushnell Elite Binoculars, Steven searched the valley below for any sign of the trackers. The very weather features he’d just been thankful for now obscured his vision, but he concentrated on color and movement. He spotted a grizzly. The bear, a good seven hundred pounds and at least seven feet tall, had Steven worried, especially when the animal reared on its hind legs and sniffed the air.                      
             Somehow, the grizzly had locked on Steven’s scent instead of the dead caribou’s or the beast would have been heading south not north, as Steven was. 

              Steven had no other option but to move, and move quickly. He hit the trail, but slowed by the heavy snow, his muscles screamed. 
             
            . . . after a rest break he repacked supplies for the rest of the journey but stopped when a familiar sound caught his attention. The deep growls of a bear reached him from the path he meant to take. He turned slowly. Instead of the grizzly, a healthy young black bear from the other side of the river lumbered toward him.

*****

View More Grizzly Photos Here

View Grizzly Fight Videos Here

*****

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Murder & Obsession

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Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
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Read an excerpt of my story Ever-Ton HERE!

Al Gore won the Presidency in 2000. 
The earth is dying and people are
trying to escape, well, in my story they are! 

F - FAIRBANKS

F IS FOR FAIRBANKS

The largest city in interior Alaska, Fairbanks is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. One of the first places I lived after arriving in Alaska. It's a lovely town that tries hard to hold on to the early days when a steamboat would bring prospectors and supplies up the Tanana River.

Named after the 26^th Vice President, Charles W. Fairbanks, who served under Theodore Roosevelt. It's known for its subarctic cold and its short but warm summers. I remember summer days that were as hot as 90 degrees and winter days as cold as 50 below.

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Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

                 Photo Copyright

Steven took the document, scanned it. “A search warrant. Regarding what? The Captain has my schedule. I’m due in the office Monday. Why drive all the way out here? Damn it, Helen. What the hell is going on?” He stood.

“Two women are dead. We have witnesses putting you with them just hours before they died.” She placed two pictures on the counter. “Do you recognize them?”

He scanned the photos. “Sure, I had a drink with her in Anchorage. April, I think she called herself.” He pointed to the other picture. “I bought her dinner after her car broke down, at the Bull Moose Diner in Fairbanks. What happened to them?”

“Strangled, dumped on the side of the road. So, yes, we’re here searching for evidence. Preliminary forensics ties you to them. Did you sleep with them?”

“Strangled, what are you accusing me of? Sleep with―you actually believe―” His anger escalated with each word. “I’m your suspect?”

*****

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E – ESCAPE

E IS FOR ESCAPE

Wearing leg irons would make any escape near impossible, unless you're an expert at picking locks like Houdini.

In Murder & Obsession, leg irons are used to keep a kidnap victim tethered. 

There'd be no escape from the horrors to come.

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Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:                                                                  

                                                                               Photo Copyright

The moon sat high against the purple sky, and the cold marched forth across the land with murderous intent - overcome, smother, and marshal the surrender of all occupants. Winter had arrived.
            . . . Quinn held a heavy chain with an ankle lock, still fastened securely to the bed.  “And yet they tried to accommodate her needs.”

“Gayln?” Steven swallowed the drink and lay back gingerly but reached for the ankle lock. The weight of the instrument felt heavy in his hand but heavier on a heart already shattered. He pictured the iron around Sarah’s delicate ankle. “How long ago?” Hope turned to anger. His friend had done this to his fiancee. Why? What had motivated such betrayal?

“While you slept I took the dogs to the village, talked to a few folks. They saw Gayln with a couple but never saw your girl. The couple flew out Friday night. Gayln drove out two days ago. He packed carefully. He’s running or he’s off to spend his loot. I'm sorry son.”

*****

        Buy Here

Add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

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Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
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Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
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