First Lines of a Chapter
[Posted
Fri Dec 12 ]
1961: The Queen’s
The Queen's Hotel was Geraldton's main watering hole. A den of vipers, said the churchmen and the moralists. A great place for a good time, said the more liberated.
In all the times that Auguste had been a patron, he had never noticed anything that he would label as an outright sin. Nothing that the priest could be incensed about . . .
LAST CHAPTER IN THE NOVEL
1961: The Queen’s
The Queen's Hotel was Geraldton's main watering hole. A den of vipers, said the churchmen and the moralists. A great place for a good time, said the more liberated.
In all the times that Auguste had been a patron, he had never noticed anything that he would label as an outright sin. Nothing that the priest could be incensed about . . .
LAST CHAPTER IN THE NOVEL
[Posted
Tue Dec 9 ]
Chapter 37
"And that's when I gave him the old Chetnik salutation," said Kennet.
They made a cozy group of couples at The Old Bakery ̶ he and Yvette, Marcus and Kay, and Rod and Kelly. After Robert Kenilworth had dropped him off at the Teller Building, he had phoned Rod Campbell at work and asked him to make reservations at the restaurant for Friday evening.
Chapter 37
"And that's when I gave him the old Chetnik salutation," said Kennet.
They made a cozy group of couples at The Old Bakery ̶ he and Yvette, Marcus and Kay, and Rod and Kelly. After Robert Kenilworth had dropped him off at the Teller Building, he had phoned Rod Campbell at work and asked him to make reservations at the restaurant for Friday evening.
[Posted
Fri Dec 5 ]
Chapter 36
"So you're back."
The voice made him jump. Kennet had slipped into his office in the Teller Building at Thunder Bay University just before seven a.m. After he had locked up his bicycle and used a key card to enter the building, he hadn't seen a soul. He had taken the steps two at a time to the second floor on the north side of the sprawling building. Had found his office dark . . .
Chapter 36
"So you're back."
The voice made him jump. Kennet had slipped into his office in the Teller Building at Thunder Bay University just before seven a.m. After he had locked up his bicycle and used a key card to enter the building, he hadn't seen a soul. He had taken the steps two at a time to the second floor on the north side of the sprawling building. Had found his office dark . . .
[Posted
Tue Dec 2 ]
Chapter 35
He placed it in the forward cargo hatch of the kayak. From his pocket he took the PLB that Kelly had passed to him. Its lights glowed. He fumbled in the poor light and found a rung attached to the pilothouse. He wrapped the velcro strap around it.
Chapter 35
He placed it in the forward cargo hatch of the kayak. From his pocket he took the PLB that Kelly had passed to him. Its lights glowed. He fumbled in the poor light and found a rung attached to the pilothouse. He wrapped the velcro strap around it.
[Posted
Fri Nov 28 ]
Chapter 34
Out of the pall of darkness came a gunshot.
A single shot. No flashes of light.
Kennet had stopped paddling. He strained to penetrate the pitch black wall that extended from the shoreline to the cloud cover.
Chapter 34
Out of the pall of darkness came a gunshot.
A single shot. No flashes of light.
Kennet had stopped paddling. He strained to penetrate the pitch black wall that extended from the shoreline to the cloud cover.
[Posted
Tue Nov 25 ]
Chapter 33
As they were travelling east, Kelly Armitage filled him in on the strategy. There was a patrol car watching the entrance to each of the four roads identified by Rod Campbell. They had enlisted two cars from Schreiber and one from Marathon. The detachments had dispatched the cars around the time their group had left Geraldton.
Chapter 33
As they were travelling east, Kelly Armitage filled him in on the strategy. There was a patrol car watching the entrance to each of the four roads identified by Rod Campbell. They had enlisted two cars from Schreiber and one from Marathon. The detachments had dispatched the cars around the time their group had left Geraldton.
[Posted
Fri Nov 21 ]
Chapter 32
It took only a few minutes to chase down the logging truck. He was living the joke about the dog that chased cars ̶ If he ever caught it, what would he do with it?
He caught up with the truck because it was moving slowly, forty-five and fifty klicks an hour. He started leaning on the horn.
Chapter 32
It took only a few minutes to chase down the logging truck. He was living the joke about the dog that chased cars ̶ If he ever caught it, what would he do with it?
He caught up with the truck because it was moving slowly, forty-five and fifty klicks an hour. He started leaning on the horn.
[Posted
Wed Nov 19 ]
Chapter 31
Detective Hal Marchand was propping the back door open, one foot on the single outdoor step. Before Kennet could close his truck door, Marchand said, "Jesus!"
As Kennet strode up, Marchand said, "You trying to sabotage this operation? We're ready to roll."
Chapter 31
Detective Hal Marchand was propping the back door open, one foot on the single outdoor step. Before Kennet could close his truck door, Marchand said, "Jesus!"
As Kennet strode up, Marchand said, "You trying to sabotage this operation? We're ready to roll."
[Posted
Fri Nov 14 ]
Chapter 30
He had explored every corner of the furnace room. There was no tool that could help him. No tool, no implement, no handy written instructions about how to draw a bolt on the far side of a heavy metal door.
Chapter 30
He had explored every corner of the furnace room. There was no tool that could help him. No tool, no implement, no handy written instructions about how to draw a bolt on the far side of a heavy metal door.
[Posted
Tue Nov 11 ]
Chapter 29
The roadblock behind him, Kennet felt better. PC Crane and two other constables were dealing with the drug mule. As he pulled up to the first stop sign, opposite the Cowboys Grill, a wave of euphoria engulfed him.
Chapter 29
The roadblock behind him, Kennet felt better. PC Crane and two other constables were dealing with the drug mule. As he pulled up to the first stop sign, opposite the Cowboys Grill, a wave of euphoria engulfed him.
[Posted
Fri Nov 7 ]
Chapter 28
Kennet savoured his cup of black coffee in the Nakina Heritage Centre. The old two-storey railway station had been remodeled into offices and boutiques and a restaurant. There being practically no businesses or industry in Nakina any more, the building was virtually empty. A few diners patronized the restaurant. The chicken salad sandwich had been tasty.
Chapter 28
Kennet savoured his cup of black coffee in the Nakina Heritage Centre. The old two-storey railway station had been remodeled into offices and boutiques and a restaurant. There being practically no businesses or industry in Nakina any more, the building was virtually empty. A few diners patronized the restaurant. The chicken salad sandwich had been tasty.
[Posted Tue Nov 4]
Chapter 27
By 7:47 he had washed and shaved. And he had squeezed in twenty minutes of meditation. His nose was streaked with purple, he had bags under both eyes, and a small dark circle on his brow.
Chapter 27
By 7:47 he had washed and shaved. And he had squeezed in twenty minutes of meditation. His nose was streaked with purple, he had bags under both eyes, and a small dark circle on his brow.
[Posted
Fri Oct 31]
Chapter 26
He dialed the number for Gerald Ackerman in Houghton, Michigan. A woman answered. Gerry was out, she said. No, she didn't know when he'd return. If he'd care to leave a number . . . ? He'd phone back, said Kennet. To himself he thought, Spare him the long-distance charges. Try at 9:00, she said. She'd be in bed by that time, in the arms of her partner, Gravol, and the damn phone could ring all it wanted, she'd never hear it.
Chapter 26
He dialed the number for Gerald Ackerman in Houghton, Michigan. A woman answered. Gerry was out, she said. No, she didn't know when he'd return. If he'd care to leave a number . . . ? He'd phone back, said Kennet. To himself he thought, Spare him the long-distance charges. Try at 9:00, she said. She'd be in bed by that time, in the arms of her partner, Gravol, and the damn phone could ring all it wanted, she'd never hear it.
[Posted
Tue Oct 28]
Chapter 25
Kennet was getting hungry when the debriefing finished. He was sitting in the soft interview room of the Greenstone Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. Sergeant Watson snapped his notebook shut and excused himself for a few minutes.
Chapter 25
Kennet was getting hungry when the debriefing finished. He was sitting in the soft interview room of the Greenstone Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. Sergeant Watson snapped his notebook shut and excused himself for a few minutes.
[Posted
Fri Oct 24]
Chapter 24
Almost twenty years ago, he had just missed Franjo Chuvalo. He had been waved off by his brother, Draco. Kennet and two colleagues and their Croatian fixer, Pero, had motored from the Dalmation coast, crossed the border from Croatia to Bosnia, and successfully passed every checkpoint. They travelled in a beat-up Land Rover with Croatian plates; they flaunted Croatian newspapers, let their interpreter talk to the militia men, some with made-up uniforms, others in camouflage.
Chapter 24
Almost twenty years ago, he had just missed Franjo Chuvalo. He had been waved off by his brother, Draco. Kennet and two colleagues and their Croatian fixer, Pero, had motored from the Dalmation coast, crossed the border from Croatia to Bosnia, and successfully passed every checkpoint. They travelled in a beat-up Land Rover with Croatian plates; they flaunted Croatian newspapers, let their interpreter talk to the militia men, some with made-up uniforms, others in camouflage.
[Posted
Tue Oct 21]
Chapter 23
Kennet knew where to start. It was a fine day. He would walk.
When he reached Main Street at the TD Bank, he saw Bert of the balbo talking to the old gentleman who had given him a ride to the OPP detachment the day before. They glanced his way, and he returned a wave.
Chapter 23
Kennet knew where to start. It was a fine day. He would walk.
When he reached Main Street at the TD Bank, he saw Bert of the balbo talking to the old gentleman who had given him a ride to the OPP detachment the day before. They glanced his way, and he returned a wave.
[Posted
Fri Oct 17]
Chapter 22
In The Rose Café, the regulars nursed their coffees and chatted up a storm. At a few other tables, customers dug into their chow or waited patiently for their orders to arrive.
Kennet paused at Gus's table. "Do you mind company?"
Chapter 22
In The Rose Café, the regulars nursed their coffees and chatted up a storm. At a few other tables, customers dug into their chow or waited patiently for their orders to arrive.
Kennet paused at Gus's table. "Do you mind company?"
[Posted
Tue Oct 14]
Chapter 21
Before he awoke, he could still see the window blind half-drawn, the chaos in the dirty room, the single bed with the rumpled sheet and blanket, the bed empty ̶ which he'd never seen. And diffused throughout the room was the murmur of official voices.
Chapter 21
Before he awoke, he could still see the window blind half-drawn, the chaos in the dirty room, the single bed with the rumpled sheet and blanket, the bed empty ̶ which he'd never seen. And diffused throughout the room was the murmur of official voices.
Click
[Posted
Fri Oct 10]
Chapter 20
The last thing Kennet felt like doing was going home. Well, going to his room. Maple Leaf Suites was not home. And even though he'd grown up there, Geraldton hadn't felt much like home lately.
Chapter 20
The last thing Kennet felt like doing was going home. Well, going to his room. Maple Leaf Suites was not home. And even though he'd grown up there, Geraldton hadn't felt much like home lately.
[Posted
Tue Oct 7]
Chapter 19
Kennet glanced down at the bucket of controlled substances. That might be hard to explain to the police. Never mind . . . to Marcus and Kay. To Yvette. To anyone.
Chapter 19
Kennet glanced down at the bucket of controlled substances. That might be hard to explain to the police. Never mind . . . to Marcus and Kay. To Yvette. To anyone.
[Posted
Fri Oct 3]
1961 - The Mariaggi
He had decided on the greater pleasure first. A bottle of Molson's Export sat on the damp bar table before him. Moisture beaded on the brown glass, gleaming in the weak light of the noisy tap room. It was almost too pretty to touch. Almost.
1961 - The Mariaggi
He had decided on the greater pleasure first. A bottle of Molson's Export sat on the damp bar table before him. Moisture beaded on the brown glass, gleaming in the weak light of the noisy tap room. It was almost too pretty to touch. Almost.
[Posted
Tue Sep 30]
Chapter 18
When he stopped running, Kennet was staring up at the second-floor window of the place that used to be his home. He was looking at the dark window on Edith Street in Jonesville. His clothes were drenched, and he drew great gulps of air into his lungs.
Chapter 18
When he stopped running, Kennet was staring up at the second-floor window of the place that used to be his home. He was looking at the dark window on Edith Street in Jonesville. His clothes were drenched, and he drew great gulps of air into his lungs.
[Posted Fri Sep 26]
Chapter 17
Kennet rapped on Billy Waterson's door. No response. He tried the door. It opened easily.
Snoring emanated from the semi-dark interior. He fumbled for the light switch, found it. The sixty-watt bulb from a side table lamp cast a sickly glow over the grubby room. There was a fresh dead soldier on the oilcloth-covered table in the centre.
Chapter 17
Kennet rapped on Billy Waterson's door. No response. He tried the door. It opened easily.
Snoring emanated from the semi-dark interior. He fumbled for the light switch, found it. The sixty-watt bulb from a side table lamp cast a sickly glow over the grubby room. There was a fresh dead soldier on the oilcloth-covered table in the centre.
[Posted Tue Sep 23]
Chapter 16
"Billy?"
After calling, Kennet stepped into the corridor. Billy was performing a softshoe routine, an unrehearsed one, a few metres down the hallway, back turned to him.
"You okay?" Kennet asked again.
Chapter 16
"Billy?"
After calling, Kennet stepped into the corridor. Billy was performing a softshoe routine, an unrehearsed one, a few metres down the hallway, back turned to him.
"You okay?" Kennet asked again.
[Posted Fri Sep 19]
Chapter 15
"I found Larry," Kennet said.
Kennet had seated himself at the desk across from Detective Constable Harold Marchand.
Marchand pulled his eyes away from the monitor and fixed them on Kennet. "That is fast work. Very fast work. How did you do it?"
Chapter 15
"I found Larry," Kennet said.
Kennet had seated himself at the desk across from Detective Constable Harold Marchand.
Marchand pulled his eyes away from the monitor and fixed them on Kennet. "That is fast work. Very fast work. How did you do it?"
[Posted Tue Sep 16]
Chapter 14
Kennet gassed up at P.W.'s General Store at the junction with Highway 11. The female gas jockey, slim, forty-ish, wore unisex work clothes. Kennet noted the price per litre ̶ $1.37. About ten cents above Thunder Bay prices.
"Are you P.W.?" he asked her.
"No, I'm P.O.'d. I shoulda been relieved for lunch. Been working since 7:00."
Chapter 14
Kennet gassed up at P.W.'s General Store at the junction with Highway 11. The female gas jockey, slim, forty-ish, wore unisex work clothes. Kennet noted the price per litre ̶ $1.37. About ten cents above Thunder Bay prices.
"Are you P.W.?" he asked her.
"No, I'm P.O.'d. I shoulda been relieved for lunch. Been working since 7:00."
[Posted Fri Sep 12]
Chapter 13
Kennet followed Marchand down the corridor to the officers' hangout, an open area with scattered desks. A number of uniforms and civilians stood around, gazing at a monitor suspended from the ceiling. Staff Sergeant Jillian Halvorsen turned to greet Kennet.
Chapter 13
Kennet followed Marchand down the corridor to the officers' hangout, an open area with scattered desks. A number of uniforms and civilians stood around, gazing at a monitor suspended from the ceiling. Staff Sergeant Jillian Halvorsen turned to greet Kennet.
[Posted Tue Sep 9]
Chapter 12
When daylight came, he was finishing the second bag of cubes and had boiled water three times and had
popped the third analgesic, the last one. It was well after eight before he rose to face the day. He showered and dried himself with a face towel; he decided not to shave. He dressed himself carefully. Found nothing for breakfast, of course; the cupboards were empty.
Chapter 12
When daylight came, he was finishing the second bag of cubes and had boiled water three times and had
popped the third analgesic, the last one. It was well after eight before he rose to face the day. He showered and dried himself with a face towel; he decided not to shave. He dressed himself carefully. Found nothing for breakfast, of course; the cupboards were empty.
[Posted Fri Sep 5]
Chapter 11
Kennet Forbes walked stiffly to the green pickup idling in the street. He recognized it as Rod
Campbell's. He walked leaning slightly forward, trying to ease the pain, and trying to project a posture of dignity to the surveillance cameras of Latimer's house.
Chapter 11
Kennet Forbes walked stiffly to the green pickup idling in the street. He recognized it as Rod
Campbell's. He walked leaning slightly forward, trying to ease the pain, and trying to project a posture of dignity to the surveillance cameras of Latimer's house.
[Posted Tue Sep 2]
Chapter 10
He walked up the short driveway to the side door, it being the main door. The front door faced the street but it had no stoop. The building stood high on concrete basement walls, clad with aluminum
siding in two shades of yellow. A few metres back, hugging the bush, stood a two-car garage, similarly clad. On the other side of the Hummer sat a black Lexus SUV It had a Quebec licence plate.
Chapter 10
He walked up the short driveway to the side door, it being the main door. The front door faced the street but it had no stoop. The building stood high on concrete basement walls, clad with aluminum
siding in two shades of yellow. A few metres back, hugging the bush, stood a two-car garage, similarly clad. On the other side of the Hummer sat a black Lexus SUV It had a Quebec licence plate.
[Posted Fri Aug 29]
Chapter 9
Thirty years ago he had invited Lili Waterson to the prom. June, 1981. They had been friendly, not exactly friends. He liked her perky manner, her lithe body, the dash of freckles across her upper
cheeks. He had persuaded a classmate and his date to give him a lift to her house. Lili had worn a frilly white dress. They had danced. They had danced and danced
Chapter 9
Thirty years ago he had invited Lili Waterson to the prom. June, 1981. They had been friendly, not exactly friends. He liked her perky manner, her lithe body, the dash of freckles across her upper
cheeks. He had persuaded a classmate and his date to give him a lift to her house. Lili had worn a frilly white dress. They had danced. They had danced and danced
[Posted Tue Aug 26]
Chapter 8
Kennet walked the block-and-a-half to Main Street and stood on the corner beside the TD Bank, kitty-corner from a little convenience store. Main Street was deserted. The two vehicles across the street might have belonged to customers of TJ's Variety. The bank was closed; The Rose Café, next to the convenience store, was open; all the other stores were closed. It was Labour Day. The day on which thou shalt not labour . . . unless thou art snitching.
Chapter 8
Kennet walked the block-and-a-half to Main Street and stood on the corner beside the TD Bank, kitty-corner from a little convenience store. Main Street was deserted. The two vehicles across the street might have belonged to customers of TJ's Variety. The bank was closed; The Rose Café, next to the convenience store, was open; all the other stores were closed. It was Labour Day. The day on which thou shalt not labour . . . unless thou art snitching.
[Posted Fri Aug 22]
Chapter 7
The paddlers stopped behind the island. From his bottle Kennet gulped long drafts of water. That noise? repeated Kennet. It sounded like a truck, said Marcus. Kennet confirmed it was a truck. He related his experiences, including the harvesters spotting him and giving chase. Sounded like a shot too, said
Marcus. Kennet said nothing. Marcus didn't need to know.
Chapter 7
The paddlers stopped behind the island. From his bottle Kennet gulped long drafts of water. That noise? repeated Kennet. It sounded like a truck, said Marcus. Kennet confirmed it was a truck. He related his experiences, including the harvesters spotting him and giving chase. Sounded like a shot too, said
Marcus. Kennet said nothing. Marcus didn't need to know.
[Posted Tue Aug 19]
Chapter 6
It was half-light when Kennet picked up Marcus. He had started from Thunder Bay at three-thirty in the morning and stopped in Nipigon for breakfast at the Husky restaurant. He couldn't count on anything being open in Beardmore or Geraldton. As he ate his pancakes, he kept glancing at the Kia in the parking lot, the twin kayaks on the roof. If he got scratches on them, let alone bullet holes, Yvette would murder him.
Chapter 6
It was half-light when Kennet picked up Marcus. He had started from Thunder Bay at three-thirty in the morning and stopped in Nipigon for breakfast at the Husky restaurant. He couldn't count on anything being open in Beardmore or Geraldton. As he ate his pancakes, he kept glancing at the Kia in the parking lot, the twin kayaks on the roof. If he got scratches on them, let alone bullet holes, Yvette would murder him.
[Posted Fri Aug 15]
Chapter 5
Inside the shop, Kennet spotted the long legs that stretched from beneath the '64 Chrysler Imperial, colour black, just like Kenilworth's car. He nudged the scuffed work boots with his foot.
"Coming up for air sometime, Robert?"
Chapter 5
Inside the shop, Kennet spotted the long legs that stretched from beneath the '64 Chrysler Imperial, colour black, just like Kenilworth's car. He nudged the scuffed work boots with his foot.
"Coming up for air sometime, Robert?"
[Posted Tue Aug 12]
Chapter 4
After the local news, Kennet switched off the radio of the Kia SUV. He cracked the window on the
driver's side, letting in the sweet air of the northern bush. Only the occasional flash of bunched yellow leaves signaled the approach of autumn.
He found himself frequently dodging the potholes and wet spots on the Goldfield Road.
Chapter 4
After the local news, Kennet switched off the radio of the Kia SUV. He cracked the window on the
driver's side, letting in the sweet air of the northern bush. Only the occasional flash of bunched yellow leaves signaled the approach of autumn.
He found himself frequently dodging the potholes and wet spots on the Goldfield Road.
[Posted Fri Aug 8]
Chapter 3
How did a packet of cocaine get from Boobas Lake to the lower Kamuck River, forty kilometers as the raven flies?
Kennet had dropped into a fitful sleep the night before with his brain whirling. If it were cocaine.
Chapter 3
How did a packet of cocaine get from Boobas Lake to the lower Kamuck River, forty kilometers as the raven flies?
Kennet had dropped into a fitful sleep the night before with his brain whirling. If it were cocaine.
[Posted Tue Aug 5]
Chapter 2
"Marcus, better you wait here."
Kennet held up his hand in a traffic cop's gesture. Then he stepped stiffly around the nose of the
cab.
The body lay on its back, dressed in working man's clothes. He could see black stubble on the man's face. He smelt the familiar odours.
Chapter 2
"Marcus, better you wait here."
Kennet held up his hand in a traffic cop's gesture. Then he stepped stiffly around the nose of the
cab.
The body lay on its back, dressed in working man's clothes. He could see black stubble on the man's face. He smelt the familiar odours.
[Posted Fri Aug 1]
Chapter 1
The body lay on its back with only the boots exposed.
In the old days they called this region the Lake Superior country. The country was far larger than its namesake Great Lake, though just as wild and desolate. There were no roads then to speak of, only trails, the trails being footpaths or wagon tracks or canoe routes or, the case of the largest lakes, steamboat passages.
Chapter 1
The body lay on its back with only the boots exposed.
In the old days they called this region the Lake Superior country. The country was far larger than its namesake Great Lake, though just as wild and desolate. There were no roads then to speak of, only trails, the trails being footpaths or wagon tracks or canoe routes or, the case of the largest lakes, steamboat passages.
[Posted Tue Jul 29]
1961 - Camp 58
His horse forged through the young saplings, dragging the clutch of limbless trees along the torn-up trail.
The warm liquid trickling down his throat: that sensation dominated his thinking. The familiar odours of hops and barley wafting up his nostrils. That first drink. Oh the pure, pure pleasure of the first room-temperature draft.
1961 - Camp 58
His horse forged through the young saplings, dragging the clutch of limbless trees along the torn-up trail.
The warm liquid trickling down his throat: that sensation dominated his thinking. The familiar odours of hops and barley wafting up his nostrils. That first drink. Oh the pure, pure pleasure of the first room-temperature draft.