The Singing Shooters

By Geoffrey A. Feller

Natalie Dvorak Mysteries #2

Following a suspension after closing the Mercury Man case, Detective-Sergeant Natalie Dvorak is back on the job with the Vermont State Police at full rank. Her latest case has Dvorak on the trail of brutal killers whose crime complicates Dvorak’s own personal life, threatening someone she holds dear. A demo tape of songs containing racist lyrics proves to be a vital clue to the murderers’ identity, suggesting they will fight to the death rather than surrender. To catch the Singing Shooters, Sergeant Dvorak seeks help from a hostile teenage girl and an old flame she once put in prison.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Geoffrey A. Feller
• Release date: Dec 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301019908

Geoffrey A. Feller

I was born fifty-seven years ago in the Bible belt but grew up in a Massachusetts college town. I am married and my wife and I have moved frequently since we met. We've lived in Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New Mexico, as well as a brief residency in Berlin, Germany. I have worked peripherally in health care, banking, and insurance. In addition to writing, I have done a bit of amateur acting and comedy performances. I am afraid of heights but public speaking doesn't scare me. My wife and I live in Albuquerque with our chihuahua.

Book preview

THE SINGING SHOOTERS

by Geoffrey A. Feller

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 by Geoffrey A. Feller

CHAPTER ONE

LATE APRIL

Natalie Dvorak was at her brother Henry’s house in Colchester, outside of Burlington. It was a newly-constructed A-frame back in the woods and Natalie was sitting alone at a wooden table on a deck in the back. She had a bottle of red wine with her, sipping a glass before dinner. Natalie was in a melancholy mood, not really enjoying the warm spring weather.

She could hear the engine of the car belonging to her brother and his wife coming up the road. Margaret, Natalie’s sister-in-law, was returning from running errands in the city after Natalie had declined the offer to join her. She liked Margaret, a sweet and kindly woman who had emigrated from London as a college student, but Natalie simply felt reclusive thanks to a career setback and a messy romantic situation.

Henry was leaving her alone, busy at work in his study grading papers from his students at the University. This was her big brother, eight years older than she was; Henry had taken care of her in various ways her whole life. The Colchester house was a real refuge.

A few minutes later, Margaret pulled open the sliding glass door to the deck. In her mild English accent, she sang out: Look who I found at the bus station!

Natalie looked up and saw none other than her favorite niece Melanie, walking out onto the deck, carrying an empty wine glass.

There was a special connection between the two; they had been born almost twenty years to the day apart. Both were small women with brunette hair and the dark blue eyes typical of the Dvoraks. On the other hand, Melanie’s face was heart-shaped like Margaret’s while Natalie’s was angular with a more prominent nose than the cute little upturned thing her niece sniffed with. Natalie’s hair was down to her shoulders while Melanie’s was trimmed short, athlete-style.

Melanie! Natalie exclaimed, leaping up from the table.

Auntie!

They hugged each other in a lingering embrace, Natalie lightly kissing Melanie’s lips. Then she gazed at her niece as they stood face-to-face.

You haven’t gotten any taller on me, have you?

No, same thing on my last checkup, Melanie replied as they went to sit at the table. Still barely over five feet. I guess I’ll never grow that one more inch I need to overtake you.

Hang in there, sweetie. Someday, I’ll begin to shrink. But I can tell you’ve lost weight. You look like you could do gymnastics again.

I’m in better shape now than I was in high school, Melanie said with a smug smile. I’ve been working out a lot; I want to be like you.

You always did, Natalie remarked as Melanie poured herself a glass of wine.

So true!

What are you doing here? The semester’s not over for another month at least, right?

I can take a weekend away from Radcliffe to cheer you up. Mum told me all about your suspension.

Oh, God! Natalie exclaimed, leaning her head back. Thirty days without pay! Serves me right, though. That fucked-up arrest got a citizen killed and a fellow officer wounded. I swear, if I hadn’t’ve caught that son of a bitch myself they would’ve sent me back to the Field Force to write speeding tickets. I might’ve even ended up being a meter maid again. It’s a good thing my lieutenant likes me as much as he does. At least I’ll still be detective-sergeant when they let me come back to work. I have to requalify on the shooting range, though.

Aren’t you a good shot?

I could be better. Shot my own boyfriend when I was trying to hit the killer.

And what’s going on with that? With… Dan, isn’t it?

He moved out of his house. He and Michelle are separated now. He’s filing for divorce.

Moved in with you?

No, Dan still has his job as Holbrook Town Constable so he needs to live in that town, not in Pittsford with me. I think we’ll be moving in together eventually.

So you’ll move in with him where he is now?

No, he’s renting a trailer. That’s not for me.

I guess not! Melanie reacted with a laugh.

"I have an idea of where we could live, away from that store his wife owns, but never mind that now. I’m really glad you’re here, Melanie."

Thanks.

"Of course I’m always glad to spend time with you but…

But what?

Could you see me as a wicked stepmother to Elaine? Natalie asked as she looked into her wine glass.

Yes, Melanie replied without hesitation.

Natalie looked up and smiled wryly.

She can’t help resenting you for breaking up her parents’ marriage, Melanie said, folding her hands on the table. Even if the coolest chick of all time came between my father and mother, I wouldn’t like it.

But if you knew the other woman before, Natalie responded, knew her and looked up to her, do you think you could get over it?

Melanie smiled and gave Natalie a shrug.

I think a lot of it has to do with how Dan’s ex is handling it, she said. What’s her name again?

Michelle.

As a daughter, I wouldn’t excuse the other woman if my Mum was crying her eyes out over losing her husband to that bitch.

Natalie winced at the word bitch but accepted its context. She usually smiled when Melanie said Mum for Mom but not this time. Sadly, Natalie looked into her glass again.

Elaine was always so nasty to Michelle, she said. And I know that doesn’t mean I should have expected her to welcome this situation. I guess I was selfish thinking that Elaine might put the blame on Michelle; blame Michelle in that she could see why Dan would choose me over her.

"Well, maybe she does see it, Melanie suggested. Sees why you’d be attractive to her father. But she doesn’t have to like it."

Natalie swallowed a mouthful of wine.

If only Elaine hadn’t told me that she wished I was her mother instead of Michelle.

When did she say that?

Natalie responded with a short, bitter laugh.

Three damn days before I exposed the affair!

Melanie smiled and sipped her own wine before saying: "Guess maybe she didn’t mean it? I think fifteen year olds don’t always say what they mean."

Natalie sighed and closed her eyes.

She’ll get over it, Auntie darling, Melanie said, using her mother’s accent playfully. She adored you before and you’re the same super woman she fell in love with. But… Melanie’s American cadence returned. …I still think Michelle’s key to everything. Has she tried to scratch your eyes out?

She’d never do that.

"Because she knows you have a black belt in taekwondo?"

Natalie shook her head.

No, because Michelle is the sweetest, kindest woman I’ve ever met.

"Oh, you are a bitch!"

Although her niece was teasing, the comment still hurt. Natalie didn’t complain, feeling that she deserved such an insult. But Melanie reached over and squeezed Natalie’s forearm.

I’m sorry.

Never mind. But anyhow, from what Dan’s told me, Michelle’s just been heartbroken and miserable, not—outwardly—angry.

Oh.

They seemed so compatible, I don’t know what made Dan even interested in me. He’s such a nice guy himself; they go together.

Not anymore.

Natalie sighed irritably.

"What I’m saying is, why should Dan trade her for a flat-chested little thing like me? He could stand and kiss Michelle without bending down; she’s so fat and cuddly with those big Swedish boobs and that thick, long hair…"

Natalie noticed the look on Melanie’s face.

She’s too old for you.

"No, Melanie said, smiling impishly. Not too old for me… although I might be too young for her."

And too female.

"Too Dvorak for sure, Melanie said with a wink. Sorry. So how long had they been together? A year or two before Elaine came along?"

I think so.

So maybe Dan wanted a change. Someone who looked a lot different than Michelle.

And who isn’t as nice as she is.

Maybe it’s not a question of nice and not-nice, Melanie suggested. Maybe it’s a matter of strong versus passive, assuming Michelle’s passive.

Natalie considered the argument. She’d been accepted by Michelle as a family friend but Natalie’s observations of the woman had been limited. Passivity often went along with kindness.

It could be what makes Elaine so frustrated with her, Melanie continued. "I, uh, used to feel impatient with Mum and you know what a sweetheart she is."

Natalie nodded. It seemed to make good sense but didn’t suggest a solution for winning Elaine over.

Could you, maybe, sometime this summer, talk with Elaine for me? Natalie asked cautiously. Teen-to-teen?

Melanie shook her head and picked her wine glass up.

No, that’s a bad idea.

Why? Natalie asked.

"One of the worst things you can do is try too hard to make Elaine like you again. She’s mad at you, right? Elaine knows that you know she’s mad at you. She won’t appreciate anything that looks like you’re trying to butter her up."

Then Melanie added in a mildly sarcastic tone: "We teens hate that!"

Natalie laughed with gratitude.

"Just be yourself, be mindful of Elaine’s feelings, and then let her come to you. That, dearest Auntie, is my advice."

CHAPTER TWO

MONDAY

Elaine Moritz was considering whether to smoke a cigarette. She was standing out behind the family store, Caswell’s grocery in Holbrook Village, hiding from her mother. Her friend Lilly had slipped a half-empty pack of Camel Lights to her the day before but so far Elaine hadn’t worked up the nerve to smoke one.

Her parents weren’t smokers and otherwise disapproved of cigarettes, even though tobacco products were for sale at Caswell’s. Still, there had been a smoldering rage in Elaine lately that made her careless of her own well-being. It was a cool