Cutting Right to the Chase Vol.2 - 10x1000 word stories of unusual crimes: Chase Williams Detective Short Stories, #2

By Stefania Mattana

Italian cities and daily dramas go hand in hand, usually if a British detective is involved. Flash fiction at its best in Cutting Right to the Chase Vol.2

The flash fiction detective saga involving former MET office Chase Williams continues, and gets even darker than ever.

After the acclaimed success of the Vol.1 of detective short stories set in sunny Tursenia, Chase is back and dives into ten new mysteries, all 1000 words in length.

Chase stumbles upon everyday crime stories involving stigmatized people in modern society.
Depression, euthanasia, fame and drugs are themes that can easily turn into crime offences.

Although the city of Tursenia keeps looking stunning and peaceful, there's a lot of bad stuff happening in the background.

Take Chase's lead and discover the daily dark side of the most genuine Italy.

****What readers say about flash fiction Cutting Right to the Chase Vol.2****

"I got enchanted by the vivid images of Italy delivered."
Germano Dalcielo, Top 500 reviewer Amazon.it

"I read it in one sitting and wanted more."
Avid reader, reader on Amazon.com.au

"Excellent writing, unique plots with plenty of unexpected twists, captivating characters…a definite win-win."
MtnMoxieChic, reader on Amazon.com

"With Chase, every situation is unique and totally unexpected."
Sheryl, reader on Amazon.com

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stefania Mattana
• Release date: Mar 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310948923

Stefania Mattana

Stefania Mattana writes mystery and detective novels because she's a snooper. She and her main character Chase Williams, a former MET officer, have swapped locations, so she now lives in London while he enjoys the Italian life. Stef is an avid reader and a keen runner. Ever present on the internet, has written many nonfiction and fiction books, but she's having a blast with the Chase Williams Murder Mystery Book Series. When she's not writing or practising the dark art of digital marketing, she stalks dogs.

Book preview

Cutting Right To The Chase Vol.2

10x1000 word stories of unusual crimes

By Stefania Mattana

Copyright - 2016 Stefania Mattana

Published by Smashwords

All rights reserved

www.eraniapinnera.com

www.chasetwilliams.com

Cover by Alessandro Burelli - maestroambrosiano.tumblr.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. For information, email [e-mail]

Needle of the Devil

There was tension in the neighbourhood. Chase Williams felt it walking down the street and seeing his neighbours’ faces. Giulia, the girl who lived one floor above him, said there was something going on between Signora Paoletta Testi and Pollicino – again. And she was right. When there was something wrong and the whole neighbourhood was in an uproar, it was always because of Paoletta and Pollicino.

No one in the neighbourhood, to tell the truth, knew how the war between them started: Fortarrigo Lorenzetti said it had always been that way, ever since Pollicino was a child and Paoletta a desperate housewife obsessed with cats. The same cats Pollicino used to chase for fun. That’s why she started disliking him.

On the other hand, Marcella, the owner of Mangia Buono, the traditional Tursenian deli shop near Chase’s place, claimed that Pollicino used to target Paoletta and never missed an opportunity to humiliate her in the public square. But the reasons for his stance, however, remained a mystery to Marcella.

In short, the neighbourhood was split into two factions, like a traditional feudal war but set in a historical quarter of contemporary Tursenia. Chase, as a newcomer, was neutral; however, that was not good, to quote Marcella.

"You have to make a decision, mio caro. You have to choose a side," she said to Chase.

I’m on Paoletta’s side, Giulia once revealed. Luciano always growls at Pollicino, and I trust his instincts.

Chase looked at Giulia’s dog’s big eyes. Animals always had good instincts, but classifying that tiny fleabag as an animal was pretty hard for Chase.

Eventually, and reluctantly, he had to adapt himself to the customs of his new city, but he did it in his own way. He decided to go directly to both parties concerned to learn more.

Approaching Paoletta was not hard. She had always liked Chase, like every mother and grandmother.

He found her feeding pigeons on a field outside the Etruscan Walls, singing an Italian song.

How’s it going between you and Pollicino? asked Chase, after a brief chat about the weather and cats. I can feel in the air that something’s going wrong. Are you okay?

Paoletta turned to him with a dark face. Chase had never seen her look so foreboding.

You’d better watch out, Chase. He’s passed over to the evil side.

Chase blinked. Had he understood correctly?

He’s a Satanist, she barely managed to say in a whisper, then she blessed and kissed the cross on her necklace.

What?! Chase exclaimed. He’d never liked religious matters, but this was not about religion. This was something worse.

Yes, she whispered again, throwing the last piece of bread she was holding to the ground and coming to stand very close to Chase. "He and his wife are practising Satanic rituals. I know it. That’s deadly serious, Chase. Poor San Gabriele Arcangelo, his church is right in front of Pollicino’s house!" She