SK01 - Waist Deep

by Frank Zafiro

  I finished my sandwich and took a long drink of the diet Coke. Then I asked, “What about LeMond?”

  “My understanding is that he’s disappeared,” Harrity said. “The police were unable to locate him for questioning.”

  “Guess he took my advice,” I muttered.

  “It would appear so.”

  I sat in silence for a few moments, finishing my diet Coke. Then I thanked him for lunch and held out my hand. He shook it.

  “See you Monday morning,” he said.

  On my way back to my cell, another prisoner in solitary hissed, “Cop!” at me. The corrections officer ignored it, like I’m sure they’re trained to do.

  So did I. But Harrity was right. News travels fast.

  When the cell door clanged shut, I was alone with my thoughts again. Rolo was on my mind quite a bit. My arrest made the news. Rolo would have to be sweating it just a little. If Kris and I had told the whole story, everything we both knew, he’d be arrested for promoting a juvenile prostitute.

  But when that didn’t happen, he’d realize that I held up my end of our bargain, even if it was after the fact. I didn’t put the cops on him, even though I could have. No more breach of contract.

  I knew I’d be going to visit him after I was released. Not right away, because I was pretty sure that Detective Jack Stone would be tailing me around for a while. He’d probably bring poor Richie Matsuda along. They’d spend all their down time complaining about all the charges I got away with. Stone probably had a nice philosophy about “bullshit” to share, just like LeMond.

  But eventually Stone would have to move on. He’d have no choice. There would always be other cases to work and I’d give him nothing to go on. And then I’d go see Rolo. We’d talk about breaches of contract. We’d work things out and if everything went right, I might even get my dad’s bomber jacket back.

  I had another trip to make, too, and I didn’t care if Stone was still following me when I made it. There was a can of Maxwell House brand coffee, still unopened, in my apartment. I was going to take it and drive downtown. I’d find the real estate building where Clell had taken me in out of the cold and say thank you. I thought a lot about the best way to say it. Then I remembered he was from North Dakota, so I figured a handshake and the Maxwell House would be enough.

  That night, as I tried to sleep, I wondered if I’d see Adam again. Or Katie, for that matter. They’d both gone out on a limb to help me and it almost bit them right in the ass. They had careers to protect. I hoped neither one got into any trouble. With no one saying much about what happened, I figured both were pretty safe. But that didn’t mean that either one would want to see me again.

  I tried to shut my brain off. The world was full of a thousand million what-ifs. I only had the energy left to deal with what was.

  64

  On Monday morning, I sat in court next to Harrity. Everyone was prepared to go through the orchestrated formal dance that was our legal system. The bailiff called, “All rise,” and Judge Petalski entered and sat on the bench. I didn’t remember her from my days on the job, so maybe she wouldn’t remember me. That was some small blessing, at least.

  She was all business, this judge. She asked if both sides were ready to proceed. The DA and Harrity both answered yes. The judge directed that the charge be read. The DA recited the formal charge, full of legal jargon. I barely paid attention.

  The courtroom door creaked behind me. I looked over my shoulder. Matt and Kris Sinderling filed in and took a seat in the front row behind the defendant’s table. Matt shot me a nervous smile. Kris didn’t smile at me, but she did nod. I gave her short nod back.

  I realized then that I might not have saved her. She had a tough road ahead of her. I had no idea which path she would eventually take. For all I knew, she was simply biding her time, keeping up her end of the bargain because she believed that she was protecting LeMond. She could be waiting until the day she turned eighteen and could go to him for good. I hoped not, but she could be.

  “Mr. Kopriva?” Judge Petalski said, getting my attention.

  I looked up to the bench. “Yes, your honor?”

  “How do you plead?”

  I glanced back over my shoulder. Kris was a vision that morning. A beautiful, heartrending sixteen year old girl in a blue and white dress, seated next to her father. If she’d had dark hair instead of blonde, she could have easily been Amy Dugger, still alive and happy.

  Yeah, maybe I didn’t save her. But this time around, I didn’t let her die, either. And that counts for something.

  “Mr. Kopriva?”

  “Guilty,” I said, turning back to face the judge. “I’m guilty, your honor.”

  Judge Petalski nodded. She entered my plea into the record, passed sentence, banged her gavel and set me free.

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to thank all of those who gave this book a critical read at one time or another, including Colin Conway, Sara Griffin, Brad Hallock, Steve Wohl, Kevin Keller and Melanie Donaldson. Thanks for the feedback.

  I would especially like to thank Jill Maser, for her always insightful critique and line edits.

  Lastly, my wife, Kristi. Thanks for having great ideas and being my first reader and biggest fan.

  About the Author

  Frank Zafiro is the pen name for Frank Scalise. Frank became a police officer in 1993 and is currently a captain. He has written and taught courses at the Basic Law Enforcement Academy, written several college courses in police subject matter and co-authored A Street Officer’s Guide to Report Writing.

  Frank is the author of numerous novels and short stories.

  In addition to writing, Frank is an avid hockey player and a tortured guitarist. His wife, Kristi, is about the only person who will watch him do either activity.

  You can keep up with him at http://frankzafiro.com or his blog at http://frankzafiro.blogspot.com. He also writes under his given name and you can check that out at http://frankscalise.com.

  Other books by Frank Zafiro

  Under a Raging Moon

  A violent robber is loose in River City. Meet the cops that must take him down.

  Stefan Kopriva, a young hotshot. Katie MacLeod, a woman in what is still mostly a man’s world. Karl Winter, about to retire but with one more good bust left in him. And Thomas Chisolm, a former Green Beret who knows how dangerous a man like the Scarface Robber can be.

  These are the patrol officers of River City – that mythical thin blue line between society and anarchy. They must stop the robber, all the while juggling divorces, love affairs, internal politics, a hostile media, vengeful gang members and a civilian population that isn’t always understanding or even grateful.

  Written by a real cop with real experience, Under a Raging Moon is like a paperback ride-along. Enjoy the ride.

  Under a Raging Moon is the first River City novel.

  “Engrossing, fast-paced, suspenseful… highly recommended.”

  LJ Roberts, DorothyL Mystery List

  “Gritty, profane, and compelling.”

  Lawrence McMicking, curledup.com

  “If you like McBain, or any gritty police procedural, then Zafiro is someone for you to pick up, enjoy, and then wait for the next book.”

  PJ Coldren, Amazon.com review

  “Under A Raging Moon is an extraordinary crime novel. Like Ed McBain’s Isola, River City is a combination of the best and worst of the human species, and its cops are as complex and haunted as the criminals they battle each day. Frank Zafiro has created a gritty, totally authentic world with believable characters, nonstop action, and snappy dialogue (think Hill Street Blues in Washington state). Don’t miss this book–It’ll keep you turning pages well into the moonlit night.”

  John M. Floyd, award-winning author of Rainbow's End

  “In Under a Raging Moon, Frank Zafiro doesn’t tell you about the mean streets, he takes you to them with clear, concise writing as solid as the asphalt beneath your feet. You feel the tensio
n between those out there to prey and those there to protect. You feel the anxiety of knowing every routine traffic stop could turn into a killing, and every junkie and pusher you bust wants you dead. He also takes you deep behind the badge. His ensemble cast of cops have issues within themselves and with each other and can’t leave them at home any more than we can. You’ll be there with them in the squad room, in the patrol cars and in their favorite watering hole.

  “Frank Zafiro has woven a powerful story with realistic, memorable characters, a suspenseful plot and a climax that will leave you breathless. If you’ve ever wanted to know what it would be like to put on the blue uniform, wear a badge and carry a gun, this one is highly recommended.”

  Earl Staggs, Derringer Award-winning author

  Heroes Often Fail

  The men and women of the River City Police Department are sworn to protect and to serve. But when six-year-old girl is kidnapped off a residential street in broad daylight, each cop must rise to heroic levels. Detectives scramble to solve the kidnapping while patrol officers comb the streets looking for the missing girl. Racing against time, every cop on the job focuses on finding her. Before it is too late. Before they fail her.

  Heroes Often Fail is the second River City Crime Novel

  “[a] complex police procedural with multi layered characters, a rich setting, and plenty of action.”

  Kevin Tipple, independent reviewer

  “[An] affecting novel from a writer who knows not only the job, but the grueling toll certain cases can take on the victims and those charged with upholding law and order.”

  Russel McLean, Crime Scene Scotland.

  "Strap yourself in for this citizen’s ride-along! Frank Zafiro pits cop against perp in the race to save six-year-old kidnap victim Amy Dugger. The problem for the River City PD is that Amy’s abductor isn’t the only creep in town. Zafiro not only drops us right into the precinct during business hours, but he also succeeds at presenting the human side of cops. We come to know these men and women who risk everything to do their duty. We hope they become heroes. And we pray they do not fail."

  Jill Maser, award-winning author of Unspoken

  “Heroes Often Fail is a riveting, intimate account of a parent’s worst nightmare and the men and women of the River City Police Department. The author skillfully portrays the protagonist’s inner conflict. Moving and real. Impossible not to get caught up in the emotional roller coaster crafted by this talented writer.”

  T. Dawn Richard, author of the May List Mystery Series

  “Heroes Often Fail delivers what we've come to expect from Frank Zafiro--sharp-edged dialogue, vivid characters, and an intimate knowledge of the way things work in an urban police department. A tense, frightening tale, and the best River City novel to date.”

  John M. Floyd, award-winning author of Rainbow's End

  “Heroes Often Fail could be one of the most authentic police procedurals I've read. The story appears deceptively simple--a six-year old girl snatched from the streets, but as it jumps around between the lives of the detectives and uniformed officers trying to find her, it adds a more layered, sophisticated texture. Written in short chapters and lean, muscular prose, this is an exceptionally satisfying and engrossing read, and a book that would've made Ed McBain proud!”

  Dave Zeltserman, author of Bad Thoughts

  “A standout amongst police procedurals, Frank Zafiro's Heroes Often Fail does the job of not only showing the nuances of police work, but also the effects of crime on the victims. In a literary world populated (and dulled) by shiny lab technicians and ridiculously elaborate set pieces, Mr. Zafiro never forgets the dirt under the nails approach and the heart of any great story - the characters. The writing is brutally dark and jolting in places, hopeful in others, not an easy balancing act that Mr. Zafiro pulls off seamlessly. A small(er) town offspring of Wambaugh and McBain, it stands amongst the greats and finds enough room to be completely on its own terms.”

  Todd Robinson, editor of Thuglit

  “A riveting, suspenseful novel in both the human condition as well as storyline. Excellent!”

  Cynthia Lea Clark, FMAM Magazine

  Beneath a Weeping Sky

  River City is plagued by a serial rapist. His attacks are becoming more brutal and Detective John Tower is sure that he’ll go from rape to murder if he isn’t stopped soon.

  Meanwhile, the rapes stir up ghosts for both Officer Katie MacLeod and Officer Thomas Chisolm. Both struggle to put those haunted memories to rest even as they are drawn into the center of Tower’s investigation. When a series of mis-steps and near misses push the rapist even further, everyone involved must face their old fears…or be destroyed by them.

  Beneath a Weeping Sky is the third River City novel.

  "Frank Zafiro channels Ed McBain and Joesph Wambaugh in this taut and frightening thriller."

  Simon Wood, author of Terminated

  “Frank Zafiro's River City series succeeds where so many fail of late, in not only delivering whipcrack plotlines, but characters as real as the breath in your lungs. You feel with them, rage with them, and bleed alongside these cops. Mr. Zafiro's writing deserves more than comparison with the greats of the police procedural sect, it holds it's own amongst them.”

  Todd Robinson, editor of Thuglit

  And Every Man Has to Die

  Russian gangs are taking over the River City underworld. The men and women of the police department are the last line of defense against the former Soviet bloc criminals. But both groups will soon learn how far the other will go to win this battle. They’ll learn that the price of victory can be high. They’ll learn that sometimes blood flows...And Every Man Has to Die.

  And Every Man Has to Die is the fourth River City novel.

  “Above all, the crime genre prides itself on pacing, and this is where Zafiro delivers. He knows when a bit of slack only serves to heighten the tension; and the romance, brutality, scheming, arguments, heart-to-hearts, jovial banter, and, of course, death are dished out in just the right amounts in the right places. And Every Man Has to Die is a one sitting read for all the right reasons.”

  E.J. Iannelli, The Inlander

  "Possibly the most complicated and hard hitting novel in the series..."

  Kevin Tipple, independent reviewer

  "The novel has a complex plot...that Zafiro has woven together with seeming ease."

  Debbi Mack, author of Identity Crisis and Least Wanted

  Dead Even: A River City Anthology

  Detectives and mobsters, missing mummies and a shootout with Gypsies – here are fifteen stories featuring major and minor characters from the novels of Frank Zafiro, now given their own chance to shine. The good, the bad, and the in-between of River City come together in this fast-paced collection of theft, mystery, murder and detection, where the heroes of River City will keep fighting until the scales of justice are once again…Dead Even. Some of these stories are action packed, others heart-rending, but all will leave you satisfied.

  "The range of different character voices that Zafiro masters is amazing."

  Asa Bradley, bark

  “Frank Zafiro’s work is the kind readers won’t soon forget. It strikes deep into a reader’s mind and heart creating people and situations so real, they stick with you long after you’ve read the work. From the details of a crime in progress to police banter on and off the job to the gritty particulars of life in River City, Zafiro is a winner. He becomes his characters and you see life and crime and police work through their eyes. It’s impossible to choose a favorite in this collection, they are intertwined and work together in a way that creates a resonance in those who read these tales. Frank Zafiro’s work is powerful and memorable, two things every writer strives for in their work.”

  Joseph R.G. DeMarco, author of Murder on Camac

  “While Dead Even is a great introduction to the characters of Frank Zafiro’s River City novels, it is also a superb collection of short stories. From the heartbreaking, “Th
e Worst Door” to the lethal combination of “Pride Goeth” and “And a Fall Cometh”, Zafiro has something for everyone. These aren’t just crime stories, they are stories that touch on the human emotions of both the cops and the criminals while taking readers on a roller coaster ride through the streets of River City.”

  Sandra Seamans, short story author

  “Frank Zafiro’s stories possess a ring of realism that can only be created by someone who has actually lived the life of a police officer. For readers who are seeking to get as close to the action as possible without being exposed to the dangers of police work, DEAD EVEN: A RIVER CITY ANTHOLOGY will be a real treat. They’ll be transported to a world where they’ll be able to actually see, hear, taste, and smell what it’s like to be a cop—but they’ll get to live to tell about it. Frank Zafiro continues to impress with this one.”

  BJ Bourg, Chief Investigator, Lafourche Parish DA’s Office

  “Hyper-realistic fiction at its best. Come ride along with cops in DEAD EVEN: A RIVER CITY ANTHOLOGY by Frank Zafiro. It's like being in a squad car, taken to a crime scene.”

  O'Neil De Noux, SHAMUS and DERRINGER Award Winning author of the LaStanza New Orleans Police novels.

  “It's rare to find a collection of characters where each one is fantastically well defined-- and particularly rare in the case of crime fiction, where the crime often dominates. Better still, the crimes that Frank puts out for these characters are both plausible and intriguing-- nothing rehashed or recycled. Compelling characters, engrossing plots, and overall, a fantastic collection of shorts, though I would expect nothing less from the author of the River City novels. I would have read it one sitting-- and certainly tried-- but my infant son doesn't understand why I don't want to put down the Frank Zafiro story I'm reading. At least not yet.”