Arizona Homicide Files - Rena Winters

A Crime Fiction Series Based In Arizona

Arizona Homicide Files by Rena Winters

Series Excerpt

Monday morning, I hit the Arizona Reporter headquarters a little after eight. Here is where all the action takes place at one of America's great newspapers. I stop at my desk and pick up on my phone messages, then go to the office of our Editor, Ralph ‘Specs’ Bornheim. As a reporter, Specs never had the big story or the big headline. To be honest, he was just a journeyman reporter. David V. Sacks, who owns and publishes the Reporter, saw that his real forte was as an editor, so he got him off the street and behind a desk. I realize that I am a bit of a rebel and that Specs resents rebels. Of course, as long as I keep turning in the headline stories, hitting the national wire with solid syndicated pieces and winning awards, my boy Specs can only look disgusted and grumble.

He's sitting behind his big desk, black horned rim glasses framing his flashing eyes, and he listens with a sour look on his face as I fill him in.

"Look Specs, I'm telling you: this Acme Auto story is going to turn into a red hot case. We're talking about a double homicide."

The face scowls and his lips spit his reply. “My name is not ‘Specs’ and this is not a homicide case. I've already spoken with Deputy Morse, and as far as George Williams being a missing person, the whole thing's a joke. Get over to the courthouse and get a hold of a story that's really a story."

Specs is not aware of it, but I have just tuned him out. "Of course, Specs—uh, I mean Mr. Bornheim. I'm off to the courthouse."

I opened his door halfway then get in my parting shot.

"I'm going to get a real story."

I slam the door behind me. I can picture Specs jumping in his chair.

* * *

I find what passes for my car downstairs and get the heap in motion. I work my way through traffic out to the Acme Auto Agency.

The daytime temperature is starting to heat up and the cool interior of the agency feels good. As I start through the showroom, a smiling Bill Broaddus comes to meet me.

"Good morning, Mr. McLain. I had a feeling I might be seeing you today."

"Well, Mr. Broaddus, your ESP is certainly in working order. I need your help. Do you have a home address for both Williams and Severson?"

Broaddus looks pleased with himself as he reaches to the inside pocket of his natty white blazer. "I knew you would be back. I have the information you are requesting right here on this card."

He hands me a neatly typewritten card with the data I need to find the homes of both Williams and Severson. I stick the card in my pants pocket, then ask the question that has been floating around on that tape recorder in my mind.

"I was wondering if there’s anything at all that you noticed about the young client who took the demo ride? Something you might not have remembered before."

His mental marbles roll around for a couple of seconds. "I'm sure it's not important, but I do remember George and the client got to talking about football while they were waiting for Severson to clear off his desk. This young guy, the client, claimed to have been a hot-shot high school quarterback."

"So, he's a former high school quarterback. There's lots of those around."

"That's true, but this young man said he was a left-handed quarterback and he drove other teams crazy. You have to admit you don't see too many quarterbacks who are left handed."

"By any chance, did he mention that he might be going out for varsity football at Arizona State?"

"Funny you ask. George asked him if he was on the ASU squad and he said no. He claimed to have been burned out on athletics by the end of his high school career and had no desire to compete at the college level."

"Well, Mr. Broaddus, at least we know a little bit about your client, but not enough to get excited."

Books In This Series

Crime Components (Arizona Homicide Files Book 1)

Deadly Deed (Arizona Homicide Files Book 2)