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    On the Wings of Murder
    On the Wings of Murder
    On the Wings of Murder
    Ebook160 pages2 hours

    On the Wings of Murder

    By GiAnna Moratelli

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    About this ebook

    When a small plane goes down just after take off, Joe Novelli is suspicious that pilot error may not have been a factor, but that the pilot and passenger may have been murdered. The problem is, no one else was around. So how could they have been murdered if they were the only ones on the plane?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGiAnna Moratelli
    Release dateAug 8, 2013
    ISBN9781301890187
    On the Wings of Murder
    Author

    GiAnna Moratelli

    Born in El Paso, Texas, I grew up in Iowa and was lucky enough to have parents that that had money to travel, a truck and 45' fifth wheel, and liked to travel. I've been in almost all of the fifty states, from the east coast to the west and have visited small bits of Canada and Mexico. As a major in history, I've visited the battlefield of the Little Big Horn; on three different occasions, Gettysburg Battlefield, and the Battle of Athens (which most have never visited, it sits on the border of Iowa and Missouri). I've been to as big a places as the Smithsonian Institute and small places as the grave of Chief Wapello located in Agency, Iowa and The Grotto of the Redemption in northern Iowa, which is well worth anyone's time, especially if you like rocks and history. I grew up, as ole horsemen say, on the back of a horse. I started riding by myself when I was three and when I was sixteen I started working at the tracks of Standardbred racing barns during the summers when we weren't travelling. After graduating high school I bought a couple of race horse; a six month old dark bay filly named J.C's "Blitz" DeVane and a little later a yearling sorrel colt named "Breezy" Judge, which I trained and raced myself, only needing to acquire a fair license to do so, compared to those who had pari-mutual license. My horse racing came to an abrupt end a few years later with a barn fire, in which none of the 12 head of horses died, The horse I'm pictured with is Breezy, the best horse I ever owned (and I've owned a lot of horses of different breeds) and passed from this earth when he was 25 years old. I went to college, attended R.O.T.C.; went to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training and earned a B.A. in history. My interest lying mostly in American history. Other than the above, many other experiences in life, and living in different places, have given me good resources for my writing: 1. Staying with my grandparents on their farm when I was very young is where I learned to ride and gave me knowledge of farming, which I later helped a farmer near where I grew up. 2. I work for my father; who is a Certified Public Accountant, doing taxes and bookkeeping. I started working for him when I was in middle school, and after health problems in our family, have come back to help him as of 2019. 3. I managed my dad's used car lot in Fairfield, Iowa. 4. I drove a semi with a 52' trailer over the road for 13 years. 5. I worked real estate and did real estate appraisal as a second job to OTR. 6. I've done construction work (helping my dad and brother put up my dad's office building from the ground up, plus many other projects for my dad, many which included pouring concrete every Fourth of July for more years than I care to think about. 7. I worked for a local manufacture making cabinets 8. While in college I cleaned at a hotel to pay my way through the first two years. 9. After college, while driving OTR (after the RE job) I sub-taught for two years. 10. I worked security for four years. 11. I do know how to cook, make garden and can food. That's my life wrapped up in a peanut shell. I decided to write fiction under my pen name and non-fiction under my real name Linda Scott. Just a good idea I thought to keep the two of them seperate.

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      Book preview

      On the Wings of Murder - GiAnna Moratelli

      On the Wings of Murder

      Joe Novelli Mystery 2

      By

      GiAnna Moratelli

      COPYRIGHT 2013 GiAnna Moratelli

      SMASHWORDS EDITION

      This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Chapter One

      Damn weather, a man snorted as he entered the police station, brushing snow from the sleeve of a heavy black coat.

      Its winter, what do ya expect, Williams? an officer greeted from behind the front counter. At least you’re a detective you get to pick the winter coat you want to wear.

      Hey! Those black police coats are warm, I know better than that, Henderson.

      When’s that new guy getting here?

      As the wind caught the glass door, Dean Williams pulled it closed. You talkin’ about Novelli?

      Yeah.

      Dean frowned, I don’t know. Swift said he would be here first of the year. He took a dark blue stocking cap from his balding head, shaking the melted snow from it. Why?

      Just wondered. Thought he’d be here by New Years Day. That would start him out right, Adam Henderson said, as he combed back his golden blonde hair. You’re not too excited about him getting here.

      You think I ought to be?

      Thought you’d be glad to get the help.

      I think he’s scheduled to start the second week.

      Adam shoved is comb into his shirt pocket. Everyone’s workin’ New Year’s aren’t they?

      Far as I know, Dean shrugged, taking off his coat. I think we can handle it.

      Like you have a choice?

      Guess we don’t, do we? Putting his coat on a hanger, Dean hung it on the rack beside the door. It’s been almost six months since Huffman quit.

      Adam nodded. Something like that. This will be what, the third man you guys have been through in a year and a half? He smiled. You’re all just too hard on these guys, Dean.

      Hey! If they can’t handle it, they don’t need to be here. Dean looked at the vacation schedule hanging on the wall. What the hell are you complaining about? You’re off New Years.

      No I’m not! Swift’s not letting anyone off that week. Said he’d probably need everyone on the job. I hope it’s colder than a witch’s tit that week.

      Dean nodded, If it’s keep everyone home, I can handle the cold.

      Well if it makes you feel any better, a woman wearing a street uniform said walking up, it’s supposed to snow. She laid a file on Dean’s desk. Re-pinning her long black hair, she picked up the file and walked down the aisle between the desks to the back office.

      Georgia, you’re just full of good news today, aren’t ya? Dean said.

      Georgia smiled as she pushed open the door with John Swift’s name on it. I know. You just love it, don’t ya? She put the file on the desk. So this new guy, Joe Novelli, she said, walking to Dean’s desk, have you seen a picture of him? Is he good-looking?

      I know what he looks like, and he’s married. Dean said.

      That’s not what I asked?

      He was a heart-throb back in high school. So if he looks anything like he use too, then yeah, I guess.

      You went to high school with him! Georgia said.

      Surprised, huh?

      God, I was hoping he was in his twenties, Georgia said frowning. I should have known better, if he’s old enough to be a dick. So what’s he like?

      It’s not dick, its detective! Dean snapped. I don’t know. He was a real quiet, conservative kind of guy in school. He’s Italian-American, what can I tell ya?

      Is he tall, short? Georgia asked

      Tall, kind of good-looking as I recall. Dean picked up some papers off his desk. I’m sure he’s changed since then. You know how many years ago that’s been? Besides, Miss Kregs aren’t you engaged?

      Georgia nodded, Glad I don’t have to get a description of the bad guy from you. You aren’t any different than anyone else out there I talk too. You give crappy descriptions, Williams. What’d the guy look like, ‘oh, he was average’. She laughed.

      Dean frowned. It’s been thirty-four years ago, George.

      So, he’s what, fifty?

      Fifty-one.

      Adam laughed, According to Dean, everyone’s tall.

      Watch it golden boy, Dean snapped. I’m a very tall, five-foot-six, I’ll have you know.

      Think we could trade him off for a young guy? Georgia asked and smiled, rubbing Dean’s bald head.

      Dean swiped at her hand. I’m not old! I just, matured early.

      * * * *

      The covers on the bed moved. Joe, what are you doing? a woman’s voice asked from underneath them.

      Measuring honey.

      Measuring what? It’s dark under here.

      Constance, you know-.

      A cell phone rang.

      Who’d be calling us here? Joe asked.

      They’re calling your cell, not the hotel.

      I know honey, but… watch your leg. Joe moved to the top of the bed. Rubbing his eyes, he looked at the phone lying on the stand beside the bed and picked it up. Novelli… Kimberly, what are you doing calling this early? Joe looked toward the window, but it was covered by the curtain. I don’t know if it is or not, we’re still in bed, why?... We don’t have to be there till tomorrow, we can spend all day in bed if we want… No, we’ll get there today… Appreciate the wake-up call, I’ll return the favor sometime. Talk to ya later. He laid the phone on the stand.

      Why was your sister calling this early? Constance asked, moving up beside him.

      To tell me it’s snowing in Chicago.

      We’re not in Chicago.

      I know. Joe moved on top of her. She just called to interrupt what honeymoon we’re having

      That’s what you call this?

      It’s the best we’re going to get under the circumstances. So, Mrs. Novelli. What do you want to do this morning?

      Constance smiled, brushing his dark brown bangs out of his eyes. You said we could spend all day in bed.

      I did, didn’t I? But… Although it’s a nice thought, I’m supposed to check in work sometime today.

      I didn’t think we had to be there till tomorrow?

      That’s what I told Kim, but I think Swift’s expecting me to show up sometime today, at least to say hello.

      We can’t help it if the weather’s bad, she said, running her finger down his cheek, along his mustache to his goatee.

      Joe took her hand. You think he’ll understand that?

      Constance sucked on the tips of his fingers. I could explain it to him.

      Picking up a strand of her long, dark blonde hair, Joe rubbed her cheek with it. If you explained it to Swift like that. He’d let you get away with murder.

      He must be an understanding man.

      Let’s say he likes a good-looking woman.

      Chapter Two

      Joe pulled into the parking lot of the Springfield Police Department. Getting out of the car, he looked at the side of the beige 1968 Caprice. It had a white film on it. Now I remember what it was I hated about Illinois, he said as he took Constance’s hand.

      What’s that? She asked, getting out of the car.

      Salt.

      New York has salt and salt water.

      Joe nodded, I don’t know which is worse.

      It’s really cold today, Constance said taking Joe’s hand, as they walked across the parking lot, the wind whipping up under her knee length denim skirt.

      I don’t think we’re going to be having a heat wave soon, Joe said, squeezing her hand. We shouldn’t be here very long.

      Only long enough for you to say hello?

      Something like that.

      Walking into the police station, Joe looked at the blonde haired officer sitting behind the counter, working on some papers. He looked through the glass doors into the precinct and cleared his throat.

      Can I help you?Adam asked not looking up.

      Joe Novelli. I’m here to see John Swift.

      Adam looked up at him. You’re, Novelli?

      That’s what I said.

      I’m Henderson. Adam stood, extending his hand out to Joe. Adam Henderson. We’ve been expecting you, Lieutenant.

      I figured you were.

      The boss speaks pretty highly of you, Lieutenant, Adam said, walking over to the glass doors.

      Does he? Joe asked, watching Adam slid his identification card through a reader, than open the door.

      Taking Constance’s hand, Joe followed Adam through the doors and into the precinct. He glanced around the room at the people working. It was typical of a large precinct with a lot of people in uniform and some not. A female officer was in the process of booking a man and two officers over at the side were telling dirty jokes.

      Joe frowned, ‘Obviously, they weren’t too busy if they had time to sit around and tell jokes.’

      Adam glanced at Dean as he walked past his desk.

      How ya doin’, Novelli? Dean asked.

      Joe stopped and looked at the short, bald-headed man. I know you?

      Dean Williams. We played on the same baseball team in high school.

      Oh yeah. Joe nodded. Catcher, I remember. It’s been a long time.

      Is he the one who hit you with the bat? Constance asked.

      That was someone else, Joe said.

      Tedrow, the first baseman, he’s the one who knocked you out and sent you to the hospital, Dean said. Pissed off the coach, knocking out our pitcher. Gave you a few stitches, as I recall, Dean said extending his hand.

      Yeah, I still have the scar, Joe stated, shaking his hand.

      You still look a lot the same, Novelli. Mustache and goatee, a little heavier, but yeah, you still look the same. He looked at Constance. You didn’t find her in high school. Not with that southern belle accent.

      No, I found her in New York. This is my wife, Constance.

      Nice to meet you, Mrs. Novelli. I better let ya go. Swift’s expectin’ ya.

      Joe nodded, I’ll see you around.

      Oh, I’m sure, Dean said. He looked down the aisle toward the office. Boss is waitin’.

      Joe looked down the aisle at a tall man with black hair and mustache. He hasn’t changed a bit. Putting his arm around Constance, he walked her down the aisle to the office. John, he greeted.

      Good to see ya, Joe. John motioned them into the office. Shutting the door, he gave Joe a hug. It’s been a few years. How ya been?

      I’ve been good. You’re looking fit.

      Still doin’ five miles a day, John said. A lot’s happened since Chicago. He looked at Constance as he motioned toward the chairs in front of his desk.

      Tell me about it. How’s Brooke and kids? Joe asked, sitting beside Constance.

      Brooke and I are divorced, John answered sitting behind his desk. "Hazard of the job. You know how it

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