Bring Down the Furies Excerpt

Bring Down The Furies
Sherman’s troops burned it the first time. Now a serial arsonist threatens a small South Carolina town and private investigator Quint Mitchell is caught in the backdraft. When Quint follows the “Heartthrob Bandit” to the hamlet of Allendale, he finds himself in the crossfire of an ugly cultural war between an ultraconservative minister and the scientist who may have discovered proof of the oldest humans ever found in North America. As the heat grows more intense, arson turns to murder, and Quint is embroiled in a growing firestorm that threatens to destroy Allendale for the second time. A media frenzy surrounding the clash of faith and science whips emotions to a fiery crescendo. With time running out, Quint is the only man standing between a vicious killer with nothing to lose and his plan to bring down the furies on Allendale and Quint.

Excerpt

As a private investigator from another state, I had no legal justification for apprehending a wanted man. Hell, even a PI living in Allendale couldn’t arrest anyone. Wrong kind of badge. My intention had been to locate DeAngelis, which I had, then call the sheriff. Let the locals deal with him. Nesbitt’s attorney was prepared to alert the local police and have the Heartthrob Bandit extradited to Florida.

That was still my plan, until the door to room 18 swung open and DeAngelis stepped out. He carried an overnight bag and a slim aluminum attaché case, which he locked in the trunk before returning to the room. I hugged the outside wall of the motel, weighing my options. I could dash back to my car and follow him. But he might give me the slip before I pulled the car around. I could tackle him in the parking lot when he returned to his car. Too public. I’d rather do this quietly. Taking him in his room seemed the best option. Nothing in DeAngelis’ file indicated he was violent. All of his crimes had been of the passive variety, walking away with his victims’ savings, leaving behind broken hearts. Even so, I’d tucked my Smith & Wesson into the waistband of my jeans as a precaution. My shirt hung out, long tails covering the gun. Quickly forming Plan B in my head, I decided to confront him before he returned to the car, and detain him until the law arrived. Although he seemed to be in good shape for his age, I didn’t think he’d fight. Everything I’d read about DeAngelis described him as gentle and well mannered. He might try to sweet-talk his way past me, but I wasn’t a gullible old woman. Maybe he’d make a break for it and try to outrun me. Like that would happen. No, he wouldn’t argue with a .38 in his face. Then I’d call the local constabulary and hope they’d understand why I took the law into my own hands. Stepping up to the door, I knocked sharply and waited.

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About Author Parker Francis
Parker Francis
Parker Francis is the pen name of author Victor DiGenti. As Parker, I write gritty, fast-paced mysteries filled with murder, violence and laced with humor. The first in my Quint Mitchell Mystery series was MATANZAS BAY, an award-winning adventure set in the nation’s oldest city. The second in the series, BRING DOWN THE FURIES, takes PI Mitchell to Allendale, SC where he becomes embroiled in an ugly cultural war and comes face to face with a serial arsonist. In my first life I worked for the Public Broadcasting stations in NE Florida with diverse duties that included public affairs producer, director, reporter, fundraiser and producer of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. My first three books were written using my real name. They were adventure/fantasies with a feline protagonist. The WINDRUSHER trilogy won multiple awards and attracted readers of all ages. Parker (aka Vic) lives in NE Florida with his wife and their rescued cats who tolerate them as long as their bowls are filled and litter boxes emptied.

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