Archive for the ‘English Notebooks’ Category

My friend, Paul Beecroft, has spent a good deal of his life in law enforcement, in England. He’s worked Foot Patrol, Area Car, Instant Response Car and also as a Police Motorcyclist. He’s currently a coroner’s investigator and has traveled all over England, Wales, Scotland and even Germany to investigate crimes.

Paul is an avid falconer, and he’s a pretty darn good writer. Today he’s taken another page from one of his own notebooks to share with us. Please enjoy.

The Old Farmhouse

The moon lights up the landscape of the English countryside

Stars shine in the clear night sky

So quiet, so peaceful

The Tawny Owl glides silently across the field into the trees

Young Rabbits play just outside their burrows

A warm Spring night

“Echo Charlie One One over”

“Go ahead over”

“Report of an intruder at the rear of the Old Farmhouse, occupants are both elderly”

“Yes received, I know them, on my way”

“I’ll get some back up for you”

“Copied, it should be OK though”

I start making

Through the country lanes

No other traffic

Trees block out the moon

Total darkness except for my lights

The eyes of Raynard the Fox shine momentarily before she moves away

Over the crossroads

Pass through the village

A single light shows in one house

Through the narrow roads

Down the track

Bumps, holes, no longer maintained

Headlights show up the farm house

Lights are on

Flash of Blue lights to let them know I am outside

“Hello Rose, they back again?”

“Yes”

“You alright”

“Yes”

“Is Bill alright”

“Yes he’s still asleep”

“They came again”

“Did you see them Rose”

“Sort of, just shadows”

“Where were they”

“Out back, the dogs were really barking”

“There quiet now”

“I know, they’ve gone”

“You see or hear anything else”

“Lots of lights in the field”

“OK, you go indoors and I will take a look around”

I wander around

Check outbuildings

Dogs in Kennels bark as I pass

“Easy girls”, I give them both a pat as I pass

Excited tails wag and they quieten down

I lean on the fence

Look out across the fields

Bathed in moonlight

Nothing moves

The Tawny Owl gives his hoot

His mate replies from the opposite side

Otherwise silent

“Echo Charlie One one”

“Yes go ahead”

“Sitrep please over”

“Yes it’s all in order here, I’ll get back to you”

“Copied”

I recall other times being here

Same call

Was it real I wonder?

Is it possible?

I wander back

“It’s all quiet Rose”

“They’ve gone haven’t they?”

“Yes they have, you go back to bed and get some rest”

“Why do they come here?”

“I don’t know Rose but I don’t think they mean you any harm”.

“I hope not”

“I’ll stay around for awhile Rose, you take care”

“Goodnight, thank you for coming”

I drive out

Return to the road

Ride around

Nothing moving

Peaceful

I look up at the sky

The Moon

The Stars

Nothing else

Nothing out of place

And I wonder

Are we alone?

Is there anyone else out there?

Rose will tell you there is.

*     *     *

Writers Police Academy Updates

Registration is officially open!

Please visit us at www.writerspoliceacademy.com to reserve your spot at this unique event now.

Space for the FATS training is limited to the first 100 people who sign up for it and we’re rapidly approaching that number!

I’m very pleased with the early response to the academy. We’ve been steadily receiving reservations from all across the country and Canada.

* Remember, the hotel also has limited space due to other large events in the area. Please register early and be sure to tell them you’re registering for the Writers’ Police Academy to receive our special rate. If you’ve already registered and didn’t ask for the rate please call the hotel. They’ll make the adjustment.

Our block of rooms is filling quickly.

My friend, Paul Beecroft, has spent a good deal of his life in law enforcement, in England. He’s worked Foot Patrol, Area Car, Instant Response Car and also as a Police Motorcyclist. He’s currently a coroner’s investigator and has traveled all over England, Wales, Scotland and even Germany to investigate crimes.

Paul is an avid falconer, and he’s a pretty darn good writer. Today he’s taken another page from one of his own notebooks to share with us. Please enjoy.

It’s A Beautiful Day

Dawn

6.30 am

Early shift

Sun rising

Warming

Mist rests across the River Thames

Swans and Ducks preening

A clear blue sky

It’s a beautiful day

The town stirs

Shops open

Daily life begins

Breakfast

Coffee

Hot sausages with brown sauce and fresh rolls

Radio

“Echo One One Over”

“Go ahead over”

“Immediate response please, S…….. Woods, start making”

“Copied”

“Dog walker has found a BMW motor car”

“Engine running”

“Hose pipe in exhaust”

“Ambulance contacted”

“Copied, ETA 6 to 7 minutes”

Blues and Twos on

Through busy traffic

Most moving over

Getting closer

Woods in view

Up the long hill

Through the dirt entrance

Open space of car parking area

Lone BMW

Black

Cars skids as we stop

BMW engine still running

Doors locked

Baton

Smack on side window

Smack

Smack

Won’t Break

Partner manages his

Locks sprung

Open rear door

The smell hits

Female tumbles out

Catch her

Hair

Long hair

Brown

Luxurious

Heavy

Freshly washed

Unconscious

Pull her out

My God

Children

Two

One boy, one girl

Pull out the girl

Partner with the boy

Mouth to mouth

Chest compressions

“Give her to me, you do the adult”

Paramedics have arrived

Move to adult

Not breathing

No pulse

CPR

Nothing

No pulse

Not breathing

CPR

Second Paramedic crew arrive

Take over

Five

Ten

Fifteen minutes

An eternity

No response

Dead

All dead

Quiet

No one speaks

Three bodies

Mother, Son, Daughter

All gone

Radio

“Echo One One over”

“Go ahead over”

“Situation is…………………..”

Paul Beecroft

“I see dead people.”