Remembering 9/11 - Never Forget - Never Again

Have You Forgotten - Darryl Worley

I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for

Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6yLQRF-cEU

9/11/11 - Ten Years After

Do you remember where you were that terrible day ten years ago? I do, and I remember the aftermath. No, I wasn't at the WTC, hell, I wasn't even in NYC. I was thousands of miles away here in Texas. I remember watching as the first tower burned. I didn't see the first plane hit but recall people saying what a terrible accident it was. Then we all watched in horror as the second plane came around and crashed into the second tower. Then we knew it was no accident.

I was working out near D/FW Airport at the time and recall the days following the attacks. It was almost eerie not hearing the constant jet traffic that normally flew in and out of one of the busiest airports in the U.S. Even worse was when a lone fighter jet would scream overhead and scare the hell out of us. Eventually things went back to normal, or at least as normal as they could be after such a horrendous event.

So, where were you that day? What do you remember?

In honor of this upcoming anniversery, I will be posting the Indie Author in the Spotlight on Saturday instead, along with the Guest Author Interview.

Sample Sunday - Excerpt from Chapter Twenty Nine of Storm Rising

Sunday September 20th, 10:00 A.M. Yonkers

Home of Kelli Storm

    Kelli sat at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee and mulling over the nights events. Last night was a bust. After convincing the two uniforms to leave, she went into the club. She counted fifteen customers, six dancers, two servers and the bartender. The two men she was looking for weren’t there.

    She sat at the bar nursing a club soda until Kevin showed up thirty minutes later. He wasn’t pleased that she went inside without him, and let her know it.

    She convinced him to give it another half hour and finally left in frustration. She knew they were there, most likely in some hidden back room. Without a warrant or exigent circumstances, her hands were tied.

    Kevin walked in and poured a cup of coffee. He sat down across from her and shook his head. “That was a pretty stupid stunt you pulled yesterday. What were you thinking? If those guys saw you in there…”

    “Yeah, I know. I just wanted to get a closer look, see if I recognized them.” She sighed and tilted her head back. “I’ve got a gut feeling that place is the center of the operation in the city. I know Santoro is linked to that club. He has to be working for the Colombian. I just need proof.”

    “Well, we can’t just bust in there without it. Was there anything linking the shooter you killed back to the club, or to Santoro?”

    “Not a fucking thing. I’m telling you, these guys are smart. The guy was a hired gun, and they probably paid him in cash, no paper trail. We ran him through the system and there was nothing tying him to Santoro, or any of the known cartels.”

    Kevin leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “What about Farnsworth? You think he’d be willing to help? He has to know something.”

    Kelli laughed. “Are you kidding? I’m the last person he’d want to help. Shit, Kevin. The guy blames me for his UC getting killed and being kicked off the task force.”

    “It was just a thought, shit. You got any ideas?”

    She shook her head and sighed. “Other than watching these guys, no. Unless…”

    “Unless what?”

    Kelli waved a hand at him and flipped her cell open. Thumbing through her phonebook, she smiled at one of the entries. “Yes, I’ve still got it.” She pressed the call button and waited. She looked at Kevin and he had a puzzled look on his face. “It’s Dan Davis. He works in Narcotics and he was on the JTF with Farnsworth.”

Coming Attractions

Check back this Sunday for a new "Indie Author in the Spotlight", Dax M. Tucker, author of "The Leaf Catcher". This Saturday I will also be interviewing author Joe Crubaugh. Additionally on Saturday, you will have the opportunity to meet four of the MWSA 2011 Award Nominees. So be sure to check back this weekend for these and other post.

Excerpt from Chapter Twenty Eight of Storm Rising

   If the lieutenant found out what she was doing, he would have her badge. At least Kevin was onboard with it, though she would have done it without his okay.

   She wanted to find out more about this Columbian, and to do that she had to follow his crew, and this place seemed to be at the center of his world. She just had to wait. Eventually she would spot Santoro, or another one of the Columbian’s crew. Then it was just a matter of following them.

   She borrowed Kevin’s Expedition, since the shop still had her car. She didn’t want to get her mother’s Cadillac shot up, if things got messy. She just hoped things didn’t get messy. Well, Kevin needs to get a new car anyway. This thing is falling apart.

   From her position down the street, she could see anyone going into or leaving the club. So far, it was slow, with only about a half a dozen men going in, and two leaving. She didn’t recognize any of them.

   Her cell phone rang and she glanced at the caller ID. Crap, Kevin, you know I’m on a stakeout. She flipped it open. “What do you need, Kevin. I’m a little busy right now.” She could hear the sharp tone in her voice and quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, Kevin. It’s just been a long day out here. What is it?”

   “Well, I was calling to let you know I was coming down to meet you, but now I’m not so sure I want to.”

   “Kevin, I said I was sorry. Actually, having you here would make this easier. I never did like solo stakeouts.”

   “Yeah, neither do I. So, where are you exactly?”

   “Just up the street from Cheetahs. How are you going to get here anyway? I’ve got your car.”

   “I borrowed Mike’s car. He owes me a favor.”

   “Mike? The same Mike that was your best man? The one that took you out the night before our wedding and got you shit faced drunk?”

   Kevin laughed. “Yeah, that’s the guy. He still goes out on weekends and gets shit faced. That’s kind of why he owes me.”

   “You don’t still…”

   “Oh no, I don’t. I quit a long time ago.”

   “Okay. You know I had to ask. Now get your ass down here. Do you think you can grab us something to eat on the way? I’m starved.”

   “Sure, no problem. I’ll grab some burgers or something. That okay?”

   “Burgers, a side of beef, whatever, I don’t care. Just get something and bring it.” She hung up and set the phone down. Damnit, why do I do that? If I keep that shit up, he’s not going to stick around.

Storm Rising receives another 5 Star review

Review by: Christopher David Petersen on Aug. 21, 2011 :
I rarely read crime novels, but this one drew me in. It was fast paced and lots of action... a real page turner. I think I may now be a genre convert - lol.

I loved the main character's tough, no nonesense personality and her perseverance to overcome every obstacle (which there are many!). The story moved along very well and was obviously well researched by the author. As I said earlier, I don't normaly read crime novels, but I'm sure this one ranks up there with the best. It was THAT good!

I highly recommend it to others.

Sample Sunday - Excerpt from Chapter Twenty Six of Storm Rising

   She exited onto McLean and got into the left turn lane, waiting for the light. Glancing in her rearview, she noticed a black SUV a few cars back. It was a black SUV that pulled in behind Bill and Sherry and shot up their car. The light changed and Kelli made her turn.

   She watched the SUV make the turn and speed up, moving into the right lane and passing the other cars. Kelli saw that the light ahead was ready to change, and sped up. The SUV picked up speed and ran the red, causing two other cars to collide.

   Kelli was forced to slow down by the traffic ahead, and the SUV pulled in behind her. Her heart began to race, and so did her mind. There were too many people on the streets, and she knew if there was gunfire, innocent civilians could get hurt.

   She made a quick right and sped up. The SUV followed, squealing its tires as it made the turn. Kelli raced past the houses, sounding her horn as she approached intersections. She knew exactly where to lead them, Tibbetts Brook Park. She knew that it would be closing soon, and that would minimize possible casualties.

   Kelli checked her rearview and could see the SUV closing. She glanced at the speedometer and saw she was already pushing fifty. She slowed, made a sharp right and punched the accelerator. She could hear the SUV make the turn a few seconds later. She thought about calling Kevin, but her cell phone was in her purse.

   Her destination was still several blocks away, and the driver of the SUV was pushing it. She saw her next turn coming up and took it, tires screeching on the pavement. Glancing in her side mirror, she could see the SUV skid into the turn. She pushed the gas pedal to the floor, knowing that her next turn would be coming up soon.

   The SUV was closing again, and she knew she couldn’t let the driver catch up. She saw her turn ahead and pushed her car to its limits. She slowed, made a left and punched it again.

   She passed the High School track and the road began to curve, forcing her to slow. The SUV closed and rammed her from behind. The car lurched forward, and she fought for control. There were still houses around, and Kelli knew she had to make it to the park.

   She pressed her foot on the accelerator and the car leapt forward, leaving the SUV behind. She crossed Midland Avenue and entered the park. The road took a sharp curve to the right and she took it wide, maintaining her speed.

   The SUV closed again, and Kelli decided it was time to put an end to the chase. She slammed on the brake and spun the wheel to the right, spinning the car sideways and coming to a stop in the middle of the road. She jumped out and drew her Glock.

   The SUV screeched to a stop and three men jumped out, one with an AK-47, the other two with handguns. Kelli took cover behind the car, her Glock aimed at the three men. “NYPD, drop your weapons.”   

   The men advanced and began firing. Kelli dropped to the ground while bullets pelted her car, and glass showered her.

   After several minutes, the shooting stopped and she moved to the rear of the car. She looked to see where the men were, and could see they had moved closer. They were changing out clips and watching the front of the car.

   She knew this was her only chance. She stood up, her Glock ready, and fired on the men. Caught by surprise, the men fumbled for their weapons. Kelli hit the man closest twice in the chest and he went down.

   The other two brought their weapons up and swung around to face her. She hit the next man in the right shoulder, causing him to drop his weapon and fall to the ground. The third man began firing, and she took cover.

   She kept low and moved to the front of the car. The man was firing wild, spraying her car from front to back. She waited until he stopped and was about to make her move, when she heard someone shouting in Spanish. She peeked over the hood and saw the third man helping his wounded friend off the ground.

   They made their way back to the SUV and climbed in. The SUV backed up and turned around. She watched as it sped off, leaving her and the dead man behind. She stood up and sighed, brushing the glass out of her hair.