Straits of Fortune - Anthony Gagliano [100]
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe you ought to pray for it.”
“I don’t pray for cars, Mr. Vaughn, only for people.”
I nodded. The rain was urging me to go.
“Thanks for the church,” I said. “Thanks for everything.”
I started to walk toward the car. When I turned back, Mrs. Stuart was still standing there watching me.
“You’re going to have to tell him the truth one day,” I said to her. “I mean, about what happened and all.”
“I know,” she said. “But not yet, not here, and not today. He’s got some years left before he has to know everything. Childhood needs to have some mercy in it.” Her eyes were glistening, but maybe it was the rain.
“Okay,” I said.
“You take care now, Jack Vaughn. My hair’s getting wet. I never thought you were a bad man. Now I know for sure, but just the same, a little church now and then won’t do you any harm either.”
“That’s for sure,” I told her, thinking of Williams, of Matson, of everything. “That’s for sure.”
Then I turned the car south, and the rain escorted me out of the city and onto the highway toward home—or at least Miami. It was still hard to say if they were both the same thing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A special thanks to the creative writing department at Florida International University for their help in the writing of this book.
About the Author
Born in New York City, Anthony Gagliano now lives in Miami Beach, Florida.
www.anthonygaglianobooks.com
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High praise for the hottest, wildest, most
electrifying debut thriller in years
ANTHONY GAGLIANO’s
STRAITS OF FORTUNE
“Straits of Fortune is a smashing debut thriller, evoking all the magic and mystery that modern day Miami has to offer, its mile-a-minute storyline etched in prose as finely chiseled as a body-builder’s six-pack. This guy could end up making the rest of us South Florida crime writers look like 98-pound weaklings.”
Les Standiford, author of
See You in Hell and Havana Run
“Straits of Fortune is a ripping good Florida yarn, part Carl Hiassen, part Randy Wayne White, and first-novelist Gagliano is quick with a good, hard-boiled simile. It’s a safe bet that Jack will be back—and that the many fans of Hiassen, White, and the rest of the Florida crime pantheon will add Gagliano to their list of must-reads.”
Booklist (* Starred Review *)
“Gagliano is a welcome and powerful new voice in the Florida crime scene, deftly gene-splicing Mike Hammer and ‘Miami Vice’ as he takes the beach by storm. Only complaint: I’m left hanging for the follow-up.”
Tim Dorsey, author of Hurricane Punch
“[A] great summer read.”
Contra Costa Times
“Although Florida is awash in top-notch mystery writers…there is always room for more good storytellers who find inspiration in the state’s vagaries…. Anthony Gagliano makes a most welcome debut in the well-plotted, gritty Straits of Fortune….. [An] exciting story…. Gagliano infuses Straits of Fortune with an energized plot reminiscent of early Lawrence Block and Robert Crais…. Gagliano also nails the South Florida background…. This new series is off to a fortunate beginning.”
Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
“A hot, impressive debut thriller…. There are double crosses galore…. Gagliano’s dark, pulse-pounding, action-packed tale is tough to put down; it’s an accomplished tale by an exciting newcomer.”
Lansing State Journal
“Anthony Gagliano has re-invented Florida noir with fresh humor and lovely writing. Hard to believe this is a first novel—it’s got all the right moves. A crime-lover’s dream cruise.”
April Smith, author of
Good Morning Killer and Be the One
“The author takes what could have been a cookie-cutter whodunit and twists the genre to craft a contemporary action-adventure novel well-suited to the summer movie blockbuster crowd. Straits of Fortune begs to be enjoyed with a cool drink at the beach.”
St. Petersburg Times
“Gagliano is a welcome addition to the Miami noir all-stars.”
Florida International Magazine
“Gagliano’s debut crackles with