
from Silent Kill by David Fingerman
Today we have with us Officer Louise Miller from the Minneapolis Police Department with us.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Louise Miller and I'm a five-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department. I guess I'll get right out and say it – I'm also gay. Everybody tells me that I've got a chip on my shoulder so I guess I'll believe them.
Officer Miller, tell us about this case. What made this case so special?
Officer Lone Bear was one of the few people on the force who I could call a friend. When his body turned up, the case became more personal than I should have let it. I admit it skewed my thinking. As it turned out, that was only the beginning. Some people went missing and others turned up dead. It became clear we were dealing with a very sick and twisted individual.
What made the case hard to solve?
Don't get me started. First, I have a captain with his head shoved so far up his you-know-what he would only listen to his detectives. He couldn't care less what a lowly officer, and someone who actually might have some knowledge of the case, had to add. There was also a big jurisdictional problem. Crimes were happening across county lines. It seemed everybody's main priority was covering their own butts. Catching a killer seemed secondary. Plus, all that testosterone drove me crazy.
Did anyone outside of the police department help you solve this case?
As much as I hate to give him any credit, I couldn't have solved this without my brother Andrew's help. He's a Hennepin County Deputy Sheriff. And a rookie for God sakes.
Has this case affected your personal life in any way?
Deeper than I'd care to admit. (long contemplative pause, wiping eyes). I guess I'm still recovering – mentally and physically. (another long pause) I'm sorry (gets up). I can't talk about it. Interview over.
The Minneapolis Police Department is fortunate to have an officer with such determination and passion. We thank her for taking the time to be with us and for sharing so much of herself. Our best wishes are with her as she recovers.
David Fingerman lives in Minneapolis. His favorite day of the year is the first day he pulls a flannel shirt out of the closet. After 24 years of working in the court system, he walked away to write full time.
Silent Kill (August 2010), is the first book in the Louise Miller series.He is the author of Edging Past Reality and Spyder. For more information on his books or to order an autographed copy, contact him athttp://davidfingerman.comor http://davidfingerman.blogspot.com.