Arch Patton, Down in the Valley, Chapter 5
Arch Patton DOWN IN THE VALLEY Chapter 5 By J. Strauss “What do you want?” the formerly dangerous man on the bed said, his voice imploring, extending his arms out before him with both palms turned upward in question. “You forgot to ask a few questions you needed the answers to. Answers that would have avoided this very meeting. I thought Virginia was smarter but it appears fairly obvious she left a few things out.” Arch said...
Arch Patton, Down In the Valley, Chapter 6
Arch Patton DOWN IN THE VALLEY Chapter 6 By J. Strauss “Where we goin’ boss?” Matisse yelled from the drivers seat, as Arch got into the old battered convertible. Matisse accelerated away so fast the huge single door on the passenger side slammed with the sound of gunshot. “Cut back across the island,” Arch instructed, with his damaged hand pushed against the dash and the other grasping the top of the door. “We’ll use H3 and cross...
Arch Patton, Down in the Valley, Chapter 7
The Hertz counter was empty when Arch went in to get a car more fitting than Matisse’s Pontiac convertible. There were plenty of cars and Arch didn’t bother to try to negotiate rates. A hundred dollars a day for a Cadillac……
Arch Patton, Down in the Valley Chapter 12
Peeling the duct tape from Virginia’s face was like peeling skin from the surface of a Kiwi fruit. Virginia said nothing. Her eyes spoke for her and there was as much warmth in them as there is warmth emanating from the bottom of blue glacier ice……
Arch Patton, Down in the Valley, Chapter 13
Arch took a seat next to Virginia who acted like he wasn’t there, staring at her upraised menu, as if it offered something other than common island fare. Ahi and Matisse sat across with General DeWare ……
About Me
James Strauss was born into a Coast Guard family during WWII. He’s lived in four countries and twenty-seven states, in places from South Manitou Island in Michigan to Honolulu, Hawaii.
He’s held a variety of positions in many careers, from being a Marine Corps Officer wounded in Vietnam, a college professor in anthropology, a CIA team leader in the field and more recently as a screenwriter and novelist, along with publishing a Lake Geneva, Wisconsin newspaper.
James has published three novels; The Boy, The Bering Sea and The Warrior.