Free Fiction Monday: Patriotic Gestures
1960sAmerican flagcrimefemale protagonistsflag burningforensicsGulf Warmilitarymysterypolice proceduralprotestingshort storiessmall townsUnited States

Crime scene investigator Pamela Kinney hears the bad guys outside her house and smells smoke, but only realizes the next morning the crime they committed—burning the flag that had covered her daughter’s casket.
Her police colleagues call it a small crime, but she disagrees. She must solve it, and she must solve it now.
Chosen as one of the best mystery stories of 2009, “Patriotic Gestures” explores the fine lines that run through American culture, and sometimes through Americans themselves.
“Patriotic Gestures” by New York Times bestselling author Kristine Kathryn Rusch is free on this website for one week only. The story is also available in ebook here.
Patriotic Gestures
Kristine Kathryn Rusch
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Above all the poignant beats of the story, I appreciate how you trust the readers (like me) to come to their own conclusions. I like to think the one I came to is worthy of the story. Thank you.