title: Fantasy Snow Formations: Poetry in a New England Garden
author: Charles Beck
description: Charles R. Beck, professor emeritus of elementary education, has published a book titled, What to Listen For in Opera. He has also written many articles for elementary and secondary journals in language arts, music, science, social studies, and technology.
zlib_text: **THE SIGNAL**
  
    
  
  **A DELPHI GROUP THRILLER**
  
    
  
    
  
    
  
  John Sneeden
  
    
    
    
  For my mom, Ernestine, who gave me my love of books.
  
   **CHAPTER ONE**
  
  RUPERT STERLING WALKED through the heavy London snow. His face was set with
  purpose, and his breath formed billowing clouds that dissipated in the
  darkness. He glanced up at a street lamp and noticed the flakes swirling
  around it like white moths.
  
  The Victoria Embankment, which runs along the north side of the Thames, was
  crowded that night. The snow was the first of the season, and there was
  excitement in the air. Loud tourists made their way toward Westminster and the
  historic sites. Locals, usually on their way home after work, swarmed to the
  local pubs to celebrate winter’s gift.
  
  But Rupert’s thoughts were not on the snow that evening. He kept thinking
  about a text he had received, two days ago, from a friend who had been out of
  touch for almost three years. It had simply read: _Our old spot when you get
  off on Friday night. I