December 29, 2013
I hope everyone
survived the holiday!
My family had a
wonderful day—no traveling, just staying home all nice and cozy with our new
tech gear and good food. I watched more holiday television episodes and said
good-bye to Matt Smith's Doctor. I'm still not quite settled in with the idea
of the new actor, but I'll give him a chance.
Looking forward to
my fave shows returning. Almost Human,
Sleepy Hollow, Arrow, The Tomorrow People, Walking Dead, Sherlock, and probably a few I’m
forgetting at the moment. Currently watching a Farscape marathon on Pivot then switching over to some recorded
stuff I haven't watched yet.
Tonight's post is
from the novella, Ill-Timed Case, a Van Adder Investigations Short. If this
turns out the way I hope, I may have a little series with my main characters. J
Here's the tagline:
Rex Van Adder, private investigator, has more cases than he
can handle. Enter Gracie Lee, a dead body, and Rex scrambles to keep his head
above water, especially since he knows Gracie is involved but can't figure out
how.
And a preview snippet…
Rex Van Adder climbed out of his
automobile and clamped his fedora securely on his head. The rain changed angle
every ten seconds, wind gusts making his trench coat billow out then slap back
against his legs. He trudged forward, giving a nod to the beat cop standing
vigil by the yellow tape, trying to keep the growing crowd back from the crime
scene.
Ducking under the flimsy
barricade, Rex continued forward until he reached the side of the detective in
charge. "Marlow. Care to tell me why you dragged me out on a shit night
like this?"
Avery Marlow held up a white
card. "Found this on our victim." He flipped the card over, the
drenching downpour making the rectangle soggy, but Van Adder Investigations remained legible. "Any idea who this
guy is and why someone wanted him dead?"
Rex slid his gaze sideways,
gauging Marlow's mood. He had a tolerable acquaintanceship with the detective
and worked with him when a situation warranted the need. Rex doubted they'd
ever be true friends—Avery's former fiancé landed in the middle of a messy
sting operation Rex had running and got herself shot up trying to defend the
ringleader—her piece on the side. Marlow walked away with egg on his face and
blamed Rex.
"Van Adder? On a shit night
like this, I've got better things to do than stand around and wait on you to
answer a simple question."
Rex snorted. "Dougray
McGuiness. And his list of enemies would have to be short."
Marlow quirked a brow.
"Why?"
The rain let up and slowed to a
gentle drizzle. Still wet and soggy, but no longer punishing.
Rex considered how much to
reveal. "Just got here. As in yesterday. Very hush hush." He opted
for the full truth. "He wanted to broker a sale of a valuable gem and
called on me to talk security until the exchange could be arranged."
Avery cocked his head. "How
does that make a short list?"
Rex answered. "Only two
people were supposed to know he'd arrived."
Avery pursed his lips. "And
you, right?"
Rex quirked a half-smile.
"And me."
Movement caught his eye. A
beautiful brunette exited the rear entrance of the speakeasy and blithely
strode down the alley like she owned the street. She didn't spare a glance for
the crime scene or try to rubberneck like rest of the growing crowd. A red flag
pinged for Rex—she had to be one of the two who knew McGuiness had arrived. She
would bear watching. Rex started to move, to follow or find out which direction
the woman would head for, but Avery pulled his attention away from the female.
"You're not planning to
leave the city any time soon, are you, Van Adder?"
Rex slid his gaze sideways.
"No, Marlow. I've got cases in play." He craned his neck, trying to
catch a glimpse of the woman. "Vacations are overrated."
Marlow nodded and looked up.
"Why leave the glorious gloom of the city, right?" He pinned Rex with
his gaze. "Goes without saying if you hear anything…"
Rex waved an acknowledgment.
"Yeah, yeah. You'll be my first call." He headed down the alley,
hoping he hadn't lost a potential lead.
Ducking around the corner, he
glanced both ways and found nothing but an empty stretch of street in either
direction.
"Dammit." Rex squinted
through the patchy rain. "Where the hell did you go, beautiful?"
~:~
Gracie leads Rex on
a merry chase and when he finally catches up with her sparks will fly. Of
course. LOL
That's it for this
week.
Cheers!
Skye
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