Sunday Snippet: Tangled Web

We had a crazy week of weather. Rain, rain, rain, followed by wind, wind, wind. Lost power for a couple of hours and returned some of the neighbor's stuff that ended up in our backyard. Something tells me we're going to pay for a fairly mild winter with a chaotic and wild spring. Can't wait.

Good week on work projects and I finally made headway with clearing out my inbox on my old PC and I'm starting the transfer of files to my new computer. I can't wait to get this project done so I can go back to having one desktop instead of two in my workspace. Up next, tackling my laptop to see if I can get the graphics card to function again. Or, the issue could be related to a Windows update. Either way, I'm hoping I won't have to invest in a new laptop. Fingers crossed.

Not a bad week of television viewing. I didn't get quite as much watched as I did last week, but I got a few shows in.

I finished up the Classic Who episode I started last weekend and I'm kind of interested in how this one plays out. Hoping to get to the next part this week.

Watched the season twenty-one opener of Silent Witness. Nice to see some fallout from Nikki's Mexico trip. Jack is a little off and I'm curious to find out why. Love to see Clarissa out in the field because she's become a favorite character and shouldn't always be relegated to the lab.

Enjoyed another episode of Strangest Things. The items they discuss are always interesting and I love the speculative aspect when they really don't know exactly what they have.

Caught another episode of The Mandalorian. Bo Katan's introduction piqued my interest. I like how a different sect of Mandalorians are out there giving a different perspective.

Watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building. Thoroughly enjoyed discovering the building has secret passageways and tunnels. Loved the introduction of Lucy. I haven't changed my theory quite yet on who the killer might be, but we'll see what happens. Also nice to see Oliver show up for his son. Much needed character growth there.

Got to return to my Battlestar Galactica rewatch this week. While the episode doesn't rank as one of my favorites from season one, it's still a solid watch. Frankly, season one doesn't have a bad episode. It's probably the best first season of television I've watched.

Enjoyed another episode of Pennyworth. A few unexpected twists turned up and I'm here for those. I'm quite enjoying the slow discovery of how Alfred became Batman's butler. There's not a wasted moment on the screen.

That's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Tangled Web, a novella that puts a little noir into the romantic chase between the characters.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Ruby Ire is bad for men—every time she falls for one he ends up dead, so she doesn't get tangled up with them anymore. But a series of near miss accidents makes her think she's become a target and she hires Jordan Riceman to track down her attacker. And she absolutely will not let Jordan get too close, no matter how damned attractive he is.

And a preview snippet…

Jordan Riceman jogged up the steps to a brownstone in an old neighborhood of the city. He twisted the knob and entered then made his way to the study. The old place needed some work, but the classic lines couldn't be missed.

He rapped on the door. "Granddad?" He opened the door and ducked inside the stately room. "Sorry I'm late." He paused when he caught sight of his grandfather and a distant cousin sitting beside the fire.

Frank Riceman stood and greeted Jordan. "Hello, my boy. You remember Doug, don't you?"

Douglas R. Barclay, son of Jordan's grandmother's sister. Jordan remembered Doug even if it had been at least five years since they'd interacted. Doug lived in a small burg about an hour away and tended to stick close to his home.

Jordan lifted his chin in Doug's direction. "Hi, Doug. Hope you've been well." He motioned for his grandfather to retake his seat. "Again, sorry to keep you waiting."

Frank waved a hand. "Not a problem. I asked Doug to come here to save time." He got up again and crossed over to a maple desk. "I have something for both of you." He withdrew an envelope and a set of keys from the top drawer.

Jordan stayed silent, wondering what his grandfather had in mind for this meeting.

Frank came back around the desk and handed Doug the envelope. "This contains the deed to the hunting cabin your grandpa and I used to use anytime your grandma and my Minnie wanted to redecorate." His lips twitched. "The fact they always chose hunting season seemed awful convenient."

Doug accepted the envelope with a frown. "Uh, thanks. Not sure what I'll do with it." He tucked the deed into the pocket of his jacket. "I hate to cut this short, but I have an appointment to make." Raising a hand, he started for the doors.

Frank added a reminder. "The key to the cabin is under the porch. It's all spelled out in the letter your grandpa included. Call if you have any questions."

Doug grunted and left the room.

Jordan's brows arched. "Not exactly thrilled with the gift, was he?" He didn't remember Doug being quite so rude the last time they'd attended a family function.

Frank rolled his eyes. "I blame Nellie. After Ralph died, she and their daughter Ellen had a falling out and that usually kept Doug firmly on his mom's side." He shook his head. "Doug didn't start coming to family gatherings until after his mom passed. And your grandma is convinced it's only to remind Nellie how poorly she treated her daughter." He waved a hand. "Bah. You didn't come here for a family history lesson." Pressing the keys into Jordan's hand, Frank smiled. "The brownstone is yours. Don't forget the secrets of the old place. Should help you with your work."

Jordan operated a private investigation and security company. The old building had three secret entrances and myriad passageways between floors. So, yeah, the privileged information could definitely help with anything covert.

Jordan gave a nod. "It will. I'll use the lower level for my office and live up here. Be nice to have a couple of shortcuts I can use." Not that he'd share any of those with anyone.

Not even his—if he eventually hired one—assistant. He liked to work alone and had a few key clients that usually kept him busy. But he'd have to bring someone else on board if he wanted to stay relevant.

Frank nudged Jordan's shoulder. "I anticipated your plans. I've got a guy coming over tomorrow morning to put your name on the door downstairs. You tell him what you want and he'll make sure you're good to go."

Jordan hugged his granddad. "Thank you. Can I stop by for dinner next week so I can thank Grandma, too?" After all, the brownstone had been their home after they got married.

Frank smiled. "You bet you can. She'll be happy to see you, my boy." Starting for the doors, he turned back. "Make it Wednesday, if you're free. We're leaving for a cross-country train tour on the weekend."

Jordon walked his grandfather to the main entrance. "Wednesday it is. I'll be there unless I have work to do." He grinned when a black sedan pulled up to the curb.

He'd given his granddad a silent communication device over the holidays last year. Looked like Frank put it to good use. Once the car pulled away, Jordan turned and headed back into the brownstone.

Shaking his head, he huffed out a laugh. "Guess I gotta start thinking of this as my brownstone."

I love writing a small bit of mystery into a romance. The noir feel is one of my favorite things.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye