Sunday Snippet: Quicksilver Flash

Whew. What a week. Between everything going on in the US, most of which is terrible, and the yucky weather, I'm exhausted. One of my goals for this year is to take better care of myself, so I'm making some plans to do that. Getting better sleep is topping the list right now.

Work projects are stacking up and I'm happy to be busy. February is shaping up to be another good month for editing! I also have two birthdays to prepare for and one of them is a big one!

Had a decent week of viewing. I made it through my usual shows even though I tried to get to bed earlier than usual.

Finished up my rewatch of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries regular season shows. I'll be hitting the movie this week.

Started the fifth series of Foyle's War and forgot how much of a banger the opener was. And a holiday episode to boot. But very glad to have the whole wife thing out of the way.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and look forward to finishing it up this week. The two new characters are growing on me. I love the newest tech, and the new head of the Lyell is finally settling in.

Caught another episode of Poirot and thoroughly enjoyed the many twists and turns. Gotta say I miss it when Hastings and Miss Lemon aren't in the show, but it's fun to see Japp and Poirot on their own also.

Elementary didn't disappoint. I'm looking forward to seeing how the season ends and what the resolution will be between Sherlock and Joan, Moreland, and the offshoot of Moriarity's group.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and it's one I didn't remember or only have a vague recollection. Ended up enjoying.

Also enjoyed another episode of Star Trek Lower Decks. I'm kind of feeling like the show finally found its groove. Or at least I found my groove with the show.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Quicksilver Flash, a novella with a bit of a steampunk flair.

Here's the miniblurb:

Winsome Crown, a scientist's daughter, searches for her lost father in the wilds of the mountains. Lynx Hadrington lives alone and away from society—by choice. When Winsome stumbles onto his little piece of sanctuary, he can't deny her plea for help, but he fears the worst for her dad. Only one person has ever survived a brush with the quicksilver flash—him.

And a preview snippet…

Lynx opened his mouth then closed it again. If she'd said she could blow rainbows out her ass he wouldn't have been more shocked. Telepathically linked with Wadsworth?

Lynx narrowed his gaze. "Professor Crown never mentioned being telepathic." He'd never mentioned his daughter either.

Her mouth twisted in a wobbly smile. "Yeah, he's kind of weird about the ability. A little too woo-woo for him." She rolled her eyes. "As if there isn't a scientific field dedicated to the study of the subject." A sigh escaped her lips.

Probably an old argument between the two; one he could almost imagine after working with Wadsworth.

Lynx nodded. "I'm sure he had reasons for not talking about it with me. He didn't acquaintance didn't last that long, and he got very wrapped up in his work." To the detriment of his guide.

Winsome picked up her spoon and stirred her stew. "Probably didn't say he had a daughter either. He likes to compartmentalize." She slurped the mixture of chicken and carrots off the utensil and made a hum of satisfaction.

Lynx shook his head. "He didn't, but we didn't get into personal details." He ate a heathy bite of his food. "So, you think something is wrong with the professor because you haven't what? Heard from him?" He had no idea how telepathy worked between them.

Winsome lifted her chin. "Not in three months. And he's never been radio silent for that long." She scooped up some of the broth with her bread and popped it into her mouth.

Which Lynx refused to think of as sexy. He couldn't afford to be attracted to her. Even if she appealed to him on many levels.

He posed a question instead. "Not even when he's deeply absorbed?" The good professor toiled tirelessly … to the point Lynx had to remind the man to eat and rest.

Winsome shrugged. "He's gone several weeks without reaching out before, but after a lively conversation we agreed he wouldn't do that anymore. After six weeks, I started looking for him. That's the length of time we negotiated." She picked up her glass and drained the contents. "Let me back up a little. I received a cryptic letter from him with little detail other than he had some kind of breakthrough with his latest project. Then nothing. I waited for the six weeks, then spent a week preparing to travel and then the last five trying to piece together his last know whereabouts." She picked up her spoon again. "That finally led me to you."

Lynx needed a moment, so he refilled her glass and brought the pot of stew over to the table. "Like I said, it's been almost a year since I saw your dad. I'm not sure how you think I can help." He actually had a very good idea of what she wanted, but he truly needed to avoid getting sucked back into Wadsworth's orbit.

Winsome chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread. "You might not be able to help, but I'm hoping you can at least direct me to where you parted ways." She kept her gaze trained on the bowl in front of her.

Whether intentionally or not, Lynx couldn't tell.

He'd better find out. "What makes you think you'll find him where I last saw him?" Wadsworth could've doubled back or moved on.

She carefully placed her spoon on the table. "Because he's obsessed. I didn't know why but I do now. You were ground zero." She met his gaze. "He's trying to find a cure for the quicksilver flash."

Lynx blinked and his mouth dropped open. "Well, fuck."

This one is coming together in short little bursts, but I'm happy with the progress. Lynx and Winsome are going to have quite an adventure.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye