Sunday Snippet: Zane's Ghost

Hello, February. An extra day in the month probably won't make much difference, right? Eh, January already felt like an entire year, so here's hoping February doesn't.

Another slow week for television viewing, but not a bad one. I finished up season three of Riverdale and, whew, what an ending. Talk about jamming a crap-ton of stuff into forty-three minutes. That said, wow. I'm still processing all the crazypants. I'm very glad I can start season four this week. I'll be dreading the first episode but can't wait to see what happens from here. Hopefully something utterly horrible for Hiram is on the horizon but I doubt it. Sigh.

Midsomer Murders had a good opener for series twenty-one. One down and three to go. Then I have to find another show to start. I have a few on my list to check out.

Caught another episode of Peak Practice. I went back to the first season again. I'll watch another of the final season this week.

Watched another full arc of Classic Who and have one more set before starting the last season with Three. Looking forward to Sarah Jane episodes.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Zane's Ghost, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When Zane Warchild goes down in the line of duty, Kella Fine blames herself—after all, she realizes her mistake when she crosses a personal line and steps way back from Zane. Gray Warchild grows quickly tired of Kella wearing her guilt like a badge and putting his brother's ghost between them.

And a snippety peek…

Gray Warchild opened the door to his parents' home when the knock came. Nothing unusual about answering, especially when he'd been coming down the stairs anyway. What did happen to be unusual? Greeting the police chaplain flanked by the commissioner and a precinct captain at eleven fifty-two pm.

Instinctively knowing they wouldn't be bringing good news, he stepped back and invited them inside. "I'll get Dad." He started for the study where his parents were watching the end of a classic movie.

The chaplain grasped Gray's shoulder. "Better bring your mother, too." He didn't add why, but Gray didn't need the details.

 His brother had either been shot or killed and Gray hated the sense of certainty… that he'd been right about Zane not being a good fit for the force. How many times had they argued about the way Zane took the job for granted? All because of the Warchild surname.

Too many to count.

With his gut roiling, Gray entered the study and met his dad's gaze. "We have company." He didn't elaborate, but he didn't need to.

Benton closed his eyes for a brief second then shut off the television and reached out for his wife's hand. "Come on, Maggie. We'd better see how bad it is." He wrapped an arm around her and preceded Gray out of the room.

The commissioner broke the news. "Benton, Maggie, Gray, we regret to inform you Zane was slain in a line-of-duty incident earlier tonight in a task-force operation. Captain Gelding has the details, if and when you're ready to hear them." He placed a hand on Benton's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss." He stepped back and let the chaplain take over.

Mark Shaunessey nodded toward the small sitting area to the right of the stairs. "Shall we? I know this is a shock, even when it's the family business." He guided the elder Warchilds into the room and looked back toward Gray.

Gray shook his head. "Go on. I'd like to speak with the commissioner and the captain." He met the commissioner's gaze. "Thank you for coming, sir. I know Dad appreciates the gesture." His brain spun with questions but his mother's training kicked in. "Can I offer either of you a drink? Take your coats?" Mundane chatter but soothing in a weird way, especially when his mom finally started quietly crying.

The commissioner shook his head. "Nothing for me, thanks. I'm headed down to the docks to meet with the union leaders. Please let Benton know I'll check in later. My phone is on and I'll take his call, no matter what time it is, if he needs anything." He showed himself out.

Gray turned to Captain Gelding. "Sir… do you know if Kella, Officer Fine, has been informed? Was she on the task force?" As Zane's partner, she'd no doubt take the news hard.

Gelding shook his head. "No, Zane signed on for the extra duty time. Officer Fine wasn't involved. I'm not sure if she's been told, but news travels fast." He opened his mouth to say more, but closed it when Gray reached for his jacket.

He shrugged it on. "Would you mind giving Dad the commissioner's message? I'd like to check in on Officer Fine. She doesn't have any family she can lean on and this is probably going to hit her hard." Gelding probably didn't know how hard and Gray wouldn't be the one to tell him.

The captain cocked his head to one side, but didn't argue. "I'll let Benton know. Make sure you check in with your folks soon. They're going to need you." He waved Gray off.

Gray quickly exited the house and dragged in a deep breath of air. He didn't look forward to the meeting with Kella—especially after everything that had gone down between the three of them—but she shouldn't be alone in her grief.

Hell… he didn't want to be by himself in his. And Zane drove Gray to the edge of sanity on a regular basis.

Exhaling slowly, he fished his keys out of his pocket. "But he was still my brother no matter what."

And he's the man Kella loved.

I'm excited about getting this one finished up. I love writing the sibling dynamic especially when it's kind of messy.

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin