Sunday Snippet: Justice is Served

Welcome 2021! It's been raining like crazy the last few days, which is kind of soothing even if it's also a little dark and dreary.

I finished up a work project and had time to get somewhat organized for the new year. I have a few small things to get lined up but I'm ready to dive deep into 2021.

Had a very slow week in television. I caught a couple episodes of Blue Heelers and a couple episodes of Silent Witness. I also did a few year-end marathons and watched my usual classic TV and mystery shows.

And that's how I'm starting this year. Tonight's post is from Justice is Served, a novella that has my main character letting someone in to her world after she's been manipulated into committing crimes.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Derby Stack is a cold-blooded killer, but not by choice. She's convicted for her crime, but Nate Mobius's specialized legal firm takes an interest in her case. Nate gradually wins Derby over and together they uncover a sinister trail leading back to her childhood therapist.

And a snippety peek…

In the prison library, Derby's gaze scanned around the room several times. Multiple trips to the infirmary—the latest one for three full days—taught her to trust no one. She read another page not quite able to immerse herself into the story, but she'd become absorbed enough to jump when a loud voice called her name.

"Stack, you've got a visitor."

Derby blinked then sighed. "Not that overzealous advocate again." She marked her place in the book and rose, moving slowly toward the guard—her least favorite—Wilma Gruder.

Wilma smirked. "You got private accommodations today." She spoke loudly to draw the attention of the other inmates.

The beefy woman opened the door and led Derby through the cell block and out into the administrative hall. Derby ignored the eyes boring into her and willed her stomach to stop churning. Less than thrilled to be on display, Derby followed Wilma and managed not to bump into anything while keeping her head down. She never fared well with unwanted attention and resisted the urge to rub her side where her ribs still ached from a run-in with two fellow inmates. At least I didn't end up in the clinic again.

She waited by an interview room while Wilma unlocked the door. When it swung open, Derby expected to see the advocate, Laura Behr. Instead, a dressed-up suit sat at the table. Broad shoulders filled out the navy blue jacket and a dark-haired head bent over a legal pad and a thin case file. Who's this guy?

Wilma grabbed Derby's arm and roughly pushed her into the room. "Looks like you got a hot one, Stack." She eyed the man up and down. "You sure he's not here for a conjugal?" Her cackle of laughter filled the small space.

Derby's face flamed hot. Wilma's crudeness never failed to embarrass Derby. The hot one in question raised his head and quirked a winged eyebrow, his gaze hard and unyielding. Wilma coughed and backed out of the room, obeying the unvoiced order to vacate.

Derby stayed rooted to her spot, unwilling to venture closer. She didn't know this man, but didn't trust the polished exterior—not even when his gaze shifted in her direction and softened. He stood up and smiled, the transformation almost breathtaking. Derby didn't fall for the affable act. She held his gaze a moment then looked away, scanning the room from corner to corner, top to bottom, unwilling to yield an inch or let down her guard.

Bad things happen when I do.

I'm so happy with how this story is coming together. Derby doesn't trust anyone and Wilma is part of the reason why she doesn't.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin