Sunday Snippet: In Support of Defense

February is going to be a wild month. It's already shorter than average and my project load is intense plus I have two birthdays hitting a week apart. A big one for the husband, which involves a super-secret aspect that's challenging to pull off.

Ohio is still deep into its cold spell, which I'm actually okay with. We're also still digging out of the huge snowfall we got last week. It's hilarious that I get stuck in my own driveway. But I do.

As mentioned, work projects are falling out of the sky right now and that's not a bad thing. But it is a bit of a hurdle to manage making sure they're all getting the attention they need. I'd love to have about five more hours each day.

Had a better than normal viewing week. Some of my projects involve tedious busywork, and it's nice to have something on in the background. I even got to one of my back-burner shows.

Started off with Midsommer Murders and thoroughly enjoyed the episode. It also made me want to take up lawn bowling. I remember playing something like that, along with croquet, when little.

Caught another episode of Foyle's War and it's one I remembered well from the original watch. I have one more episode in the sixth season and I'm looking forward to watching it this week.

Watched the second half of Silent Witness and whew! So many twists and turns. And, of course, the obnoxious asshat is the actual target … yet somehow manages to come through partially unscathed. Really loved the team doing what they needed to do regardless of the consequences.

Enjoyed an episode of Poirot. Loved how he got a chance to revisit a murder he wasn't allowed to solve the first time. Lots of twisty turns.

Elementary didn't disappoint with the opening of the fifth season. I love that Joan probably saved her former patient by offering a helping hand. Also love that Sherlock recognized she needed something more.

Caught another episode of Batman Beyond and kind of loved the teamwork with Gotham PD and taking down the poacher. I'd forgotten about this episode.

Watched the season two finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks and, wow, what a way to end the season. Looking forward to catching what happens next.

Also started another episode of Peak Practice. It's painful to watch Sam completely fall from grace. I might end up forwarded through some of it because it hurts to watch.

That's pretty much it for the life update. Tonight's post is from In Support of Defense, a follow-up to Justice Is Served.

Here's the miniblurb:

Arnie Cherlin seeks help from his boss, Derby Stack, and asks her to use Overwatch resources to help his best friend's sister, whose gambling debts are causing trouble. Cricket Lexiss doesn't want Arnie's help, thinking she can handle her problem alone. But when her brother is murdered and her life threatened, she turns to Arnie, which puts him in a tricky place because in spite of blaming her for her brother's death, he's falling for her. Yet he needs to keep his distance to remain objective.

And a snippety peek…

Cricket barely waited for Ben to close the front door before she charged up behind him. "I hate you. I really, really hate you." Pissed off because he decided to stick his nose where it didn't belong … and drag someone else into the mix … she jabbed a finger in his chest. "I came in on the tail-end of that lovely little conversation. You're an ass, Ben. I came to you because I trusted you." She gave him an angry glare. "No one else. You had no business talking about my issues with anyone else." No one else needed to be involved.

Way too dangerous for her peace of mind.

Ben pushed back. "I'm in over my head, Crick. I'm an associate professor at a state university. You're a nurse … or you used to be before Lincoln got his hooks into you." He planted his hands on his hips and squared off with her.

Cricket gnashed her teeth together. "Still, my personal life isn't something to be shared with anyone else, best friend or not." Damn, how long had it been since she'd seen Arnie?

Long enough for him to fill out and pack on an impressive amount of muscle. Arnie Cherlin all grown up made her wish she'd walked a straighter path. The man hit a lot of her sweet spots. The close-cropped hair proved to be a far cry from the mane he'd had in school. Then again, he'd left for the air force before she'd even graduated. And way before her party-girl persona kicked and took over her life.

She didn't think she could stop if she wanted to. And she didn't want to. The allure of everything bad for her gave off such a heady thrill.

Straight-arrow Ben tried to understand but so didn't.

Ben snapped his fingers in front of her face. "Did you hear what I said?" He made an exasperated sound low in his throat.

Cricket blinked. "What? No. Don't really care either." She turned away, unwilling to let him off the hook. "You crossed a line. I'm so pissed at you, right now." And she'd stay that way because being angry helped her cope with how far she'd fallen.

Ben grasped her upper arm. "Crick. I said you've gotta let me help the only way I know how." He moved to stand in front of her again. "I'm not equipped to take on a motorcycle club that's up to its shitkickers in illegal activity—"

She cut in. "What exactly do you think Arnie Cherlin can do? He's one guy, Ben." A really hot guy, but a great-looking man got her into this mess in the first place.

Ben raked a hand over his hair. "One guy who has connections I'll never have." He turned and paced back and forth. "I actually don't know what he does … exactly … but I know he's got resources you and I don't have." He let out a long sigh. "I'm scared for you, Cricket. You said you can't cover your losses, and they're not gonna wait until I turn thirty and can access the trust our parents left us."

Yet another thing that lit her fire right up. Ben's mom married her dad after Ben's died. They had her a year later. But her dad treated Ben as his own and put him in charge of distributing the trust they set up. She didn't think much of it at the time because who thought their parents would die in a car accident? Even as a nurse who worked in a busy emergency department, she never once considered the idea they'd be gone before she figured life out.

Ben threw his hands out. "Do you have anyone else you can turn to?"

Guilt rippled through her. She'd brought this on herself. Damn Lincoln for showing her the high stakes underground. And damn her for being drawn to guys like Lincoln for a hot minute before she woke up and realized how terrible they were.

Cricket shook her head. "You know I don't. And I get you're afraid something will happen to me, but bringing in someone else won't help." She didn't want to owe anyone but Ben once she got out of this mess.

If she got out of it.

Ben shrugged. "Look, if nothing else, talk to Arnie." He retrieved his phone from his pocket and typed on the screen.

Her device pinged with an incoming text.

Ben met her gaze. "Put my mind at ease, Crick. Please."

Cricket frowned. "Fine. I'll talk to him." When Ben's shoulders slumped with relief, another wave of guilt edged through her.

Because she planned to tell Arnie Cherlin to mind his own damn business and stay out of hers.

This story is coming together in a way I didn't expect. The ideas are popping and I love that.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin