Sunday Snippet: Incursion

Halfway through the month and it's nonstop gangbusters. I'm planning a super-secret thing I can't talk about for this Friday. I seriously hope I can pull this off.

The weather is warming up a little, so the snow is finally melting. That also means it's muddy and squishy outside during the day and slippery and slidey at night. I have a pond in my driveway when it's sunny and an ice rink when it gets dark.

Work projects are steady and still coming. I finished up a nightmare project—I hope—and I'm glad to move on from that one. Completed a copy edit and started a new one. Had some hourly editorial review work I started and finished this week. I had another one going that I'm making headway on and I'm finishing up a developmental edit, which I hope to have completed by next week. I also have a backburner project that I need to jump back into. All in all … yeah, it's been busy.

I did manage to get through my usual slate of shows. I even watched some of the Olympic events, but I'm not really following anyone or anything. The skeleton events fascinate me. My idea of fun is definitely not jumping on a tiny sled while going seventy-plus miles—headfirst—down an icy super-slide of death. That said, kudos to the athletes who make it look easy. And scary.

Started the week with Midsomer Murders and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery. I've been waiting for this one, because the previews were intriguing. Death by cuckoo clock is a wild way to go. Just saying.

Finished up season six of Foyle's War, and I'd forgotten how bleak the end of the war ended up being for everyone. I mean there was obviously a call for celebration, but the uncertainty for all the characters, or most of them, is very strong.

Started a new two-part Silent Witness and quite enjoyed Jack and Nikki realizing they don't have a lot of friends outside of their work. I'm very interested in the little beat about Nikki maybe leaving the Lyell to start a new facility. That could prove interesting for next season.

Enjoyed an episode of Poirot. It's always fun when Miss Lemon saves the day with research. And really nice to see Poirot support a young woman's dreams.

Elementary ended up being very interesting. I love how much Joan wants to help her former patient, but she also didn't discount the aunt's concerns. And Sherlock's ruthless takedown of the CEO ended up being a chef's kiss moment.

Caught another Batman Beyond episode and I believe I'm near the end of the series run. Not sure what I'll pick up next, but I might dive into another Batman series.

Watched the opening episode for season three of Star Trek: Lower Decks and thoroughly enjoyed seeing Beckett interact with her dad. Also loved seeing everyone else in civilian mode. Season three should be a fun ride.

That's pretty much it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Incursion, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt about second chances.

Here's the miniblurb:

Marlie Davenport is wary of being on the team for Trace Altessa's protection detail. Sparks fly for a second time with her former coworker and flame, but a different powder keg is set to explode when Marlie discovers an infiltration within the private security company and teams up with Trace to thwart their planned incursion.

And a snippety peek…

Marlie Davenport reread the memo on her phone. "No fucking way." She absolutely would not, could not, accept this assignment.

Sometimes working for a top-level security firm sucked balls.

She made a U-turn in the corridor and headed for the stairs to go down two levels. "Not waiting for the elevator. I'm too damned pissed to share space with anyone right now." And the constant momentum would keep her from punching something.

Questions crowded her mind. What the hell is Frank thinking? She'd worked for Frank Banyon and First Tier Security Solutions long enough for him to know she wouldn't take this assignment on. Why the hell did her CO think she'd be cool with … ah, damn. The realization dawned right about the time she hit the seventh-floor stairwell and the level she needed.

Frank sent a memo because he already clocked what my reaction would be.

She yanked the door open and stepped into the carpeted hallway. "Smart man. But not smart enough." He probably hoped she'd read her new assignment at home and have some time to cool down before confronting him.

She snorted. "No such luck, Frank." Staying late to finish up a report didn't seem so bad now.

Whizzing past a few of her coworkers with barely a nod of recognition, she burst through the reception area and thanked the universe the two admins were busy elsewhere or gone for the day. Stalking down another long corridor, she didn't pause outside the door to Frank's office. Instead, she rapped twice on the hard wood, pulled the door open, and sailed into his space.

His head barely lifted from the intrusion before she waved her phone back and forth. "Find someone else for this job. I refuse to head up Trace Alterra's security detail." Planting her feet a should width apart, she squarely met his gaze. "And you know why. This is a terrible, awful, horrible betrayal on multiple levels." Her skin itched with anger and dread.

Frank closed his laptop and leaned back in his seat. "It's been two years, Marlie. And I need my best on this."

She shook her head. "Trace used to be your best. He could train his own security detail." And leave her out of it.

She had no desire to get tangled up in whatever Trace had going on. Less than zero desire to ever see him again. Not after he'd left First Tier. Because he'd also left her. They'd had a good thing going and he just … walked away.

Frank steepled his fingers. "There's no time for him to train anyone up to our level." Scooting back, he pressed a button to dim the lights in the room.

Marlie scoffed. "It's been two years." The sarcasm came through loud and clear in her tone.

Frank only arched an eyebrow. "Are you through?"

She shrugged. "Probably not. But I'll chill for now." She couldn't promise she'd stay that way.

Frank gave a nod. "Good. Even if Trace had the time to train a team—which he doesn't—he'd still need someone outside the company." A blank virtual screen projected on the wall above his head. "And this is why…" A series of communications popped up, four shown side-by-side.

Marlie narrowed her gaze, quickly scanning the documents. "Death threats?" Those could be faked, but yeah, that showed things had already escalated to red levels.

Frank grunted. "Trace is in talks to merge with another company, one that at least two other companies want." He shuffled the image and a new one appeared.

Marlie reviewed the business names. None of them sounded familiar, which meant unknown quantities.

She frowned. "Look, even if there's a bidding war or underhanded tactics being used, it's nothing he shouldn't be able to handle, even with the threats." Getting her involved might prove to be a huge mistake.

Her history with him took up too much space in her mind. She hadn't forgiven or forgotten anything.

She waited until Frank brought the lights back up before laying her cards on the table. "Look, I don't want to be on this detail. And I certainly don't want to be the team lead." She might be okay with handling background and research.

From the safe location of being nowhere near Trace Altressa.

Frank sighed. "I'm gonna have to overrule you on this. Trace specifically asked for you. He doesn't trust anyone else."

Marlie closed her eyes and counted to five. "Fine. If that's how this has to be, I'll be meeting with him right away."

And she'd do whatever it took to damn well change his mind.

This one is in the beginning stages, but I'm so excited to see where things go.

 

That's it for this week. Happy reading!

Skylin