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
