Kyle Michel Sullivan's Blog: https://www.myirishnovel.com/, page 29

Need to finish Beast Dines Out...

I think I finally figured out the ending for The Beast Dines Out and will get it completed over the weekend. I feel like I'm being circled by a couple of stories to focus on, like sharks circling their latest meal, and want to clear my plate to settle them in.

One is Dair's Window, which will take a lot of work to get into decent shape. What I have written is just meaningless nonsense wrapped in a sort of romance between a man and the memory of his dead lover.

The other is Arrested, which is hinting at how to open it and get the whole story started. Something along the lines of...

Simon Halliwell's arrest was very plain and simple. Ludicrously so. On Monday about midnight, he was accused of approaching an off-duty police officer and asking him to have sex with him. When he was refused, he then exposed himself to the officer, fully erect, so was taken into custody. Due to it happening within six-hundred feet of a school, he was booked and arraigned, the next morning, where he entered a plea of Not guilty.

Kind of dry and perfunctory. Not sure how I feel about it. But no matter what I think of Dair's Window, it continues to open with Adam waking Dair with a little song, and dying later that day. That is not going to change. It's the rest of the story that needs a huge rewrite.

Of course, Arrested needs to be written from the outline I did. A far more detailed outline than I've ever done.

Mixed in is Darian's Point, which starts with the end of the war between the Ui Briuin clan and harpies, where the treaty is made permanent, in blood, then jumps back five years earlier, when everything started.

I'm hoping I'll choose the right one to finish.

Vera...

It's season 14 of Vera, on Britbox , and after this one Brenda Blethyn is retiring. She plays Vera and it's not a drawing room style drama or murder mystery. She's all over Northumberland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne in these, driving an ancient Land Rover Defender stick over street and turf.

But she's done, and I don't blame her. 56 episodes, each an hour and a half. Each a small movie. All within 14 years. Jesus, I'd be worn out.

What makes it sad is this is one of the more polished BBC murder mysteries. Some of the writing is simple and the revelations are simplistic, but they feel right, overall. No padding done. Nothing cozy about them. They seem to stick closer to real police procedure than other shows.

Don't get me wrong--I like Midsomer Murders and Agatha Raisin and the Miss Marple mysteries, when I'm looking for something to have my tea with instead of a Guinness. And the David Suchet Poirot mysteries are fun. Plus it helps make the movies better having David Leon back; he and Brenda Blethyn play well off each other.

But I'm sad that these will be the last. Maybe David will take over the franchise. No telling. Still, the next one's out next Thursday...and I'll be en route home from Seattle. Hopefully. Weather is not promising.

After that one, I may rewatch them all, start to finish.

2025...

It's here. Whether we like it or not. And I'm doing all I can to prepare for the coming destruction. Lowered my monthly costs as much as I can. Signed back up with Netflix and Britbox for things to watch. I have enough DVDs to last the rest of my life, so that is a better investment. And I'm taking a break from writing to just read.

I may get back to Madame Bovary. I don't like reading modern fiction. Usually. I question why they choose the words and sentence structure they did. Which is really ridiculous of me. But I can't help it. However, with the classics, I accept their writing with minimal argument.

Everyone says you have to read in order to write. I covered for a lot of that by focusing on non-fiction and materials related to the Troubles in N Ireland. Specifically between 1966 and 1981.

Just don't anyone think I'm an expert on the situation. My knowledge is very limited, and shown mainly from Brendan's perspective, throughout. He's not in on IRA meetings. He goes to demonstrations because his friends are going. He helps with the Battle for Bogside out of anger and everybody else is doing it.

Plus his ways are not solidly Irish Catholic, except when it's in his face. Because he loves a Protestant girl and is clear-eyed enough to see both sides of the conflict are using it to enrich themselves.

But it's done and out there...and I'm going through a bit of withdrawal. So I'm not going to do any writing till I know which way I'm going.

I mean, I have a half-dozen books I could write, already, yet I came up with two new ones to focus on. Why? I could get back to work on my Darian's Point trilogy, which is really more like 3 novellas in a novel. I could figure out Dair's Window. I could commit to finishing Blood Angel, which I have plotted out almost completely. Instead...I wander through the fields of my mind.

I need a break from my brain.

2025 is almost here, dammit...

In just over an hour, it will be. I'm not going to say it will be better than 2024 because it's already shaping up to be a complete catastrophe. So I'm going to ride on my own coattails, for a bit and pound myself on the back for having finished writing A Place of Safety...and publishing it, in full this year.

I honestly thought I wouldn't make it. I was having too much trouble with Home Not Home. But once I cut out the melodramatic shit and let it finish like a human story instead of a big, brash meaningful one worthy of a sophomore English Lit student, it fell together.

That means I actually did achieve something major, in 2024, and I am fucking proud of that. I don't have anything else I can point to of the same caliber, but it doesn't matter. Brendan's story is now out there and available. And we can relax.

Going over my receipts, I found I'd poured nearly $8000 into getting it all done and publicized and seen and promoted...and apparently that was money misapplied. Because it's barely sold anything. Now? I'm trying to do what I can that won't cost much. I'll check with some libraries to see if they'd like a set to add to their card catalogue. I know a few librarians so that might get some traction. Just means getting copies to send them.

 I can also check some local book stores to see if they'll take them on consignment. Local author kind of thing. It hurts that the full set is nearly $100, and very few people will drop that much on an unknown writer. I'm aiming to put the paperback out in late May or early June, which might help. But it'll take me till then to get the costs pulled together...and to get professional covers.

I thought I'd get The Beast Dines Out completed by the end of the year, but it did some things that will take a couple more parts to finish...so that's fine. I'm posting it for free on GayDemon, which means low-priority once I figure out what next to do.

Arrested is still percolating.

End of year paperwork...

Today started with updating paperwork for A Place of Safety-Home Not Home , on Bowker, the company that issues ISBNs for books and such...and realizing I'd made a major blunder. When I set the ebook up on Smashwords, I input the wrong ISBN. It was correct on the text, just not in Smashwords' file. So I had to take the wrong one down and re-submit everything correctly; they won't let you update the ISBN, itself.

That's an embarrassment.

I also was having trouble with the DVD player I'd bought from Amazon. If a movie was over 105 minutes, it would suddenly start claiming it was skipping over damaged areas and get into a weird whirling situation where I couldn't even eject the disk. I'd have to unplug it then plug it back in. It's done this a couple other times, and last night was the final straw.

I was watching The Man Who Came to Dinner, with Bette Davis, and as it was getting to the finale, bam. Damaged!! Can't let you watch that! So I jaunted over to Best Buy, got a new one and played the final sections of the movie...and not one problem.

I'm not buying anything from Amazon, again. That thing supposedly had a 2 year warranty but try and find out through Amazon how to handle it. I posted a negative review and will junk the damn thing. This new one cost twice as much but it's better if I don't have to deal with electronic bullshit.

I grabbed the makings for avocado toast, while I was out. Wegman's guacamole, tomatoes, and real sourdough bread. Made it this evening...and damn, it was good.

With Arrested, I guess the next step is to see about turning it into a book. I'll need to do a fair amount of research to make certain I'm handling the misdemeanor trial and arrests and really everything correctly. But it's nudging at me and the book I thought I'd return to, Dair's Window, is remaining silent.

God only knows what's going to happen, next.

The last of Arrested...

New characters. Forgot to do this, last post. And I'm changing Simon's last name to Halliwell.

10. Dominque Lambert, 34a. ACLU Lawyerb. Pretty and self-assuredc. Involved with Walstead, on the sly 

11. DeShawn Green, 46a. Attorney with Kaplan, Halliwell and Greenb. Stocky and neatly dressedc. Married, three girls, seven grandkids. 

12. Collier Allendale, 74a. Superior Court judge.b. Tall and statelyc. Married, two children, two grandchildren, one great-grandchild

And this last bit is the end of it. Not sure what it's about, yet...but getting there.

DeShawn Green was in the gallery when it all went down. Caught a look between Lambert and Walstead that wasn’t right. Asks his wife if she knows anything about Lambert. “Thinks she’s whiter than white.” “She’s ACLU.” “Since when?”

Green meets with Simon, in jail. Depression is getting to him. Finally tells him about changes Walstead made to the arrest report. “You didn’t trust Lambert. Why?” “Didn’t dis-trust her. Just didn’t tell her everything. Never tell anyone everything.” Green takes over the case.

Green gets Simon released on bail due to questions about falsified evidence having been presented. Before Judge Allendale in Superior Court. Walstead pissy, claims didn't know about evidence, but overruled. 

Simon’s car was impounded from parking lot then auctioned off. Things shoved in storage. Phone screen shattered but workable. Laptop dead. Credit cards canceled for non-payment, debit card missing. Cash in wallet gone. Green says he will get him reimbursement, contact everyone. “Why bother?” 

Simon set up in hotel, overnight; provided bus ticket home on Baron’s and Greyhound for next day. “Do I have a home?” Calls landlord and told they want him out, ASAP. Were told he’s a child molester by cops. 

Simon spends the night in the tub, heating the water over and over, close to breaking the razor Green bought him and using the blade to slice up his arms. But doesn’t because he refuses to give Walstead the satisfaction. 

Turns out, Simon contacted the state bar about Walstead’s trick with presenting PhD as Doctor. Asked if it was acceptable practice or a violation of ethics. Had shrugged it off; news reports about courtroom situation makes them now taking a closer look.

Harver learns about it and puts Walstead on suspension till figured out. Manville, too. She is livid. Quits. Contacts Green to help. Refused. 

Walstead meets with Paley, Garrison and Corelli. They’re being investigated by Internal Affairs. Pissed at Walstead for not stopping it, but it looks like he suborned perjury and is fighting for his own career. Massive argument and finger-pointing. Paley says, “We’ll handle this.” Walstead says nothing, in answer. 

Bus station three blocks from hotel. Simon walking to it when stopped by Garrison and Corelli. Handcuffed and forced into their patrol car then head off. Simon hits emergency button on phone. 911 operator comes on and he loudly asks why they arrested him, and where they’re going. Wrong direction for jail. ID’s both of them. Heading out of town. 

Mention Paley wants to talk to him about situation. Wants him to say he did approach the man. That’ll make the IA investigation go away, for them. Simon claims the man plans to kill him and they will be just as responsible. They shrug him off, saying, “That’d be stupid.” 

911 operator calls in Chief of Police and Harver. GPS on car deactivated. Start sending cars to intersect with patrol car, using Simon’s phone but cuts in and out. Harver wary of getting carried away. Might be a joke. Call the car and see. About to when Allendale appears. Heard from Green that Simon was taken and CoP down here. CoP calls in chopper to find patrol car. 

Garrison and Corelli turn off main thoroughfare onto dirt road leading into woods. Simon keeps querying them. Corelli finally realizes his phone is on, grabs it and cuts it off. Wants to turn around. Too late; here’s Paley. 

Paley tells Simon to get out of car. “Just want you to sign a statement that you did approach me.” He won’t. Has wrapped a rear-seatbelt around his arm. Paley tries to drag him out but is blocked by it. Argue. 

Garrison enters from other side and tries to unravel seatbelt from Simon’s arm. Too much fighting, so Paley pulls gun. Corelli tells him to stop. Helicopter heard passing overhead. 

Cruiser radio crackles, demanding Garrison or Corelli to check in. Paley grips Simon by the throat to keep him quiet as Garrison responds they are on other side of town, but Simon kicks Paley and howls, “He’s lying!” Knocks him back. 

Paley shoots Simon in chest and face. Corelli shoots Paley in shoulder. Sirens heard approaching. Cops finally roar up. Corelli drops pistol and hands up. Garrison slowly exits car, hands up. 

Simon wakes in hospital. Blind in one eye. Internal damage. In pain when he breathes. Lucky to be alive. Tells state police and State's AG everything. Very shaky and much older-seeming. Landlord still wants Simon out but can take an extra month.

Green comes to tell him all hell’s torn loose. Paley’s paralyzed in one arm. He, Corelli and Garrison charged with kidnapping, assault and attempted murder. Found two graves in the woods so investigation widening.

Walstead and Lambert are being disbarred, Manville got a disciplinary letter added to her file. Denton retiring from bench. Harver remaining as DA, but Feds coming in to investigate. ACLU shaken; Lambert was a recent hire. National news, for days. He’d been unconscious for a week, but...“Looks like you’ve won your case.” 

Simon shakes his head. “You call this winning?”

Even more of Arrested...

It's feeling a bit sluggish, here. Part of the reason I used this shot from 12 Angry Men. All talk but damn, it moved well. I'd need to replicate that.

Simon is staying overnight in Columbus, to speak with ACLU, first thing in the morning, as well as State’s Attorney General. ACLU hears of search for Simon so Dominique Lambert, one of their lawyers, offers to go with him back to Barrington. 

Simon arrested, charged, held with high bail. Done before Denton, Walstead handling for prosecution, Lambert at Simon’s side. Simon explodes, calls the accusations falsified, wasn’t even in town...but has no alibi. 

Simon loses it, berates Denton and says he saw the little dance between him and Walstead, suggesting they're gay lovers working together. “A blind gay man would have seen it.” Shakes up everyone. Both men deny it, but Simon is convincing. Some lawyers in the gallery hear it, to Walstead’s and Denton’s discomfort. Simon is dragged away, cursing them. 

Simon in county jail. Word spreads he raped a kid but he deflects by telling them he’s there because he said he knew about Denton and Walstead fucking each other. Backed up by an inmate whose attorney told him trial continued due to uproar in Denton’s courtroom. Simon tells jail officials he needs medication for his heart, but ignored. 

Lambert meets with Simon. Told of medication withheld and threats against himself. Told police found arrest report claiming he was once accused of molesting an underage boy in San Antonio. “I have never been arrested.” Shows it to him; he points out errors – Arrest in 1979 on form published in 1983, neat fingerprints when back then would be messy due to ink rolled on fingers. She says she'll look into it. 

Simon works out a safe space for himself in jail by swapping chicken in dinners for other guys’ veggies. “Can’t eat it; makes me sick.” He also starts reading books aloud. “Like books on tape.” Wants the practice. Enough inmates gather around and he becomes known as Pops, due to age. Even guards appreciate him. 

Walstead visits Simon to discuss new deal. “Where’s my lawyer?” “In Columbus. You’re still listed as co-representative, so we're not required to inform her.” Simon refuses deal. Manville notes he’s lost weight and shaking. No meds. “You need to tell them.” “I have and told Lambert.” She says, “I’ll see what I can do.” She gets it handled. 

Lambert takes full control of defense. Comes down to talk. Looks bad. What about mistakes on report? They explained them away. Adam asks about verifying the arrest and aftermath. Can’t. Happened in San Antonio and records destroyed in Bexar County Courthouse Annex fire. How’d they get police report? Filed away in department basement and only recently found. 

Trial finally comes up. Jury trial; 8 members. Evidence entered. Paley testifies. Lambert drills into him but unshaken. Simon decides to testify. Calls the accusations lies. Walstead goes after him. Simon asks to see the evidence entered. Walstead brings arrest report to him, very arrogant.

Simon reads it, aloud, into the record. Quietly notices the date of the form’s origination is changed and the fingerprints are smudged-looking. Looks at Lambert. Her expression is deliberately cool.

Simon points out the address of the arrest is wrong. That the building had been torn down to make way for a parking garage during the date of the arrest. Why didn’t you say so when Lambert showed it to you? “I’ve never seen this piece of paper before.”

Uproar.Walstead, Manville, Lambert, and Denton meet in chambers. Paley in gallery, glaring at Simon, who glares right back. Mistrial declared due to Simon’s claim. Jury tainted.

Simon meets with Lambert. “Why didn’t you tell me about this when I showed it to you?” “You never showed me this report.” They argue and she quits him. He lets her, and is taken back to jail.

Third part of Arrested...

It keeps going and growing. I have no idea how this will turn out...if I'll write it or set it aside to percolate.

Walstead talks to Paley and Garrison, Corelli to one side. Garrison thinks he might have mixed up days. Paley shuts that down and Walstead lets him. Still have Corelli to testify and can make out like security video doesn’t always catch outside movement. 3 against 1. Walstead agrees because of repercussions if they don’t win case, outright.

Simon talks to ACLU office in Columbus. Needs help. Not really interested in simple public indecency case. More focused on death penalty case and laws controlling women in the state. Get a lawyer. Show them everything. Simon tried but no one believes him. Speaks to Barrington Legal Assistance to get one. Not impressed with the kid they hand him over to. Decides to stay with himself representing himself. 

Simon returns to Barrington and seeks court order to get duty log from that night and arrest report. Police refuse; should have done this before the trial started. Tied up in arguments. Judge rules to provide info requested. Chief of Police orders appeal.

Simon returns to his apartment in Buffalo. Small. Cheap. Highrise. Rent being increased. Landlord curious about absences. Simon deflects. Checks bank account. Little money left. Some in savings. 

Day comes for continuing trial. Still no documents from police. Ask for continuance? No guarantees. Decides to let trial proceed.

Walstead has Garrison restate events then brings out findings from experts that it’s possible no reflection would be seen on the security video. Simon makes a big deal out of no body or dash cam, but can do nothing more. 

Corelli comes up and Simon chuckles to himself. Denton wants to know why; Simon forced to explain Corelli reminds him of a man he was involved with decades ago. Attracted to him but used. Finds it funny his surrogate is going to finally wreck his life. 

Corelli testifies, same information as Garrison. Simon does the same questioning, but this time points out the video shows his reflection in the window frames when he turns left to walk away from Paley, and how Paley followed him, then a minute later took him back to his car.Trial stops.

Walstead wants another continuance to check into whether reflections really happen.. Simon argues against it. Continued till tomorrow. Walstead unhappy but told to check with store that night.

Paley, Garrison and Corelli pissed off at Walstead for delay. Walstead fires back, “You three lied under oath. That’s perjury. I’m obligated to inform the judge of my suspicions.” Paley backs down and claims he arrested Simon because he thought he was a man accused of molesting 13 year-old boy. Now he’s trying to cover his ass. Walstead holds off on threat.

Walstead talks to Harver. They look up the case and find the description of the molester is vague enough to be Simon. Melville points out no evidence Simon was in town that day and description vague. Walstead goes with the better safe than sorry bit and Harver agrees. They know Simon is gay and might have molested other boys. Get a judge to order warrant for his arrest at hotel.

Near 11pm. Cops swarm into hotel room, find him gone. He’s still listed as a guest, slated to check out in the morning. Where is he? Did someone tip him off? Put out APB.

Arrested is growing...

I'm halfway wondering if I should change the title to Just a Misdemeanor? Seems a bit weak, but Arrested isn't much better. Anyway, I've added characters, and below them is more of the outline.

8. George Galavan, 38a. Cop for Barringtonb. About to become sergeantc. Married, three kids 

9. Angelo Corelli, 26a. Cop for Barringtonb. Good-looking and upright-seemingc. Single 

Simon drills into Paley. Points out he has copy of the store’s security tape showing he had zero interest in the man. But the incident happened outside, under that bright street lamp. Simon gets Paley to say he saw Simon’s penis and noticed nothing unusual about it. Simon has photos showing he has a birthmark on his penis. 

Walstead requests a third party examine Simon to verify for the transcript. Simon argues against it but Denton agrees with Walstead. Dr. Elon Astride is in the building so agrees to do it. Simon learns Astride is not a physician but a PhD in Jurisprudence.

Simon is angry, but given a choice of Astride to do the exam or getting a continuance to call in a physician, and will cost him up to $5000.He lets Astride see his genitals in the judge’s chambers. Birthmark there and noticeable. “Looks like the state of Delaware.” 

Astride testifies Paley might not have seen the birthmark; the brightness of the streetlamp probably washed it out. Simon asks him if the committee that bestowed his doctorate on him knows he uses it to help put men in prison. Causes an uproar. Aristide furious. 

Walstead has two cops lined up to testify on Paley’s behalf, so break for lunch. Walstead and Manville try to get Simon to agree to an even better deal – No jail time, small fine, wiped out after 2 years. He still refuses. Walstead grows low-key threatening, but Simon just walks away. 

Walstead talks to his boss, Harver. Concerned about the way case is going. Not merely raising reasonable doubt but possibility of false arrest and perjury. Could give Simon cause to sue city. “Go all the way to the end. Leave it in Denton’s hands. If he finds the guy guilty, that’ll give us cover.” “He will, It’s 3 cops against 1 civilian.” Manville is uncertain they should continue, but Walstead shrugs her concerns off. 

Simon is seated by the courtroom entrance, on his laptop. Walstead goes to him to make one last pitch, but Simon says to go away. Walstead won’t. Emphasizes he’s going to be found guilty and the punishment will be worse. Simon accuses Walstead of knowing Paley is lying and doing all he can to help him get away with it. They argue and security comes over. Simon becomes cold and in complete control. 

Time for the trial to resume.Office Galavan testifies that he and partner, Angelo Corelli, were in patrol car stopped at intersection, diagonal to store. He was rebooting on-board computer system. No lights on. No body or dash cam, both aligned with computer system. Saw Simon approach Paley, the altercation so drove across to back Paley up. Not needed. Drove on. 

Simon has him describe patrol car; really an SUV, black with white roof, doors and hood. No flashers on. Stopped in the street. Dangerous. Drove across three lanes of traffic and facing oncoming cars. “Late so no traffic,” Galavan replies. “Still, it’s a major thoroughfare, isn’t it?” 

Galavan acknowledges he knows of shop’s security cameras. Would they back up his version of events? All inside, none outside. “Let’s see,” says Simon. 

Walstead objects.Denton has Simon explain why showing tape important. Wall of shop fronting street has line of narrow windows at top, with metal frames. Show reflection of cars’ headlights and taillights when passing, Also reflection of white roof. And brake lights. None of that on tape. 

Walstead asks for continuance to check into it. Simon argues against it. “I live over 300 miles away. Day trip here, day for trial, day trip home. Expensive and time-consuming. Can show video.” Possibly manipulated. “Compare it to your copy,” Simon snaps. Denton agrees to continuance of 2 weeks; Simon asks for 6 weeks but rejected.

More of Arrested...

This is some of what I've outlined for Arrested:

Events:

Simon goes to Barrington, Ohio to curate library for friend, as a favor. Checks into his hotel and goes to a nearby store for groceries. Near midnight on a Monday. 

Paley follows Simon around the store, seems to want him to notice him, but Simon ignores him. Paley exits. Simon reads magazines for a while, nervous about Paley, but has to leave when store is closing. 

Paley is outside, standing under a streetlamp smoking and on his phone. He accuses Simon of coming onto him and exposing himself within 600 feet of a school. 

Simon is booked and arraigned the next day. Pleads not guilty. Bailed for $2500 because he’s from out of state.Simon loses the job because he didn’t show up. Client was prickly, to begin with. Friend pissed at him. 

Simon meets with a couple of attorneys who say they will bargain for a great plea deal; don’t believe him when he claims innocence but will still do their best. Simon rejects them; will defend self. 

Simon gets the store security surveillance tape after having to pay the owner to do it. Shows Paley‘s and Simon’s actions, but not 100% on what Simon claims Paley was doing. No outside camera. 

Case assigned to Walstead, meets with Simon. Offers okay deal but Simon rejects it. “I’ve done nothing wrong or illegal, and I’m not going to say I did just to make your job easier.” Asks if they’ve seen the store security video. Manville tells him it’s all indoors and the incident was outside the store. 

Also, accusation is enhanced because was within 600 feet of a school. Doesn’t matter it was midnight. And two passing cops saw the whole thing and back up Paley. Simon tells them no one else was around. They suggest he’s lying. But still no deal. 

Case goes before Denton, who decides it will be a bench trial. Simon wants a jury trial but told had to apply for it in advance, so would need to reschedule. Simon points out he lives nearly 300 miles away. “Not our problem.” Simon grumbles but agrees to move forward.

Trial starts. Paley testifies Simon followed him around the store and then approached him, outside. Mentions the enhancement on the case due to nearby school. Simon proves no school within 600 feet. Used to be, but the school’s at a new campus and the building sold to convert into apartments, a year ago.

Walstead taken by surprise, but agrees to have enhancement removed. Simon asks, “Can you do that?” Denton shrugs him off with, “It’s just a misdemeanor."