Sunday Snippet: Hart's Masquerade

Had a very busyweek with work projects and family stuff. I'm kind of exhausted but not in abad way. My sleep schedule is somewhat all over the map and that doesn't help.Insomnia is a definite pain in the butt.

I had a prettysolid week of viewing television. I got another full round of shows in andmight be adding one or two in the next week.

I picked back upwith Suspects and enjoyed the episode. This show is a little chaotic andI like that. I also rather like the characters.

Caught another episodeof Cannes Confidential and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have one episode leftand I'm not ready for the season to end. I truly hope there's more to come fromthis show. It's so good!

Watched thepenultimate episode of Peak Practice season nine. I'm bracing for impactfor the finale. Then it's on to season ten!

Started a newtwo-parter of Silent Witness. Very interesting episode and I'm not surewhere part two is going to go. This isn't a bad thing.

Enjoyed another episodeof Death in Paradise. This is such a fun show even if there's always amurder to solve.

Caught anotherepisode of Fantasy Island and, yep, my biggest pet peeve happened. Takea couple and tear them apart for stupid reasons. I'll finish out the season andsee what happens, but I'm cranky now and that probably means I won't watchanything else if it has another season.

Started a rewatchof The Batman. I rather liked this series. I might also be able to finishmy rewatch of Batman: The Animated Series. For whatever reason, it seemsto be available again.

Watched another ClassicRugrats episode with two eps I'd forgotten about. Season five seems to havequite a few of those.

Missed watching BattlestarGalactica this week. My viewing partner had a family commitment and we'repicking up again this week.

That's it for thelife update. Tonight's post is from Hart's Masquerade, a Specter Stationnovella that features a precious gem dealer and an accomplished jewel thief.

Here's the miniblurb:

Wicek Hart deals in precious gemstones throughout thegalaxy and he's the premier wholesale supplier for jewelry boutiques. NettieStrand is an accomplished jewel thief, but only because she's trying to reclaimher family's stolen property. Wicek smells a setup when Nettie applies for thejob as spokesperson for the gala event to be held on Specter Station, his newbase of operations, during the Lover's Holiday. Nettie knows the businessinside and out and Wicek takes a chance by hiring Nettie, if only to keep avery close eye on her actions.

And a sneaky peek…

Nettie Strand arrived for herinterview five minutes early.

Entering the reception area ofWicek Hart's office, she gave a nod. "Nice setup." Airy and intimate—notan easy combination to pull off, especially on a space station.

She clocked the video feed andsecurity sensors hidden from view close to the display areas. She moved throughthe space mentally casing the area. Wicek Hart wouldn't make it easy for anyoneto remove merchandise from his office.

Her lips curved. "I hope hisstores are equally impressive." Based on what she'd seen so far, theywould be.

The soft snick of a panel opening drewher attention. She turned and bit her tongue to hold back a gasp. Holy shit.Blown away by his striking features, Nettie didn't think the holo images didWicek Hart justice. No way. Dark hair, an impressively tailored suit thatenhanced instead of hid an impeccable physique, and a rugged countenance thatdidn't keep her from imagining him being comfortable in high-end salons or on aplanetary excursion to find rough-cut gems.

He quirked a brow. "NettieStrand." He thrust his palm forward.

Recovering, she grasped his hand andsmiled. "Yes. It's good to meet you, Mr. Hart." Definitely not a lie.

Wicek flashed an amiable smile. "Please,it's Wicek." He inclined his head toward another recessed area. "Shallwe?" He held her gaze.

She nodded and followed him intohis office. This room had weight and depth. A workspace for cutting gems, adesign area with a drafting table, and a large U-shaped desk filled therectangular room but didn't crowd the location.

Wicek led her to an open nook holdinga comfortable arrangement of luxurious loveseats facing each other with anangular ottoman placed between them. He motioned for her to be seated and beganthe interview right away. The next thirty minutes flew by and she responded tohis questions with well-prepared answers. Amazed at how well everything seemedto be going, she let down her guard, confident she'd have the job.

Until Wicek brought out a thickfolder and placed it on the ottoman.

Wicek leaned back against thecushions and propped his ankle of one leg on the opposite knee. "Why doyou really want to work for me?" The affable host disappeared, and acutthroat businessman emerged.

Nettie got stuck and struggled tokeep up. "I don't understand." She frowned. "You're the premiersupplier of wholesale gems in the galaxy. Why wouldn't I want to work foryou?" Maybe he wanted to test her?

Or … maybe she needed to sellherself more.

She leaned forward a little. "Ihave extensive knowledge of gems and minerals. My skills could become avaluable asset to your work and help grow your business." If all wentwell, she'd love to pursue a partnership.

Wicek studied her and theimpression she'd failed settled between her shoulder blades. I need thisjob. I must have the access and status the position will give me. I can't letGrandmother down. Again. Wicek folded his arms over his chest, stretchingthe suit across his broad shoulders, his gaze unreadable. Nettie couldn't shakethe feeling she'd made a huge misstep.

He nodded toward the large file."Would part of using your skills and being an asset include theft?" Histone turned hard and questioning.

Her breath caught in her throat."Excuse me?" He can't know.

He leaned forward and flipped thefolder open then handed her a list. Her heart sank, especially when he spreadout the reports about stolen jewels. Dammit, he did know. How should she playthis?

Wicek pinned her with his gaze."Care to comment?" His eyebrow quirked upward.

Is he giving me a chance to explainhere?

She held his bold stare for a longmoment before taking a leap into the unknown. "Very thorough, Mr. Hart…"She set the list aside. "But not quite complete." Time for her toroll the dice on a man that took speculative risks.

Wicek raised both eyebrows, clearlycurious.

Nettie went for broke and filled inthe rest." You're missing two." There, let's see what he does withthat.

Wicek's mouth thinned to a flatline, and he stared at her with a narrowed gaze for several heartbeats.

Then he shocked her to her toeswhen he threw his head back and laughed.

This scene cametogether very quickly and I'm so happy with how it turned out.

 

That's it for thisweek. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye