Sunday Snippet: Belle of the Underground (a First Breed Nation novella)

I'm having a weirdmonth so far. I'm doing well with posting daily relaxation, stress reducerthings to avoid becoming the Scrinch (Scrooge and the Gringe combined), yet I'malso feeling kind of down, which is not the norm for me. I'm thinking a happymedium might be the best I'll do this year and I'm okay with that.

Had a week ofbusywork projects, which ended up being kind of fun. I like jumping around andmoving back and forth between jobs. Keeps me on my toes and paying attention.

Had a solid week oftelevision. A lot of what I worked on this week let me have background noiseand I got a lot of shows watched!

I started with the firstsixtieth anniversary special for Doctor Who. Thoroughly enjoyed havingTen and Donna back together. Looking forward to the second special this week.

Trying out a new tome show with Elementary. Watched the first two episodes and I like it sofar. I didn't watch at all when it originally aired and I'm looking forward toseeing more of this show.

Caught two episodesof The Batman and should be semi-close to the end of season one. Lookingforward to more of this one.

Enjoyed two episodesof Classic Rugrats. Liked both and loved the play on vintage TV showsthe ghost stories episode had.

Watched two episodesof VIP and remembered one from the original airing of the show. Lots offun with the ice bullets before they were really a thing.

Caught anotherepisode of My Life Is Murder and ended up liking it a lot. The dragqueen setting was fun and the snark fest between Alexa and the manager deservesa chef's kiss.

Enjoyed another AgathaRaisin episode. It's the first of a two-parter so I'm excited to see whathappens next. Very fun to watch Agatha and James navigate living together.

Finished the secondhalf of a two-part Silent Witness. Actually liked how this one playedout. It's cool to revisit old cases and the one they went back to ended upbeing an important one.

Caught another Deathin Paradise episode. I'm enjoying Florence and Humph working together. AndI'm fond of the JP and Dwayne dynamic.

Also started a newPassionflix series with The Secret Life of Amy Benson. Got the first episodein and I'm intrigued so far. Looking forward to seeing how the two seasons playout.

That's it for thelife update this week. Tonight's post is from Belle of the Underground,a novella that launches the First Breed Nation series.

Here's theminiblurb:

Raven Malone doesn't have an easy job, but she's a mix offreak and geek so both groups are willing to work with her. She meets her matchwhen regular guy, Gio Roberts, starts poking around in her cover up of anunexplained murder. Sparks fly, especially when she lets him in on theunderground community she's established. They forge a bond and work side byside, trying to keep everything together. 

And a preview snippet…

Flushing slightly because she'dcompletely understood his meaning, Gio quickened his step until he reached herside. "What did this used to be? Aside from the subway part. I got thatmuch." He stuck close to her as she led him out and across an old,unfinished tunnel then up into another area.

Raven leaned against the wall,propping one foot behind her on the smooth surface. "From what we cantell, the area we're getting ready to head into was once a subsection of an oldhospital. Long abandoned."

"How long have you been downhere?"

She punched in a series of numbersand the door slid open. "We've been gathering down here for as long asanyone can remember. The more modern aspects have all occurred in the last fiveyears." She entered the area and he followed, stunned at the sightgreeting his eyes.

"What the hell?" He'dbeen expecting something dank and dusty. This was far from it.

Raven chuckled. "I know. It'srather amazing."

They stood in the middle of a lab,a pretty well set up one.

"There's a clinic through thebig doors over there." Raven pointed to the east. "And we have acontainment center through the ones along the back wall."

"Containment center?"

"Nothing big, but it's where Ihope to hold the one responsible for the killings."  

Gio shot her a skeptical glance. "Whatexactly do you think you can do down here that can't be done up there?" Hepointed toward the city above them.

"Trust me when I say it'll bebetter if you let us handle it." She wound her way around the equipment tomake her way to a large board hanging in the middle of the room. "The copsupstairs will never be able to bring this person in and make a case."

Gio made his way to her locationand stood across the table from her. "Look, you can't handle this. Thejustice system isn't perfect, but it works." He placed his elbows on thetable and leaned toward her. "The victims' families need justice andclosure. You can't act as judge and jury. Unless someone put you in charge upthere and I missed it."  

Raven snorted. "First, we'retalking about down here. And yes, I am the one in charge. You might say I'm theHBIC … and if you knew the whole story, you'd understand exactly how true thatstatement is. Second, if your system could deal with this, I'd let it. Believeme when I say it's hundreds of times easier."

He considered her words. "Thenwhy don't you let it?" He had a very strong feeling he wouldn't like heranswer.

She crooked her finger at him. "C'mere.I'll show you." With a flourish she tugged a white drape off the boardhanging above the table.

Gio is so much fun to write. He already walks a fine lineand after meeting Raven the line is stretched even tighter.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye