Sunday Snippet: Jigsaw Pieces

I'm still workingon getting my side project ready to go. At this point, I have no idea how longit will last but I'm going to go like gangbusters until I can't anymore.

Had a solid week ofwork. Finished up a copy edit and started a new one. Also worked on a developmentaledit that's been simmering on the back burner. I have three projects lined upand I'm waiting on deposits to get rolling on those. Hopefully, December isgoing to be a steady month of work.

Had a very good weekof viewing. I made it through my usual round of shows and started looking for aformer fave to rewatch but it's not readily available. Might have to dig out myripped DVDs and hunt around for one of my old players.

I caught two episodesof The Batman this week. No Justice League cameos in these two. StrictlyRobin and Batgirl, which I enjoyed.

Also watched twoepisodes of Classic Rugrats. Both were single episodes instead of the standardtwo or three vignettes. Preschool and Halloween featured and were a lot of funto watch.

Enjoyed anotherepisode of Mr. and Mrs. Murder. I'd seen most of this one and liked itthe first time around. Very fun to get some background on the detective.

Finished out thefirst season of London Kills with an episode-length behind the sceneslook at the series. Lots of fun to see the actors talk about their charactersand see how the showrunners also make the city of London a character.

Caught another episodeof Death in Paradise. I liked the mystery in this one and enjoyed thecrab cooking contest. Not completely sold on Marlon as the new police officerbut I'll probably end up enjoying him.

Finished up thesecond half of Silent Witness and, boy, there were a lot of twists inthis one. Really loved Jack declaring his love for Nikki at the end. So nice tosee them have a happy moment.

Watched an episodeof Elementary and rather enjoyed it. Of course, it ended on acliffhanger, and I have no doubt Mycroft is involved in something nefarious. Itruly hope involving Joan blows up in his face.

That's it for thelife update this week. Tonight's post is from Jigsaw Pieces, a novellathat got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's theminiblurb:

On a seemingly routine patrol, Nev Walter watched hispartner and sometimes lover, Thea Chavis, burn in hellfire. Broken and unsurehow to carry on, he dives back into work for the department of preternaturallaw enforcement where he runs a unit of officers. Unable to stop thinking aboutThea, Nev takes a sharp turn for the worse when dreams of her invade his nightsand memories linger during the day. When he starts seeing her in etherealvisions, he decides he's cracking up … but all isn't as it seems.

And a preview snippet…

Thea Chavis ducked through thearched gate leading to Thurston Woods. "I don't care what Nev says, thisarea needs a look." She stayed on the well-worn walking path and kept hereyes open.Her partner in the department ofpreternatural law enforcement for the Greater Abernathy area, Nev Walter, wouldbe pissed she ignored his warning. But … she didn't care at the moment. BecauseNev also partnered with her off the job.Usually.She snorted. "Lately, not somuch." Nev captained a team of eight and often played the role of mom,dad, and great confessor.Sometimes all at once.Stepping off the path, Thea entereda thicket of low bushes. The brambles and briars caught at her pantlegs, butshe pushed through. Kind of how she clawed through the latest argument withNev. He didn't want her patrolling alone.Thea clicked her tongue against herteeth. "As if I'm incapable of staying aware and protected."Sometimes his lack of trust in her ability pissed her off.Like tonight. The department hadreports of fire flashes deep in the center of Thruston Woods. An extendeddrought made any kind of burning dangerous. The entire forest could go up inflames. The area needed to be checked out.But Nev had other things to do.Like babysit two of their fellow officers that couldn't seem to keep their shittogether. And he wanted Thea to cool her heels while he straightened outwhatever issues Blaney and Morgan couldn't seem to handle themselves.Thea rolled her eyes. "Maybethey should just spend a weekend together and get all that sexual tension outof the way." Worked for me and Nev.Sort of.Finally reaching a copse of densetrees, Thea weaved through the ancient timber, slowly working her way towardthe center of the woodland area. Questions pinged in her mind. Were the flamesfrom ritual fires? She could suggest an alternative place to conduct ritesinvolving smoke, fire, or ashes.Or … did something darker come intoplay here? Could someone be trying to damage the sacred woods? She couldn'twait for Nev to get it together long enough to check things out. Not if someonehad evil intentions that could harm their protected glade.The scent of burning wood hit firstfollowed by orange and yellow crackling flares dancing in her line of vision.Crouching lower, she eased forward trying to stay aware of her surroundings.She wanted to catch whoever had lit the match by surprise.Nev's voice echoed in her mind. Nosolitary patrols until we figure out what's going on.She argued back under her breath."We don't have the luxury of time if someone's out here lightingfires."She should've been looking downinstead of side to side. She crossed the salt barrier before she realized it.But she noticed it when she couldn't go further. Someone—or something—sealedthe circle. Shoulders slumping, because she'd been trapped like a rookie freshout of class, she ruthlessly shut out Nev's voice.Then she slowly turned to face hercaptor, her eyes going wide with shock. "Well, damn. Kind of hoped andexpected to never see you again."But seeing them … explained a lot.

Just gettingstarted on this story and I'm excited to see where it goes. The sages arechattering about Thea and Nev, which is always a good thing.

 

That's it for thisweek.

Cheers!

Skye