Writing "Settling the Score" - A Return to Street Level

After writing several books dealing with international conspiracies, environmental crimes, and neo-Nazi organizations, I felt it was time to bring Dave back to his roots. "Settling the Score" began with a simple premise: What if Dave had to help a friend in trouble, without the full backing of the agency?

The story emerged organically from this concept. Markus Sullivan, trapped in an ever-tightening spiral of debt to a local loan shark, gave me the perfect opportunity to explore Dave's character outside his usual world-spanning missions. I wanted to see how he'd handle a more personal challenge, one that couldn't be solved simply by punching through walls or surviving explosions.

The Evolution of Ralph Little

The most interesting characters are the ones who sneak up on you. Ralph Little wasn't supposed to be a major player - he'd appeared briefly in earlier books as a background figure in the local criminal landscape. But as I developed the story, Ralph grew into something more sinister. Behind his facade as a simple loan shark, a darker enterprise emerged: a criminal empire built on stolen cars and human trafficking.

This evolution felt natural because it reflected a truth about organized crime: how seemingly "minor" criminals often have their fingers in multiple illegal enterprises. Ralph became a perfect foil for Dave - not because he could match him physically, but because his power came from exploiting ordinary people's vulnerabilities.

The Agency's Shadow

I initially planned to keep the agency completely out of this story. Dave would be on his own, working without resources or backup. But as I wrote, I realized this wasn't true to the world I'd built. Dave had formed genuine relationships with his team members - Anya, Dan, and especially Cecilia. While Cecilia couldn't officially authorize agency involvement, she found ways to help from the shadows.

This actually made for a more interesting dynamic. Instead of completely removing agency support, the story explored how Dave's teammates would help him "off the books." It added layers to their relationships and showed how their loyalty extended beyond official missions.

Mick and Steve: The Comic Relief That Grew Up

Bringing back Mick and Steve, who had been minor irritants in previous books, gave the story some needed continuity. These low-level thugs provided both comic relief and a window into the local criminal hierarchy. Through their eyes, we see how someone like Ralph maintains control through fear and manipulation.

The Power of Street-Level Stories

Writing "Settling the Score: Real Hero" reminded me that sometimes the most compelling stories aren't about saving the world - they're about saving one person. Dave's powers and abilities take a back seat to his humanity in this book. Yes, there's still action and excitement, but at its heart, this is a story about friendship, loyalty, and standing up to bullies who prey on the vulnerable.

<spoiler>The book's climax, where Dave discovers his ability to absorb electricity during the confrontation at the industrial estate, wasn't planned from the start. It emerged naturally from the situation, showing that even in a more grounded story, there was room for Dave's powers to evolve.</spoiler>

In the end, "Settling the Score" became something more than just a "small" story. It became a testament to the idea that true heroism isn't measured by the scale of the threat, but by the willingness to help those in need, whether they're facing world-ending conspiracies or predatory loan sharks.

Some of the most important battles are fought not in secret bases or hidden facilities, but in the streets and neighbourhoods we call home.