We finally started getting some normal May weather recently. While the week began with more rain and cool temperatures, by Thursday, things had picked up. Buds that we’re damaged in last month’s snow and frost are blossoming. While it’s still chilly in the shade, when the sun pops out it’s great!
Of course, the better weather also means the grass (and weeds) are growing, so a bit of time was devoted to tidying things up. There’s always something needing attention, but I’d rather have the better weather to do so. Almost finished pulling the ivy off the back of the house–then it’ll be a clean-up effort to remain the tentacles, but so far I haven’t seen any damage caused. Thank goodness!
Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): “Neither a rich man or a poor man gets to enjoy his money. One is too busy trying to hold on to it, and the other is too busy trying to get it.” ~ Linda Poindexter
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on May 16th. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Friedrich Rückert, German Poet, Translator and Orientalist; H[erbert] E[rnest] Bates, novelist (Feast for July, Love for Lydia); Arturo Uslar Pietri, Venezuela, writer/minister (Lanzas Coloradas); Margret Rey, author and illustrator; Olga Berggolts, Russian poet; Studs Terkel, American author/host (Stud’s Place, Working); Edward T. Hall, American anthropologist and author; Juan Rulfo, Mexican writer (Pedro Paramo); Richard Mason, English author (The World of Suzie Wong); Adrienne Rich, American feminist writer (Diamond Cutters); and Peter Levi, poet/writer.
Any names familiar to you? I didn’t find any this week. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one and many more to follow!
My Published Work
My novels are once again appearing in a monthly Bookfunnel promotion for mystery & suspense, legal and mystery & suspense, and political thrillers. If you get a chance, why not stop by the promotion (click here) and see what’s available. I’m sure I speak for the other authors when I say thank you!
My Work in Progress
I was on a roll this week, completing chapters thirty-five, thirty-six, and thirty-seven of Revenge, the sequel to Colombian 
Betrayal. They’re now posted to the two online subscription writing sites I use. I’m not sure of the final number of chapters yet, but now there’ll be at least forty-sven.
Over the past week, there were another twenty-five new chapter reviews, bringing the total number to 581. As always, plenty of useful suggestions as always to improve my writing.
Here’s this week’s snippet:
Javier and AJ climbed the stairs and entered the third-floor kitchen/diner. “Want a coffee?”
“Of course.” AJ pulled out a chair at the island. “How are things going?”
Javier poured coffee from the pot he put on earlier. He placed a cup in front of AJ and sat in a chair next to her. “So far, so good. Elton, Sindee, and Bruno are getting settled. I gave them corporate credit cards so they can order what they need for their respective areas. I’m hoping we’ll be in business within a week.”
“Moving fast.” AJ took a sip of her black coffee. “Did you give any more thought about my suggestion of a back-up field team?”
“Yep. I think it’s a fantastic idea. Never can tell when a situation might arise where an all-female field team might be needed. However, I don’t have the funds right now to create one.”
“I’ve been giving it some thought.” AJ raised a hand. “Hear me out before you discount my suggestion. You’ve already chosen two women to handle minor cases. Why not expand their training so they could be deployed in more dangerous situations to support the others.”
Javier nodded. “I do want everyone working here to cross-train into other areas so we can be a lean and efficient force.” He tapped a finger on his lips. “But, I like groups of four. Where will I find the others?”
“Duh!” AJ pretended to pout. “Depending upon the situation and my availability, I could be part of the team. What about Sindee? I read her file—she’s been doing some martial arts training and belongs to a shooting club.”
“Would the CIA let you come and go at short notice, or are you still considering a career change?”
AJ laughed. “Still pondering. If I make the jump, I want to land in a suitable position.”
“I’m sure it can be arranged.” Javier nodded. “It’s one thing to shoot at targets but something else when the targets can return fire. I’ll set up a confidence course, and we’ll find out what Sindee and the others can do and set a baseline for training.”
“That’s all I ask.” AJ leaned closer. “Anything else planned for today?”
Javier gave a soft laugh. “What did you have in mind?”
***
Once Sindee entered the elevator, Bennie wiped the smile off his face. He left the building and crossed to a bronze late-model SUV. Tossing the bags in the back, he climbed in beside Justin, the driver. “I found out where she lives.”
“Excellent. We’ll come back this evening and grab her. Can we get in?”
“Yes, I checked—through the parking garage. There aren’t any barriers.”
Justin nodded. “Perfect. Let’s find a place to eat.”
“How about a bowling alley? They usually have decent food, and we can bowl and watch sports on their big screen while we wait.”
“Excellent idea.”
Five hours later, the bronze SUV pulled into the apartment complex and headed to the multi-story parking garage. Justin backed into an empty slot closest to the third-floor walkway to the apartments.
They climbed from the vehicle and stepped out of the garage.
“Wait a minute—forgot my bag.”
Justin pursed his lips. “Which way?”
Bennie retrieved his backpack from the rear seat and pointed. “This way—at the far end.”
They crabbed along the corridor. On the left, a railing to keep people from falling. On the right, doors signaled each apartment. Curtains were closed, but shadows cast by internal lights filtered outside.
As they approached the end of the walkway, Bennie turned and put a finger to his lips. “Keep watch.” He pulled a set of lock picks out of his back pocket. “Shouldn’t take long—these locks are simple to bypass.”
Justin gave a thumbs-up.
Bennie knelt by the door and worked his magic. The door swung inward, and he slinked inside.
A woman sat on a sofa, her back to the door. Headphones covered her ears as she pecked away at the keyboard on her phone.
Bennie crept forward, pulling an extendable baton from his bag.
Thwack!
He conked her on the head.
The headphones popped off as the woman’s body tilted to the side.
Bennie took a piece of rope from one pocket and tied her hands. From another pocket on the side of his backpack, he pulled out duct tape. After he stretched a piece across her mouth, Bennie picked her up in a fireman’s carry and dashed out of the apartment.
Justin aimed his gun at Bennie, lowering it when he recognized his partner. “That her?”
“Yeah, let’s get out of here before someone spots us!”
More next time.
Books I’m Reading
I finally completed enough real-life requirements so I could return to reading Primeval: An Event Group Thriller by David L. Golemon. Join Colonel Jack Collins, head of the Event Group’s Security Group as he leads several members of his team in a frantic search for his sister. Who grabbed her and why?
Jack’s search efforts leads to western Canada, home of the legendary They Who Follow. But it was real men who took his sister. This is another fast-paced thriller by David, filled with plenty of twists and turns. What are the men who took Jack’s sister after? Who will be the final victors? I don’t like to give away too much, so you’ll have to pick up a copy of this well-written story and find out for yourself. It’s definitely worth a read!
That’s all for this week. I hope you found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2021 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
