Well, its been a long time since I posted anything to the blog, but my pen has not been idle! The Expect A Miracle Project was so massive that I had to split it up into two different projects ….. Yes that means I already have the sequel written! 
The big problem was that when I split the project, I lost some very importatnt substance. Not to worry, I quickly assessed the situation and came up with the best possible solution. You got it… more writing! I wrote three new sub plots (another 22,000 words—I’ll update the word count for this half when I get home.) that I am now in the process of proof reading (2/3 complete!) and when then have to figure out how to weave the scenes in between the stuff that is already going on. So… yes, that my mean a litle more re-writing to make everything work. Once I weave the three subplots in and review the work myself, the book will be ready for a MAJOR re-review. I have a few readers already signed up for the task. If you ant to be considered let me know. I am NOT saying yes to everyone. After all, too many cooks…..
The Project continues….
It is finished!
Well, the final word count before the first cut— uhhh I mean edit is 145, 412. I am told that the average novel is between 90 and 120,000 words. Well I never was average. Next step is to run the thing throuh a spell check and then print it off and take the first cut at reading. Sorry, for my eyes only this time around. For all of you have been dying to read the whole manuscript (so far I’ve had 37 requests but only three of you will get to set you eyes upon the entire thing—and you already know who you are) its coming. I hope I can have it in your hands by the end of the month. If my wife (editor extraordianire) wants a cut at when I’m done I’ll get her a copy too. But with everything that we have crammed into our schedule and homeschooling that may not be practical.
So, hang in there. Its coming. Having the laptop and being able to write ANYWHERE in the house has been extremely helpful. It also helps that the computer is not shutting down when it decides its too hot (that would be my desktop). After my readers have their first crack, I may have to start thinking about publishing options! Woo Hoo!
Last Excerpt? Hmmmmmm
Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 27. There were so many places to take the cliff hanger from that I had a hard time deciding. But This is what I finally came up with. FYI… Chapter 28 is almost complete and I will be starting on Chapter 29 very shortly.
Mikey Campinieri sat in his jail suite– it was certainly not a cell, in what was supposed to be a Federal penitentiary. Hardly punishment by the standards of your average incarcerated criminal. But then, not all of those who are jailed have unlimited resources.
Mikey was on a cell phone talking with his people on the outside. Whereas this was a privilege to most who were in jail, Mikey could use his phone whenever and wherever he wanted to. Right now he wanted to use it because his elaborate plan to trap and kill Darin Frost, Jamie Elliot and their partner Max was being played out. Mikey had made a study of Darin, Jamie and Max and felt that he could predict their every move now. He was now haggling with those who were at the scene who thought that Darin wasn’t going to do what Mikey predicted and he was trying to get them to wait it out….
“… He’ll do it!” yelled Mikey. “Just give him some time. He’ll do it. He’s going to decide that the best chance is to send that mutt of his in with his surveillance camera on. He’s going to play right into our hands!”
“Mr. Campinieri, I don’t know. It doesn’t look like this is going to work out. I have an acceptable plan B, Sir, if you will only allow it we could—”
“NO!” said Mikey, interrupting, “Just wait! You hear me? Just wait!”
“Yes, Sir, but what if—- Oh my, Mr. Campinieri it looks like they’re going to send the dog in just like you said, Sir.”
“Of course they’re going to send the dog in just like I said. Who do you think is running this show?”
Max was fitted with his lightweight surveillance camera and Darin began to give him instructions. The S.W.A.T. team was called in to blow the door, but they were to remain outside of the building until they had something more to go on. The safety of the prisoner was paramount.
With the charges set, everyone backed away and the door was blown right off its hinges with an almost silent explosion. That way those on the inside would not be alerted to the fact that the building had been breached and do something rash.
Max entered the first floor of the four story building. Everyone could see the multiple display images being produced by the special camera on his collar. Each of the five screens showed different perspectives.
“OK, Max, we’re going to stay on this floor until we’re satisfied. Seek boy!” said Darin into the microphone which sent orders directly to Max’s ear.
Max had now traveled the entire area of the first floor. No traps and not hostage either. Darin gave Max the command to go up one level. He had to navigate him around back to where the camera had shown an open staircase to be. Max went up to the second floor and began the procedure all over again.
“Good boy Max, keep seeking, Buddy. You’re doing well.” said Darin.
“Ok Mr. Campinieri, its just like you said, the dog has now completed his examination of the second floor and he is on his way up to the third.”
“Is the cage laid out just the way that I told you?” asked Mikey, “It has to be just the way I told you!”
“Yes, Sir. We laid it out exactly as you requested.”
“Very, very, good.” said Mikey with a little chuckle in his voice. “Now you’re gonna see something really cool. If I know that dog, and trust me I do, he’ll go right for that cage when he senses that there is a little baby in there crying. Start the tape now!”
As Max came out of the stair well on the third floor he could hear the whimpers of what sounded like a little baby. The audio came over the speakers outside and Max was headed toward the sound before Darin could even give the order.
“What’s happening now?” Mikey asked. He was just like a little kid in a candy store.
“The dog is going toward the direction of the cage, Mr. C.”
“The name is Mr. Campinieri. My father never shortened it and neither will I.” said Mikey
“Sorry Mr. C. uhh Campinieri. Sorry sir.”
“Yeah, right. So whats the dog doing?” Mikey asked
“He just turned the corner. He’s headed for the room with the cage.”
“Oh, this is just too easy,” said Mikey they’re going to spoil all of my fun if they do EVERYTHING that I thought they would. But, of course, this is the dog. He is more predictable than the human mind.”
“He see’s the cage now, Mr. Campinieri and he is headed that way. Just like you said he has now broken into a run… He’s in the cage and the door has shut!”
Onward and upward!
I haven’t posted anything esle since Chapter 25, but if you’re paying attention to the number on the right, its going up! I’m near the end of the book and don’t want to spoil the ending for anybody. So….postings from this point forward will be scarce. And no…. I am not going to post the ending, but I’ll be sure to make sure I put a good teaser up! Work on Chapter 28 will begin sometime tongiht or at some part of the weekend. Hopefully by this time next week I hope I’ll be able to tell you the whole thing is finished 
I’ve been getting a boatload of comments via e-mail, but I would prefer you leave them on the blog… so feel free!
Chapter 25 Excerpt
I’m back in the writing groove again so here are the first few scenes which open up Chapter 25. I hope to be able to finish this project before the next Nanowrimo begins on November 1. But we’ll see (By the way, you’ll be able to read excerpts from that project here when the time comes. Enjoy!
Darin Frost sat in the office of Assistant District attorney J.J. Levine. This was a delicate investigation and the Campinieri family had its criminal paws intertwined in every aspect of the legal system. Trying to get something past them was going to be a tricky task. Darin was up for the job though.
The Assistant District Attorney was squeaky clean. Darin didn’t have to worry about any complications or criminal ties from his office. Darin knew. He checked him and his staff out himself. This was the man who would probably end up with Darin’s life in his hands, so Darin had to make sure he could be trusted. This was also the man who, when all of this was over, would probably be elevated the District Attorney’s position. With the evidence given by Lenny Cartelli, the DA was about to crash and burn.
Darin sat in the plush brown chair, reclining a little. This had been a long ordeal and the end was near. The Assistant DA sat behind a large mahogany desk. Papers and files were strewn across the desk, on the floor and all over the rest of the office. How he found anything, Darin was not quite sure, but he appeared to be a fairly organized guy.
“So, exactly how do you want to play this, Frost? The ball’s in your court.” Said Levine
“Well,” said Darin, “What I would really like to do, now that we have cross referenced our lists and we know, for the most part, who is on the take, we should leak some misinformation about the case assignment. You can assign the case to someone who you can trust, but we will leak information that it has been assigned to one of Campinieri’s people. Let him get his hopes up. Let “the family” make all of its inside moves and then we can let the real judge begin handling the case. Issue subpoenas and the whole nine yards and drag Mikey and company downtown to answer for the charges. Let him enter his plea and make sure that he gets really good exposure. By this time Campinieri will be fuming, but we’ll get a message across to him…..We’re playing our game, not his. He thinks he’s going to be able to shut things down quickly. Not this time.”
“Shrewd, Frost, very shrewd” said J.J. Levine I think I’m going to like working with you again. I still like your style.
J.J. Levine began to reached into his jacket to get a cigar. He knew he needed to kick this cigar smoking habit that he had, but he failed every time he tried. Max, was not too keen on the Assist. DA reaching into his pocket. It looked like he might be reaching for a concealed weapon. Max sprang into action and put himself between Darin and the perceived threat. Growling and snarling, Max, in his own way, warned J.J. Levine against making any other sudden moves. Normally J.J. Levine didn’t cause any alarm, but Max has been on a heightened sense of alert lately, as if he could sense things building up. There weren’t many people who he trusted.
“Easy Max, settle down boy. He’s OK.” said Darin.
Max settled down, but kept a careful eye on the Assistant DA. When Max saw that all he pulled out of his pocket was a cigar he relaxed his posture some more, but still kept a watchful eye on him.
“Max seems overly protective today, Frost.” said Levine
“Yeah, he would kind of hate it if something happened to me, so he makes sure that it doesn’t. He’s very good at his job too! Max has saved my life countless numbers of times.”
J.J. and Darin talked for a while longer until they had the plan completely fleshed out and then started to put the wheels in motion….
“Loretta!” J.J. called to his Administrative Assistant.
Loretta Taylor came walking in the door. She was a short girl, but a force to be reckoned with. Loretta was no pushover. Loretta stood 5 feet tall and not one inch over. She weighed 106 pounds — some say that was probably right after a shower while she was still dripping wet. She had bushy brown hair to compliment her grey eyes and spotless complexion. She was what many men would refer to as drop dead gorgeous. Had it not been for her height, surely she would have gone into modeling and gone a long, long way. But in this day and age, short was out and tall was in. Most people stayed out of Loretta’s way. If she wanted something, she got it. If you got in her way… shame on you.
Loretta answered as she walked in… “Yes, Mr. Levine?”
“I want you to get on the horn and make it known that we have an indictment coming down for Mikey Campinieri–that’s already old news. Then I want you to spread the word that the case has been assigned to judge montgomery’s docket. Make sure it is known that everything is being expedited and that Montgomery is probably not even going to require an appearance from Campinieri.”
“Okie Dokie,” said Loretta, “Sounds easy enough.” As she left the office, she pet Max on the head and said, “Hey Maxie boy. Want a treat?”
Max started shaking his tail and back and forth at a speed that made it dangerous to be near. Loretta disappeared for just a second and threw a dog treat in for Max. They had become good friends and Loretta made sure she always kept some treats on hand.
“I’ll get right on those calls,” Loretta called out as she disappeared.
When Loretta stepped out of the office and shut the door, J.J. Levine took out his secure cell phone and placed a call judge Wilder….
“Hello, Steve. J.J. here. Yeah, I got a case for you.”
Mikey Campinieri was elated as he listened in on the bugged phone in the Assistant DA’s office……
“Hello, Gladys? Yeah Loretta here.”
“Hey Lo! What ya got?” said Gladys, Judge Montgomery’s secretary
“‘The Boss’ says he has a case for Montgomery, in Re: Mikey Campinieri, et. al. Can you add it to the docket?” asked Loretta.
“Yeah, I can do that. Montgomery has taken Campinieri’s cases before. They never seem to amount to much of anything. Any chance that we’ll get something this time?” asked Gladys
“No idea Gladys, but what I do know is that this one is really, really big. Afraid I can’t say much more. I’ll get the files over to you as soon as ‘The Boss’ releases them.” said Loretta.
“OK, Lo. Thanks. Lets do lunch tomorrow. Its been a while. We need to catch up.”
“Sure thing Gladys. Silver Diner at 11:30 sound OK?”
“Sounds just fab! See you then. I’ll be looking for those files. Ciao”
“Wonderful! Wonderful!” said Mikey Campinieri. “We couldn’t wander into better luck! We’ve owned Montgomery for years. Tell the legal team to stand down, we won’t need to do anything except make a nice showing.”
“Mikey,” said Luigi, his new right hand man, “I recommend that we, at the very least, make a nice showing. Remember, this is Darin Frost that we’re dealing with here. He has a way of turning the tide on us.”
“Not this time, said Mikey, “Not this time. We’re home free. Give Montgomery a nice little raise and he’ll find some creative grounds to kick out the Cartelli — God rest his soul —confession too! You just hang around Mikey for a while and I’ll show you how things are done!”
“J.J! Good to hear from you. Seems I only get a call from you these days when you have a ‘hot one’ for me. These other piddly little cases I’ve been getting are for the birds. So what do you have? Wish I could have that Campinieri case. I ‘d like to blow that guy out of the water, but I’m glancing at the schedule here and see that you already gave that baby to that slime Montgomery.”
“Well just between you and me Steve, that what the docket says and that’s what we want the docket to say until showtime.” said Levine
“What do you mean,” asked Judge Wilder, you mean I get the Campinieri case?”
“That’s exactly right, Steve. But we need to keep this on the QT. It has to stay under wraps. That’s why I’m calling your cell and not the office phone. I’ll be delivering the files to your office myself. We’ll have a courier bring some dummy files over to Montgomery’s office. Easy enough to do because we know he’ll never open them past the first couple of pages anyway.”
“Gotcha. I’ll book my courtroom for the same time as Montgomery has his scheduled but I’ll leave the case name blank. Nobody will be the wiser. I’ll nail his tail the wall!”
“Well, lets just make sure we stay within the confines of the law, hmmmm?” mused J.J.
“Always, J. J. Always.”
As J.J. closed and re-sheathed his secure cell phone, Loretta came back into to the office to update him on the status…”OK Boss, called Montgomery’s and Gladys put the case on the docket. Made all of the other calls. The news should be on the streets in 5 minutes. Now, what in the world is going on?” asked Loretta.
J.J. putting on his best sad puppy dog face said, “Loretta, whatever do you mean?”
“Look, Mr. Levine, I’ve been working for you for a long time. Doing a god job too or I’d be outta here for sure. You, the detective, Max and I know that Montgomery is the scum of the earth. There is no way this side of eternity he’s getting a Campinieri case….unless you and the detective here are now on the take. And I’d be willing to bet my salvation against that one.” said Loretta
“Good call Loretta,” said Darin, speaking before J.J. could start again. “We know that these phones are probably bugged and we just want to lead Mikey down his desired path. He won’t even be able to imagine how wrong he is until its too late. Can you make up a dummy copy of the files? Make the first 5 or 10 pages authentic. The rest can just be paper. They’ll never read them anyway. Then have the courier deliver the fake set to Montgomery’s office. We’ll handle the rest. For now, the less you know the better. But by this time tomorrow, you and the rest of New York will know it all.”
“You got it detective. I think I’m going to quite enjoy this. I just can’t wait to see what you have planned.”
With that Loretta went to her task as she thought…..”Oh what at tangled web we weave!”
Yeah Baby! I broke 125,000 Words this weekend!
I have been off for a while, but now I’m back. I have still been doing an awful lot of writing for a Science Fiction RPG (let me know if you’re interested and I’ll tell you how to submit an application), time to concentrate on the book again. I have to finish it and write my next outline before the next NANOWRIMO starts. I have lowered my goals from 50,000 word goals to 25,000 word goals and now down to 10,000 word goals. The end of the book is near and then I will be going through my first cut. What will be left and what will go? Hmmmmmmm. I will be selecting some people to read the manuscript after I have finished my first editing cut. You can always leavee a comment if you want to be on that list, and I’ll consider it. I’m well on the way to the next 10,000 word goal (135,000) with just over 127,000 words so far….and I haven’t even done any writing yet today! But I am about to start so watch out! I may be at 30,000 before the day is out….perhaps higher. The ideas are flowing. The next excerpt will be from the chapter 25 or later…I’ll have to see. I just finished the 24th chapter, but didn’t post any excerpts. Dont’ want to give everything away! Especially the ending
Chapter 23 Excerpt
I don’t often publish excerpts from back to back chapters, but it HAS been a while and I think you’re going to need this one! Whoa! Check out that word count! Enjoy!
Duncan Frost, Darin’s twin brother was one of the most upbeat people that you could ever know. Anyone who knew him would be incomplete agreement about that. So…when Darin started getting into one of his down moods, the first and only thing Toni knew to do for an immediate remedy was to call Duncan to see if he could cheer his brother up.
“Hey Dunc, its Toni. How are you?”
“Fine, Sis, just fine. What’s up? Is my brother misbehaving again. You kind of have to that tone in your voice.” said Duncan.
“I guess I’m not too good at hiding it huh?” Toni asked.
“Well, lets just say that you could do better in that area, Sis. So whats the problem this time?”
“Not much really, Dunc, just a little setback that the Dr. had to tell Darin about but he also told him that it was insignificant and it would not impede progress. Well, you know Darin–”
“Dwelling on the negative again, huh?” asked Duncan
“Exactly,” said Toni.
“Well, I’ll be over in a few, I have an idea. What is he wearing?” Darin and Duncan had exactly the same taste in clothing and had bought many of the same things without even discussing it with each other.”
“He’s wearing blue jeans and the blue, short sleeve polo shirt he likes.”
“Oh, the one with the thin white stripe on the sleeves and the dove on the left front?”
“Yes, that’s the one….don’t tell me…”
“Yeah, I have one too! Amazing, isn’t it? Look for me real soon.
They shared a small before hanging up the telephone. Duncan changed his clothes and hopped into his navy blue Jeep Cherokee, that, of course, resembled his brother’s to the letter, and drove the 7.5 miles across the county to the Frost home. THIS was something that Duncan did not have that his brother did. Duncan was an inventor, primarily and most of his inventions didn’t make a whole lot of money, but they kept him fed! Others made him income year round and helped to finance his continued work. Darin on the other hand had been a very successful police officer and was a shrewd financial wizard. He even helped Duncan with investments so that he would have some money down the line. Duncan was more that happy to let his brother manage his financial portfolio.
The door to the Frost home was locked, as usual, and, since Toni knew he was coming, Duncan just used the key that he was provided, after entering the correct passwords into the security system, in order to gain entrance. He found Toni in the kitchen preparing dinner and noticed that she already had an extra place set.
“Expecting somebody for dinner, Sis?” he said as he entered the kitchen.
“Only if he can do the job he came to do, otherwise, I’ve got five dollars in my wallet that will get you whatever you want on the dollar menu.”
“McDonald’s! Dollar menu?” gasped Duncan in mock amazement, “Well I better get hopping. McDonald’s can’t hold a candle to your cooking.” said Duncan as he smiled.
As often was the case, Toni had to do a double take. Not only did Duncan looks just like Darin, but they sounded exactly alike and then there was that killer smile. Toni knew that this was her brother-in-law and not her husband, but sometimes they fooled even her. She always thought that it was a good thing that they never tried to to that on purpose. She found out later that Darin had always wanted to pull that prank, but Duncan would have none of it. He knew that he didn’t want Toni Frost on his bad side–Ever!
“He’s in the Den. Moping and staring out of the window.” said Toni
“Well then, I guess I’m off to the Den.” said Duncan. With that he was gone.
Duncan had done his best to sneak in undetected so that he could surprise his brother. He knocked at the door of the den and so as not to intrude on his brother’s privacy. Darin stood there staring out of the window.
Without even turning around, Darin said in a rather downcast voice… “Come on in Dunc, Toni call you?”
“How did you know it was me?” Duncan asked. “Not only have you not turned around, but I didn’t say a word.”
“Well now, lets see,” said Darin, “I have any number of security devices here around the estate. Any of which would have detected you as you drove in and fed the information automatically to my computer. Not much gets in and out without my knowing it. Did you happen to notice that you weren’t greeted by Max? He’s out patrolling the grounds but I told him you were clear so he just ignored you. Of course I’m not facing my desk and did not have the advantage of any of those systems, but it sure would have been helpful.” Darin said , still his back to his brother.
“Then how in the world did you—” Duncan began to ask, but Darin was already ready with his answer
“Elementary my dear Duncan.” Darin said in his Sherlock Holmes voice that he like to use just before making a revelation to people that really wa no revelation at all, just something that they did not think about. “In the absence being able to use all of those resources, its not hard to determine who’s knocking at the door when the reflection I see in the window looks just like me. Either I’m in two places at once, or my twin brother is around and about.”
Now Darin turned around because he had to see what he knew would be one of his brother’s dumbfounded looks. That in itself was enough to cheer Darin up…and it did. After they chatted for a while and talked about the old times and Darin was able to get over the latest setback, which really WAS insignificant it was time for dinner.
After dinner when the dishes were done and the whole family was cutting up with their favorite uncle Duncan, who had of course, brought over inventions for each of the kids, like he always did, Toni asked Darin to take out the trash…..
“Honey you didn’t forget that it was trash night did you?” asked Toni
“No I didn’t forget, its just that taking out the trash when you only have one good arm is not the most exciting job in the world so I save it for last.” said Darin.
“Really?” said Duncan, interjecting himself into the husband/wife conversation. He took out a sling from his pocket, identical to Darin’s sling and put it on, stabilizing his arm and said, “I’ll have to see about this myself. And if I can do it, I guess you’ll have to stop using that one as an excuse.” Duncan had been trying to get his brother to lay off of using his arm as a crutch and had been waiting for an opportunity for this demonstration.
Duncan proceeded to drag to trash with his one hand, stopping long enough to hit the garage door opener, and then dragging it out to the trashcan.
“Would you mind taking the trash can to the curb, too?” Toni asked.
“Not at all Mademoiselle,” said Duncan as Toni gave him a mock peck on the cheek to thank him.
She saw Darin scowling with his jealous look and said, “Oh cut it out Frost, you know I’m head over heels in love you, 100% YOURS and not even a brother who looks just like you is going to be able to do anything to change that. Next time YOU take the trash out and I guarantee you won’t just get a little peck on the cheek!” Then she smiled that smile that just melted Darin and had no choice but to cave and smile back.
Outside, Duncan was still playing the part of the one armed bandit and had just gotten the trash to the end of the driveway when Lenny Cartelli came up from behind him….
“Don’t move and don’t make a noise! I don’t want to have to take out the whole family to cover up my mess. I just wanted you to know who offed you before it happened. You’ve been making me look really bad and Mikey said that I needed to take care of you myself. Well that’s what I should have done in the first place, but I really thought you’d make it a little harder for me! THIS was too easy, but none the less, the deed will be done. So much for your nine lives! Been nice knowin’ ya.”
Duncan thought about screaming out a warning, but he really didn’t want this Lenny Cartelli character to know that he had the right man. Duncan was ready to give his life for his brother and his brother’s family. He knew he was going to heaven and if it was his time, ordained by the Lord, there would be no avoiding it any way. But, just like good old Duncan, he did have to add, “Hey look, Lenny, its not too late for you. You can still know Jesus as your Lord and savior. If I don’t get to show you how, make sure somebody does! There’s a tract in my back pocket. Take it!”
Lenny didn’t even know why, but he took the tract, put it in his pocket and pulled the trigger three times! Then he was gone like a flash.
When Darin heard the gun shots, he immediately knew! Nobody else was sure about what was going on. “Toni call and ambulance. Call and ambulance now! Max go! Darin reached into the drawer and pulled out his gun and followed behind Max through the open door leading to the garage. As Darin got to the end of the driveway he could see his brother crumpled and to the ground and gasping for breath and a car speeding off down the the street. Too far away for him to get a license plate or capture the image on one of his cameras.
Darin held Duncan’s head, blood pouring out and knew that his brother had not chance. None at all. But he saw Duncan smile and listened as he gasped his last words….”Lenny Cartelli. I gave him a tract.” And with that all of the life left Duncan Frost and he went home to be with the Lord. Darin sobbed uncontrollably for his brother…it should not have been him! Why hadn’t he taken out the trash himself? he wondered.
So, Mikey Campinieri had sent his #1 man to the job for him. Darin’s resolve to put Mikey away had just faded into a vendetta. Lenny Cartelli might have been the trigger man, but Mikey Campinieri was going to pay!
Chapter 22 Excerpt
Well, I guess it has been a while since I posted anything from the book. Well, to be honest with you, its because its been a while since I’ve written anything. I took a break and was working on yet another project. I’m have fun in a new RPG, but I have to slow my participation in that so that I can get back to my book! So, just so that you have some context, I posted the last part of Chapter 21 along with the opening sequence of Chapter 22. Enjoy…….
Darin, suspecting that there was going to be trouble, did not try to unpack everything he had in the car. He simply pulled in and got out and let Max go. Darin did not want to alert anyone who may be listening so he gave Max a seek command using hand signals. Max acknowledged the command and went about his job. There was obviously no threat outside. Max would have detected it. Looks like this was going to be an indoor party.
Darin unlocked the door and disabled the burglar alarm. But before putting his hand down, he hit the silent alarm button. This would alert the security company that there was a problem the house.l Darin did not see anybody, but as he and Max stepped into the wide open Foyer area, Max began to get a bit fidgety. Without even thinking, Darin’s gun was in his hand.
That’s when it happened. First one, then two, then three….. no four dogs came charging at Darin and Max. Max growled and barked his warnings, but these dogs would have none of that. Max took up his stance to make sure he had Darin protected, but even Max was at a loss as to how he was going to handle all of these dogs.
Darin knew that the dogs were not at fault and they were only doing what they were probably trained to do. He really hated having to take it out on the dogs, but he had no other choice. The next sequence of events occurred with a speed that seemed to be almost inhuman. The first dog leapt into the air to get at Darin only to be intercepted by Max. The two dogs began their tussle while Darin quickly tracked the other three. Two more dogs were up in the air at the same time. Darin fired and one then the other; killing them both instantly. They were dead before the hit the ground.
Unfortunately neither Darin or Max, who was busy with his initial opponent, were able to prevent the fourth dog from homing in on his target. It seemed that , at all costs, this dog’s main objective was Darin’s arm. Before Darin could swing around to shoot, the dog had latched onto the left are and was digging in with a passion; causing Darin to drop his gun. The sound of the gun clanking to the floor seemed to echo throughout the house. Darin’s arm was ablaze anew with a searing pain that he hoped that he would never feel again. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t shake the dog.
Max, having dispatched the dog he was fighting, took up the battle with the dog that was latched onto Darin’s arm. He was immediately able to get the dog’s attention, causing him to dislodge himself from Darin. While Max took care of his newest charge Darin rolled around on the floor of the foyer in agony. His cries of pain could be heard outside of the house.
These cries of pain were not welcome sounds to Jamie Carpenter’s ears as she entered the Frost home. She came through the door, gun in hand and ready for action. And she was none too soon. A fifth dog had seemingly come from out of nowhere and was making his way toward Darin. By the time Max saw him and broke way from the dog he had just dispatched it was too late. The dog was airborne and his snout and gnarling teeth were headed for a deadlock with the jugular vein in Darin’s neck. Jamie fired, and fired and fired. She could not have been more perfect in her shots, but she emptied her gun into the body of the airborne dog before it had a chance to descend. The dog dropped on foot away from Darin’s head.
Jamie ran over to Darin, who was still in sever pain. Trying to find out what she could do for him. She immediately called for an ambulance. Darin looked up at Jamie and smiled as he wandered away into delirium and then on into nothingness. Everything went black.
“Darin!” screamed Jamie, “Darin!”
“Yes!” yelled Mikey Campinieri. “Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes,.Yes!” Mikey went around the room giving high fives to all of the men seated around the room in his plush office chairs. He could hear the sobs of Jamie Carpenter coming through the speakers and he thought……Finally, I’ve done it….and lady..you’re next.
“Turn off those speakers,” said Mikey. “I’ve’ heard all I needed. to. The invincible detective lives no more!”
Brandon York had arrived on the scene. Emergency vehicles were everywhere, Darin lay either dead or unconscious on the floor, he couldn’t tell which. One of the paramedics said he could see some life signs, but he could not get to Darin. Max was not letting anybody by. Everyone turned to Brandon York for help. He tried talking to Max, but Max was not budging.
Jamie sat in the next room huddled in a corner, balled up in a fetal position, gun in hand and despondent. Yet and still she was crying uncontrollably. Her entire body was racked with sobs. So much so that she did not see or hear the Captain come up to her. Being a veteran officer, the first thing he did was gently disarm her from behind, just in case she got jumpy and decided to shoot first and ask questions later. She offered no resistance. He wasn’t sure what she had gone through, but it had to be a lot to put her in the state that she was in.
“Detective? Its Captain York,” said the Captain as he knelt down in front of her now.
“OH CAP!” said Jamie and she fell onto his shoulder crying even more uncontrollably.
“There, there.” said the Captain, “Listen, I need you to get yourself together quickly. I need your help.”
“How could you even think of asking me for anything right now?” she screamed. Whatever it is that you need, you’ll have to get it from somebody else.”
“Jamie!” Brandon York’s voice was stern and almost cold. It had the desired effect. He got her attention. “Listen,” he continued, “I don’t know what went down here and I’ll be really glad to find out when you can tell me. But at the moment we have another problem. Darin is in the other room dying —-”
“Darin is dead.” Jamie said flatly, cutting him off.
“No–he is not. But if we don’t get your help he will be!”
Jamie snapped out of her helpless state almost immediately. “Wha, wha, what do yo need?” she asked
“I need somebody to control Max so that Darin can get some help. Max won’t let anybody near him.”
“Oh my!” Jamie exclaimed. Immediately she was on her feet and into the room where Darin lay unconscious. “Everybody back away for a minute. Give us some room.”
“Look, I don’t know who you are,” said the paramedic, “but I need to get to that officer.”
“I intend to get you to him, young man.” Jamie said to the paramedic who looked like he was just scarcely out of high school. “Now if we don’t want to get the dog any more excited, I suggest you do as I ask.”
The paramedic backed away and Jamie began talking to Max.
“Hey Max. Come here boy.” said Jamie in a soothing voice. She had to repeat the request four times before Max settled enough to even recognize her, but he would not move. Jamie stepped in Max’s direction and he let out a low, guttural warning growl, but Jamie recognized it as not threatening to her.
At the point the young paramedic spoke up. “AW COME ON! THIS IS RIDICULOUS! SOMEBODY SHOOT THE DOG AND LET ME GET OVER THERE. I’VE GOT A MAN DOWN TO HELP!”
When Max heard the outbreak from the young paramedic and realized that it was directed at him, he immediately became on guard again. He was back in his defensive stance and not letting anybody near Darin. The paramedic was still ranting away.
“Somebody get him out here and shut him up!” said Jamie.
“You heard the lady.” said Captain York
“Look, you guys are in my way! Nobody tells me to shut up and nobody’s gonna make me.”
“Gentleman!” said Brandon York. And he did not need to say any more. Immediately 14 officers and detectives had their weapons drawn and aimed at the young paramedic. “Now listen to me, Jr. If we can’t get to this officer because you won’t keep your mouth shut, then to everyone in this room who loves this man dearly, that will be interpreted as endangering his life. We can’t let that happen. I suggest you grow up and shut up—-or you may not get the chance TO grow up.”
The young paramedic was visibly shaken and gulping uncontrollably. With 14 guns in his face he wasn’t so cocky any more. With him under control, Jamie could try again….
She got down in front of Max and he growled a little more menacingly, but she was not scared. Jamie put her hands up slowly and she began to pet Max gently. The she rubbed him behind the ears as she spoke calmly….
“Hey Buddy. It’s OK. It’s OK Maxie. Listen, these people are here to help Darin. We have to let them get by. Stand down Max.”
Max wanted to obey, but his first priority was Darin’s safety, and he just wasn’t sure. You could see the anguish in his face. And he was whining and crying because he was unsure of what to do. Max let Jamie by and she could see that Darin was breathing, but that he needed help. Then she had an idea
“Cap, does that guy have a partner. Max is definitely not going to let him by.” said Jamie.
“Here I am,” shouted a man in the crowd.
“OK, listen, I’m going to step into the other room and take care of something. Give me 1 minute and start walking toward Detective York. Don’t be scared the dog will move.” and then under he breath she said…”I think.”
Jamie stepped into the other room and called dispatch. “Dispatch this is Detective Carpenter. We have a Canine handler down and medical crews dispatched to the scene. It does not appear that the dog got the signal, was it sent?”
“Roger detective. We sent the signal to the frequency for the Canine Max, copy?”
“I copy. I don’t think he got it. May be a problem with his receiver. Send the signal over the open channel. With all of those officers in the room, he’s got to hear it.”
“10-4 sending now.”
Every police radio in the room was ablaze with the Canine radio signals coming through. The paramedic was unsure of himself and the cacophony coming over the radios was not helping him, but he did as Jamie had instructed. He waited 1 minute from the time she left and began to walk forward. Max recognized his signal and recognized the paramedic’s uniform and all but ushered him to Darin’s side.
As Jamie stepped back into the room, Brandon York said, “Girl, I don’t know what you did, but you’re a genius.”
“Well, lets just hope we’re in time. And Cap……you’d better get Toni and the kids in here.” said Jamie
“I’m on it.” Brandon York affirmed.
The paramedics were able to stabilize Darin’s condition and, as protocol dictated Max rode with Darin to the hospital. Jamie followed right behind in the cruiser so that she could reign Max in when they got to the hospital.
Chapter 21 Excerpt
Well, its March and I’m still going strong. I passed the 100,000 word mile marker and the ideas are still flowing. Writers block? What’s that? I hope I can continue to ask those two questions! Here’s the next excerpt. Sorry, but did not publish anything publicly from chapter 20. If you have any questions or need some fill-in information, please let me know! Enjoy!
If nothing else, Darin liked to be prepared. He and Jamie started making plans. If they were going in, they were going to go in with some knowledge. The aerial shots were a great help. The schematics of the compound were immensely helpful too. The schematic architectural drawings provided by the Mayor helped Darin and Jamie make their plans very precise. If they were possibly walking into a trap, everyone was at a loss as to figure out why the Mayor’s office was being so helpful.
After several days of planning and practicing, Darin felt that they were ready. Nobody was really sure who or what they would find, but that was not going to stop them from going in.
The Mayor tried, repeatedly, to get more detailed information about the timing of Darin’s plan and when he and Jamie would be executing the rescue mission, but he did not have much success. Darin did not even tell the Commissioner or Arnie that information. That made it easier on everyone’s part. Nobody had to lie about information they may have actually had.
Darin had a nagging feeling about this job. Something was not sitting right and he could not figure out what it was. As usual, Darin was worried about everything except for himself. The thing weighing on his mind at the moment was the welfare of the neighborhood. It would not take much for the rival gangs to turn the neighborhood back into the den of terror that it used to be. Darin had to make sure that it anything happened to him, that did not happen.
When Darin talked to Brandon York about his concerns, the Captain told him that he would take care of it since Darin was not allowed to leave the training facilities yet…
“Listen Darin, calm down.” said York “I can handle this for you. There’s no need of you getting yourself all wound up about anything.”
“If you could do that, that would be awesome.” said Darin. “I owe you one.”
“I believe it is I who is indebted to you and I’m not sure if I’ll ever get out.”
Brandon York tried to explain the situation to Mean Jimmy D., who, although he retained the name, he was anything but mean these days. His message was not coming through clearly. Worst of all, the Captain could not adequately answer Jimmy’s concerns about Darin and Jimmy wanted to know why any of this was even necessary. Unsatisfied with the Captain’s responses, Jimmy wanted to talk with Darin directly. Brandon York knew that the only way that was going to happen was if he took him to see Darin. He reluctantly took Jimmy to the compound to see Darin. He knew that Darin was already worried, so he couldn’t mess that one up.
When Brandon and Jimmy arrived, Darin, Jamie and Max had just finished a rigorous round of training. They were elated to have any visitors, but especially happy to see Jimmy. The Captain explained the concerns that Jimmy had and said that they couldn’t stay long. He would wait in the car.
Darin and Jamie took Jimmy for a little walk and talked to him about the neighborhood and how they were worried about things, but Darin didn’t mention why. It was then that he found out how much more, although still without a lot of detail, that Brandon York had shared with Jimmy…
“Oh, well the Captain wouldn’t tell me any specifics, like, you know. So you know,” said Jimmy, “I was jus’ kinda’ wonderin’ what all was up, you know?”
“Well in all honesty, Jimmy, there really is not a whole lot that I can tell you specifically. I just need to know from you that if anything happens to me you’re going to make sure everything we worked to established for the neighborhood stays in place.”
“Well, first of all, we been prayin’ for you, like every day. We know that God has his hands on you Detective. And, like I can’t speak for God; and I never would try, but, you know, if I was like able to do that, I would have to say that he’ not like finished with you yet,” said Jimmy. “You told me something one time that I’ve never forgotten. Maybe you should listen to it too. Don’t take on tomorrows worries today! Get through today first. Let God take care of tomorrow until it gets here and you’re actually able to do something.”
“Touche! Well, I was just planning,” said Darin.
“Two what?” asked Jimmy and they all laughed.
As they were walking Jimmy back to the Captain’s car the passed by the schematics posted up on a wall and Jimmy recognized them immediately.
“Man, you guys need some updated drawings, those things are old,” said Jimmy.
“What? You know this place, Jimmy?”, said Darin and he stared at Jamie with a surprised expression on his face.
“Oh yeah, we hang out there every so often. We kinda like all the stuff we can do there. Have lots of fun. Somebody’s been making lots of changes to the place though. It used to be deserted. Now there are guards posted all over the place and we can’t even sneak by them.”
Darin frantically waved to Brandon York to get him to come and join them and he called Arnie as well. When everyone was gathered around the schematics, Darin began to question Jimmy.
“So, Jimmy,” said Darin, “are you trying to tell me that this compound has been modified?”
“Oh yeah. Sure, it used to look like this and that was cool. But they’ve changed a lot of the entrances and stuff and it’s even like cooler now.”
“Jimmy, how many of those changes can you remember and can you mark them on the drawing for me?”
“That place is like a home away from home to the Wild Bunch, Inc. We know it like the back of our hand. You got a pencil? I can change this thing up for you.” Jimmy finished up the drawing and even indicated where the guards were posted; and said, “So when you going in? We want to help”
Everyone stared at Jimmy in surprise.
In answer to their stares, Jimmy said, “Well why else did you want me to update the drawing. I figured it probably has something to do with all of this stuff that you can’t tell me about. Jimmy D. might be dumb but he ain’t stupid!”
“Very astute, Jimmy.”
“Very a-what?”
“Never mind. Fact is, we’re not in full control of what is going on and I need you and your boys to stay away, OK?”
“You got it detective, just glad I could be of a little help.”
“Jimmy, could you go and wait for me in the car please?” asked the Captain.
“Sure. Don’t be long now.” answered Jimmy with a smile.
When Jimmy was in the car and out of earshot Arnie said, “Good gravy! The Mayor is feeding US mis-information! If we went with the old version of the schematics everything you trained for would have been nullified within 5 seconds of getting into the compound. Look at these changes. Now what do we do?”
“Nothing different,” said Jamie. Same plan, different layout.
“My thoughts exactly.” said Darin “As long as we learn the new layout, the plan will still work.”
“You two are amazing,” said the Captain.
“Ruff!” barked Max.
“Sorry,” said the Captain, “I mean, you three.”
“Rufff! Rufff!”
With that Brandon York walked back to his car and got in.
“Young man, you know what you just did?”
“If my guess is correct, Captain, I would say that I just like saved their lives.”
“You got that right,” said the Captain “Say, you ever think about being a cop?”
Jimmy paled visibly and said in a low voice, “I think we better go. I think you guys are great, but being a cop? I’ll check, but I’m pretty sure that like against my religion or something.”
Darin, Jamie and Max reset their training area so that they could practice with the new information that they had now and, sure enough, it appeared that their plans were still going to work.
When the Captain returned to the office, he had 7 urgent messages from the Mayor. “Get him on the line for me,” he told his assistant, “lets find out what he wants. Can’t be that urgent or he would have tried to reach me by radio.”
In a few minutes the assistant had the Mayor on the line….
“Yes, Mr. Mayor, what can I do for you?”
“Captain, I talked with the Commissioner, he said you might have detailed information about when our team will be executing their plan.”
“Sorry, sir, all I know is that in light of some new information plans have changed.”
“New information? What new information?”
“Unknown, sir,” the Captain lied, “and I also have no information on when execution is likely. I haven’t asked and, Frankly, I like to leave that decision in the hands of the people who are doing the job. I guess I still have that military mentality from my old Marine days. They’ll contact me when the deed is done. Hate to be rude Mr. Mayor, but I have a department to run and I can’t really talk right now. I’ll try to ring you back later.”
With that Brandon York hung up the phone without waiting for the Mayor to reply.
The Mayor called Mikey right away to give him an update, just incase things needed to change.
“Mr. Mayor, exactly what is this new information that they have?”
“Well, Mikey, I’m not sure.”
“Well,” said Mikey, “We don’t have any leaks on our side. We know how to stop leaks. Well, it doesn’t matter. When they walk into this trap, it won’t matter what information they have, they’re not walking out. They would need a small army if they even wanted to stand half a chance. They’re toast!”
“I hope you’re right,” said the Mayor, “it could be pretty embarrassing if you’re not.”
“I’m sorry Mr. Mayor, were you questioning me?”
“Uhhhhhh, no Mikey, of course not. I’ll call you if there are any updates.” With that the Mayor hung up the telephone. That was a close call. He better be more careful.
Woo Hoo I broke 100,000!
Woo Hoo! I’m excited. Could you tell? My goal was to break 100,000 by March 1, but I’m only 9 days late. Things got a little busy and quite a few times I had to other things even though I was dying to write. My ultimate goal was 150,000 words, but I don’t think the story will get to that many words. I have added some points to my outline and there is an awful lot that I have yet to insert. I know I need to do more to build my characters and make readability better as well. Pray for me as I head down the home stretch and finish the final section of my book (the story is broken up into three sections) and then begin the mammoth task of going through the first edit. I may take a well deserved break somewhere in between. If I do, I’ll let you know.
