Chapter 19 Excerpt

Well, here is an excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 19!  I’m still plugging along and am almost at 100,000 words.  I thought the book might go to about 15,000, but I don’t think it will make it that far.  Enjoy, and as alwys….send me you comments or leave them here!

Jamie absolutely hated being left out of the action, but she understood the reason why.  They could not afford to blow their cover and get the Mayor or Mikey Campinieri suspicious.  That would spoil all fo their plans.  Although Darin hated it, and Jamie did too, Darin’s family was taken away and hidden so that the likes of Mikey Capmpnieri and company would not have access to them.

There was a meeting in Mikey Campinieri’s office and he was none too happy:

“Listen Brutus, who’s paying who to get the job done?” asked Mikey, “are you trying to tell me that with all of the resources that you have at your disposal, there is no way that you can get a fix on Frost’s family.  They can’t have just moved off of the face of the earth.”

“Well sir,” said Brutus, one of Mikey’s most trusted minions as he reported back, “We have not been able to locate them as of yet, but we are still trying.  I think we need to put some pressure on the Commissioner.”

“Oh, so now you’re going to tell Mikey how to run his business?”

“No, sir, its just that—-”

“Its just that the Commissioner is nit wit!  A nothing!  A nobody in the grand scheme of life.  His boss, our faithful Mayor is the one that we need to keep after.  The Commissioner doesn’t even know what he’s doing.  Are you going to stand there and tell me that the family does not have resources to get this job done?  Better yet…..do I need to find someone else”

When that last sentence came out it was almost icy and meant, what Brutus knew was most likely sudden death for him.

“It seems that all of these orders have been coming out of the Commissioner’s office lately.”

“Probably just to spite the Mayor.  Those two are having their own little personal war and I’m not about to get pulled into it.  Use whatever other means and resources that you have to, but I want them found and I want them alive.  I have something special planned for them.”

“Mikey, we’ve looked everywhere and they’re nowhere to be found.”

“You obviously haven’t looked EVERYWHERE!” shouted Mikey, “Or you would  in here telling me where you found them, NOT that you couldn’t.  So, if you plan on a long life, get back out there and find them?”

Mikey knew that whoever was behind this was good and did not fear him.  He could not believe for a minute that it was the Commissioner.  Mikey still remembered that night long ago he and group of his men broke into the house of the, then, Captain.  He remembered the look of fear in his eyes as he pointed the barrel of his gun at his target.  He remembered the feeling of sheer exhilaration that he felt as he squeezed the trigger over and over again.  With every bullet he drove home he made a statement.  The statement that you did NOT turn done an ‘invitation’ to join the Campinieri family.  He remembered how he had gunned down the Commissioner’s young wife as she tried to run for her life because Mikey said she could go.  No, the Commissioner may have had the nerve to turn down the family, but he did not have it in him to be a problem to the family the way that Brutus was thinking.  There had to be somebody else, but who?  Mikey had to find out who.

***************

Darin and Brutus got up and went through their morning routine and were about go and get in the car, but Max would not let Darin near the car door.

“Whats the matter, Max?” Darin asked his partner.

Max walked over to the vehicle and began sniffing.  Something was amiss and he did not like it.

Max got to the hood of the car and barked 4 times.

“A bomb? Max are you sure?” Darin asked the dog incredulously—but he should have known better.

Not willing to take the chance, Darin called headquarters on this radio and had the bomb squad come out.

It took almost three hours to diffuse and remove the massive amount of explosives that were found withing the body and under the vehicle, but the bomb squad was able to do it and finally gave the vehicle their blessing.

The bomb technician was not one that Darin had ever seen before and there was something about his manner that really bothered Darin.  But when he got the report about the what had been found he dismissed it as paranoia:

“Good thing you have this K-9 here, detective.  There were enough explosives in this vehicle to blow it and everything else around it up into unrecognizeable little pieces.   That dog saved your life.  I think its pretty save for you to drive now.”

There was still something about the technician that was nagging Darin…..”Where’s William’s today?” asked Darin.

“He was on another assignment, so I took the call.  Probably nothing.  I  wish I was on his call!” said the technician.

There was something that was still not sitting right with Darin so he gave Max the command to stand guard while he went  inside to make a call.  Darin found out that Williams was now available and he asked him to bring a team and come and check the car, and to bring a few backup police units—and hurry.  He just had a hunch.

Just as the bomb technician and his team were done cleaning up, the saw Williams and his team pull up.  Williams got out of his truck….

“Thought you guys might be able to use a little help over here.  I heard it was a pretty big job.”, said Williams

“No, no, that’s OK.  Thanks for the offer, we got it all taken care of.”

“Well being that the Detective is a friend of mine, I’m sure you won’t mind my taking a look at your work and the stuff that you found,” said Williams, in an almost question like tone.

“Yes!  Yes!  I would mind.  You don’t think I know my job?”

“Well,” said Williams, “That’s hard to say as I’m having a really hard time placing your face.  I pretty much know all of the bomb techies,” Williams lied.

But his lie had done the trick.  Now the unknown bomb detective was on the defensive.  He was just about to reach inside of his overalls when he heard the unmistakable sound of high powered weapons being readied for firing.  A small army of police officers came out of the wood works and and took the imposters into custody without incident.

Darin gave Max the command to seek again and Max went over to the car and began searching.  It didn’t take long before everyone heard Max’s four bark warning.  Not once, or twice, but three times.  Indicating that there were still, at lest three bombs in the vehicle.

Williams and his team moved in and performed a complete examination in the area that Max had indicated.  The three bombs that they found were still tied to the ignition.  If Darin and Max had gotten into that vehicle and started it, they blown to bits.

It took a lot less time for Williams and his team to diffuse and dismantle the remaining explosives.  Upon examination of the things that were removed by the other team, it was found that nothing that had been previously removed was even close to being explosive.  They were all decoys.

This time not only did Williams and his team give the vehicle his blessing, but Max also gave it the once over and gave it his official Okie Dokie as Well.

***************

When word got out about this little mishap, Mikey had Lenny Cartelli bring Brutus to meet him out at his warehouse office.  The warehouse was yet another business cover for the family that helped them with their smuggling and money laundering operations.  Mikey kept an office out there so that he could keep an eye on operations as he felt necessary.  As the three men sat in Mikey’s office, cigars blazing, the conversation turned from the business to the news of the day…..

“So, Brutus, tell me, exactly what got into your mind?”

Brutus was not sure how to respond so he asked, “What do you mean Mikey.”

“You responsible for the team that put the car bomb in Darin Frost’s car?”

“Yes, sir, grand plot if it had worked.  Oh, well, those guys messed up.  They’ll get what they deserve.”

“THOSE GUYS MESSED UP?” shouted Mikey.  Brutus was scared and rightfully so.  “Brutus, you don’t put a car bomb in the vehicle of a bomb sniffing dog!  That’s not smart.  I think you’ve lost it my friend.”

“Well, uhhhhhh, it seemed like a good plan, sir.” said Brutus.

“Seemed like a good plan, huh?  Brutus you just became a liability.”, said Mikey

“A liability?  No, Mr. Campinieiri?”  Said Brutus pleadingly.

“Lenny.” said Mikey in nice calm  and heartless voice.

Lenny Cartelli did not need any further instruction.  He pulled out the weapon that was always nicely concealed under his fine tailored suit.

BANG!

“Do have somebody take out the trash, will you?”  said Mikey as he left the office.

Chapter 17 Excerpt

Sorry folks but I’m switching up on you. I was going to post an opening sequence from Chapter 17, but decided on the closing sequence because I had to keep on writing to see how this was all going to flesh out. Sorry about the gap that it leaves but those of you who really want to the “fill in the gap” info, can contact me. I may be obliged to send you a piece or two

Darin and Jamie sat in the Brandon York’s office. Jamie was on an emotional roller coaster. Now she was being told that this was NOT going to happen after all. Darin was not too happy either.

“How could this happen, Cap?” said Darin. “I thought everything was pretty much set.”

Brandon York was about to respond when the Commissioner walked into his office without knocking and unannounced.

“Sorry for being so rude, but I figured you three would be in here meeting.”

Nobody said anything because it was already established that all of the decisions to quash the proposed program had come from his office. Nobody would meet the Commissioner’s eyes. After making his initial assessment of the situation he began, with a snort, to speak in his gruff voice.

“So, this is it huh? Judge and jury. I’ve been tried and convicted in a room full of Christians….or so you say. I don’t know a whole lot about Christians, but the last thing I expected was to be judged.”

The Captain, Darin and Jamie each glanced at each other and knew that on that score, the Commissioner was right. Nothing like an non-Christian to get a Christian back in to line by telling them the truth!

Darin was the first to speak up and he spoke for them all. “Sorry, sir, you’re right. We were judging and you are also right, we should not be judging. For that we are sorry.”

“Apology accepted! Captain, may I sit down?”

“Like you had to ask? ” asked Brandon York.

“No,” said the Commissioner, “but every now and then I surprise even myself!”

Brandon York motioned the Captain to his chair and he moved from behind the desk. The Commissioner sat down and began.

“OK, listen up, because here’s the deal. The first thing you need to know, no beating around the bush, is that I didn’t give you the axe! Now lets talk about it. First of all York, is your office clean?”

“Yes Sir, you can speak securely here. No bugs.”

“How can you be sure?” asked the Commissioner.

“I’m afraid all I am willing to tell you on that score is that Darin and I set up the technology in my office and we have our indicators.” said Brandon York.

“Good answer Captain. If you had given me that information, in my book, you and Darin both would have been suspect. A+”

“Glad I passed. And to answer what I perceive your next question may be, I am confident that you can say anything in front of detective Carpenter that you can say in front of Detective Frost and myself. Campinieri does not have his claws in her.”

Jamie was taken aback by the Captain’s need to have to say that as well by the recognition that he had correctly guessed the Commissioner’s next concern.

“OK, we continue,” said the Commissioner, “How do you know I’m clean? You don’t.” He said indicating Darin and Jamie, “But your Captain does, so I’m gonna have to ask you to trust me as you have up to now. What we do know for sure is Campinieri is deep in to MY boss, our grand old mayor. I’ve been meaning to get with you Darin, because I’m sure you’ve been trying to get enough stuff to put him away and prove his guilt but he’s too slimy. I have it!”

The Commissioner holds his hand up because now Darin is ready to start in with the questions. “Save it, that discussion is for another time. Right now we talk about how we proceed with our current dilemma. The Mayor himself overturned my order and put the kibosh on Jamie’s training. He also expedited her transfer to get her out of here and away from you…….. I see the worried looks on your faces, not to worry, I did an end run around him on that one. We have a false paper trail setup so he’ll think that the transfer has gone through. Jamie, you’ll be temporarily reassigned for a couple of days so that he actually thinks you’re reporting to where he transferred you. He’s not good at checking up. It’ll work.

“Now #2, we go ahead with Jamie’s training, after our first rouse is bought into, by having her put on special assignment by my office. We have a clean facility that we don’t believe is compromised and you, Jamie; you, Darin; and you, Max will undergo special training for this new unit.”

“How are you gonna fund that, Sir?” asked Darin.

“I’m not, the Mayor is funding it with his slush fund. He thinks we’re doing other stuff with the money. Oh well, I don’t have any qualms about beating a crook out his money. Now after you training is done—and you guys are gonna have to learn quick because this must be expedited, you will be temporarily replaced on your beat by another team and be assigned to a special detail out of my office. Your job, should you decide to accept it. Sorry, had to throw that in. I love Mission Impossible.”

Everyone laughed briefly and the Commissioner continued.

“Your job,” he continued, “will be to get everything that you have so far together and amass as much more as you possibly can in the ensuing 30 days and we’re going to take those…. pardon me, I have to remember where I am and who I’m talking to….. we’re going to take those no good criminals to court and plaster them to the wall. I want as airtight a case as we can get.

“Now Campinieri is going to feel the pressure and he’s going to try to batten down the hatches, I’ll run interference on my side.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game Sir.” said Jamie.

“Aren’t we all, detective? If you’re going to put yourself on the line, I”m there with you! Frost, your family is going to get lost. You won’t even know where they are until its safe to tell you and there will only be secure communications from them to you. You will not be able to call them. My top people are on that now. Mikey will try to get to your family, but its not gonna happen. I’ve thought this all out and I think its gonna work. Still needs some massaging, but if you have any suggestions….nows the time. I’m all ears.”

Darin and Brandon had a few questions about some rough parts in the plan and helped the Commissioner to better develop some other parts that he hadn’t considered. Jamie sat back, listened, petted Max and learned. They came up with so many things that she never even considered. Jamie knew inside that this was going to work and that, one way or another, Campinieri and family were going down.

Everybody was as bit apprehensive before the meeting but God had worked it out nicely.

“One other thing, said the Commissioner everything about this operation points back directly to me. Nobody else gets implicated so if…..well never mind.”

But everybody knew exactly what the Commissioner was thinking. If anything happened and things were discovered….he was the top level guy. Campinieri would be coming after him.

“We’ll solidify everything in the next few days. No “unusual” contact with my office. Just the normal stuff. We don’t want to raise any flags. I’ll make secure communications with you when things are ready.”

With that the Commissioner rose and left without saying another word.

“Wow,” said Darin, “I don’t know what Campinieri did to him, but I feel sorry for Mikey. The Commissioner is throwing everything he has at him.”

“Let me tell you something kid,” said Brandon York, “A lot of years ago, when the Commissioner was brand new Captain, the family tried to get him on the take. He resisted. One night there was an attempted robbery at this house—at least that’s the way the report reads—the Commissioner took five bullets, one to the throat—-hence the gruff voice—his wife bought it that night. The word on the street was that the Campinieiris ordered the hit. Mikey’s father was in control then. Word is Mikey was the trigger man. Nobody knows, never been proven, except that the Commissioner says he never forgets a voice and Mikey liked to brag to his men while he did his jobs. It’s been a lot of years and the Commissioner has come a long, long way. But you can bet, first and foremost on his mind is that one way or another, he’s gonna get Mikey Campinieri. Now what you just heard doesn’t leave this office. Lets get to work.”

Chapter 15 Excerpt

Believe it or not, I’m still at it.  Here we are now up to chapter 15.  Thanks to all of you who are still out there reading and giving your input.  Here is a little from Chapter 15.  Enjoy it.  The next post will probably not be until Chapter 17 or 18.  

It was an ordinary patrol day.  The weather was sunny and clear, the streets were not crowded everyone seemed to be in order and the police radio, aside from the normal dispatcher chitter chatter, was virtually quiet.  Darin and Max drove through the streets on the outer boundaries on their beat to make sure that things on the fringes were OK.  Everything appeared to be in perfect order.

As they drove, Darin too a glance at his watch.  It was just about time for lunch…..
“Almost lunch time, buddy,” Darin said to Max, “You about ready to stop and get something to eat?”

Max barked an affrimative in reply to Darin’s question.

Darin had to stop and think for a second.   There were a lot of people who would think that he should be committed for sitting here having a conversation about lunch time with a dog.  But that was just it…. Max was not just any dog. Max was his partner.  As much as a lot of people would not have been able to comprehend the concept, Max and Darin understood each other.  It was the same with most K-9 handlers and their partners.  The K-9 had at least a general understanding —but more commonly a complete understanding— of what their partner was trying to communicate to them.  They learned to understand without having to say a lot.

Many times it was just the situation that could change the whole context of a command.  Darin thought about how many times all he had to say was, “Go Max!” and Max was off and running and knew exactly what he was expected to do.  Darin did not always have to tell Max what mode he had to be in.  It was clear from the situation whether his task was search and rescue, criminal apprehension, Safety intervention, Protection or something else.   It was Darin’s job to make it clear when it wasn’t and it was Max’s job to not act right away when he was unsure of what he was supposed to do.

So far, Max and Darin clicked so well together that there had not been any issues as to what actions were supposed be performed and when.   Max always performed as he was supposed to.  Both his and Darin’s training had served them well.

As Darin was cruising along the normal dispatcher chitter chatter suddenly changed……

Calling Detective Frost and all units in the Vicinity.
We’re showing a silent alarm at 229 Main Street.
No further information at this time.
Proceed as if we have a 211 in progress
We suggest that you go in advertising.
Detective Frost do you copy?

Darin stopped his car and used his good hand to grab the microphone and depress the talk button….
“Roger Central I copy that.  Proceeding to 229 to cover a silent alarm.  Proceeding as if there is a 211 in progress.   Roll Backups.  Advertising all the way!”

“Roger that, Detective,” came the answer, “backups are rolling.
Be advised that GPS shows you’re the only unit in the vicinity.
My map is showing you could be without backup for 2 – 3 minutes.”

“Roger.”

Darin turned on this lights and siren and stepped on the gas.  Max barked excitedly.  He knew something was going down, but had no idea what.  Darin’s first thought was one of complete arrogance.  He thought…”how dare somebody try to pull a robbery on MY beat.” But that thought was quickly trumped by the sudden realization of where 229 Main street was.   That was Garcia’s Grocery store.

Garcia was the most passive man that Darin had ever know.  He wouldn’t hurt anybody or anything.  And Darin was sure that Garcia did not have a weapon.  It took Darin and Jamie several months to convince Garcia that he needed to install an alarm system in his store.  Frankly, Garcia just did not see the need.  Now Darin was thinking, he made a good call.  How glad he was now that he thought to install an alarm button just under the couner where the register was.

If this was in fact a robbery, Darin knew that Garcia would be very cooperative.  Garicia didn’t care about the money.  He would probably be witnessing the would be criminal the entire time he was trying to get the money out of the register.  Even though he knew it would be aggravating to a criminal who was very likely a sinner destined for hell because he’d rejected God, Garcia knew he was going to heaven and was none too scared of being shot.  Hopefully, thought Darin, that was not going to be an issue.

Darin tried to calm himself as he rapidly made the turn onto Main Street and was now 1 block away from Garcia’s store.  He traversed the 1 block distance in no time at all at the speed he was going and came to a screeching halt in front of the store.  They were the first to arrive.  Darin absentmindedly hid the side hatch button that allowed Max to exit and the partners carefully approached the store and went in slowly and quietly.   Something was wrong.  It was too quiet.  Garcia was always ambling about the store.  Darin joked with him about having ADD because he could not keep still.  When he was in the store, he was always moving.

Darin cautiously called Garcia’s name.  In answer, he heard a groan from behind the counter.   Darin rushed behind the counter where he found Garcia on the floor with a pool of blood around him and a very obvious gunshot wound to the chest.

Darin immediately depressed the talk button on the microphone…..
“Dispatch I need an ambulance here and I need it yesterday.  We have a man down with a gun shot wound to the chest.  Doesn’t look good.”

“Garcia?”  came the response from the dispatcher.

Darin didn’t know how he knew him or what his ties were.  He could only sullenly reply in the affirmative….”Yeah….Garcia”

“Garcia! Garcia!  Its Darin Frost.  Can you hear me?”

Garcia turned his head in Darin’s direction. He was just able to get out a few words.  He said….. “They’re looking for you.”

“Who’s looking for me?  Who did this to you?”  But even as he asked the questions, Darin knew the answers already.

Garcia spoke again in short and gasping breaths…. “Said….the boss……..the boss wanted…….leave you….. a….messssss……..sage.”  With that Garcia’s strength seemed to have left him.  Darin was cradling the man’s head and praying that God would help him to hold on if it was His will.

Just then Darin eyes opened as he simultaneously heard the familiar protective growl of Max in action and felt the whiz of a bullet past his ear that had just barely missed him.  Darin looked over to see Max in the process of disarming the shooter.  Darin knew at that moment that if it were not for Max’s quick action which  threw off the shooter’s aim, he would be lying wounded or dead right here next to his friend.  Darin praise the Lord for Max and scolded himself for not being more alert and making sure the are was secure.

Darin heard the slamming of a couple of doors. A couple of units he supposed that came in without advertising.  He saw the uniformed officers in just seconds and gave Max the command to guard and stand down.  The officers took over cuffed the shooter.  Just seconds later Darin heard the unmistakable sound of the ambulance pull up and got out of the way as the paramedics did their job.

For all that Darin could do, Garcia was D.O.A. at the hospital.  Darin knew that somehow, some way, Garcia was killed because of him.  He also knew that Mikey Campinieri was the man who was responsible for his death and he was going to prove it.

Chapter 13 Excerpt

As promised, the writing hiatus was short and is now over…..but be prepared for short breaks while I review technincal details.  Of course a lot of this will be edited/modified/re-written with the first edit (that I like to so affectionately call the slash of the editor’s pen) and then updated even more with the first read through of “privilleged ones.”  All that having been said… Here’s a short piece for from Chapter thirteen, getting up back on track with our main plot…

Late one evening black sedan with tinted black windows pulled up to the dog training facility.  The driver got out, pulled his jacket closed to completely conceal his gun and very deliberately opened the door for the man in the passenger seat. 

Out stepped Lenny Cartelli, Mikey Campinieri’s right hand man.  Lenny Cartelli stood an impressive 6 feet, 4 inches tall.  His wavy, brown hair was well groomed with straight part down the left side.  Not a hair out of place.  He was clean shaven and medium width eyebrows covered his serious looking  gray eyes.  Cartelli was dressed immaculately in a blue, pinstriped, Giorgio Valenti, hand-made designer suit that cost no less than $1,000.00.  His shiny, black, woven, tassel Zellin Italian shoes, priced at $250 a pair stood out as well, and made no noise as he took each step.  His outfit was touched off by a $70 Gitman red silk tie and a $120 Coppley dress shirt, pressed so as not have a single wrinkle.  He wore a 24K gold wedding band on his left hand, with three rows of diamonds inlaid in a diagonal pattern.  Cartelli’s stride was purposeful and sure.  Flanked now by two body guards that seemed to to just appear out of nowhere, they headed to the head trainer’s office.

The head trainer, Jeffrey O’Day, sat at his desk and stood immediately when Cartelli walked into the office with his henchman.  O’Day motioned toward his chair, offering it to Cartelli as he stepped out to the way.

“No, I appreciate the gesture O’Day and it is noted, but I won’t be long.  You can sit back down”

As he sat back in his chair Jeffrey O’Day asked, with the utmost respect in his voice, “What can I do for you today Mr. Cartelli?  I wasn’t expecting a visit from you this evening.”

“Always expect me, O’Day.  You never know when I might show up,” said Cartelli.  The he smiled slightly and said, “Like right now.”

“Right sir.”

“I was just checking to make sure that the ‘Frost Situation’ was under control.”

“Well sir, there has been a little problem with that —-”

“Mr. Campinieri doesn’t want to hear about problems unless you already have a solution.”

“I understand, Sir.  And I have already dealt with the problem.   Everything is back on track, I just had to modify the plan a little.”

“Whatever it takes, O’Day.  And you make sure it works.  ‘The Family’ would hate to see one of its loyal…uhh shall we say employees?…..have a life threatening accident.”

“Of course, sir.  You can tell Mr. Campinieri that all is under control.  Would you like an update on the plan, Sir.”

“Not necessary.  I’m sure you’ll make it work.  If Mikey wants an update, I know where to find you!  You just make sure that we don’t miss!  Mikey wasn’t too happy when your buddies blew it with the Carpenter girl.  We’ve cleaned up that mess…if you know what I mean….That is to say don’t bother calling them for help in the future.  They’re permanently unreachable.  Besides, I dont’ know a cell phone yet that can operate from within a cement block.  After we get Frost out of the way, we’ll take care of the Carpenter girll ourselves.”

“Yes, sir.  I can see why you would want to do that.  So as not to arise any suspicion, I have something very crafty planned.  It will take just a little while, out of necessity, but I believe Mr. C will be very happy with it.”

Cartelli snapped his fingers and one of his henchmen reached into suit jacket and pulled out two wrapped bank stacks of brand new, crisp 100 dollar bills and threw them on O’Day’s desk.

“As usual, O’Day, there’s more where that came from.  And don’t try to deposit more than $1,000 dollars at a time or else you’ll raise suspicion.  These bills are clean and can’t be traced back to the family.  You’re the only one that will be burned if you do something stupid.”

Jeffrey O’Day looked at the  $20,000 dollars on his desk.  This had been the biggest “payday” he’s had yet  since he turned corrupt six years ago and began working for the Campinieri family.  The Campinieri’s had been true to their word.  He got a guaranteed payday every week.  There was no negotiated price and he never knew how much it was going to be, but, lately, he had come to expect between five and ten thousand dollars each time.  He knew better than to ever complain about the amount and his silence had earned him some higher payments.  Jeffrey O’Day had never known how he was going to be paid either.  He found his payments left to him in all sorts of places.  Sometimes with a note left so that he knew where to look; and other times he’d open his lunch and there would be a payment.  Whoever was in charge, definitely liked to be original.  And sometimes, like today, he got a payment in person.  As long as he was doing “well” Jeffrey O’Day knew that Lenny Cartelli never left without making some type of payment.

“Anything you need from us, O’Day?”

“Yes.  As a matter of fact.  I will need another man that nobody know inserted into the program and I will have a “specially trained” dog for him and work with him myself.”

“A specially trained dog?” Cartelli said as he raised his eyebrows.  Hmmmm, I think I like where you’re going.  I’ll have a man for you in three days.  Don’t let us down!”

Before Jeffrey O’Day even had a chance to respond, Cartelli and his men were out of the door and headed back toward the sedan without so much as a good bye.

Jeffrey O’Day stashed the two stacks of hundreds in his brief case without counting it.  He knew he didn’t have to.  Now that he knew that he was going have a Campinieri loyalist to work with, he began making detailed plans in his head.  It was time to get rid of Darin Frost once and for all.  With everything that he knew, he was still a threat to Mikey Campinieri and that just could not be risked any longer.

A short writing hiatus

Sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause my loyal readers, but I am forced to take a short (and yes, I do plan on short–meaning a week or less) writing hiatus to do some research.  In order for me to “turn the corner” with this book and begin writing the next piece, I have to do some research and possibly an interview or two.  While I am writing a work of fiction, I would like there to be an element of believability to what I am writing.  So, while I take a few days to do some research, go tell a few friends about my blog and let them read and comment!  I would appreciate more readers.

Chapter 12 Excerpt

Well, sorry I had to skip chapter 11, but I can’t give the whole book away on the blog now, can I? I hope that you will enjoy this opening piece from Chapter 12. Something very exciting happens in the next piece (A part I’ve been waiting to start writing about) but it more than likely will not get published on the blog. If you would absolutely have to read it, it is possible to persuade me with cash, checks and money orders!

Here goes….. Enjoy!

This was his third week back on the job and Darin was happy to be around people again. He loved his family dearly, but it was just not the same as his police work. But, a desk job. No this did not quite cut it either, but Darin knew he had to work his way back up to where he wanted to be. It felt almost as though he were being punished. Surely it was not his fault that he got setup and now his arm was injured. Why should he have to endure a punishment for it? As Darin thought about it, he knew that this was all in God’s control. The only problem was trying to get a grasp on WHY God was doing it this way.

Darin kept thinking that a desk job was the last type of job that he thought he would never have. He had even planned to to turn down promotions if they offered them to him, because that meant sooner or later he would be tied to a desk and not out on the streets with his men! Yeah, somebody had to run the precinct, but if he could help it, that wasn’t ever going to be him. He would much rather work for the guy who was running it!

At this point and time, like it or not ( and he most definitely did NOT like it), Darin was tied to this desk job. Sandy said it was just like doing detective work. Not Really! Darin did not consider reviewing the detective’s reports and checking for the content and thoroughness in other people’s investigations his idea of doing detective work. He essentially went through everything with a fine tooth comb and make sure that everything was done to the letter of the law and according to proper procedure. If not, then his job was to notify the detective or officer so that they could correct the situation.

The job, very obviously, needed to be done because Darin was contacting people on a daily basis with a need for this correction or that correction. He felt more like a nag than he felt like he was any kind of assistance to his colleagues. But, just as Sandy said, Darin did get to wear his gun. On Darin it was really just an ornament. His shooting hand was, for the time being, quite useless. What got Darin’s heart beating and blood flowing was the gold badge he had to wear displayed all day. This is the thing that identified him with his life long dream. He always wanted to be a police officer and now he was one again. Limited though it may be… he was one!

The big problem was, of course, that Darin was chained to a desk. Sitting still was not in vocabulary. Darin was not one of those obsessive compulsive type — close, but not quite— but he had a problem just sitting and working if that’s the way that it had to be all the time.

Darin found himself easily startled. Not because he was one who could be easily spooked. In fact he was just the opposite of that. It was because he often found himself daydreaming about the days when he was on the streets. He would think about the days when he was a rookie cop and moved his way up through the ranks. He remembered when he used to walk a beat and how he had grown so close to the folks int he neighborhood. He thought about the day he was promoted to detective and how he was allowed to work the same area as he had patrolled as an officer. He loved his people and they loved. But how were they doing now? Who was taking care of them. Often as he thought on these things he would hear his name being called, only to look up and realize that whoever was talking to him had been calling him for some time and he had not responded. Because of all this the days were long. Darin did not like long days that seemed long! He liked to feel like he was so busy and so into what he was doing that he couldn’t believe how late it had gotten already.

Darin’s colleagues could not help but notice. Every now and then they would be talking in hushed tones and whispers and would stop whenever Darin came around. He would walk into the break room to get some coffee and it seemed that everything would stop and then they would try to turn the conversation to him and talk about old times. One thing Darin hated was when people talked behind his back. But, maybe, he thought, he was just having trouble fitting in and these folks really weren’t doing any thing bad. He was not sure what to think. He just wanted to be happier and he wanted it that happiness right now.

Darin had made up his mind, he would go to Sandy and talk to her. She would have to give him something else. Its not like he hadn’t tried. He tried it her way and now it was time to try it his way…..then Darin thought about his arm—-which had been hurting a lot more lately. He wished he knew why. But with that arm in the condition it was in, he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Perhaps he better get used to the desk.

Darin looked up and it was time to go home. He grabbed his stuff and said his good nights and walked began to walk out. As Darin passed the Captain Brandon York’s door, the Captain yelled out, “Hey! Frost!”

“Yes, sir?, ” said Darin.

“We have some type of in-service going on tomorrow. Gonna be working with a skeleton crew. Don’t bother to come in until about 10:30. Sleep in, spend some time with the wife while she’s awake and not tired.”

That actually sounded very inviting to Darin at the moment. So, before Captain York could change his mind, Darin responded with a hearty, “Yes Sir! See you at 10:30.”

*****************

At 10:30 the next morning, Darin shows up. As the captain had promised there is a skeleton crew at work. Just the essential officers and staff are present. Everything seems to run smoothly for a while. Darin is engrossed in his work and getting more done that he has ever been able to before because there is no one in the office to really bother him. Everyone else seems to be keeping to themselves today and Darin doesn’t appear to notice any more hushed conversations, he’s glad of that.

Suddenly there is an emergency dispatch. There is a hostage situation. Hundreds have been taken hostage in an office building and are being held for ransom. Every available man is being summoned to the scene. The rest of the officers don’t even give it a second thought. They up and out of there. Darin wants in on the action. He starts to get up and turns to head to the Captains office. Brandon York is already standing in door and shaking his head no as Darin turned to face him. Without out a word, York just pointed Darin back to his seat and went back into his office. Brandon York knew, that if nothing else, Darin would obey a command and he knew that he did not have to worry about him sneaking out.

Now, more frustrated than ever, Darin began rifling through the work on his desk. He could not afford to not be thorough so he was not too careless. People were still depending on him to do his job right. He might be angry about not being able to get into the “action,” but he wasnt’ going to let anybody down because of it.

A while later a phone call came in and Darin was the only one there, beside the Captain, to answer it,

“103rd Precinct. Detective Frost speaking.” Darin wanted to say, ‘Desktop Detective’ but he knew that would probably not mean a thing to the caller and only server to confuse them anyway.

“Detective Frost! So good hear from you. Listen this is Sammy Cardosi from the Corner Cleaners.”

“Sammy! How in the world are you?”

“Fine, fine. Look you need to send somebody over her quick. There’s something going down at the youth center and I’m scared that some of the boys are not up to any good. Its not the same any more like it was when you were out here. They respected you! The behaved for you! But they’re starting to turn back to their old ways because you’re not around any more. You gotta send somebody down and it better be soon.”

“OK, Sammy, thanks for calling we’ll get some boys right over there. Don’t you worry. We’ll get that thing settled.”

With that Darin hung up. He scribbled the the information on a pad and went to hand it to the dispatcher, but then realized he was gone as was everybody else. Darin looked around and thought for a second then made his way to the Captains door.

Brandon York looked up from the reports he was studying, “Hey Darin. Listen, you’ve been doing an excellent job since you’ve been back. This unit has been getting burned for procedural stuff that people didn’t know they needed to do and nobody knew enough to catch it. You’ve saved many an officer’s hide since you’ve been back here this short time. I really appreciate it. What’s up? You need something?”

“Captain we just got a call form the owner of the Corner Cleaners on my old beat. He’s pretty worried that something is going down at the Community Center between the teens. He thinks the gang banger might be up to there old tricks again. Nobody else is here, I was wondering is you want me to go down and check it out!”

Darin was unsure as to how the Captain was going to take this and was pretty sure he was just going to be sent back to his seat. He quite surprised at the Captains reaction. Brandon York’s face was one of shock.

“What? We can’t let those gang bangers mess up everything you’ve worked to build up! Get your jacket and your gun. You’re with me, Frost.”

“What? Uh, I mean, Oh yeah, right.” Darin was both confused and elated at the same time and he could feel the adrenaline rush through his veins. Now this was what it was supposed to be like.

When they got down to the Captain’s unmarked car, he wasted no time in putting his dome light on and starting the sirens blaring. As he backed his car out of the garage he realized that he was going to need some backup. He picked up the microphone to the police radio and began calling…..

“This is Captain Brandon York. Sorry Folks I hate to break up your in-service, but I’m rolling on my way to the Tidal District. We have a report of some possible gang activity at the Community Center. I’m gonna need some back up. I need Units 12, 27, 43, and 59 rolling now. Anybody else who is available can head that way as well.”

After about 10 seconds of the most dreadful silence the Captain thought he would ever hear passed, the responses stared coming in.

“Roger that, Captain. Unit 43 Rolling!”

“Unit 12 is in Route!”

“This is Unit 59, we’re on our way.”

“Unit 27 joining the party. Don’t have all the fun without us!”

“This is unit 32, we’ve gotcha covered Cap!”

“Unit 74 is supersonic. Eat my dust boys. See you there Captain.”

“Captain this is the K-9 dispatcher, I got 6 units rolling your way.”

“Captain, this is main dispatch, we showing you heading down 5th toward Lexington. Your about to pick up 3 escorts sir! Two Bikes and and Jimmy”

“Roger that,” Captain York responded. And then as is if from nowhere, there they were. Not only did the Captain have his escorts, but it looked like the whole police force was rolling in route the community center.

Darin was pumped.

He was alive.

This was police work.

This was how it was supposed to be.

As they rolled up to the community center, Darin and the Captain were bringing up the rear entering the building. Two Officers were waiting outside the door for the Captain so that they could fill him in. He liked to have all the information he could before entering a situation and his men knew it. In his typical commando style, Brandon York didn’t waste any time with formalities he just barked out his command: “REPORT!”

“They’re too many of us for them Captain. Looks like we have it under control. Just waiting on you.”

“Well then lets do it!” said Captain York.

With that the officers swung the doors open and the entire room exploded with shouts and cheers…..

“SURPRISE!”

Darin stood there in amazement. Boy had they ever pulled the wool over his eyes. As he stood there and took stock of what was going on around him, he saw his family, his colleagues, all of those people who had been talking behind his back (an now he knew why), all the people from the neighborhood, including Sammy who had made the call —-Everybody! all present at a party in his honor! And then they all began to sing!

“For He’s a jolly good fellow,
For he’s a jolly good fellow,
For he’s a jollyy good fe- elllllll lowwwwwwwww!
Which Nobody can deny!

Which nobody can deny. Which nobody can deny!
For he’s a jollyy good fe- elllllll lowwwwwwwww!
Which Nobody can deny!”

Darin was overcome with emotion. Forget the macho thing, he thought, Praise the Lord for friends. The tears were not only down his face, but you could see the moisture on the faces of many of the people in the room. People were calling for a speech or some type of response, but realizing that Darin was so overcome with emotion, everyone just gave him a standing ovation.

All of Darin’s family, friends and acquaintances began to come in and surround him. And you could hear Captain York in the distance saying, “We didn’t come here to just stand around folks. There’s work to be done, so let the celebration begin!”

Scared Witless!

YWriter 4 just gave this writer the scare of his life! Everything that I had written up to this point was suddenly GONE! Now, I must admit that I do have about 52,000 words printed out and in a notebook, but the prospect of having to type all that back in, or scanning it back in and then editing out the scanning mistakes was just unthinkable! Luckily in process of all my backing things up and my automatic backups I was able to retrieve all except the last 200-300 words that I typed in. As I already told someone else, those 300 words will probably come out better the second time around anyway. Well, as soon as I get rid of the shakes and have my wits about me again (for as the title of this post indicates, I was scared witless) I’ll start working on the next piece, which by the way is slated to be posted on the blog when its done! And….if I may say so myself…..Its going to be good.

I’m about to turn a corner with the book. I had to digress and write about all of the background stuff that people need to know. That will last for another couple of chapters and then we’ll back into the meat of the main story line again as our main character turns his life back around in ways unexpected (and ways that I will not reveal here!).

Anybody interesrted in buying the movie rights can contact my agent.

Chapter 10 Excerpt

Well, I have been trying to figure out how to work this angle, and while it is still a little on the  rough side (I haven’t done ANY editing to the book yet) here is a small piece from chapter 10 with another unexpected twist.

The only  thing that Toni hated more than counselors were counselors that she did not think she had to see.  And that was the case today.  Toni would be accompanying her husband to his counseling session today.  Toni was trying to figure out exactly what it was that was nagging at her.  She could see how these sessions had helped to improve Darin and how much better it had made their relationship after his accident, yet she still had this reluctance to go.

As Toni sat in front her mirror dressed in a smart and stylish brown skirt suit and fixing her hair she tried to find some resolution to this problem that she was having.  But there did not seem to be any.  If anything at all, Toni at least owed it to Darin to pay one visit to the counselor with him.  The least she could do was to say thank you to the person whom she obviously owed a great deal.

Toni smiled as she caught a glimpse of her ever so handsome husband as he walked into the room in his dress pants and tee shirt, still trying to get himself together, as he did every morning.  Toni had no idea what it was that took him so long, but she found some humor in watching him as he made his preparations every day.   Darin was such a creature of habit and everything had to be done just so…..the same way each day.  If not then Darin’s whole world collided and everything crashed in around him.  He had to brush hit teeth and shave before he could get into the shower.  His hair must be washed first and in just the right order with his different shampoos.  He even had a certain order in which he dried off EVERY DAY after he showered.  To Toni this was just so funny to observe.  Once Darin had toweled dry, he got dressed in the same manner every day.  Never an item of clothing out of order.  If there was something that he had to wait for because the laundry had not been done, that would stop the entire process!  He would stop getting dressed at that point and wait.   Darin was very particular, there were no substitutions.  Toni had taught her girls to cater to their father’s needs as well, so  there was always someone home who he could go to in order handle any problems.

Today was not  a problem day.  Darin had everything that he needed, it was just a matter of getting it all together.  Toni finished with her hair and got up from her dressing table, gave her hubby a peck on the cheek as she walked by and was surprised by the unexpected grab that pulled her back to him.
“I really do appreciate you making that effort and going with me today.  I know how you feel about this,” said Darin.
“Well, I promised you this once,” said Toni, “but I don’t know if I can promise you any more.”

“Yeah, I know, she’s going to have to be really helpful to you in order for you to come back again.  Personally, I think she will be.”

“Well, we’ll just have to see about that.  I’m not as sure as you are.”

“Hey babe,” said Darin, “God is still in control, is he not?”

“Sure he is,” answered Toni.

“Well my prayer for the past few days has been that she will be helpful enough to you that you will want to come back willingly.”

“It’s a good thing God is in control, because I can tell you now, that will take some kind of miracle.”

“Last I heard,” said Darin, “God is still in the miracle business!”

The drive to the counselor’s office was a quiet one.  Not much was said by Darin or Toni.  Both were unsure what to expect.

Darin parked the car and they arrived at the counselor’s office ten minutes before the scheduled appointment.  As they sat in the the comfortable waiting room on a posh leather sofa, Toni took in her surroundings.  There was obviously an effort being made to make folks feel at home, but Toni was not sure how much of this she could take!  Toni expected to see the wall plastered with laminated degrees but she did not see any of that here in the outer office.  She was certain that the inner office would have them.

There was a buzz on the intercom.  Tracy, the receptionist, picked up the receiver and the spoke into it. As she hung up the phone she looked over to Darin and Toni and said, “Mr. and Mrs. Frost, you may go in now.  Dr. Reynolds is ready to see you now.”  Just step through the door and Dr. Reynolds will be right with you.”

Darin and Jamie walked into the next room.  There was even more plush furniture.  Sofa’s loves seats, arm chairs, everything you needed to make you feel comfortable.  The Dr. could have counseled you from any spot in the room!  It was clear that there was even more of an attempt to make you feel comfortable once you reached this room.  Darin sat in one of the plush armchairs and offered one to his wife, but Toni opted to stand for the time being.  She began walking around the room and started examining the degrees on the walls, which were there just as she had thought.  Suddenly from behind she heard a warm and seemingly familiar voice say, “Mrs. Frost, I’m Dr. Cassandra Reynolds and I am so glad that you could come today.”

As Toni turned around both women gasped at the same time.  Darin stared from the Dr. to his wife and from his wife to the Dr.   Both women stared in awe at each other but in obvious recognition.  Both women stood with one hand covering her mouth as if to stifle a cry.

Toni was the first one to regain her speech, “Sandy Underwood?”

Dr. Reynolds replied, “Well its Reynolds now, thanks to my wonderful husband.  And I supposed you’re not Kristy Brown any more either.”

“Kristy, now thats not a  name I’ve been called by for a long time.”

Darin knew that this must be a longtime childhood friend because it had been years since anyone other than close friends and family had referred to his wife by the name Kristy.  Kristy being short for her middle name, Kristina.  Toni had long since abandoned that name, trying to escape her youth and adopted the shorter form of her first name, Ationette, in her adult years.

“Well,” said Toni, “You have obviously already met MY wonderful husband, and I use Toni now.   Haven’t been called Kristy in ages.”

The two friends ran to each others arm and hugged each other.

Darin cleared his throat, not wanting to interrupt this little get together, but he had a counseling session scheduled with the Dr.

Dr. Reynolds and Toni ended their embrace, both with tear streaked faces.  There was so much to catch up on.  The Dr. looked at Darin and said, “I’m sorry Mr. Frost, but today’s session is going to have to be canceled.  Something suddenly came up.”

Dr. Reynold’s called her receptionist and had her clear her calendar for the rest of the day.  She and a friend had some catching up to do.

Darin looked over at his wife and said, “Well, dear, I believe God is STILL in the miracle business!”

To which Toni replied, “I may be coming back once or twice… we’ll see!”  But even as she said it, Toni knew that she would be back as many times as the Dr. asked her.”

First Excerpt for 2008….also from Chapter 9

Well, I guess its time to get back into the groove and start wrtiting again. Especially since I’ve gotten more than a few reminders from the reading public. Please, if you know others who would be interested in my writing, share the URL to this blog with them so that they can enjoy and critique as well. I’m open to suggestions/request from all of my fellow bloggers. That having been said….here is an unprecedented second excerpt from chapter 9……..

Darin was still feeling somewhat down and out because of his current situation, but for the first time in a long time he actually felt a little lift. He felt like things COULD change. He prayed that God cold help him open up.

The Frosts were not strangers to church. It seemed like they practically lived there when they weren’t about the daily, everyday, ordinary tasks. Darin was on the board of trustees and helped in many of the ministries. Toni was a Sunday School teacher for the precious young ones. DJ and Lisa both served in the bus ministry. Stephanie was still too busy being a Jr. Teen to realize that she would really enjoy serving in a ministry.

The Frosts were faithful to tithe every week and give God his 10 percent and they marvelled at how far God could stretch the other 90% because they were faithful to give him his portion first. And the Frosts were also avid supporters of the Church’s Missions program through Faith Promise offerings. It was a good feeling to know that God was using the money that he provided them with to help people both in the United States and abroad come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Before Darin’s accident, he was an on fire, gung-ho type of Christian. He would witness at the drop of a hat and share the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ with anybody. Now, after the accident, he was somewhat apprehensive about sharing that information. He felt somehow the loss of the use in his arm hindered his spiritual ability, but that was not so. He could, in fact, be a more powerful witness if he would let God use the situation for His honor and His glory.

With all of the things that had gone on, God was really trying to get Darin’s attention, but, for some reason which he could not explain, Darin was shutting God out. He knew it was wrong and he knew that he needed God, but his self imposed pity party was getting in the way.

On this particular Wednesday, Darin was trying to find every reason under the sun to avoid having to go to the evening service. Darin couldn’t pinpoint it, but there was something that was tugging at him to stay home that evening. Yet, at the same time there was something tugging the other way as well. Something inside said that he needed to be in Church. Darin walked into the sun-room. Toni was there, reading her Bible as she usually did around this time of day. It was quiet and she could get her time with God undisturbed.

“I don’t think I’m going to to church tonight hon. You all go ahead without me,” said Darin.

“Where did that come from? You’re in church every time the doors are open. YOU said it was a family rule.”

It was hard for Darin to try to escape that one. That was HIS rule! Toni could see the conflict in him through his body language. She knew that if she didn’t hit hard and do it right now, she would lose this battle. Toni had no intentions on losing!

“Listen Darin, you are the role model for this family. Whatever you allow yourself to get away with, you can expect the same from everybody else at some point. You also have a responsibility as a member of the board of trustees to be there. Looks to me like you’re running from something, love. I don’t know what it is, but I know what the Darin Frost I know would say. He would say, ‘You gotta grab that problem by the horns and face it head on. And if you determine its too big for you to handle. Jump out of the way and let God grab the horns from you.’ Sound familiar?”

“Awwww right, Awwww right. I’ll go,” said Darin

“Now,” said Toni, “that’s more like it. What is it you always say? ‘Don’t give Satan ground in your life and don’t let him steal your glory. Besides how are you going to grow in the faith if you don’t stay in the word?’ ” That question was rhetorical and Darin did not answer.

That night when they walked into the church, it seemed to be different. The people were warm and cheerful as usual. Everyone was very glad to see Darin and made a point of telling him so. It seemed like he stage had been set and now God was going to direct the actors. The special music was excellent and particularly heart warming. Just right to prepare your heart for the sermon.

As the Pastor got up and started preaching, right from the introduction, Darin felt that the Preacher was talking right to him. It seemed as if everyone else were in some sort of suspended animation and he was the only cognizant person–other than the preacher–in the room.

The sermon had five main points…..
*Have Faith in the Lord
*Let the Lord have control, don’t give Satan the victory
*Talk to the Lord, be faithful with prayer
*All things work together for God’s honor and glory
*Expect a miracle—if you’re not expecting one, chances are good that it wont come!

That last point is the one that really stuck in Darin’s mind. Its not just that you have to expect the miracle, but if you don’t expect it, it may not come. Darin never consciously considered this before, but, if you think about it, it does stand to reason, that God would hesitate to work a miracle if you didn’t think he could do it. As Darin thought about it more and more he realized that he had ALWAYS thought that way inherently, since he was saved. It was just second nature. It never occurred to him to think that God would not do what he was asking for, so when he asked he was always believing! BUT, the accident, he thought, changed everything. Satan got a little ground, dug in and started conquering all. Well, thought Darin, that is going to change right now.

As Darin came out of his thought process the invitation was being presented. He wanted to go forward but something was holding his feet firm to the ground. Darin prayed there in his seat for God go to send his angels like he did for Lot and just lift him down to the altar. As is customary, God knows better how to answer our prayers than we do. Darin didn’t realize it, but his torment was so evident that many of his friends and family were watching him. After Darin was done praying, it seemed that the whole congregation converged on him. First his family and then his friends, everyone trying to get an arm around him. They all began to usher him out of the pew and down to the altar. The preacher was moved and encouraged and continued the invitation with more vigor and life than he had in a long, long time. There was a great season of prayer this night. Everyone had a concern for this one man who had touched each and every one of their lives in ways that he may never know.

Many people left the altar teary and bleary, but happy! Darin was committed to let God have HIS place back in his life and get back on track. Everyone all around was happy. Jamie was there too, next to Toni and they hugged and rejoiced together. When the preacher saw Darin after the service, he said to him…..
“Darin, I don’t know what happened there, but I do believe you started a spiritual fire today.”

“It wasn’t me, Preacher,” said Darin, “It was God. I wanted to go forward and I couldn’t go. I prayed that God would send his angels, like he did for Lot. He did.”

“Amen, and Amen!” said the preacher.

When Darin left that day, he felt like a new man. A changed man. A man ready to get his life back on track. Oh the time he had wasted up until. He knew that he could not get that time back but he sure was going to do what he could to make up for it.

As they were driving on the way home, Darin told Toni he wanted to drive. Toni was in shock!

“Darin are you serious, do you really want to drive? Are you feeling up to it?”

“I did ask, didn’t I?” said Darin.

Well Toni couldn’t argue with that one. The family got into the car and it took Darin a few minutes to get adjusted in the driver’s seat that he had not been in in such a long time. He got his bearings and got his nerve up and pulled off. On the way home, the conversation turned to the service and everything that happened. Everyone was so excited and laughing and crying at the same time. Darin, being a little out of practice, drove right though a stop sign and didn’t know it. But God was watching over him and protected Darin and the family by prevent traffic in the opposing intersection just at the right time. But Darin did catch someone else’s attention. Darin slowed down and pulled over when he looked up and saw the lights in his rear view mirror.

“Don’t these cops have anything better to do?” he chided.

The police officer stepped up to the window and Darin rolled it down……

“What’s the problem officer?” asked Darin.

“You ran that stop sign back there. Sir. Lucky for you there was nobody coming the other way.”

Without really looking at who he was talking to, he asked for Darin’s driver’s license and registration. Darin was only too happy to oblige, but asked the officer to indulge him for a second because he was only working with one arm. While Darin was going through all of the necessary contortions to get his information….eventually being assisted by his wife….. the officer was saying,
“Listen Sir, I’ll tell you now. I’m only going to give you a warning, but we have to do it by the book. I was just talking on the radio with a buddy of mine. He was telling me about a service that I wish I was at this evening. Particularly because of a colleague of ours who we’ve been praying for. I’m feeling so good right now that I just feel like passing on the good fortune.”

Darin smiling knowingly as he handed over his credentials said, “So who is this colleague of yours?”

Silence.

There was no answer coming from the police office. Very slowly the officer bent down and for the first time got a look at who he was dealing with. “Good evening Detective, I think you already know the answer to that question now, don’t you?”

Darin smiled. “To be honest with you officer, this is the first time I’ve driven in many months and we got to talking about that very service. I was so overjoyed that I didn’t see the stop sign. I promise to pay more attention.”

“After what I heard about this evening, I think I understand. One thing I know for sure. I’m don’t going to be the one to give you a ticket if I can avoid it. And in this case, I think I can. So, please drive carefully and have a good evening.”

Darin got a quick look at the officers name tag and said, “Officer Bloom, you have my word that I will pay better attention–especially while I’m in your patrol area!,” said Darin and he put the car in gear and drove off.

The officer stared at the tail lights of the car as it pulled out of sight and silently prayed….”Watch over him, Lord and restore him back 100 fold.”

Taking a writing break

Now that the NANOWRIMO contest is over, I ‘m going to take a short wrting break. In the mean time I will be getting refreshed with new ideas so that I can post some fresh excerpts for you. The book is about 1/3 done right now and has not had any editing at all. I’m sure I have some volunteer reader/editors so the project should be fun. I still haven’t decided which way I’m going to try and publish is, so pray for that decision. Look for the writing to begin again in January!