Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Two characters that I’ve created are Jamie Richmond and Jefferson Chene are obviously my favorites. While both are intrigued by mysteries and love the challenge of unraveling the clues to see where they lead, they are as different as the night is to the day.

Chene was abandoned at birth and raised in an orphanage. As such, he knows nothing about his biological parents.  Jamie came from a traditional family, until her father died when she was only seven years old. Her mother, Vera, raised her along with help from a succession of step-fathers, particularly Bert.

Trying to gauge the impact a mother has on her children is difficult when I’m writing. I’ve witnessed it firsthand over the years, from my own wife’s interactions with the kids, along with those of friends, family and neighbors. No two are exactly the same. Just as each child is different, each mother takes their own approach to help shape and mold their children into happy, amazing adults.

So here’s to mothers everywhere on this special day. Personally, mothers should be recognized daily for all of their efforts. The love and caring doesn’t stop when the kids leave the nest, no matter how near or far they travel.

While she was mentioned in the earlier books, Jamie’s mother made her first appearance in “Fleeing Beauty”.  Here’s the excerpt that marks her arrival. In this scene, Jamie and her friend Ian are wrapping up a day’s work at the studio.

 Ian was closing up the rolltop desk as I went to open the door. Releasing the lock, I pulled the door open partway, letting it rest against my shoulder. It’s a good thing I did that, because what greeted me was so stunning that I almost fell over. 

She was standing there with a gentle smile on her face. Wearing modest heels, she was still an inch shorter than me. Her hair was the color of sand, with a few blonde highlights sprinkled in for good effect. She was wearing a linen suit in an ivory color, the skirt not quite reaching her knees. The silk blouse shimmered in the light, giving me the impression she was sparkling with energy. Her face was free of wrinkles or shadows. Her makeup was perfect. Even from three feet away, I caught a whiff of her delicate perfume. 

Vera. 

“Well, Jamie, are you just going to stand there or are you going to invite us in?” Her voice was strong, with just a hint of annoyance. 

I hadn’t noticed there were other people behind her. Lincoln Banning and Helen Gaines flanked her. Drawing a breath, I pushed the door open and stepped back. Vera reached up and put her hands on my shoulders. She leaned close, but not near enough for an embrace and did the air kiss routine toward each cheek. Then she swept past me into the room, trailing the attorneys. She canted her head in Ian’s direction. 

“And who is this handsome young man?” she cooed. 

Ian wiped his palms on the back of his shorts and came forward. I introduced him to everyone. Vera was sizing him up like a pony at the rodeo.

 “I didn’t think you were coming to town for a week or more.” 

Vera fluttered a hand at me as if she were shooing away a pigeon. “Well, once my friends heard about the discovery, they insisted on expediting our trip. We flew to Hawaii. Another friend suggested I use his private jet to come to the mainland. I’d forgotten how tedious international travel can be.” 

“We did try and call you, Jamie,” Lincoln Banning said, “as soon as I knew Vera was in town. I left several messages on your phone.” 

“It must be in my bag. We’ve been busy.” 

Vera walked around the studio, stopping in front of the worktable with the lone sculpture on it. Slowly she brought one hand up to her mouth. No one said a word as she stared at it. Vera reached out and delicately ran her fingers over the figures. 

“I remember this one. The lines were giving him fits. He just couldn’t seem to get it right. Peter was such a perfectionist.” 

“That he was,” Lincoln said. “Even after all these years under wraps, this is an amazing piece of art.” 

Vera spun to face me. “Linc said there are many more. I’d like to see them.”     

“They are in the storeroom.” While we’d been talking, Ian moved over by the hidden switch. I nodded and he unlocked the door and swung the panel open.  

Vera led the way. I followed with Lincoln right beside me. Helen Gaines walked a few steps further back. Ian stayed by the doorway.  

“Linc said you are making a catalog,” Vera said, speaking softly. 

“We are.” 

I explained the process and the videos we had taken so far. The group slowly made its way down the aisle, taking the time to examine each piece. Helen remained out of the way. I glanced over my shoulder in her direction. Her face was etched in wonder. I could relate.  

* * *

I was studying Vera. It looked like her energy was fading.  

“I’m afraid jet lag is catching up with me,” Vera said. “I’ll have Benjamin drive me out to the hotel.” 

“Who’s Benjamin?” I asked. 

Vera gave me a gentle smile. “He’s the limousine driver. My friend insisted that I use his private car and driver while I am in town. I’m staying at the Hotel Baronette in Novi. Come for dinner. Eight o’clock. The hotel has an excellent restaurant.” 

All I could do was nod. With the two attorneys flanking her, Vera made her exit. Ian appeared alongside me. 

“Are we all done, Jamie?” 

“Yes, I think we’ve just been dismissed.”

If you enjoyed this excerpt, you’ll be happy to learn that the new short story with Jamie is being released June 19.  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CY1TRN6 

Today’s perfect tune for Mother’s Day comes from Paul Simon. Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/9i3JXGtC_os 

Coincidence

Coincidence: You Tell Me

I’ve never been a fan of coincidence, especially when it comes to writing. Some authors will use it as a device to draw you into the story.  I’d rather work the details, the conflicts, the subplots, the character interactions and let them run wild, following their lead. But sometimes, things happen that makes me want to step back, smile and shake my head in disbelief. Here’s an example.

Recently I discovered the series “Justified” on Amazon.  This well-crafted drama came from the creative genius of Elmore Leonard, who authored more than thirty novels, many of which became successful Hollywood movies, such as “Get Shorty”.   

 In “Justified” Timothy Olyphant stars as U S Marshall Raylan Givens, a trigger happy lawman who has his own way of taking care of business. The character Raylan appeared in several of Leonard’s novels. So where’s the coincidence?

Well, the series is set in Kentucky, where Raylan hails from.  And yesterday was the Kentucky Derby.  The winning horse was ‘Justify’, the first one ever to win without racing as a two-year-old.  

Coincidence?  

You decide.  I’ll stick with Gibbs’s rule 39. ‘There is no such thing as coincidence.’

Here’s a little nugget from “Vanishing Act” the second book in the Jamie Richmond series.  

Malone was going to kill me.

There wasn’t a doubt in my mind. He was going to kill me.

I knew it in my heart, in my soul—right down to the marrow of my bones. From the top of my wavy red locks to the bright, red polish on my toenails, I knew without a doubt that it was a sure thing.

    Malone was going to kill me.

    That was provided I got out of this alive, of course.

    He’d warned me time and again to mind my own business. Why couldn’t I listen to reason? How could it be that less than four months after I narrowly escaped certain death at the hands of a psychotic bikini-bar waitress, I found myself in another situation where chances of my survival were so slim? Only this time, it was not just my life on the line. I had somebody else counting on me.

    Now it was up to me. I needed to figure out a way of getting us out of here, fast, because right now, time was rapidly running out on me. Make that us. There was no way I was leaving alone, but there sure as hell was no way I wanted to stick around. Right now, all I really wanted was to be back in my cozy little home, curled up on the plush sofa I affectionately call “The Jewish Aunt,” waiting for Malone to come home from work. But I knew that was not going to happen.

    We were trapped. And waiting on the other side of that wall was someone who would rather see us sliced open on a coroner’s slab than walking out the door. And to help them make that wish come true, they were setting the wall on fire.

    Malone may have to wait in line to kill me. 

Today's musical selection has absolutely nothing to do with this post. It's just the first song that came up in cue from Pandora.  A little rock and roll jewel from "Queen".

https://youtu.be/J9iBgt2OmfQ 

Ain't Nuthin' But a Number

I’m a music fan. Whether it’s classic rock, blues, jazz, swing or big bands, I enjoy a variety of genres.  And that variety often comes into play with my writing. I’ve been known to dial up a certain type of music to help set the mood for a scene.  Something slow and romantic like Sinatra, Van Morrison or Diana Krall can fit the bill when passion is in the works. For action, it’s more likely something with a driving rhythm will be blasting from the speakers.

Hey, whatever works.

There’s a scene in the upcoming “Your Turn to Die” that’s a perfect example. Chene and Simone are having a quiet moment, where he’s telling a story from his past.  During the conversation, Chene makes the comment ‘I am so going to hell’ in reference to his behavior at the time.

When I was writing that segment, a heavy metal classic by AC/DC was on the air. Some people are surprised to learn that I’m still a big fan of rock music.  I merely shrug and respond in the voice of Pappy Cantrell: ‘age ain’t nuthin but a number’. Usually I remind them that The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen and many other rock and roll giants who are all qualified for their AARP cards are still performing today. 

To prove that point, here’s a little video that crossed my radar today.  Just remember, you can’t tell a book by the cover.

https://youtu.be/LO6OaR5PK_w 

With that in mind, here’s an excerpt from “Fleeing Beauty”.  In this scene, Jamie, -her mother Vera and her step-father Bert, are at the studio when one of the art experts arrives to appraise the collection of her late father’s sculptures.

“This is Nicholas Cullen.”

 I remembered the background on Cullen. He seemed too young to be an art expert. Actually he looked more like a surfer. He was tall and lanky, with bleached out hair that swept over the collar of his suit. There was several days’ stubble on his cheeks and chin. Or maybe he only shaved once a month, whether he needed to or not. According to the biography, Cullen was from California. He currently represented two museums and a number of galleries along the Pacific Coast. What surprised me was when he saw Vera. 

“Vee, darling, it has been ages!” 

“Nicky, is that you? I had no idea you were going to be here.” 

Bert appeared beside me. Together we watched Vera and Cullen give faux hugs and kisses and chatter away about socialites they had in common. Eventually he took a portfolio and clutching Vera’s elbow, went to view the collection. 

“How could she not realize this guy was going to be here?” I muttered to Bert. 

“You don’t think she really read any of that background do you? Vera trusts Banning to do the dirty work. She also knew that you and I were going to be here. There was no reason for her to do any heavy lifting.” 

“I’m glad we did. And I’m also glad you’re here, Bert. Even if this feels uncomfortable for you. Your opinion means a lot to me.” 

He winked at me. “Actually, Vera asked me to be here too. I don’t know what her reasons were, but I let her believe I was doing it as a favor.” 

“You didn’t mention that I asked you too?” 

“What, and pass up having Vera owe me?”

 I looked at him closely. “You rat. She came in yesterday. You had another booty call.” 

Bert looked away and adjusted his tie. “I refuse to comment. And what your mother and I did or didn’t do in the privacy of her hotel suite is none of your business.” 

“I don’t believe you for a minute,” I said, biting back a laugh. 

“Just don’t ask me to explain the location of certain rug burns.” 

“Are those on you, or on Vera?” 

He winked at me again. “Yes.” 

“Whatever. I just hope she doesn’t have to pay for the damages.”

Here's a shot of what Bert and Vera might look like.