Raleigh Art Show

I will be part of this show. If you are in the area come on out, grab a copy of my first book and check out work from other local artists. I will autograph every book purchased. See you there!! #fantasy #writing #Art#pancakesandbooze

APR6

Going

The Raleigh Pancakes & Booze Art Show

Thu 7 PM · Lincoln Theatre · Raleigh, NC

2,909 people interested · 406 people going

Snippet #10

She exited the room the way she had entered, through the French doors to the patio, she looked both directions making sure no one was around on the grounds. When she was sure the grounds were clear, she headed for her car in its hiding place at the edge of the property.

As she climbed back into her car, she smiled to herself. She was pleased, the injection she gave Daniel seemed to work just like the previously ones had and since it was the last dose, it should keep him on the track she wanted him. There should be nothing to stop him from forgetting Christine completely. Now for taking Christine out of the picture on a more permanent end would have to be done differently than she had originally planned.

In her rearview mirror, she saw a shadow which appeared to be in her back seat. She turned and saw nothing, but when she looked back in the mirror, the shadow was there. She continued to look in the mirror. She spoke calmly and as clearly as she could as she asked, "Who are you and what do you want with me?"

The Shadow said nothing and disappeared. She felt a cold shiver shot up her spine. She shook it off, started the car and headed back to her apartment. She would figure out what the shadow visit was all about when she had more time. As she drove, she allowed herself to believe she would finally be with Daniel as his wife and partner.

She pulled up to her apartment, took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. She had made it out of the estate without anyone catching her. Now she needed to regroup and find a way to get rid of Christine once and for all. She would have to do it without Victor's help, but he had taught her many things. She had mastered them all. Surely, she could use one to get rid of Christine.

She walked up to her door and noticed it was ajar again. This was really starting to piss her off. She pulled her gun out from the small of her back as she approached the door, she heard a familiar voice coming from inside. She replaced her handgun and pushed the door open. There stood Marco in the middle of her living room on his phone.

She cut her eyes at him as she demanded, "Why are you here Marco?"

He looked over at her, smiled, and closed his phone as he replied, "Ah, here you are. I was wondering how long I would have to wait. I'm sure you got your plan back on track?"

She moved towards the kitchen, pulled her gun out, and set it on the counter. She looked back at him as she repeated, "Why are you here, Marco, and how did you find my apartment?"

He shook his head as he advised, "You really have been focusing on the wrong things if you are asking me those questions. You really should work harder at keeping an eye on your own back since there isn't anyone else doing it. Please slide your gun to the other side of the counter. So, I know you aren’t going to pull it? I am not the one, not on my game, Sweetheart."

She turned away from him and grabbed a glass. She moved back across the kitchen to the counter, poured herself a double shot. She tipped the glass towards him, slammed the shots, and then set the glass back on the counter. Placed her hands on the counter and leaned forward as she informed, "Marco, I have already told you my goal has nothing to do with or will ever affect you. I also made it clear I was out of the life. Cyrus is dead, and my tie to the life died with him. I owe you nothing. So, I ask you again. Why are you here in my apartment?"

Marco moved closer to the counter. He leaned in and answered, "I am here to offer you a job again. You can't just walk away cold turkey as you think. Your past will come back and the normal life you want to happen will not last once he learns who and what you really are. You have known all your life the only way out of this type of life is in a body bag."

She poured another double shot, lifted the glass and drank. She set it back on the counter as she said, "I have always kept my business life covered. There is no way he will ever find out about my past. He hasn't figured it out by now and there is no reason for him to look in the future. The only way he will ever find out is if someone tells him." She paused and cut her eyes at him as she continued, "If you have learned about me, then you know I am not someone to cross."

Marco nodded at her as he agreed, "Oh, I have learned everything about you, Shannon. However, you don't know anything about me other than I was Cyrus's business partner. I was never one of the henchmen who moved up; I have always been on the same level as Cyrus. He just always had the money to back everything. I ran the business not him. So, all in all, you worked for me. You just got your orders from him."

She started to laugh and leaned closer to him as she stated, "You really are a fool, aren't you? You think I didn't know all of Cyrus's associates? Marco, I am the reason you got in, to begin with. Cyrus didn't do anything without me checking everything out. You were only allowed to think you ran things because you were the fall guy should anything have happened. Cyrus knew how to keep his hands clean and still control everything. So, now you are going to leave my apartment and forget you ever met me."

Marco backed up a step and then crossed his arms as he commented, "Really, Shannon? There is no need to get ugly about it. I came here wanting to pick up where you and Cyrus left off. You are the best in the business, and I want you to stay on with me. The bozos I have working are nowhere close to as good as you are. I will leave but know the offer is open when you change your mind. You know where to find me." He turned and left her apartment.

She let out the breath she had been holding when she heard the door close behind him. She did not have time to worry about what Marco might do. She had to make sure she found out who had copied the files from her computer. Then she would deal with Marco. He would learn threatening her was not in his best interest. She turned and pulled out her dusting kit. She walked quickly to her computer. As she brushed the keys, there were no prints to be lifted. She glanced around her apartment, frustration set in. She could not allow anything to prevent her from being with Daniel. Whoever had come in and taken copies of her files was a professional. They were in and out and left nothing behind. This was not a good thing for her. There were only a few who she knew were this good.

Snippet #9

As the sun rose over the cliffs, he stood watching the house. He could smell her on the air. Then there she was coming out of the house heading towards the beach for her morning swim. He watched her as she moved over the terrain like she was floating. He admired her beauty as she moved towards the water. Not realizing he was moving, he found himself on the edge of the beach before he was aware of what he was doing. He stopped as his paws hit the sand, he backed around the rock. Still watching her, he saw she had not noticed him. As she entered the water, he turned and headed back up the cliff and the tree line. He watched until she came back out and headed back into the house. He turned, set off at a run, and headed back to the family estate.

When he arrived back at the estate, Michael met him at the back patio. He demanded, "Where have you been?"

Changing back as he reached the steps as he responded, "Hunting, just like you remember."

Michael shook his head as he explained, "You split off from us; where did you go?"

Daniel grinned at him as he replied, "You already know so why are you asking me?"

Michael scowled at him as he scolded, "You are not helping yourself or her. You should be looking into who is trying to frame her. Lyric was over there last night while we were out, and if you had been here this morning you would have heard the news when I did, but now I have to repeat what my wife told me."

Daniel laughed as he reminded, "Really Michael? Do you think she hasn't already yelled at me for not being here and causing her to have to repeat herself? I have checks running as we speak. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to shower before she comes back today." He moved past his brother and headed inside.

Michael watched him as he passed and went into the house. Shaking his head, he turned and headed back inside behind him. He went to his office to wait for both Daniel and Christine to arrive to have a more informative meeting, and then they would head to the police department to allow them to question Christine again. He hoped Daniel's checks would find something before they had to sit in front of the detectives again.

He walked into his old room, he looked around then moved towards the bathroom. Thinking back to when he came home, he could remember everyone Lyric said he had met except her cousin, Christine, but yet he felt he knew her even before Lyric had introduced them yesterday. Her scent was so familiar to him as though he had smelled and tasted it before.

After his shower, he dressed and went down to find Michael. Entering the family room, he saw Lyric and Olivia. Before he could say anything, Esmeralda ran up to him hugged him. As she expressed, "Hey Daniel, I have missed you so very much." She pulled back from him. She saw the look of shock on his face. He tried to laugh it off, as Grandmother moved up to say hello as well.

Grandmother hugged Daniel as she spoke and expressed, "You must forgive Ezzie, she is very excitable. It is good to see you, grandson."

He looked at Lyric as he heard her voice, "You do remember Grandmother and Esmeralda, don't you Daniel?"

He nodded his head at her but looked at Grandmother as he explained, "It is good to see you too, Grandmother. I didn't realize you both were here for a visit."

Grandmother laughed as she advised, "Of course, you didn't. We hadn't told anyone we were coming.  We wanted to see the new additions to the family. Besides, we haven't been back since the wedding. It was time we came for a visit, don't you agree?"

Daniel smiled at her as he agreed, "I guess it was time for a visit." He looked to Lyric as he asked, "Where is Michael?"

Lyric replied, "He is in his office with Christine."

He nodded his head and looked at the other women in the room and requested, "Please excuse me, ladies." He stepped back, turned, and headed for Michael's office.

When he reached the door to the office, it was partly open: as he started to knock, he felt something brush against his hand. He looked down and saw Dani. As she looked up at him he could tell she had been crying. Kneeling down, he pulled her into a hug as he inquired, "What is wrong, Dani? You don't need to worry about your mother. We are going to protect her."

Dani pulled him tighter into the hug and sobbed into his shoulder. Between sobs, she spoke, "I am not worried about Momma. I am scared you won't remember us."

Daniel pulled back from her and faced her, not really understanding what she meant he responded, "Dani, I could never forget you. Why would you think I would forget you?"

Before Dani could answer Christine stood in the doorway, knelt down, reached for Dani, and pulled her into a hug as she assured, "Honey, we will figure this out. Don't you worry." Christine kissed her on the head as she instructed, "Go sit with Grandmother for now while I talk with Daniel and Michael. I promise we will talk as soon as I am done."

Dani looked up at her as she wiped the tears from her cheeks, then at Daniel who nodded at her. She agreed, "Okay, Momma." She turned and headed down the hallway. She looked back over her shoulder at the two of them as they stood back up. She turned back and continued walking down the hallway.

Once she was out of sight, they moved inside Michael's office. Michael moved back to the seat behind his desk as Christine sat in the seat across from him and Daniel stood behind her. Michael looked at Christine then up at Daniel as he instructed, "You might want to sit down for this."

Daniel looked at him questioningly as he moved cautiously towards the chair next to Christine. Looked sideways at her then back at Michael. He demanded, "What is going on? Why is Dani worried I will forget her and her mother?"

Michael cleared his throat as he advised, "I will have to leave it to Christine to answer, but we need to figure out what to do about the whole Cyrus thing first. It seems there is an unknown woman who paid a visit to Cyrus the morning he died. Dani saw her and gave a very detailed description of the woman."

Daniel looked at Michael as he demanded, "And?"

Michael shook his head as he explained, "The description matches Shannon."

Daniel stood abruptly knocked the chair backward as he argued, "What! It isn't possible! Shannon didn't even know Cyrus. Maybe she is mistaken on what the woman looked like."

Michael nodded as he suggested, "You can ask her yourself. We will bring Dani back in, and you can ask her to tell you herself what the woman looked like. Are you sure Shannon didn't know Cyrus? You were working the case to take him down, and you even said yourself she was overly curious at times about the progress and when you would be finished with it."

Daniel glared at Michael and shook his head as he declared, "I checked her out. I pulled all kinds of favors to check, and double check, especially after Lyric put her two cents in on the whole topic. You know she didn't like her to begin with, and I took her concern to heart. I found nothing tying her to anything. She had a completely clean background. I don't want to upset Dani any more than she already is, so no, I don't want to ask her to give me a description of the woman." Leaning onto Michael's desk he barked, "What else aren't you telling me?"

Michael looked up at him then over at Christine who nodded. Michael addressed his brother, "Daniel, you should really sit back down."

Growling low as he demanded, "Michael, stop telling me to sit down and just tell me, damn it!"

Before he could answer, Dani's projection was standing next to him and made him jump. Daniel drew back from the desk and looked at her. Not waiting for anyone else to say anything, Dani said, "You are my father, not Cyrus."

Christine was up and at the door calling to Grandmother and Lyric. Dani's projection disappeared at her mother's voice. Daniel stood there frozen to the floor like someone had just poured cement on his feet. He could hear everything going on around him but couldn't find his voice to speak and his muscles just would not respond to allow him to move.

Had he heard the child right? There was no way he could be her father. He had not met Christine until yesterday. What the hell was going on? This could not be happening. He had been with Shannon for six years and had been with no one else. There was no way he had a child and did not know about it. It just was not possible.

The noise around him started to drown out the thoughts in his own head and his limbs started to shake as his knees gave way he hit the floor. He looked up and there in front of him stood Christine. She looked like an angel. He reached for her hand. As his hand reached hers, she cried out, "Daniel!"

A loud screeching was ringing in his ears. His thoughts were all running together and the noise was giving him a headache. He shook his head trying to clear the fog from his mind. The thoughts started melting away as he began to wake up. He realized it was his alarm going off. He slapped the button to stop the noise. Rubbing his eyes, he lay there trying to make sense of what the dream meant. It was too much for it to have been a dream; it was way too real.

Birthday!!! :)

I am excited and happy to be celebrating another year in my life. :) There have been numerous obstacles in my path along the way, but without those obstacles, I would not be the person I have become and I am very proud of her.
I am not going to tell you how old I am, but I will say I have earned every single one of the years and am proud of my age. I have been blessed with wonderful children for whom I am grateful and proud of and without whom I would not have had the greatest blessing one can have.
I have accomplished many things and not so many things in my life, but for the ones I have achieved were the ones I was supposed to have experience and obtained.
I have made many friends along this wonderful path of life. Some have not stayed as long as others, but their purpose and lessons for my life were received and learned. The takeaway is I know better now and can use those lessons in other areas of my life to help make me the best me I can be. So to those who have come and gone from my life I thank you because without you and those who still remain I would be lost without those lessons I have gained.
No matter how long someone is part of your life their purpose for being there will remain with you no matter what. People enter your life when they are supposed to and they leave your life when they are supposed to so never take for granted the purpose and lessons you receive, cherish them and never forget them. The person themselves may disappear from your memory, but the lesson you took away from knowing them will always remain.

Snippet #8

As he dressed to head to the family estate, he could not help but think about the dream he had had which felt more real than any other dream he had ever had about this woman who has haunted him for as long as he could remember. He was supposed to have been at the house last night, but with the discussion he had with Shannon. He was in no mood to socialize with anyone and felt he would do better to avoid the family dinner the night before the full moon hunt. Michael seemed all right with him not being there which was kind of out of character for his brother being the control freak he was about the family. He was just glad his head was not pounding after the amount of scotch he had drank last night. He took one last look in the mirror and headed out of the hotel.

As he exited the door of the hotel, the valet had just pulled his car up to the door. He got in and was so glad he had gone with the same car his brother had because he was ready for a bit of speed at the moment. He smiled as he put his hands on the steering wheel, put the car in gear and hit the gas. The tires barked as he pulled away, he felt the push of the power forcing him back against his seat as the car pulled out into the flow of traffic. When he was able to open up and add more speed, he did. He felt as though he was flying. He let the feeling take him over enjoying the freedom.

He felt more relaxed than he had ever remembered feeling as he pulled up in front of the family estate. He looked around as he got out of the car, noticed an extra little girl playing with Claire and Michelle. Without even thinking, he walked towards the girls playing. As he got closer, an overwhelming feeling of familiarity took over and as the child turned and looked at him, he stopped cold as his eyes locked with hers.

She smiled sweetly and knowingly. Dani asked, “Hi, are you Claire and Michelle’s, Uncle Daniel?”

Shaking off the shock, he shook his head as he replied, “Yes, and who might you be little one?”

She put her hand out to shake his as she introduced herself, “I am Danielle, but everyone calls me Dani. I don’t go by my full name. I like Dani much better. Do you like people calling you Daniel, or do you go by Danny too? I like your car; can I drive it someday? Why weren't you here last night for dinner?”

He tried hard not to laugh at how quickly the little one pounded him with questions. He smiled at Dani as he answered, “Nope, I go by Daniel. It is more grown up for work and all. But if you want to call me Danny, I will answer but only to you. I like my car too. We will see about you driving it someday. I was taking care of some business last night, and it is why I was not here last night.”

She smiled at her achievement as she replied, “Okay Uncle Danny. Do you want to play with us?”

He shook his head as he declined, “I would love to, but I have some grown up stuff to discuss with Michelle’s mommy first. How about later, okay?”

She nodded her head, smiled wide at him, and turned back to Michelle and Claire. Before he walked away, he addressed his nieces as he asked, “Do I get a hug, you two?”

They laughed, jumped up and ran to him with their arms open wide. He wrapped his arms around them and hugged them tight. He could not take his eyes off Dani. There was something about her he felt he knew but could not put his finger on it. But her eyes were just like the ones from the woman who haunted his dreams. He kissed both girls on the head, let them go, and headed into the house.

As he entered the house, he could hear a lot of chatting coming from the family room. He walked towards the door and entered the room, as he did everyone stopped talking and turned towards him. He stopped short. He felt as though he had just walked into an intervention group. He asked, “What is going on guys?”

No one was sure what to say since no one had mentioned Christine’s name to him since he had given up looking for her and started dating Shannon. Lyric looked at Michael then back at Daniel. Michael stood up and moved towards his brother. As he requested, “Come with me; we need to talk.”

Daniel looked at Michael then at Lyric as he said, “I know you are upset with me about not being here last night, but I really wasn’t in any mood to socialize. I really need to talk to you, Lyric.”

Michael looked back over his shoulder as he admitted, “She will be joining us.”

As he moved past Daniel he patted him on the shoulder. Daniel did not like the way this was starting to feel. He turned and followed Michael with Lyric behind him. Something was going on, and he did not like the way it was feeling. He looked back over his shoulder at Lyric. He could see it on her face. He was not about to get good news.

As they entered Michael’s office, he stopped just short of the chairs and demanded, “What is going on? First, I pull up, and there is a new child on the compound who I have pictures of from surveillance, and now all of you are acting just nuts. So, tell me now, what is going on and why is that child here?” Anger was now starting to take over because he could not understand why his family was acting so nuts.

Michael walked around his desk and sat down. Michael looked at his wife then back at his brother. Lyric walked past Daniel, sat down, looked up at him and motioned to the chair. She advised, “Daniel, you should really sit down for this.”

Daniel looked at her then moved towards the chair. Sat down with a thud. He looked at Michael as he demanded, “Well, what the hell is it?”

Michael leaned forward folded his hands and placed them on the desk in front of him. He addressed him, “Daniel, what I am about to tell you is just as much of a shock for me as it will be for you. But since there is really no other way to break this easily, Christine is back and here in Boston.” He wanted to allow what he just said sink in for his brother. He sat quietly waiting.

Daniel just looked at him then turned to Lyric with a look of questions. He looked back at Michael as he asked, “Who? And I care about this person why?”

Snippet #7

As they sat down to eat, Cyrus looked at Dani and asked, "So, what did you do today?"

Dani had looked at her mother before she answered, "We went to the library. Momma let me get a book."

Before she could move, Cyrus reached over and slapped her, as he yelled, "Don't lie to me. What did you do today?"

Holding her cheek, she looked at her mother as tears started to build in her eyes. Christine smiled at her and nodded her head. As she turned and said, "She was telling you the truth. We went into town, and she got some books from the library.  As we drove, she did some flashcards to practice her colors and letters."

He looked to Christine as he spat, "I wasn't asking you. I was asking my daughter. You would do good to remember your place."

Christine closed her mouth and rose from her seat, looked at her daughter, nodded her head. Dani looked at Cyrus then back at her mother and stood to leave with her.

Cyrus looked at both of them and expressed, "I didn't excuse either one of you. Where do you think, you are going; we are eating dinner?"

Christine regarded him coldly as she informed, "We are finished, and it is time for Dani's bath." She looked at Dani and instructed, "Go to your room, I will be there shortly." After Dani left the room, Christine looked back at Cyrus as she announced, "This is the first and last time you will ever lay a hand on my daughter."

He slammed his hands down on the table as he reminded, "I have told you before you will not speak to me in that manner. I run this house, I make the money, and you live very well because of it. All you have to do is behave the way I require. Now sit down!"

Christine looked over her shoulder as she left and said, "I have taken my last order from you. I have sat back too long and allowed you to run me. No more!" She slammed the door behind her and went straight to Dani's room.

She knew his pattern of habit, so she waited. While Dani quietly sobbed into her lap, Christine stroked her hair and began to sing to her. She told her daughter everything would be all right and soon they would be free to live their lives.

In the pool room, Cyrus stripped his robe and dove into the deep end of the pool. He did one complete lap and was starting his second when he suddenly could not catch his breath, and a sharp pain grew in his side. He called for help, but there was no one around. His guard had stepped away. He tried to make it to the edge of the pool. His arms felt like dead weights as he began to sink under the water. He kicked with all his might, but there was no making it to the surface. All he could do was watch as the surface grew farther and farther from reach. He felt his lungs tighten trying to get air. He hit the bottom of the pool and lay there for several minutes looking up at the ceiling of the room. He saw his guard jump into the pool. As he took his last breath, he heard her voice as it said, "I warned you years ago, never to cross me!"

The guard pulled the lifeless body from the pool and yelled for help. By the time help had arrived, Cyrus was dead. The guard stood and walked to Dani's room and knocked.

Dani had fallen asleep as Christine had been singing to her.  She gently laid Dani's head on her pillow. She walked across the room to the door, opened it and stepped out into the hallway

She looked up at the guard as she asked, "Yes Jack, has my husband summoned me?"

Jack lowered his eyes and head as he announced, "I am sorry, Ma'am, but your husband is dead. He drowned in the pool tonight. I tried to save him, but I was too late."

Christine nodded as she requested, "Thank you, Jack, would you please make sure everything is taken care of? I don't want to expose Dani!"

Jack nodded as he assured, "Of course, Ma'am. I will make sure all is taken care of for you. I will have it all cleared up by morning. Is there anything else you wish for me to do?"

Christine smiled sweetly at him as she said, "Yes, get Marco here tomorrow. I will meet with him in the office."

Jack nodded as he acknowledged, "It will be done, as you have asked."

Christine thanked him, "Thank you, Jack, good night." She stepped back into her daughter's room. She closed the door behind her.