Sunday Snippet: The Baracas File

Well, another homecoming house party is in the books and I'm so thankful we had such a great group of kids to host over the last four years. A few faces came and went, but for the most part, the core group has remained the same. I'm looking forward to seeing what this group of kids ends up doing in the future.

It's been a crazy week with a ton of work projects coming in and I'm truly thankful to be busy. Sometimes my projects dwindle a little in the fall and that doesn't seem to be the case this year.

A limited week of television, but some good progress made. I started a new classic British series called Sapphire and Steel. It's pretty decent with some time-wimey elements.

I also started a new arc of Classic Who. I didn't realize quite how much of a role the Master had in the third doctor's run.

Caught an episode of Midsomer Murders and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm almost through with series nineteen and have the final season to watch.

Watched another episode of Arrow and should be ready to start the new limited season eight in the near future. I started the penultimate episode but had to pause to get ready for homecoming. I'm going to miss this show so much when it's gone.

Also viewed an episode of Murdoch Mysteries and quite enjoyed it. I'm a little wary of what they're possibly doing with Julia, but we'll see how things go.

Finished up Frankie Drake Mysteries second season and look forward to starting the third. I'm pretty excited to see where things go from here.

Caught another episode of Riverdale. I can honestly say the whole farm thing really kind of annoys me. That said, this show tends to pull off a few twists that end up making me like what I didn't before. With the exception of Hiram. I love the actor but truly hate the character.

Also started another episode of Blue Heelers but have to pick it back up this week. Ran out of time to finish watching it.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from The Baracas File, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Briggs Felderzon, an investigative reporter, will stop at nothing to discover what's in the Baracas File, the contents of which results in his brother's death. Myrrh Gold, his brother's partner in the Inter-Stellar Police, decides to help him… but Briggs isn't sure he trusts her.

And a sneaky peek…

Briggs Felderson entered his apartment via the underground tunnel. "Damn, I hate meeting with sources who can't deal with tech." His informant didn't trust anything electronic.

Briggs refrained from pointing out that paper trails couldn't be encrypted and didn't provide any more safety. Why bother? Especially when the source's information usually paid off in big ways.

Briggs flexed his fingers. "The writer's cramp sucks ass." He retrieved the notebook he'd almost filled with details of a possible police corruption story and made his way to his office.

He wanted a shower and about three days of sleep, but both would have to wait until he got the notes scanned into his computer. He started the first few pages then grabbed his phone to check for messages.

The display showed two from the news center. "Eh, the bosses can wait." He'd informed his editor he had a hot lead, another day wouldn't hurt.

His brother's name flashed as the next contact. Briggs pressed the screen to replay the message. He hadn't heard from Zell in almost a month.

"Yo, Briggs, listen. I've gotta be quick here. Push for all the intel you can get on something called the Baracas file."

Something in Zell's voice set Briggs's teeth on edge. Fear. His brother's tone carried fright of someone or something.

"Bro, I need you to keep a lid on whatever you find. Talk to no one. I mean it. I'm sitting on a pile of explosives and can't trust anyone but you." Zell's voice took on an urgent timber. "And you need to keep watch for Myrrh—"

Pop. Pop. Pop-pop-pop.

Briggs blinked, his brain scurrying to keep up with what just happened. A muffled sound of his brother's phone landing with a thud, the screech and squeal of tires zooming off, and finally, a beep when the call dropped told a sinister tale.

A cold chill slithered down Briggs's spine but he switched screens and dialed Zell's number. The call went straight to voice mail and the chill turned to ice in his veins. Fighting a wave of nausea, he started to call the precinct but a knock at his door drew his attention.

Getting up, Briggs walked toward the door, each step taking him closer to a certainty he didn't want to face.

Someone had killed Zell—keep watch for Myrrh—and it might have been his partner.

This story is so much fun. I love writing cat and mouse moments between characters and showing how they finally come to trust each other. Briggs and Myrrh are going to need each other if they want to find Zell's killer.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye