Sunday Snippet: Hart's Masquerade

Terrific week on the great office cleanout! I got a ton of shredding done and cleared out from under my table and desk. I got a great hand-vac that did an awesome job of getting the carpet cleaned up. The cabinet I got to put under my desk fits really well and I'm closer to being sorted and organized! One more cabinet for under my table and three bookcases to go. Okay, not quite true. I still have a major amount of shredding to do and then I have the rest of the finding where to put everything phase. But … I can already notice a big difference in having a semi-clear area to work in. It's amazing!

Kind of a slow week for television. I'm working on a developmental edit that requires a lot of focus so I don't use anything as background noise.

I watched a lot of Silent Witness. I'm well into the third season and I like the cast changes.

I also caught several more rune videos. They're actually quite relaxing as well as informative.

Last but not least, I watched the first season finale of The Witcher. Gotta say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I rather liked getting a small bit of backstory about Geralt. Also quite impressed by the mages and Yennifer's role in the battle. I've been a little on the fence with her character but she's definitely growing on me.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Hart's Masquerade, a Specter Station novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Wicek Hart deals in precious gemstones throughout the galaxy and he's the premier wholesale supplier for jewelry boutiques. Nettie Strand is an accomplished jewel thief, but only because she's trying to reclaim her family's stolen property. Wicek smells a setup when Nettie applies for the job as spokesperson for the gala event to be held on Specter Station, his new base of operations, during the Lover's Holiday. Nettie knows the business inside and out and Wicek takes a chance by hiring Nettie, if only to keep a very close eye on her actions.

And a sneaky peek…

Wicek Hart exited his transport ship and grinned when he spotted Juna Newberry, the head of security for Specter Station. "Hello, Juna. Where's your lesser half?"

Mattox Specter called out from behind the ship. "I heard that, you ass." He came around, his hand gliding over the docking cables. "You were right, she's a beauty."

The she he referred to would be the Hart's Desire, Wicek's brand new armored cruiser designed for him to travel in comfort but still maintain and secure his precious cargo … namely lots and lots of gemstones.

But Wicek never resisted the opportunity to twist his friend's words. "And yet none of us can figure out how she ended up with you." The she he referred to being Juna, Mattox's most definite better half.

Mattox quirked an eyebrow. "She's a woman of very discerning taste." He waited a beat. "Plus I met her first and worked hard to make sure she wouldn't waste her time on my new business partners."

Juna laughed. "She is standing right here and ready to do the secure transfer." Glancing up, she motioned for her second in command to come forward. "Ned, we'll be storing Wicek's collection in the central hub, away from the other collectors' display pieces." She used a scanner to log the case codes and handed the crate off to Ned.

He took the scanner and nodded. "I'll take these to the location and log the time the vault closes. These are the pieces for the live display? The ones for the masquerade?"

Wicek tapped the top of the crate. "That they are. All I need now is to find the perfect spokesperson to make the gems come alive." He met Mattox's gaze. "Did you make any headway on the candidates?"

Ned wheeled the crate out of the landing bay and two armed security personnel fell into step beside him.

Mattox jerked his head toward the transport tube. "We did. Let's talk about it in my office."

Wicek narrowed his gaze but followed the couple into the lift. When they exited and entered the office, Mattox's freakishly efficient AI administrative assistant greeted them.

"Hello, Mattox, Juna. Welcome to your new base of operations, Wicek."

Wicek's lips kicked up in a grin. "Thank you, Wanda." He jumped right into business. "What's kind of challenge am I facing with the spokesperson?" Something about the way Mattox and June changed the subject earlier had his hackles up.

Juna stepped forward. "Wanda, would you show the three candidates?" The holoscreen flashed three images with vital statistics. "I have hard copies for your review, Wicek, but the three applicants meet the criteria you gave—darker looks to complement the jewel tones, experience with gems and the terminologies, and availability for an exclusive contract." She paused and met Mattox's gaze. "Wanna take over?"

Mattox nodded and widened the view of the first woman. "Harley Fein is probably the best candidate but she can only go exclusive for two quarters." The screen shifted and the middle applicant grew larger. "Benita Capman can go exclusive long-term but can't get her until the evening before the gala." He paused and exchanged a look with Juna.

Wicek shook his head. "Challenges to be sure, but what's going on? There's something about the third applicant? What are holding back?"

Juna switched the focus to the third potential spokesperson. "As you know, between Wanda and I, we've got a fairly extensive reach for background information." She brought up a detailed list. "Nettie Strand, at least on the surface, is perfect. She can go exclusive on a long-term basis and she's got degrees in gemology and mineralogy…"

Wicek arched a brow. "But…" Obviously something set off the alerts.

Mattox zoomed in on the list. "She's never been arrested, but Wanda's reports pulled this in." He pointed to a block of information. "Over the last five years, Nettie has been in seven different areas where a major jewel theft has been reported." He stopped, letting the reveal sink in.

Wicek studied the screens. All the women had the look he wanted. The first two, he could probably make concessions for, but he'd rather not if he didn't have to. Nettie Strand … the name pinged for him but he couldn't place why. The idea she might be an accomplished jewel thief gave him pause, but without proof, he couldn't strike her from the list.

Meeting Mattox's gaze, he shrugged. "Let's set up interviews. First thing tomorrow, if possible."

Mattox quirked an eyebrow. "For all three?"

Wicek did a quick gut-check. "Yeah. All three." He'd made a career and a considerable fortune on speculative risks.

Mattox cocked his head. "Okay. Wanda, can you schedule Harley and Bonita for interviews at the earlier time they're available tomorrow?"

Wanda confirmed, "Yes, Mattox."

Wicek held up a hand. "What about Nettie?"

Juna's lips curved. "In her case, you're in luck. Nettie happens to be on station and will be available at your convenience."

I love where this story is going. I'm in the process of brainstorming the scenes and story beats and it's coming together nicely. Can't wait to get this series out into the black.

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

ML Skye