Sunday Snippet: Hart's Masquerade

Had a very busy week with work projects and family stuff. I'm kind of exhausted but not in a bad way. My sleep schedule is somewhat all over the map and that doesn't help. Insomnia is a definite pain in the butt.

I had a pretty solid week of viewing television. I got another full round of shows in and might be adding one or two in the next week.

I picked back up with Suspects and enjoyed the episode. This show is a little chaotic and I like that. I also rather like the characters.

Caught another episode of Cannes Confidential and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have one episode left and I'm not ready for the season to end. I truly hope there's more to come from this show. It's so good!

Watched the penultimate episode of Peak Practice season nine. I'm bracing for impact for the finale. Then it's on to season ten!

Started a new two-parter of Silent Witness. Very interesting episode and I'm not sure where part two is going to go. This isn't a bad thing.

Enjoyed another episode of Death in Paradise. This is such a fun show even if there's always a murder to solve.

Caught another episode of Fantasy Island and, yep, my biggest pet peeve happened. Take a couple and tear them apart for stupid reasons. I'll finish out the season and see what happens, but I'm cranky now and that probably means I won't watch anything else if it has another season.

Started a rewatch of The Batman. I rather liked this series. I might also be able to finish my rewatch of Batman: The Animated Series. For whatever reason, it seems to be available again.

Watched another Classic Rugrats episode with two eps I'd forgotten about. Season five seems to have quite a few of those.

Missed watching Battlestar Galactica this week. My viewing partner had a family commitment and we're picking up again this week.

That's it for the life update. Tonight's post is from Hart's Masquerade, a Specter Station novella that features a precious gem dealer and an accomplished jewel thief.

Here's the miniblurb:

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…

Nettie Strand arrived for her interview five minutes early.

Entering the reception area of Wicek Hart's office, she gave a nod. "Nice setup." Airy and intimate—not an easy combination to pull off, especially on a space station.

She clocked the video feed and security sensors hidden from view close to the display areas. She moved through the space mentally casing the area. Wicek Hart wouldn't make it easy for anyone to remove merchandise from his office.

Her lips curved. "I hope his stores are equally impressive." Based on what she'd seen so far, they would be.

The soft snick of a panel opening drew her attention. She turned and bit her tongue to hold back a gasp. Holy shit. Blown away by his striking features, Nettie didn't think the holo images did Wicek Hart justice. No way. Dark hair, an impressively tailored suit that enhanced instead of hid an impeccable physique, and a rugged countenance that didn't keep her from imagining him being comfortable in high-end salons or on a planetary excursion to find rough-cut gems.

He quirked a brow. "Nettie Strand." He thrust his palm forward.

Recovering, she grasped his hand and smiled. "Yes. It's good to meet you, Mr. Hart." Definitely not a lie.

Wicek flashed an amiable smile. "Please, it's Wicek." He inclined his head toward another recessed area. "Shall we?" He held her gaze.

She nodded and followed him into his office. This room had weight and depth. A workspace for cutting gems, a design area with a drafting table, and a large U-shaped desk filled the rectangular room but didn't crowd the location.

Wicek led her to an open nook holding a comfortable arrangement of luxurious loveseats facing each other with an angular ottoman placed between them. He motioned for her to be seated and began the interview right away. The next thirty minutes flew by and she responded to his questions with well-prepared answers. Amazed at how well everything seemed to be going, she let down her guard, confident she'd have the job.

Until Wicek brought out a thick folder and placed it on the ottoman.

Wicek leaned back against the cushions and propped his ankle of one leg on the opposite knee. "Why do you really want to work for me?" The affable host disappeared, and a cutthroat businessman emerged.

Nettie got stuck and struggled to keep up. "I don't understand." She frowned. "You're the premier supplier of wholesale gems in the galaxy. Why wouldn't I want to work for you?" Maybe he wanted to test her?

Or … maybe she needed to sell herself more.

She leaned forward a little. "I have extensive knowledge of gems and minerals. My skills could become a valuable asset to your work and help grow your business." If all went well, she'd love to pursue a partnership.

Wicek studied her and the impression she'd failed settled between her shoulder blades. I need this job. I must have the access and status the position will give me. I can't let Grandmother down. Again. Wicek folded his arms over his chest, stretching the suit across his broad shoulders, his gaze unreadable. Nettie couldn't shake the feeling she'd made a huge misstep.

He nodded toward the large file. "Would part of using your skills and being an asset include theft?" His tone turned hard and questioning.

Her breath caught in her throat. "Excuse me?" He can't know.

He leaned forward and flipped the folder open then handed her a list. Her heart sank, especially when he spread out the reports about stolen jewels. Dammit, he did know. How should she play this?

Wicek pinned her with his gaze. "Care to comment?" His eyebrow quirked upward.

Is he giving me a chance to explain here?

She held his bold stare for a long moment before taking a leap into the unknown. "Very thorough, Mr. Hart…" She set the list aside. "But not quite complete." Time for her to roll the dice on a man that took speculative risks.

Wicek raised both eyebrows, clearly curious.

Nettie went for broke and filled in the rest." You're missing two." There, let's see what he does with that.

Wicek's mouth thinned to a flat line, and he stared at her with a narrowed gaze for several heartbeats.

Then he shocked her to her toes when he threw his head back and laughed.

This scene came together very quickly and I'm so happy with how it turned out.

 

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

ML Skye

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