Cry Uncle

In a departure from what I normally post, I decided to list the excuses for why I haven't been adding new stuff here lately:

1) I've been busy

2) I don't seem to have a life anymore

3) See item # 1 =)

Is it me, or has life picked up speed? It seems like at the end of each day I'm exhausted, and I'm at a loss to explain why. =) I'm sure many of you can relate. Among other adventures, I have been working on a new novel. It's nearly ready to send off to the publishing world.

I decided today, to post an excerpt from this new creation, just for kicks and giggles.

I'm entitling this manuscript, "Cry Uncle" I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to what it will be entitled by the end of the editing process---if it survives said process. Be kind---this is my first attempt at writing a mystery. And now without further ado . . . (drum roll please) here it is a little snatch that will hopefully strike a chord out there in blogdom:

A squad car sped down Bench Road to Highland High School, its lights flashing, the siren heralding tragedy. Before it came to a complete stop, a woman opened the door on her side and raced toward the sprawling brick building.

“Judge Unger?”

Karen slowed to a walk, sick at heart as she gazed at the man who had called her name. Mike Barnes was one of the best detectives on the force. His appearance was a source of comfort and dismay. If he was already involved, her daughter was in serious trouble. “Did you find her? Did you find Jaycee?”

Mike’s shoulders sagged. “Not yet. We found something we think belongs to her.”

Fighting nausea, Karen followed the detective inside the school. He led her to the office where the principal, his secretary, and one of Jaycee’s teachers, wore expressions matching her own.

“Mrs. . . . uh . . . Judge . . .”

“Karen,” she supplied, cutting through the formalities.

“Karen,” the principal began again, running a nervous hand over his balding

head. The large man looked like he could cry. “We are so sorry.”

“She was in my class,” the biology teacher volunteered. “The office called—”

“That man said he was her uncle,” the secretary said in her defense. The older woman clenched her hands tightly together, indicating the remorse she felt. “He waited for her outside of the office. I saw them talking . . . Jaycee left with him. I thought she knew him.”

“He lied,” Karen exclaimed. “I don’t have a brother, and neither did my husband—Jake was an only child. My only sister is divorced—there are no uncles!”

No one dared to respond after after that announcement.

“Why did Jaycee go with him?” Karen demanded.

Six pairs of eyes remained focused on the floor.


(Insert scary music and a little bit of: Dun, dun dun!)

Bye now. =) Bawahahahaha!


Okay, fine . . . I'll share a tiny bit more:


Regaining the ability to focus, she saw that she was lying on the carpeted floor of an unfurnished room. It was new carpet, a forest green color. Heavy curtains covered the windows, making it difficult to judge the time of day. She tried to move and discovered that her hands were tied behind her with rough rope. When she wiggled around, she saw that her ankles were wrapped with duct tape. She assumed that was what had been used to seal her mouth. A growing sense of terror gripped her. Closing her eyes, she prayed, begging for help, for someone to find her. Tears rolled down her face as she struggled against the tape, but it held fast. Help me, she silently begged. Please, Father, help me.

The End

Kidding. =) There are actually about 235 pages that go along with what I've shared above. And I'll share one other item---this particular book tackles the danger of posting personal information on Internet social networks. It is my hope that this book will appeal to parents and their offspring---that it might do a tiny bit of good out there, as well as entertain.


And now, back to the revising\polishing aspect of the writing world. (Did I mention: Bawahahahaha?!)