Moments for the Heart

Surprise Weekend Writing Warriors. One more snippet from me this year. I know I said I was done, but I decided to give a Christmas gift to all my Warrior buddies out there. And I have chosen to fast forward a few chapters and give you a recent snippet that I wrote during NaNoWriMo. I have sifted through the piles of chapters and found one that doesn’t reveal too much because I don’t want to give away any secrets of what happens. But I do want to whet your appetite of what Snippet Sundays are all about. I also wanted to give to give a Christmas gift to all my Weekend Writing Warrior pals our there.

So without further ado, here is a snippet from Chapter Ten. (We had left of in Chapter Five)

SYNOPSIS — UPDATED:

Detective James “Grady” Gradiosa, is a Savannah, Georgia detective who recently transferred from Atlanta. He relocated after his wife, Elizabeth, was promoted with her real estate firm. He is placed under the charge of Lieutenant Daniel Masters, a gruff 27-year Major Crimes veteran. They are immediately handed a case that will change their lives. Grady is the first to see the abnormalities. But will the rest of the team listen in time? There is a murder on the loose in South Georgia. For some reason, the killer leaves their final victim alive just before committing suicide by cop. But why? Masters and Grady must find out before it’s too late and the killer strikes again.

SNIPPET:

**We have introduced a new character by this point. His name is Dr. Dominick Glavine, a Chief Forensic Scientist. In this chapter Grady is going over evidence with him for the first time. They are trying to determine if the cases are connected. Grady has just asked him about the incisions being connected. As we open the scene, Dr. Glavine is speaking.**

“Perhaps. But with the unfortunate advancement of the internet, anyone can learn to make these types of incisions. And as I have stated, the first victim showed hesitation. That reveals lack of skill and confidence. A formally educated individual would have had cadaver practice and would not show hesitation earmarks. But that does not mean they do not have some medical training. You did say that Tanner spoke of the timing Nelson had left. That would require experience and not book knowledge of how long it takes for exsanguination to occur.”

“Yes, he did mention timing. And Tanner was right-handed,” Grady said.

***That is this week’s ten. Here is a bit more to finish out the snippet. A little long, but it is part of the Christmas bonus!!***

“Yes, his file said so.”

“We have been unable to make him for the first four.”

“Without seeing the lacerations to Nelson, I cannot make any speculations either way. Right hand or left hand there is another remarkable thing about your victim’s injuries.”

“What is that?” Grady asked.

“They appear to be made with the same type of weapon. Again, I cannot say with certainty that they are made with the same weapon, but the wounds are identical in every way. It would be simple to surmise that they are exacted by the same weapon. If it weren’t for the change of hand usage, I would conclude this is the work one individual with the same weapon.”

“Is that right?” Grady ears began to warm. The same weapon? How could that be?

The doctor continued, “Yes. If not the same weapon, definitely the same type of weapon. Most likely a surgical scalpel of some sort or perhaps a hobby knife. Thin blade, about inch, inch and a half in length.”

Not much more could come as a shock than the same weapon being used for all seven crimes. It didn’t seem possible, unless Tanner was not their guy, or there was another perp in that room and the suspect left before the big showdown. But there were no witness accounts of another suspect.

“Is that all?” Grady eventually asked.

“On the weapon, yes, without delving into further speculation. Photographically, the scenes appear the same, except for the chair, however. Why is the chair here?”

“Tanner sat in the chair waiting for the officers to arrive.”  Grady went on to explain about Tanner’s final moments, his chanting, the two officers ending his life, and the missing weapon Glavine had just concluded was the possible murder weapon in the new homicides.

“Chanting. Interesting,” Dr. Glavine began to squint again, staring at Tanner’s crime scene photos and reading over the transcript again. “I may have more for you on this later. I need to research a few things. I cannot speculate on things without having all the facts and conjecture would only hinder your investigation. Can I hold on to these two photos for now? And make copies of this transcript?”

“Certainly, Doctor. Whatever you need to do that helps you catch our killer,” Grady said.

I really hope you enjoyed the surprise extended Christmas edition snippet. If you read carefully you notice there has been two more murders. Both of these are much different than the Nelson fiasco, and much more similar to what Grady found within the first four crime scene files. Exciting stuff and Dr. Glavine seems to have some answers. And a little bit more about Dr. Glavine, he will be a big player in the novel to figuring out the whole thing. I really enjoyed writing his character. Anyhow thanks for reading. Happy Holidays!!

I am back on track, writing away on this WIP. So far I have two more chapters written and have offed a character or two. Things are getting good and going as planned. I am just glad to be over the dry spell I found myself in and now back on track. I really want to get this piece written. Thanks again to every Warrior who has added to this piece. Happy New Year to you all!! Talk with you in 2021!!

Visit Moments for the Heart Facebook page for more

I have a Facebook page that has something going on everyday of the week. Come on over, follow, and interact with my page to check it out! Here is what you can expect to find there. I have been quite lazy lately. But with the new year, it is my resolution to get back on track and keeping up with posting on schedule and being more interactive with my audience.

—Monday is Memory Monday – I share an important event that occurred on that Monday or sometime that particular week.

—Tuesday is Talk About it Tuesday – I post a weekly video where I cover a topic that has meant something to me over the past week.

—Wednesday is when I post my blog for the week.

—Thursday is This or That Thursday – A weekly two option poll that raises the question, do you like this, or do you prefer that?

—Friday is Fun Fact Friday – I find and share an interesting or obscure fact.

—Saturday is for Weekend Writing Warriors – This is when I post my 8 Sentence Snippet from a current or past work.

I really am trying to make it fun and engaging. Something that people look forward to visiting. It has been something that has been on my heart (no pun intended) for a long time and I am now acting on it. I would love your support!! I am also finding ways to link these over to Twitter because I find that I have more interaction on that platform over Facebook.

Important Links!!

– Little Reminders of Who I Am is now available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

–The Five Barred Gate is still available on Amazon in Hardback, Paperback, and Kindle versions.

–You can purchase TFBG direct from me on my Home Page. The benefit of buying direct is you will receive a personalized signed copy!!

–My Children’s books, Elissa the Curious Snail are also on Amazon. There are 4 books about an adorable snail teaching children about prayer and believing in themselves.

–Finally you can see all updates regarding the progress of this current Untitled work in progress.

Little Reminders of Who I Am

The Five Barred Gate

Elissa the Curious Snail Series

Fellow Warriors, I also have have a somewhat weekly blog that is posted in between these snippets. I would love to hear your thoughts.

AND if you have little warriors running around I now have many of my Children’s Short Stories on this website. They were originally on my Elissa the Curious Snail publisher’s website, but I now control that domain and have moved that content here. There are many stories for your little reader. These are great bedtime or anytime short stories.

In His Exciting Service,

Jeff S. Bray

Check out Weekend Writing Warriors!!

Check out amazing established and emerging writers at Weekend Writing Warriors. Each week we post new snippets from either published works or works in progress for each other to comment on. Gain insight of how the mind of a writer works and a behind the scenes look at works before they hit book stands everywhere.