
Hey, Weekend Writing Warriors. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL THE MOM’S AND STAND IN MOM’S OUT THERE!! I pray your day is filled with blessings. I grilled yesterday so we plan to rest after church and chow down on leftovers.
It is a bit sad we have to keep our mom in prison this Mother’s Day. Not even a card or message from or to her kids. But, let’s see how it’s going for Johnathan back in the courtroom.
**If you’ve missed out on anything and want to can catch up on past snippets, you can click here.**
SYNOPSIS:
Michael Andrews thought he was far removed from the events his father experienced twenty years ago. He heard the bedtime stories so often, he had driven them out and was barely speaking to his dad. Religion was the last thing he wanted, until it became the only thing that mattered.
A new threat arises; his wife is arrested for talking about God to the wrong person. Now Jacob Andrews may be his only hope. He must lean on him, Rachel’s attorney, and those who understand what occurred twenty years ago and may be happening now when an old adversary returns to wreak havoc, using federal laws to exact revenge on the Andrews family.
Will he succeed, or will justice prevail to set Rachel free?
>>>If you are curious about the first novels snippets, I have them archived: Here is a link to them if you want to read up on The Fiver Barred Gate <<<
SNIPPET:
Summary:
This Five Barred Gate sequel, is a Dystopian Suspense about what would it be like if freedom of expression liberties were taken from us. In this installment laws have gotten more strict. One could be arrested for simply speaking their mind if another chose to press charges. This multiplied for the Christian community. The laws were strict for Jacob in the first novel, now twenty years later, his son Michael must face his own battles.
Here is a bit from last week:
“I’m not your client’s keeper, Counselor.”
The bailiff spoke up, “Be wary of your tone when addressing the judge. You can and will be held in contempt.”
“I mean no disrespect. However, I would like answers regarding my client’s condition.”
“Perhaps your client is an instigator just as she has been accused of, Mr. Clarke? Do we need to take this into consideration?” the judge inquired.
–We continue in Chapter 15 right were we left off. —
Johnathan stood in silence. The judge did have him there and in front of the jury. Any appearance of evil. He looked to the judge, to the prosecution, to the jury, their faces contorted with confusion; then to Rachel, hers was fear. His mind went back to his discussion with Michael. Don’t rock the boat. And that is precisely what he was doing. How he was acting out here meant reaction for Rachel back there. He turned back to the judge.
“Forgive me, Your Honor,” Johnathan said. “We can proceed.”
Johnathan sat as Rachel was uncuffed and led to her assigned position on the other end of the table, court liaison next to her.
“Very well. Now. As we began, if you are ready, you may present your case.”
::There is your ten, but let’s continue on for a little bit.::
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Johnathan stood. “Defense calls Rachel Andrews to the stand.”
Rachel stood and slowly walked to the podium and sat. The bailiff asked Rachel to raise her hand. “Do you swear the testimony you are about to give is accurate and without fallacy?”
Rachel rubbed her wrist as she raised it, “I swear.”
The bailiff sat, and Johnathan approached the witness stand. “How are you this morning, Mrs. Andrews?”
Rachel’s eyes narrowed, “I’m okay, I suppose.”
“I see you have bruising across—”
“Objection,” Xavier interrupted.
“Sustained,” the judge agreed. “Mr. Clarke. Stick to the case.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” Johnathan said.
He looked to the jury to take in their reaction. It was a sea of varied expressions. Some watched him. Some examined Rachel’s injuries, others were indifferent. It was those indifferent ones he would need to win over. He paced from the witness box back to his desk and picked up the file. He played like he was reading it while flipping over its pages.
“Mrs. Andrews. I’m looking over your arrest report. I do not see any mention of injuries to your person. Can you—”
“Objection. Your Honor.”
“Sustained,” the judge said, her voice gaining an edge, “Once more, and you will be held in contempt, Mr. Clarke. Either ask a question that pertains to the facts of this case or close your case. Anything else, and I will close it for you.”
“Understood. Thank you, Your Honor.”
This time, he had all eyes on him. Mission accomplished. His heart was racing, bringing him to the envelope’s edge. Now, it was time to present his case. Let’s hope it was worth it.
Now we are getting somewhere. Another fun scene to write. Trying to enjoy writing it but still sticking within the confines of believability and reality. And building up to what we saw at the end of chapter fourteen. Oh, there is more. Stay tuned.
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The Transference (2022)
In His Exciting Service,
Jeff S. Bray
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 into how the mind of a writer works and a behind-the-scenes look at works before they hit bookstands everywhere.




A very tense scene! I do hope the counselor knows what he’s doing or there could be hell to pay. Great snippet! Tweeted.
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I’m holding my breath, Jeff!! Can’t wait for the next installment.
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