Category Archives: Novel Chapters

CHAPTER TEN MISSION BRIEFING     “Okay, first off,” said Lionel Van Treece to open the daily briefing the next day, “I’d like to officially welcome Mr. Barron to Cris’s group. But seeing as how he has experience across a … Continue reading →

CHAPTER NINE MUSSELMAN   His hands were soft on her skin. Lina had always liked his hands. Most of the men she was with, their hands were so rough and chapped from manual labor and rough living that she had … Continue reading →

CHAPTER EIGHT GENTLE     “Wait,” Barron said quietly. “Are you suggesting that this Gentle person had something to do with my wife’s death?” Barron felt very cold inside. It had happened three years ago, and yet he still had … Continue reading →

CHAPTER SEVEN THE TEAM   Van Treece led the way down the hall to an elevator at the end. The doors opened as they reached it. “I didn’t see you hit the button,” Barron said as he stepped in. “There … Continue reading →

CHAPTER SIX BLACKWELDER SOLUTIONS From the outside, Blackwelder Solutions looked absolutely ordinary. It was housed in a low, nondescript building that squatted on the outskirts of Austin, Texas. In fact, as Barron stepped out of the taxi, he almost got … Continue reading →

CHAPTER FIVE MILK, SUGAR, AND CRIME SCENE VIDEO   As traps went, this one wasn’t bad. At least it had coffee. Barron sat in the booth in the diner and figured the angles. He had made at least four men … Continue reading →

  CHAPTER FOUR IN THE CASCADE The busiest part of the month is also the loneliest. Ironic, since work usually distracts him from his loneliness. But on the week when they close the monthly book, Barron usually stays late to … Continue reading →

CHAPTER THREE GROUNDHOG DAY   Jake Morel couldn’t figure out precisely when it had all gone to shit. The shooting had only started a minute or two ago, but he had the sneaking suspicion it had really started when he … Continue reading →

CHAPTER TWO THE LANGUAGE OF GOD   Those couple of people who hadn’t made it out the door yet froze at the voice. Gang-banger took a step forward. “You really think…?” The thing about the standard two-handed grip, other than … Continue reading →

PROLOGUE It floated in the heavens in serene majesty, facing toward the light that was the center and purpose of its existence. It bathed in glorious effulgence. The scales of its wings fluttered in the golden radiance streaming past. And … Continue reading →