Excerpt Wednesday – The Black Heart

"Then what the hell is it?" he demanded. 

She shook her head. "I don’t know. There’s something strange about her. She’s so secretive about her past." 

He lifted his eyebrows. "No, she’s not." 

Payton frowned. He wouldn’t listen and she wasn’t in the mood to get into a debate. "I think we should end this line of conversation. But just remember, Carter, that I care about you. I always have and always will." 

"If you care, then please treat my wife with the respect she deserves," he replied. 

She decided to change the topic. "Who’s watching Becca this afternoon?" 

"Morgan." 

She frowned. "Do you think it’s wise to bring the baby to the funeral?" 

"Morgan’s not going." 

"What do you mean she’s not going?" Payton exclaimed. "Doesn’t that prove my point to you?" she smugly asked. 

"And what point is that?" Morgan asked, entering the room with Becca tagging behind her. 

"Nothing, honey," Carter, flushed, quickly said. 

Morgan looked suspiciously at Payton. 

Payton caught her eye, and then quickly looked away from the penetrating stare. She forced herself to keep her mouth closed.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Twisted Lives

 Daniel sat at his cluttered desk with his eyes focused on a stack of files, all needing his attention. He rubbed his jaw. The murders plaguing Vickville made the other cases seem trivial by comparison. Four murders with no clues or possible motives. The killer was slick, but somewhere, somehow, he’d slip up. Someone knew something. He gulped his coffee and signed a few reports. 

Ready to call it a night?" Ben called to him from his desk. 

Daniel closed a folder and stood. "Yeah, the rest of these can wait until tomorrow. Lately I’ve been spending more time here than at home. When I am home I’m only there long enough to grab a few hours of sleep, and I’m back here again." He stretched. 

Ben grinned. "So what else is new? But all work and no play makes Ben a dull boy. I think I’ll go to Vito’s for a couple. Care to join me?" he asked, pulling on his jacket. 

Daniel glanced at his wristwatch. "Not tonight, Ben. Thanks anyway." 

"Got a hot date?" Ben teased. 

"Don’t I wish? Nah, I’ve got to get home. I need to touch base with Taylor." 

"Such are the demands of single parenthood. But you’re lucky. Taylor’s a good kid.

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Excerpt Wednesday – Maggie Quinn

 She did have a glimmer of hope, though. If what Paddy told their mother was true, they at least wouldn't starve to death. She didn't know which was worse, dying of the fever or dying from starvation. "Is it true what you told Ma, Paddy? Do we have some potatoes? Can we afford some decent food for Ma?" she asked optimistically.

"I didn't tell Ma anything, Maggie. I can't lie to her. I told her we would be fine." Patrick was thoughtful for a minute. "I suppose I was not truthful with her because we won't be fine." He ran a hand over his chin. "We have nothing, Maggie. There's nothing left! Year after year, the crop has failed. There's no hope left. The land is in ruins." He glanced around the almost barren room. "We don't have anything left of value to sell even if we could find a buyer." He shook his head. "It's done," he said wearily. "All hope is lost."

Maggie jumped to her feet. "No, Paddy! I won't give up! There has to be a way. We need to stay strong and keep our spirits high for Ma's sake. We need to keep trying." 

Patrick's eyes welled with tears as he looked at his sister. "The earth has swallowed up the beautiful land we once knew, and left nothing but a filthy putrid black mass in its place. It will never be the same, Maggie. Can't you see?" His jaw jutted out defiantly. "You are a dreamer. Your dreams never come true. This is the real world, Maggie. Why can't you see? You need to face the truth."

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