"Another novel, Grammie? she asked.
"Yep. You can read it when you get bigger."
I've discovered I don't like reading novels on my iPad. I can't tell whether I'm closer to the beginning or the end. I can't stick a bookmark on a page where something interesting and possibly important in the plot takes place so I can return to it later. You might be the same way, so here are a few details about Hidden Secrets:
- It's approximately 95,000 words
- There are over 70 chapters
Hidden Secrets
by Leona Palmer Haag
Chapter 2
Nick crouched among the palm fronds for more than
three hours. His eyes ran along a thin wire strung from one tree trunk to
another, then looped over a high branch before descending toward a stone patio
shaped like a fat crescent moon. It was an unroofed pavilion that faced the beach
and ocean on the long side, while a curving stone wall no more than four feet
high hugged the mountainside as if holding it back. It was vacant of
furnishings except for one lone occupant seated upon a pillow leaning against
the low wall.
Nick's eyes followed a line that glistened in Tiki
lamp light in a few places but was mostly dark and invisible in the night
shadows. The sun had set before he'd stumbled upon the scene, and the moon had
given no useable light before the glowing sliver sank into black water. It was a miracle he
hadn't tripped on the carefully strung wire.
From where he hid, Nick could see five distinct lines
branching off from one main line connected to the victim. As he studied them he
discovered three lines led to crossbows, each prepared to send lethal darts
toward the huddled figure on the patio. The other two disappeared into the
jungle. What lay at their ends he didn't know yet. In a matter of moments he'd
learn and then…
"Stay behind me," Nick heard a man softly
growl no more than ten feet away in the darkness. A woman's giggle followed. Nick
froze, His eyes searched to see the couple, but couldn't penetrate the darkness
and tangled jungle. Had they seen him? If not, would they discover him purely
by accident? They moved toward the beach, allowing him to take a deep breath when
he realize he hadn't been discovered. Perhaps an hour later they noisily
returned, the woman obviously drunk. They stopped before the figure in the
shadows and taunted her, then retreated, making their way up the hillside to a
lone cabana and the music drifting from it.
When the night fell silent again Nick resumed
studying the situation. Whoever was being held captive would eventually die if
not released. Did it matter to him? Possibly. Natalie had not reported in for
almost three days. But he couldn't imagine it being her. She was a master of
escape. Her reputation was flawless. And supposedly she was hundreds of miles
away in Mexico.
Nick slowly rose, allowing his cramped leg muscles to
stretch after squatting so long. Despite the utter silence of his motions he
felt the lone figure's eyes pierce the darkness to where he stood. He instantly
knew the captive was aware of him for the first time. He watched in return,
hoping there would be some identifying clue to who sat there. Good guy? Bad
guy? A lesson they wanted to dramatically teach to someone else?
Nothing. No clues filtered through the undergrowth to
reach him.
Nick wished for daylight, or better yet, full
moonlight. There were too many players on this small island. Too many enemies.
The woman could be anyone. Even brighter starlight would do. A Tiki torch closer
by would be nice. Or a flashlight in hand. He had none. He inched forward in
the darkness hoping he didn't set off a string reaction of whistling darts
toward their intended victim—and possibly himself. Slowly, methodically, he
circled to the front of the patio, studying every line he saw.
Seven in all.
From the prisoner's position only three weapons were
probably visible. Possibly she knew that—if she wasn't an idiot. What she
couldn't guess: four more were subtly hidden, aimed and armed and waiting to
kill. Not wound. Not scare. Not slow down an escape. Only kill.
But who? That was the question. Or, did the victim
happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and ended up tied up? Maybe
she was a lover who’d fallen from grace. But maybe she was bait for someone
bigger. Him?
Nick studied the dark form. Nothing familiar caught
his eye. Not her shape. Nothing. There were too many shadows. She was too
tightly huddled. He waited, watched and listened. Then, as the stars slowly
revolved overhead he crept away to look for a car. A hood, to be specific. A
nice, big, piece of metal. A BMW would be fitting. A 'Best Man Wins' shield.
End Chapter 2
Isn't it fun to know more than the characters you're reading about? Stay tuned for chapter 3. Once more, I ask that you'll be considerate and not copy any of my manuscript for any reason, without my written permission. That includes "copy/past" or printing or transferring it anywhere. Thanks so much!
No comments:
Post a Comment