Some women run from trouble…others out-think it

I had parked the van down the street and was watching Tanya’s brother’s house. There was no car outside, yet a light shone in a downstairs window.

Ten minutes later I let out a low groan and turned to the dog. “This will not work, you know that. You shouldn’t have talked me into this.”

Moose remained silent and had the decency to hang his head.

My fingers ruffled his ears. “I forgive you.”

Another fifteen minutes went by with no movement whatsoever. It was like waiting for a snail to cross the road. We could sit here all night and still be no closer to gaining any evidence to help Tanya’s case. Maybe Wayne could make inquiries within the police force about Lewis and his gang. But it would mean answering questions and revealing my interest in Tanya’s case that went beyond mere concern. We hadn’t spoken since that night and I wondered how he would feel if the only contact I attempted would be to request a favor. However, this could be an opportunity to feel him out, to discern if the remoteness I sensed was my imagination.

Before I chickened out, I dialed his number on my phone. The call didn’t complete a full second ring then disconnected. Odd. In the past, the connection usually went up to six rings and then his voicemail would kick in. The same result with another try. Okay, so his phone was probably off. No need to second guess his intention, like maybe he was avoiding me. He could be in bed. Or working on a case. Maybe undercover. But a tiny voice in the back of my brain whispered He’s a cop. Shouldn’t they be available at all times in the event of an emergency? And why would he turn off his voicemail option?

Before I could contemplate that new wrinkle, Moose let out a low growl. My driver’s door flung open and I got yanked out of the van.

My attacker pierced me with a threatening glare. “Shit.”

Although I never thought I was going to get caught, because you don’t break into a place with the sole purpose of that happening, I wasn’t stupid enough not to let Will know where I was. Before I snuck in I had phoned him and despite his repeated attempts at talking me out of it, he made me promise to contact him as soon as I was in the clear.

The person reached behind, withdrew a gun. “I say we kill her.”

My focus pinpointed to the cylinder’s round hollow end aimed at my face. The dim lighting in the kitchen didn’t reflect off the barrel but seemed to be absorbed by it, not only into the metal but also the blackness of intent it represented. At that instant I heard nothing else except my breathing, as if I was underwater. Although my heart ricocheted against my ribs it seemed I only heard every tenth beat, like time had slowed and the sound was akin to my life draining away from a bullet wound.

My life didn’t flash before my eyes, like they claim in books and movies but what did enter my brain was regret. In the two-point-three seconds it took between breaths, my thoughts went to my mother. Who would take care of her? And how would my brother explain that her only daughter was no longer alive because of cocky recklessness? Would my mother even comprehend she’d never see me again? The burden of care would have to fall on Blaine now because he couldn’t afford to keep our mother in the facility where she currently was. The pressure of caring for her plus two kids would put a strain on his marriage and it would all be because of me. And then there was Clayton and the unresolved issue of how I still felt for him.

My focus went again to the end of the weapon pointed at me and bile slid up my throat, launching my fear factor off the charts.

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

Probably the same as most people who are authors, I think. I started writing short stories when I was young and being a book-nerd, thought it was be amazing to be able to write books and make a living at it. Well, I’m writing books but still waiting for the ‘make a living at it’ part lol!

I do remember, as a young child, making up stories in my head to help me get to sleep. Then the next day I would continue the story. Although I do, sometimes, think about writing as I’m falling asleep, it’s more about plot lines and tasks that need to be done then coming up with a new idea.

What is something unique/quirky about you?

Someone said I eat my apples weird! I chew all around the center, then the bottom, and finish with the top where the stem is. I don’t think that’s weird at all!

Tell us something really interesting that’s happened to you!

This isn’t interesting but it is funny. I was supposed to meet a friend at their cousin’s house in Edmonton where I had gone to the year before. When I got there, her cousin opened the doors wide and invited me in. I sat down and they asked me if I wanted some lunch to which I said no. We talked about the trip (I had driven from BC the day before) and then we sat. I heard their dog barking and thought it was nice that they finally gone one. Then after about 5 minutes I asked when my friend, Lorraine, would be ready. They said “who?” I repeated the name and they said they never heard of her! I was in the wrong house! As it turned out, the reason for the ‘open-door’ was that the owners of the house were celebrating a wedding in the family and they thought I had come by for the celebratory lunch and was friends with the groom’s party!! To make it even more hilarious, when they asked the names of the people I was supposed to see, they knew them and it was the next block over!

What are some of your pet peeves?

People who lie. I can’t stand it.

If you knew you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?

Up in the air, flying a plane, or perhaps gliding.

What kind of world ruler would you be?

Eeeek, who would want to be a world ruler?? Narcissistic people make my stomach turn.

What are you passionate about these days?

Animals. Always have been, always will be. We could learn a lot from animals – their world is about eating, procreating and loving. Yes, animals do have emotions and are capable of love, there is unlimited documentation about it. Animals kill for survival, humans, on the other hand find multiple reasons to harm another. Animals will love another species, even if, in nature, they are ‘supposed’ to be enemies. Animals cannot feel hatred – unfortunately mankind isn’t that wise.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

Reading (of course), I love to bake (my butter tarts are to die for) and I like to do jigsaw puzzles because it let’s my mind relax.

Do you have a favorite movie?

I do, it’s the Man From Snowy River. Great movie – action, adventure, romance, some humor and fantastic photography. Love the soundtrack as well.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

I’d have to say the Daughters of the Crescent Moon trilogy (paranormal romantic suspense) The three books combined would work better. Now who to play the leads, hmmmm.

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

Every year I go by myself to a cabin by a lake where there is no TV, internet only at certain spots, no radio and no clocks. It makes me focus on my writing without the daily responsibilities of life. I eat when I want, whatever I want, sleep when I want and I don’t get sucked down the rabbit hole of the internet. I’ve been doing this for about 15 years now.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

I’ve always wanted to know what my spirit animal is and envy those who have found theirs. If we’re talking about my method of writing and how it would translate into an animal, I would probably lean toward a cougar (well I am a cat person lol!) A cougar is a solitary animal (I have to be alone to write), they can’t roar but do hiss and growl (which I’ve been known to do at certain people!) and they have limited social interaction (unfortunately I still work so that rules me out but not for lack of wanting!)