Next Book, Motive: Unknown

I’m excited to announce that I’ve started on my next book, Motive: Unknown. It’s a spy action/comedy set in the far future featuring a high-school student who failed her citizenship exam so her father has to send her on a class trip to Central, the planet that the federal government calls home. A mistaken identity sets our heroine on the adventure of her life as she is mixed up with an elite spy and uncovers a devious plot to subvert the government.

Sound familiar? The basic plot is based on one of my favorite spy movies from the early 90’s, If Looks Could Kill, starring Richard Grieco. Unfortunately, you won’t find this film in any of the streaming services that I’m aware of, but you can buy it on DVD from Amazon.

Here’s a glimpse at the prologue for the book:

Motive: Unknown

It was the hum of the capacitors charging that Striker noticed first. At that moment, he knew it was game over, but morbid curiosity caused him to turn to face his executioner. The cold steel barrel was only inches from his face, the smell of ionization from the plasma pistol filling his nostrils, overpowering the stench of the dark and dingy dead-end alley he had turned into.

His adversary was good. It was only now, with a gun in his face, that he knew for sure he was being pursued. About an hour ago, he had received a message from his handler telling him to get off the planet quick. No further details were provided.

He left his apartment immediately, walking the several kilometers to the orbital transfer station where freight was collected and sent to the space station far above. He planned on bribing his way onto an early morning shuttle. He would have taken an autocab, but he had no idea what kind of reach the organization he had just started investigating had. A little paranoia seemed appropriate.

He had almost made it before the hair on the back of his neck started raising. He could feel eyes on him, but he refused to look to avoid giving away what little advantage he might have. Turning into the alley had seemed like a good idea at the time. Either throw off the pursuer or, at least, see if he was actually being followed.

Just his rotten luck that it was a dead-end, a single bare bulb above the back entrance of a restaurant providing scant light. An automated delivery skiff sat near the door, the only cover to be found, other than the disgusting dumpster across the narrow alley.

He took in the features of his adversary. She was the epitome of average. You could look right at her and not notice her. She wasn’t attractive, nor ugly. Not short or tall, thin or fat. No exposed tattoos or scars. She was devoid of any distinguishing features whatsoever. Even her clothes blended perfectly into the industrial district where she had found him.

Her smirk was more unnerving than the compact plasma pistol that was still pointed at his face. She had obviously enjoyed the hunt, but it was over now. Only one thing left to complete the job, pull the trigger. He was surprised she hadn’t yet, it’s not like she was here to banter. She was toying with him.

He had no chance, but giving up without a fight wasn’t in his nature. He took a swipe at the gun, knocking her aim off long enough to dive towards the ancient, overfilled dumpster from the adjacent restaurant. A Tai Pan Noodles takeout container fell to the ground, a family of rats scurried away.

He scrambled to get his holdout blaster from his ankle holster. The spike of adrenaline coursing through his veins making it difficult to unholster the concealed weapon. It was going to take seconds that he simply didn’t have.

He heard the soft pop-whine of the capacitors discharging the plasma, the bolt searing his arm where it passed only centimeters away. The asphalt hissed as it instantly melted. Super-heated tar and pebbles exploded out, blinding him. His screams pierced the night as he clawed the ruins of his face. He didn’t hear the second shot.