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#Post#: 2895--------------------------------------------------
Haunted by the Past - Chapter 07 - With an S, Like the Poet
By: RampageSports Date: February 14, 2016, 9:59 pm
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Author's Note: The Spenser, Hawk and Susan Silverman characters
belong to mystery novelist Robert B. Parker. Mr. Parker is one
of my favorite authors, and his work is a major influence on the
the way I write. Whether I even come close to mimicking his
style is open to considerable debate, but I have chosen to use
his characters in this story as something of an homage. My goal
is to handle them as lightly as possible and to maintain them as
Mr. Parker created them. Any failure on that front is
completely my own.
This little disclaimer will appear at the top of each chapter
from here on out, because I want it to be clear that I'm only
borrowing these characters. It took Mr. Parker decades to
perfect them, and perfect they are. I don't want an ounce of
credit for them, even if my use of them comes off well. After
all, any success I have would be completely due to the way
Parker has so clearly and masterfully defined them over the
years.
I'll also quickly mention here that King Powers is also a Parker
creation, though I made no attempt to stay true to Mr. Parker's
version of that character. I just thought it was a cool name.
;)
[hr]
Haunted by the Past - Chapter 7 - With an S, Like the Poet
"As a bona fide knight errant," I began, "shouldn't you be out
in search of evil to battle, instead of gazing out the window,
keenly alert for the presence of a short skirt?"
He didn't comment on my presumption, nor did he deny it's
accuracy.
"Alas, fair maiden, it seems my prior efforts have been
fruitful, for evil lurks not, this day."
"Splendid," I said. "And how goes the other pursuit?"
"It's too cold for skirts," he said.
"Bummer."
"I agree."
A thin smile spread across my face as the exchange briefly
pulled me away from my troubles. I looked up at Danni, who
appeared similarly amused, even though she'd only heard my half
of the conversation.
"Hello, Spenser," I said into the receiver.
"Richelle," he replied. "If memory serves, we spoke just a few
days ago."
"We did."
"And now, you're calling again... on the office line, this
time."
"I am."
"Perhaps it's just my overdeveloped gumshoe intuition, but I
sense trouble may be afoot."
My smile was long gone as the reason for the call came back into
focus.
"Unfortunately, it seems evil does lurk this day," I said. "It's
simply moved south."
Spenser patiently waited as I worked up the courage to get to
the point.
"He's here, Spenser."
Once again, I could picture the scene as he sat forward and his
expression turned serious. The time for humor was officially
over.
"Tell me," he said.
Though we hadn't seen each other in years, Spenser and I spoke
frequently by phone. He knew about RSI. He also knew who Danni
was, and how she fit into things. I told him about the man who
had approached her, and what he'd said about the King. Spenser
asked if I'd seen Powers myself, or if he'd somehow made contact
with me directly. I said nothing like that had happened, but he
gave no hint that he didn't agree with me regarding the meaning
of the royal reference.
"I have some things to tie up, here," he said when I finished.
"I'll be down in two days."
"Only you?" I asked.
"I anticipate that Hawk will desire to be involved, as well."
I nodded.
"Good," I said. "I'll make the arrangements."
"There's really no need..."
"Spenser, don't."
My voice hadn't risen, but I could see the sharp tone of it had
gotten Danni's attention.
I took a deep breath before continuing.
"Look, I'll never be able to repay you... either of you... for
what you did back then," I said, "But, it's different now. I'm
paying you, this time. I'm paying your rate... and Hawk's..."
"I'm not sure Hawk has a published rate schedule, per se..."
"...as well as expenses. I'm paying for everything."
He was quiet for a moment.
"I feel as though accepting remuneration may tarnish my shining
armor."
"I think even knights have to eat," I said.
"We knights feed upon the nobility of our work," he said, "and
are nourished by the gratitude of those we serve."
"I've been to dinner with you. I'm pretty sure part of the
reason you love Susan so much is that you get to eat your meal
and then most of hers, as well."
"I hate when she orders those fruity salads."
We exchanged goodbyes, with Spenser warning me to be careful. We
agreed that Powers wasn't likely to do anything more, but there
was no guarantee. If he was crazy enough to come for me after
all this time, then there was no way to know for certain what he
might do next.
I set the phone down, then observed the bemused grin on Danni's
face.
"What?" I asked.
"Bummer?"
I shrugged.
"I think you had to hear the whole conversation."
"Uh, huh."
She nodded toward the phone and said, "So, he's the reason
you're still here?"
"Well, it's not really that simple."
"It never is, with you."
I narrowed my eyes at her, but it seemed to have little effect.
"By the way," she said, "who's Hawk?"
"Right. Back to our story, then..."
[hr]
Character Reference
HTML https://aade768506dacb303a01a361d3dc0d27209a5ec4.googledrive.com/host/0Bz8YsEjMxOhMMXhVcF82aG5SXzA/Richelle_100x120.jpg
Name: Richelle Winterfeld
Nickname(s):
Background: Owner of the RSI stable, former underground fighter
HTML https://aade768506dacb303a01a361d3dc0d27209a5ec4.googledrive.com/host/0Bz8YsEjMxOhMMXhVcF82aG5SXzA/Danni_100x120.jpg
Name: Danneel Harris
Nickname(s): Danni
Background: RSI stable leader, reigning DEF welterweight
champion
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