Tag: Blog

“Betrayal” – the penultimate final draft – Day 24

I’m sure I’ve been down this road more than once, and with the same novel, but whereas the last edit, which was probably the second or third, finished up in the pile, then forgotten.

I’m doing an active update to all my works in progress, and sending them to the editor, after going through the manuscript once again, with a view to publishing.  Hopefully, before the year is out.

…

I was writing Chapter 29 and suddenly I had a bad feeling. You know the sort of feeling you get, you’ve forgotten something, or there wasn’t a lead into an event which will feel like it came from nowhere…

I’m having one of those moments.

Damn.

I’ve forgotten something.

So, I stopped editing, brought up the last eight chapters and started reading.

No, nothing I’ve forgotten. But there is something.

No point going on. This has to run around in my mind for a bit while doing something completely different, like painting a ceiling.

True, I’m in the middle of painting the dining room ceiling and putting it off to get on with the project. The project has hit a speed hump, so it’s back to the painting.

Halfway through the roof, it comes to me.

A basic error, of not making sure all of the points are covered in the story otherwise the reader will say, ok, you said that back in Chapter 18 and now, why haven’t you realised that something’s going to happen because of your negligence.

I know what it is.

And it will require another chapter.

But first, I have to finish the painting.

“Betrayal” – the penultimate final draft – Day 24

I’m sure I’ve been down this road more than once, and with the same novel, but whereas the last edit, which was probably the second or third, finished up in the pile, then forgotten.

I’m doing an active update to all my works in progress, and sending them to the editor, after going through the manuscript once again, with a view to publishing.  Hopefully, before the year is out.

…

I was writing Chapter 29 and suddenly I had a bad feeling. You know the sort of feeling you get, you’ve forgotten something, or there wasn’t a lead into an event which will feel like it came from nowhere…

I’m having one of those moments.

Damn.

I’ve forgotten something.

So, I stopped editing, brought up the last eight chapters and started reading.

No, nothing I’ve forgotten. But there is something.

No point going on. This has to run around in my mind for a bit while doing something completely different, like painting a ceiling.

True, I’m in the middle of painting the dining room ceiling and putting it off to get on with the project. The project has hit a speed hump, so it’s back to the painting.

Halfway through the roof, it comes to me.

A basic error, of not making sure all of the points are covered in the story otherwise the reader will say, ok, you said that back in Chapter 18 and now, why haven’t you realised that something’s going to happen because of your negligence.

I know what it is.

And it will require another chapter.

But first, I have to finish the painting.

“Betrayal” – the penultimate final draft – Day 23

I’m sure I’ve been down this road more than once, and with the same novel, but whereas the last edit, which was probably the second or third, finished up in the pile, then forgotten.

I’m doing an active update to all my works in progress, and sending them to the editor, after going through the manuscript once again, with a view to publishing.  Hopefully, before the year is out.

…

The story continues.

Chapters 23 through 28 are done and we are on the home stretch.

There are seven days and hopefully seven more chapters.

I have finally decided on how it’s going to end, and he’s not going to finish up with the one he thought he would.

And another twist that no one will see coming, even though there are hints.

I have in mind how this will play out in one of the last three chapters, and there is a devastating truth that comes with it, one that is going to be hard to understand for one of the two main protagonists.

Such is as it should be.

And then, there’s the James Bond-type ending.

I was just thinking about how it used to be, sitting in front of the typewriter…

I first started writing by longhand, still do, in fact, then graduated to my mother’s portable, then moved upwards into the electric world having a pair of IBM electric typewriters I bought form one of the places I worked as second-hand cast-offs.

Until that is, I could no longer buy ribbons for my IBM Selectric, so it had to go the way of the dinosaurs.

IT was a good thing, then, that computers and word processing software started at about the same time.

So…

I didn’t get to sit down in front of the computer, well, to write that is.  I thought I would go searching for some inspiration.

Bad idea.

It’s just that in that short distance, from, say, the couch where you were reading the latest blog posts in the WordPress reader, and the writers chair, your preparation for writing ends up getting confused at some of the pro-Trump and anti Trump bloggers, because it’s hard to find anything relevant to the man and his politics.

People seem to be radically for or radically opposed and there’s no middle ground. How does Government work in such a political climate?

But, there you are, my attention has been distracted and unless I’m about to indulge in political satire, I’m off track, with an out of balance mindset, and therefore unable to write.

Perhaps I should not read blog posts, but the newspapers.

Or not, because they all have an editorial policy that leans either and one way or another, which means their views are not necessarily unbiased.

I was a journalist once and hated the idea of having to toe the editorial line.

I’m coming around to thinking that it’s probably best left to the dark hours of the night when you would think all the distractions are behind you.  After all, isn’t that what daytime is for?

Except that’s when the ghosts come out to play.

I think.

Was that the lounge room door opening?

“Betrayal” – the penultimate final draft – Day 23

I’m sure I’ve been down this road more than once, and with the same novel, but whereas the last edit, which was probably the second or third, finished up in the pile, then forgotten.

I’m doing an active update to all my works in progress, and sending them to the editor, after going through the manuscript once again, with a view to publishing.  Hopefully, before the year is out.

…

The story continues.

Chapters 23 through 28 are done and we are on the home stretch.

There are seven days and hopefully seven more chapters.

I have finally decided on how it’s going to end, and he’s not going to finish up with the one he thought he would.

And another twist that no one will see coming, even though there are hints.

I have in mind how this will play out in one of the last three chapters, and there is a devastating truth that comes with it, one that is going to be hard to understand for one of the two main protagonists.

Such is as it should be.

And then, there’s the James Bond-type ending.

“Betrayal” – the penultimate final draft – Day 22

I’m sure I’ve been down this road more than once, and with the same novel, but whereas the last edit, which was probably the second or third, finished up in the pile, then forgotten.

I’m doing an active update to all my works in progress, and sending them to the editor, after going through the manuscript once again, with a view to publishing.  Hopefully, before the year is out.

…

I’m still working on two back chapters which might become three,

But…

I’ve been steadily working on chapters 24 through 29 which were dependent on the framework set up in the two back chapters.

It actually has made it easier to see where the story is going and make changes in both parts as I go along.

That now leaves me at Chapter 30, which is a major turning point for the story.

In the outline I had the two protagonists doing one thing, and now I’ve pulled the plug on them, and they are doing something else.

The problem was, to me, it was too predictable.

Still, now I’m at chapter 30, anything can happen.

The cinema of my dreams – It continued in London – Episode 33

Alessandro finally tells

…

Alessandro had his hand on the door handle, the door open, and about to walk out.

“You have to be kidding?”

“I’m not.  Their instructions are to drag you out of her with maximum exposure.  I did inform several media outlets that there was likely to be a high-profile arrest at this hotel this morning, so it will hit the internet very soon after.”

“There are rules…”

“I don’t play by the rules when dealing with liars, Alessandro.  Your last chance to get out of this with some dignity, otherwise it’s out of my control.”

Of course, the number one rule I’d broken was not to play bluff with men like Alessandro because if he called it, I’d be in so deep it would take a week to dig myself out of the shit pile Rodby would throw me in.  This was exactly the rogue behaviour he hated.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if Alessandro did, it would get Rodby off my back.

He stepped back in and let the door close.

This was a man who couldn’t afford a shit storm.  And whatever it was he couldn’t tell me must have severe consequences.

“Heidi called me the morning of the day she went to the opera and told me she saw me with Vittoria in a newspaper, and said she had information about her, that she needed to see me in person.”

“Before that call, what did you know of Vittoria?”

“Not a lot.  She had presented herself, whether it was a deliberate act on her part, or by accident, to me at the casino at Monte Carlo some weeks ago, at a function.  She used a different name and looked different then.  She said she had seen me in the media talking about one of the charities the family donates to and wanted to know more about it.  We met a few times over dinner, but nothing intimate.  She once again accidentally ran into me in London, and we had drinks.  I perceived her to be trouble.”

“Where were you when she called?”

“In Vienna.  I got on the first plane to London and got her about 10pm.  I got to the hotel just before she arrived back from the opera.  She said she had not expected to see me until the morning.  We went up to her room, and she told me basically what you just told me about this Vittoria.  I did not know about the daughter of the Count, nor do I think Heidi does.”

“Then what happened?”

“We went down to the bar and had a few drinks, because that news was quite shattering, and I needed a few to steady the nerves.  I had yet to arrange a room, which I did when Heidi called it a night and went to her room.  She did say she might have to leave early the following morning, but we would meet again at the legal office.  That was the last I saw her.  And until your fellow officers came to interview me, I did not, and still don’t believe she is missing.”

“Have you seen Vittoria in the last day or so?”

“Once the following morning, and only as she was leaving, very hurriedly I might add.”

“Did she say where she was going?”

“I didn’t ask, and by that time, I didn’t care.  Do you know who this alleged daughter is?”

“Only that she has a daughter by the Count and had irrefutable proof.  I would get your legal team prepared because it might become an issue because she might become the legal heir in the countess goes missing.  After all the terms of the will state that the line of succession is wife, then children, with no specific codicil that the child be legitimate.”

“Which if you said is correct, and I will have it checked, that removes my motive.”

“Unless you are working with Vittoria and the child.  You may not be, but appearances can be taken either way.  I suggest that you make enquiries as to where the countess might be.”

He still might know, but I was beginning to think he didn’t.  Nor did I believe he was working with Vittoria.  He made his feelings for her quite clear.

But Vittoria, where did she go?

“Thank you finally for your cooperation.  Next time anyone asks you a question, just answer it.  Other investigators won’t be as lenient with you.”

I called the men and told them to stand down.

© Charles Heath 2023

“Betrayal” – the penultimate final draft – Day 22

I’m sure I’ve been down this road more than once, and with the same novel, but whereas the last edit, which was probably the second or third, finished up in the pile, then forgotten.

I’m doing an active update to all my works in progress, and sending them to the editor, after going through the manuscript once again, with a view to publishing.  Hopefully, before the year is out.

…

I’m still working on two back chapters which might become three,

But…

I’ve been steadily working on chapters 24 through 29 which were dependent on the framework set up in the two back chapters.

It actually has made it easier to see where the story is going and make changes in both parts as I go along.

That now leaves me at Chapter 30, which is a major turning point for the story.

In the outline I had the two protagonists doing one thing, and now I’ve pulled the plug on them, and they are doing something else.

The problem was, to me, it was too predictable.

Still, now I’m at chapter 30, anything can happen.

“Betrayal” – the penultimate final draft – Day 21

I’m sure I’ve been down this road more than once, and with the same novel, but whereas the last edit, which was probably the second or third, finished up in the pile, then forgotten.

I’m doing an active update to all my works in progress, and sending them to the editor, after going through the manuscript once again, with a view to publishing.  Hopefully, before the year is out.

…

I’m currently working on some back chapters because they impact from the point where I’m currently up to, chapter 24/28, and with a little twerking this part is coming together and will serve its purpose as a lead into what happens later on, and make sense where it before it was a little out of the bluish.

I’ve got a new character, but what her role will be beyond this part of the story is yet to be determined, I think it might end up being a walk-on walk-off but part with lines.

Other than that, the novel is proceeding, and the end, three or four chapters long is sitting at the back of my mind, and after a few more days, as we get closer to the end, it will become clear.

There is a plan, but as we are all fully aware, some things don’t go according to plan.

The cinema of my dreams – It continued in London – Episode 32

Alessandro is still reticent

…

He paused by the front counter to talk to the manager who was running the desk now. Perhaps realising trouble was about to erupt in her hotel, trouble a hotel of this sort didn’t need.

She got a key from the office she came out of earlier and accompanied us to the mezzanine floor, unlocked a door to what was a small conference room and ushered us in.  She didn’t follow us in but closed the door behind us.  I did notice that Alessandro had two security staff follow us at a discreet distance.

In the time it took to get from the restaurant to the conference room, he had time to compose himself, and no doubt working on a story that I might believe.

He sat and gestured for me to do the same.  I thought about standing, it would nominally give me an advantage over him, but decided against it.

He gave me a hard stare, then said, “You tell me you are only called when the situation is serious.  Who are you?  I don’t believe for a moment you are a Detective Inspector.  They do not confront foreign natials at their table in a restaurant.”

“Believe it or not I am.  From time to time.  Who I am is irrelevant.  What is, is the whereabouts of your sister-in-law.  You were at the hotel when she arrived back from the Opera.  A matter of hours later she disappears.  Why were you here to see your sister-in-law?”

“If I tell you that is none of your business?”

“Let me tell you what I know about your business.  Firstly, you are associating with a woman by the name of Vittoria, who is allegedly responsible for two attempts in the countess’s life.  Secondly, the terms of the Count’s will pass the who of his possessions to you if the countess does not arrive at the law offices to sign the official inheritance documents.  Thirdly, you are on record saying quite vehemently that the countess should not, and will not if you have anything to do with it, inherit the family business.  Fourthly, had Vittoria told you that she had a daughter to the Count, and was blackmailing him until he died, culminating in the last attempt on the countess’s life.  Allegedly.”

Always, it was interesting to watch the expressions and responses of people when telling there a story that has a mixture of truth, supposition, and outright lies.  Alessandro was no different.  He started the story expressionless and was most likely going to stay that way.

The first response was when I mentioned Vittoria, with a look that wasn’t complete contempt, but a very deep dislike, though that might be for me mentioning her name.  I purposely didn’t say he was dating her, just associating, and it might also be at the mention of her name.

“Vittoria is, by the way, in London at the moment, and she is a person of interest in my investigation.  We know you have seen her several times in the last few days, so I will be talking to her at some point.”

The second response came when I mentioned the will, and that look was of surprise, whether he thought anyone know of the provisions other than family would be interesting.

“Am I under surveillance?”

“When reviewing the CCTV tapes during the time we estimate the countess went missing, and only via the CCTV in the hotel, in case the disappearance of the countess is not part of a wider attack on the Bernhardt family.  I notice you have your own security outside.”

“I would prefer they not accompany me everywhere, but it is necessary.”

“The countess’s security detail?  Are they still in the hotel.”

“Gone, with the countess, which is why I don’t think there is anything to worry about.”

“And if she doesn’t make it to the signing in five days?”

“Do you have any reason to believe she will not.”

“You have motive, and you had opportunity.  In my book that’s enough for me to have you arrested until you tell us what we need to know.  It’s the old story, if you have nothing to hide, you’d answer the question.  Stalling, dodging, and obfuscation only indicate guilt.  So, I will ask one more time.  What were do doing here after she returned to the hotel on the night of the opera, and where is she now?”

Another withering look in my direction, and he stood.

“I do not have to answer your questions.  Now, if you don’t mind, I have work to do.”

He headed towards the door.

“Fine.  You will not be leaving the hotel, and I suggest you call your legal representative.”  /I pulled out my phone and pressed speed dial.  When one of the two men below answered, I said, “Pick him up.  You know where to take him.”

© Charles Heath 2023