How can it be midweek already? No. I’m not muppet flailing. Much. First, due to Thanksgiving being on a Thursday, there were no Thursday Threads and therefore no actual prompt for this weeks words. That said, here’s a snippet that’s a bit longer than the norm but that’s okay. And while it wasn’t written from a prompt, there is a prompt I’ll share for the writers out there who need some inspiration. Ready? Here it is: *“That’s not how this works.” As a quick reference, Farez Battah is the FBI’s Buffalo field office SAC–Special Agent in Charge. He’s a bit of a PITA but unlike Toby (PITA Pup), he is not so cute. Sade’s been sent to Rochester to find out what’s going on and whether or not Magicks are invovled. Well…duh! Fae and dragons and magic books, oh my! Anyway, hope you enjoy.

****
Sade was the first person off the plane. She cleared the gate, followed the overhead signs and headed toward baggage claim—not because she had a checked bag but because that’s where the car rental counters were located. She thought it odd that Alice had not already taken care of that. As she stepped off the elevator, a Black woman, cell phone to her ear, approached.

“You Marquis?” she asked.

Sade gave her an appraising once-ver. A head shorter and stockier, the woman oozed efficiency. Hair had been lightened to show mahogony highlights and stiled in a straight, chin-length bob. She works a navy blue pinestrip pantsuit and leather pumps with low heels. She was also carrying. “You first.”

The woman snorted. “Marcella Lloyd, ASAC, Buffalo Field Office.” She flipped open her jacket to show the badge clipped at her waist.

“Then I’m Marquis. Supervisory Agent in Charge of the MAGIC Unit. I’m guessing you’re my ride.”

“SAC Battah is a little put out that you flew directly here instead of Buffalo. Let’s get your bags.”

“I have my bags and Battah can bite me. My investigation is here in Rochester.” She held out her hand, palm up. “Keys.”

Marcella blinked at her. “Beg pardon?”

Sade snapped her fingers. “Keys. I hope you had someone follow you, otherwise you’ll have to catch a bus.”

Eyes narrowed, Marcella glowered. “That’s not how this works. I’m here to pick you up and drive you to Buffalo to meet with Farez.”

“Since I outrank you and even if I didn’t, you’ll never win a pissin’ contest with me, I’ll tell you exactly how this works.” Sade was pleased with herself. She’d been on the ground a whole ten minutes or so and hadn’t resorted to cussing. Yet. Maybe Sinjen was wearing off on her. “My investigation. Not Buttah’s. Not the Buffalo Field Office. Mine. Orders straight from Director Bailey. I’ve told you want to tell Buttah if he wants to bitch.”

Marcella winced but she also didn’t reach for the keys in her pocket. “Listen—”

“No.”

Staring, Marcella finally shrugged. “Fine. Where we headed?”

This was not going the way Sade anticipated—or wanted. Her cell phone buzzed. She didn’t bother looking at the caller ID when she answered. “What?”

“Play nice, Agent Marquis. Agent Lloyd can be of assistance. Please note that you are going to the Inn on Broadway. You have a reservation.”

Sade pretended there weren’t goosebumps sprinkling her arms. “Alice, what’s going on?”
“

Nothing yet, dear. Just keep your friends close. You did you remember your umbrella, yes?”

There was a click followed by dead air before she could reply. The director’s assistant was one scary bitch.

On a sigh of resignation, Sade said, “Fine. Lead the way.”

A few minutes later, they were settled in the front seat of a standard issue black SUV, Marcella behind the wheel.

“Apparently, I have a reservation at the Inn on Broadway. You familiar?”

The other woman’s eyes widened. “Yes. It’s…five star. How—” She snapped her mouth shut before finishing that thought.
S

ade finished it for her. “I don’t have a clue. The director’s admin says do this, go here. I go there and I do that. I doubt this fancy place has government rates so I’m guessing there’s a good reason for the upgrade.”

Marcella had been punching in numbers on the vehicles GPS system. “You want the quick way by interstate or the scenic route.”

“Let’s take the scenic route. I like to get a feel for what I’m getting in to.”
****

There you have it. At the moment, this about Chapter 11 but I’m thinking it might need to be later in the book. There’s a lot going on with Ariel, Aisling, Nikos, and certain crows.

Writer’s write on. Readers, what book are you reading right now? I’ve got one more book in The Others series and I’ll need something to glom onto soon so I’m looking for suggestions.