Moonlight City Drive
by Brian Paone
~~~
~~~
BLURB:
11:18 p.m. Subject is checking into the Desert Palms Motel, accompanied by an unknown female.
Snapshot in the parking lot. Man and woman embrace. Betrayal, I see it every day, like my own
reflection in the mirror staring back at me. Another case, another bottle of booze, life is no longer
a mystery to me …
reflection in the mirror staring back at me. Another case, another bottle of booze, life is no longer
a mystery to me …
… Because I’m the private eye, hot on your trail; the top gun for hire. You’ll find me lurking in the
shadows, always searching for a clue. I’m the bulletproof detective. I got my eye on you …
shadows, always searching for a clue. I’m the bulletproof detective. I got my eye on you …
What’s a little sin under the covers, what’s a little blood between lovers? What’s a little death to be
discovered, cold stiff body under the covers?
discovered, cold stiff body under the covers?
I’m digging you a desert grave, underneath the burning sun. You won’t be found by anyone.
Vultures circle in the sky, and you, my dear, are the reason why.
Vultures circle in the sky, and you, my dear, are the reason why.
… I was always easily influenced.
~~~
EXCERPT
Smith twisted the key as hard as he could and heard a popping noise as the locking mechanism
finally gave way. He pushed open his office door and entered the dark room. He tossed his keys
onto his desk; they slid a short distance before a stack of time-faded papers and case-file folders
abruptly stopped them.
Flicking the light switch, the room illuminated with an anemic-brown glow from the single
dusty bulb. He took a step toward the coffee percolator on the windowsill, and his toe caught
the corner of a tied-up pile of newspapers dating back at least ten years.finally gave way. He pushed open his office door and entered the dark room. He tossed his keys
onto his desk; they slid a short distance before a stack of time-faded papers and case-file folders
abruptly stopped them.
Flicking the light switch, the room illuminated with an anemic-brown glow from the single
dusty bulb. He took a step toward the coffee percolator on the windowsill, and his toe caught
Smith exhaled loudly with a frustrated grunt and kneeled beside the newspaper bundle; the air
escaping from his lungs carried the stench of day-old consumed alcohol, topped off with more
last night that led to closing time this morning. He really hadn’t slept. He napped for a couple hours,
then came here. He removed the Swiss Army knife from his pants and cut the twine, freeing the
newspapers, watching as they avalanched to the floor.
He used his palm to shuffle and smear the newspapers around his office floor. His gaze quickly
scanned his name plastered on all the headlines, praising the ex-deputy-now-turned-private-eye
for all the scum he had gotten off the street, as well as locating abducted kids, reuniting long-lost
biological parents of orphans, and exposing spouses who may have forgotten their vows. Smith had
seen more than he cared to remember while he had been a sheriff’s deputy and could now safely
check the box marked Seen It All since becoming a private eye.
escaping from his lungs carried the stench of day-old consumed alcohol, topped off with more
last night that led to closing time this morning. He really hadn’t slept. He napped for a couple hours,
then came here. He removed the Swiss Army knife from his pants and cut the twine, freeing the
newspapers, watching as they avalanched to the floor.
He used his palm to shuffle and smear the newspapers around his office floor. His gaze quickly
scanned his name plastered on all the headlines, praising the ex-deputy-now-turned-private-eye
for all the scum he had gotten off the street, as well as locating abducted kids, reuniting long-lost
biological parents of orphans, and exposing spouses who may have forgotten their vows. Smith had
seen more than he cared to remember while he had been a sheriff’s deputy and could now safely
check the box marked Seen It All since becoming a private eye.
~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Brian Paone was born and raised in the Salem, Massachusetts area. Brian has, thus far,
published four novels: a memoir about being friends with a drug-addicted rock star, Dreams
are Unfinished Thoughts; a macabre cerebral-horror novel, Welcome to Parkview; a time-travel
romance novel, Yours Truly, 2095, (which was nominated for a Hugo Award, though it did not make
the finalists); and a supernatural, crime-noir detective novel, Moonlight City Drive.
published four novels: a memoir about being friends with a drug-addicted rock star, Dreams
are Unfinished Thoughts; a macabre cerebral-horror novel, Welcome to Parkview; a time-travel
romance novel, Yours Truly, 2095, (which was nominated for a Hugo Award, though it did not make
the finalists); and a supernatural, crime-noir detective novel, Moonlight City Drive.
Along with his four novels, Brian has published three short stories: “Outside of Heaven,” which is
featured in the anthology, A Matter of Words; “The Whaler’s Dues,” which is featured in the anthology,
A Journey of Words; and “Anesthetize (or A Dream Played in Reverse on Piano Keys),” which is
featured in the anthology, A Haunting of Words. Brian is also a vocalist and has released seven
albums with his four bands: Yellow #1, Drop Kick Jesus, The Grave Machine, and Transpose. He is
married to a US Naval Officer, and they have four children.
featured in the anthology, A Matter of Words; “The Whaler’s Dues,” which is featured in the anthology,
A Journey of Words; and “Anesthetize (or A Dream Played in Reverse on Piano Keys),” which is
featured in the anthology, A Haunting of Words. Brian is also a vocalist and has released seven
albums with his four bands: Yellow #1, Drop Kick Jesus, The Grave Machine, and Transpose. He is
married to a US Naval Officer, and they have four children.
Brian is also a police officer and has been working in law enforcement since 2002. He is a
self-proclaimed roller coaster junkie, a New England Patriots fanatic, and his favorite color is
burnt orange. For more information on all his books and music, visit www.BrianPaone.com
self-proclaimed roller coaster junkie, a New England Patriots fanatic, and his favorite color is
burnt orange. For more information on all his books and music, visit www.BrianPaone.com
~~~
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ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading the excerpt, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI enjoyed getting to know your book; congrats on the tour and I hope it is a fun one for you :)
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DeleteThanks for sharing the great post!
ReplyDeleteVery evocative excerpt!
ReplyDeleteInteresting blurb.
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