POST YOUR NOVEL EXCERPT HERE!!!!

[jynxgirl.livejournal.com]

POST YOUR NOVEL EXCERPT HERE!!!!

Please keep it relatively short, and only in this thread. Thanks!

No more than 4000 words, and please no multiple posts!

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[jynxgirl.livejournal.com]

Emily examined the puzzle piece carefully through the plastic evidence bag. The piece was a bizarre mixture of golds, browns and reds. “Do you think this means anything important?” She held the bag out to Tomas.

He glanced at it. “Probably not. It was likely just a piece of trash left over from a bored, depressed, choir boy.”

Emily scowled at him, “What is your problem with Catholicism? You've been down on everything to do with that church since we got there. Just get it off your chest, so we can get on with the case.”

“Are you sure you want to know?” Tomas' voice was bitter, and low. “When I was a kid, I was forced to go to church every Sunday. My parents were devout Catholics, and at first, I wanted to go all the time. I prayed to God every night. I asked for very little from God. I was a good kid, and made sure that, to the best of my ability, I followed all the rules.”

Emily put down her paperwork, and gave her full attention to her partner. He was staring off into space, and didn't even seem to be looking at her. The puzzle was still held in her hands.

“When I was twelve years old, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I prayed every night for four months. I begged. I bargained. I even pleaded with God to let her live.” He refused to make eye contact with her, and started playing with the pens on his desk, “She died five months after she was diagnosed.”

Emily felt her stomach drop. “I am so sorry Tomas.”

He shook his head, “It's not your fault. I never went back to church after that. I just can't respect the religion when it tells you to put all your faith in God, and when you need that faith to mean something, there is just nothing there.”

Emily met his eyes, and saw them full of overwhelming sadness. She wanted to reach out to him but was fairly certain anything she said would just make him feel worse.

“I know you are Catholic, Emmy. It's okay. I won't hold it against you. I still believe in God. I just get a little touchy around churches and priests.” His smile made her feel a lot better. “Just don't get me going on nuns.”

She laughed, tossing the piece of evidence on her desk and groaning. “You just had to go there.” She chucked a pen at him, hitting him squarely in the chest.