It must have been 90 degrees in the shade, and humid enough that not ten minutes after we’d arrived at the Great Minnesota Get Together, I blew right past sweat-covered into full-fledged swamp ass. If I didn’t love my girlfriend Alex, I’d be chilling at home with the air conditioner set to sixty-five and a cold bottle of Summit in my hand. Instead, I was sweltering at the top of the iconic State Fair Giant Slide—a five story, 150-foot, green and yellow behemoth. The coarse burlap in my hand was scratchy, but that was the only vehicle from here to solid ground.
“Cailin!” Alex’s sharp tone startled me. “Look!” Her arm was outstretched and her finger was aimed somewhere vaguely ahead, toward the throng of people that milled below.
“What?”
“By the tree across the road from the slide.”
The bright light made me squint. A tiny lady of a certain age, wearing a huge, floppy hat, was playing shoulder bag tug-of-war with a much younger, very bleached-blonde woman. It was obvious the yank-fest wasn’t of the friendly sort. Blondie whipped something out and waved it at Granny. Granny jerked the sack toward her. Blondie released it and stumbled backward. A corndog went flying and a kid hit the deck. Blondie steadied herself, and the sun caught the object she’d pulled.
Oh crap. A freaking knife. I glanced around for Fair police, then realized they’d never hear me anyway.
“Be back.” I shimmied between hot bodies, and to the slide attendants’ dismay, launched myself headfirst over the edge. I managed to catch most of the burlap under me, and by sheer dumb luck didn’t run anyone over on my swift descent. In about two seconds, I skidded sideways across the landing area, popped up, and rushed the chest-high fence that enclosed the slide. The drone of the fair faded and I hopped the chain-link with singular focus. I charged across the street, past the kid who was still sprawled, screaming for his fallen dog.
The blonde had disappeared.
“Which way?” I hollered, and a few people pointed, mostly in the same direction. I took off again. Two steps forward, three steps back. I finally broke through the crush into an opening, and glimpsed platinum hair disappearing around the corner of Ole and Lena’s Deep Fried Hot Dish stand. I doubled down and caught another rare gap in the surging masses. I hauled ass past Ole’s in time to see my quarry dart into the horse barn. Muscle memory kicked in and my hand fell to my waist. With a curse I remembered I’d left my gun at home. Oh well, not a good idea to bring a gun to a knife fight anyway.
I was almost flattened by a team of glossy, black Percherons clomping out of the barn. I managed to squeeze between them into the relative cool of the huge structure. Stalls to my left, stalls to my right, and a wide walkway dead ahead. A number of horses stood patiently in the aisle in various stages of show prep. About halfway down, my would-be-thief was playing dodge ’em with a burly cowboy. Blondie outfoxed him, and hoofed it to the open door at the other end of the barn. Luckily my legs were longer, and I was closing in.
“Stop, NPI!” I hollered.
Of course she didn’t. She hit the exit. I barreled after her. Now just scant feet separated us. Adrenaline pounding, I dredged up a burst of speed and leaped. The Vikings would be proud. My momentum carried us both down, skidding across straw-strewn gravel. It wasn’t going to be a pretty clean up.
The tussle lasted less than fifteen seconds. I sat on her butt, chest heaving, holding her arms pinned behind her back. Gawkers circled, and then two Fair police pushed through the crowd.
“Jesus, McKenna,” Manny Martinez said. “What did you get into now?” He was a Minneapolis cop and a friend of mine who was apparently working a little OT.
I shrugged and sucked more air.
He shook his head once and handed me a pair of cuffs. I hooked her up and Martinez pulled me to my feet. Between breaths, I gasped, “She’s all yours. Had a knife. Don’t know where it is.”
Martinez said, “Only you could get in trouble at the fricking fair.”
Martinez’s partner grabbed Blondie and tugged her upright. Her shirt and shorts were straw-covered and skid-marked with what was probably horse poo. Good thing she’d cushioned my fall.
I dusted my hands on my pants. “Can’t get past the long arm of a National Protection and Investigation Agent.”
Martinez rolled his eyes.
Alex came ripping around the corner of the barn door. She pulled up fast. “Cailin, you got her! I’ve never seen anyone take a header down that slide. After you give them a statement, I owe you a footlong, you hero, you.”
Yup. Just another day in my boring life. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
You can read more about Cailin in Operation Stop Hate, the first book in the NEW “Operation” mystery series, published by Train Wreck XPress.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on June 25 for the chance to win either a print or an e-book copy of Operation Stop Hate–winner’s choice. The print giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The e-book giveaway is open to everyone. Two lucky commenters will be randomly selected. Winners will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Jessie Chandler lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her wife and two mutts, Fozzy Bear and Ollie. In the fall and winter, Jessie writes, and spends her summers selling T-shirts and other assorted trinkets to unsuspecting conference and festival goers.
The first book in Jessie’s new National Investigation and Protection Unit Operation series, Operation Stop Hate, launched March 2015. Lesbians on the Loose, Crime Writers on the Lam, a mystery anthology co-edited with Lori L. Lake, just released in May 2015. Blood Money Murder, the fifth book in the Shay O’Hanlon Caper series, will be out late 2015, and the first book in Jessie’s new Art Thief series is slated for 2016. Learn more at www.jessiechandler.com.
Sounds like an intense story
Sally, yes. This one’s really intense, much different than my Shay series. I think the characters are just as interesting and likable, thought!
Sounds very interesting.
Kaye, thanks for reading Dru’s Book Musings and dropping by!
I enjoy the Shay O’Hanlon series. Looking forward to reading the NIPU series.
Hey Elaine! Thrilled you enjoy the Shay series! The new series is a departure for me in that the humor isn’t the main attraction. It was fun to write because the tone is different from Shay, but I also can’t wait to get back to Shay’s world in Blood Money Murder, coming late 2015 or early 2016!
Woo Hoo! Another Shay book. I’m happy.
Yup, Dru! I’ve got it all planned out, and Risa is going to make an appearance! I think that scene is going to be hilarious!
Jessie has been busy with so many new stories! I think having Cailin at the Fair is a great premise, all kinds of things can happy during those last, hot days of summer! Thanks for the chance to win!
Hey!!! Yes, I have been busy! Cailin just happened to swing my the fair for Dru’s A Day in the Life, but maybe in book two she can hang there a bit longer. It’s a great setting, with so many things that can happen, for sure! The premise of Operation Stop Hate is a school shooting in Minneapolis and a hate group handing out hate music on school grounds. Cailin and her NPIU partners infiltrate the hate group in an attempt to stop then from launching a terror attack in the Twin Cities. Buy, after that she’s going to need a day off at the State Fair!
Talk about action packed! I’d love to read the rest.
Molly!!! Thanks for dropping by! YES! Action is the name of the game in this new series. Cailin is put through her paces, that’s for sure!
Sounds interesting … thanks for the chance to win!
Hey Peggy! Thanks for dropping a note! Good luck!
This sounds intense!
Loni, intense is indeed the word!
This sounds like a really fun read! 🙂 Thanks!
Jane, thanks for popping in! It’s intense, fast paced and hard-hitting. Hang on for a ride!
Wow! Sounds like a GREAT book!!! I have never read any of this authors writing, but I would love to!!!!! If I won I would like the print book. Thanks for the chance to win!!!!!
Hey Abby!!! Thanks for stopping by! My new Operation series is a real rollercoaster of emotion and action! You should check out my humorous mystery series too, the Shay O’Hanlon Caper series. It’s sort of Janet Evanovich meets Clive Cussler and Scooby Doo!
Sounds good. Starts out fast.
thanks.
Hey Mary, This Day in the Life does start with a bang! So Does Cailin’s adventures in Operation Stop Hate, involving a hate group, a school shooting, and terror attack planned for Minneapolis and St. Paul!
sounds like another great cozy, ty for the chance
Hey Betty! In a nod to full disclosure, Operation Stop Hate isn’t a cozy, just don’t want you to get your hands on it and have a bit of a shock. Cailin’s Day in the Life is a break from her otherwise much more serious world!
I am exhausted from that run – but, we got her, didn’t we???
Damn right Cailin got her, Karin! Operation Stop Hate is a fast paced read, that’s for sure!!!!
NPI???? What the heck is that. Homeland I know (#2 is one of them). Dru, toss my hat in the ring. I’d like to give this one a try.
Hey Nora! The NPIU is a fictional branch of Homeland security called the National Protection and Investigation Unit. The NPIU investigates national terrorism and coordinates and cooperates with all levels of law-enforcement. Good luck!
Thanks… #2 son is a Deputy Director for Homeland NYC OEM. All the state and local OEM agencies are listed as adjunct agencies to Homeland (my son’s salary is paid by Homeland).
Nora, totally interesting about your son. I’ll bet he has a few stories he may not be able to tell LOL! I worked for the state patrol as a dispatcher 99-2001, and we had a OEM, but it was not high profile. Talk about a single day turnaround!
It’s fiction.
Yup, crazy made up fun 🙂
Thanks Dru, the author sent me a comment also.
Thanks for this intriguing giveaway.
Good luck, Anne!
I’m excited about this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary Jane, I, too, am really excited about this series! It’s such a departure from my Shay series that it was a lot of fun! Lots of luck!
This sounds very great and I’m looking forward to being able to read it ; ) If I am lucky enough to win, would prefer e-book, but actually very happy with whatever I am lucky enough to get ; ) Thanks for the chance !!
Yay!!! Go Debby! Good luck!
This sounds like a great series and a new author (to me). It would be wonderful to win it, but I’ve added it to my want to read shelf on goodreads to be sure I don’t miss out. Looked up the Shay series, so it’s on the WTR list too. Thanks for the chance.
Kay, YAYYYYY!!! I hope you enjoy the books, laugh with the Shay series, and gasp with the Operation series! Good luck!
Would love to give this book a try!!!
Thank you for the giveaway….
Good luck, Cyn!!!!!
Looks like a good read 🙂
It is, if I may say so myself, Sharon LOL
Thanks for the giveaway! Looking forward to reading this book!
Good luck, MaryBeth!
Sounds like a good one.
Good luck, Karen!
Wow Now that is some excitement!
You haven’t seen anything yet, Libby! Check out Operation Stop Hate! It’ll run you through the ringer!
Looking forward to reading this!
Hey Prentiss, Cailin’s just wanting for you to meet her!
My goodness, my heart started pounding and at times I held my breath. I will bet the pages almost turns themselves. Wow
Yeah Tressa!!!! Roll with it, baby!!!
I would love to read this!
Yes, Lesfic, you would love it!!!
Reading that excerpt I felt like I was as the state fair! The last time I was there is was hotter than XXXX, too. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Good luck with the heat and fried awesomeness on a stick!
Looks thrilling. I would love to read it.
It’s definitely thrilling, Bonni!
I’m looking forward to reading it – whether I win or not. But I do love me some winning. 😉
Cheri, you’re gonna like it! I’ll ALMOST guarantee it 🙂 good luck on the winning thang!!!!
Sounds exciting. Can’t wait to read it.
Risa, it’s totally different from the Shay capers, but I think you’ll find that you will like the characters just as much. I hope you give it a try! Good luck 🙂
I love the Shay capers. Can’t wait. 🙂
Operation Stop Hate was a thrilling, heart-pounding read; the best book I’d read in some time. It is very different from your Shay series, but equally as good. I look forward to reading the Operation series and am really happy there’s more coming in the Shay series because, call me crazy, but I miss the characters in that series!
Susan!!!! I love the reaction! SO glad you liked it. It is a bit of a changeup from Shay, but I do think the characters speak pretty well, like they do in Shay. And you better believe more Shay is on the way. Book 5: Blood Money Murder, and this time Eddy has some secrets she’s been hiding for 25 years that are blown wide open. I’m anticipating release early 2016.
Sounds like a great story and I am looking forward to reading It.
thank you Jessie for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.