Just for the heck of it, I thought I would post the latest chapter of my novel, "Diver's Paradise."

In this chapter, Roscoe Conklin is headed towards Karpata to find Tiffany, who has borrowed Arabella's car to go diving. She is long overdue, and Tiffany's boyfriend has come along to help with the search.

Chapter 16

We sped north, passing small cacti dotting the roadside. The Karpata dive site was at the northern most end of the coastal road, and had always been one of my favorites on the island. The road was well maintained and in excellent repair. It was only one lane wide but handled two-way traffic for the southern half of its span and wound back and forth slightly as it followed the contours of the water’s edge, slowing our speed. To our left the embankment dropped off sharply to the ocean and to our right were towering cliffs, ridged and grooved by the constant pounding of the ocean millions of years ago.

Leaned forward, Lester stared out the windshield, hand on the dashboard, one foot beating out a constant nervous rhythm. I had both hands on the steering wheel, focused on taking the turns as quickly as possible, clutching and shifting between third and fourth gears as needed. Neither of us spoke, our bodies swaying in unison as the tires squealed around each curve.

We had several minutes of driving before arriving at Karpata, and it was already dark. There were no street lights, houses, or ambient light that far north on the coastal road, making our only sources of illumination the flashlight and the headlights of Lester’s truck.

I still expected there to be a reasonable explanation. At any case, finding Tiffany at Karpata this late in the day was very unlikely. She must’ve finished her dive and be on her way back to town by now.

We drove around the last curve and pulled into the small parking lot at the Karpata dive site. A shot of adrenaline surged through my veins as our headlights flashed across the side of Arabella’s car -- the only vehicle in the lot. I stopped next to it and killed the engine. Jumping out of the truck, I swiveled my head in all directions looking for Tiffany. My heart sank when she did not answer my calls, and for the first time, I began to get nervous about the situation.

I walked over to a small ledge, looked out at the ocean and the spot Tiffany would’ve used to enter the slight surge. It was dark and I shone the light down and across the shoreline. The beam was not powerful enough to penetrate the darkness from our angle and distance. We would have to go to the water’s edge.

There was a large set of concrete stairs that led from Karpata’s parking lot to the edge of the water. With Lester in tow, I headed for the stairs. The first six or seven went directly towards the ocean. The staircase then turned parallel to the water and continued down about seven or eight more stairs to the bottom. They were wide and uneven, with a three foot concrete wall that ran along the outside edge acting as a makeshift railing. I shone my light downward to see where I was going, trying to move as fast as I could without falling.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and navigated the rocks and coral rubble out to the water’s edge. Again I yelled for Tiffany. Again there was no answer.

Lester walked the shoreline to the south, yelling. I shone my light down the shoreline past him, peering to the south as far as I could see. Swinging it back northward, I saw nothing but rocks and surge.

Since Lester was continuing his search to the south, I decided to follow the shoreline to the north. I stumbled several times on the large rocks lining the shore, but maintained my vigil with the light, peering to the edge of its effectiveness.

After going about thirty yards, I thought I saw something at the far edge of the light’s beam. I increased my pace and kept the light shinning directly on the object. It appeared to be a body lying at the water’s edge, gently rocking back and forth with the surge.

I signaled Lester. “Over here.” My throat was dry and the yell was not near as loud as I had planned.

Lester apparently heard me. A quick flash of the light behind me revealed him striding my direction. I turned the light back to the object in question and continued to close the distance.

I stopped dead in my tracks when the light reflected the silver image of an aluminum SCUBA tank. The object was indeed a body -- a body decked out in full SCUBA attire.

"God, this can’t be happening," I thought.

I did my best to run the last few yards, but stumbled, eventually crawling over the coral rubble to reach the body. It was lying on one side, back facing me.

Placing a hand on the shoulder of the body, I could feel the cold, moist wetsuit and it sent shivers down my spine. I took a deep breath and slowly began to roll the body towards me, afraid of what I would find.

Lester arrived beside me as my light shown on the now exposed face of the diver.

His lips quivered and his body shook as he let out a horrid scream.

more please
es

WooHoo! free scuba gear!!!

Its stuff like this that made my Las Vegas brother quit watching CSI. It bothered him to see them pulling a body out of his favorite Lake Meade jet ski spot!

I love your writing, Dave. Keep us informed of the progress of your book! I'm always looking for more great Christmas presents.

Please don't let it be Tiffany ....

Dude,

Tiffany's a goner.....

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

You know, Stephenie Meyer's first book was Twilight, now a movie. You could do that too with your first book. I want a signed copy and please, please, remember us little people at BT when you get to the top.

The butler did it!!

MzFish - There are no "little people" on BT.

And John - that would be too obvious!

Folks,

Because I have a special in with the author, I've had the opportunity to read several drafts of Dave's work in progress. Let me just say this... I'm very impressed. I didn't know he had it in him. To watch this story be developed and refined right before my eyes, has been amazing.

Very well done Brother Dave.

We read him FIRST on Bonaire Talk!!!

Will BT be mentioned in the dedication? (I'm sure the Brights will be...)

Geoff,

Although I appreciate your accolades, I have a feeling you're saying it only because you happen to be one of the main characters....

Dave, please tell me it's not the Tiffany that works at KFC?

Dude, I am always a character... I'm just scared I'll get killed off in the next re-write...

I believe the KFC is listed among the missing on the island... Maybe it was a goner before Tif.

Tink - I didn't know there was a Tiffany at KFC, so it is not her.

Geoff - How could I ever kill you off, Biff?

"All characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental."

Dave, have you ever read any Christopher Moore?

So glad it wasn't the Tif at KFC....Ruth won't have to find a new hire.

Tink - No, I've never heard of him.

Well, in his book "Lamb" "Biff" is JC's best friend growing up

After I did an internet search, I do know who he is. Leslie actually bought the "Lamb" book, she just hasn't read it yet.

And by Biff, I was referring to a Seinfeld episode where Jerry calls George "Biff"....

If I have to choose between George, and being killed... I take death...

Dave, tell Leslie it's a good read, all of his books are. Fluke is awesome

Geoff, good choice...

Geoff, are you into auto racing?

I really miss Tiffany !

Timmmy - Read the the first 15 chapters and you'll miss her more.... that was the plan. The more the character is liked, the more of a impact her tragic death is to the reader.

Tink - Nice clip!

That's our Geoff.... Biff through and through.

I'm sorry, did I miss something here? How did I become a Biff?

- I complement his book
- I simply ask not to be killed off
- I bring him and Leslie my last 6 Brights at Christmas
- and all of a sudden... I'm a Biff.

Nice...

It sucks being the younger, better looking brother.




(Message edited by ggoodwin on December 30, 2008)

Touche'......

My apologies.

It's all good man... Just having fun...

I'm still better looking.

Lovin' it please put my name on the 1st edition list

Mom always liked me best.

MzFish,