Carlos Hazday

Sooooooo glad I could surprise you! It's fortuitous this chapter and the next one are posting while Russia's in the news. Glad I picked them and not the Chinese as the spies du jour. I'm not done beating up on Stevie.

I think readers would revolt if I didn't have at least one humorous section each chapter. I introduced Spike as a college student, working part time as a bartender. I had him make an appearance a couple of years later when he tried to recruit CJ for the CIA. Although they've remained friends, he's now back in CJ's life for real and will make recurring appearances in the future. He's closer to Owen in age, and could become a mentor for real.

But so many could go right! I mean, CJ's on his way to Washington for the first time since moving, and he has a bunch of close friends there. Could Harley make an appearance? I suspect Domogarov realized a 'kid' had beaten him, and he's interested in conversation more than anything. Maybe he'll tell CJ and Spike about Putin's plans for Ukraine!

Those extra words are in the next chapter. I didn't think you'd enjoy a chapter close to 10k! Northman keeps getting slapped down, he's going to be upset. But I kinda like using him as a punching bag.

As someone mentioned to me, once the 'Company' gets its claws on you, it's pretty darn hard to get away. I suspect CJ will have an easier time of it because the CIA needs him instead of the other way around. They owe him and in an emergency I'm certain Jake would see to it CJ received their support.

I sprinkled potentially interesting character throughout previous books. As CJ ages, some of those will return. Older. Wiser? Ready to assist CJ reach his goals. Domogarov could turn into the gift that keeps on giving. Aside from details he might share, he'll always be available to analyze data from other sources. And all because CJ got pissed the man bugged his home and agreed to go after him out of anger.

Ryan had agreed to be appointed vice-president as a place holder until the next election. Then a disgruntled Japanese pilot flew his jet into the capitol and cleaned out congress and the executive branch. Ryan was swork in as president. CJ has an optimistic approach which could one day backfire. Not only is he back in this chapter, but we have the flight to look forward to. Sounds like short of torture, which doesn't always work, the one sure way the Russian will spill secrets is if he gets to share some of them with CJ. Gee, what a surprise. Sometimes the stuff I put a 24 yo kid through surprise even me! LOL

“Somebody suggested I might find you in here.” The smiling, dark-haired man had knocked on Stephen Northman’s open door and stepped inside the office. CJ had encountered an issue with a visa applicant that morning, their name was on a State Department watch list, and he was reviewing the matter with his supervisor. “Spike?” His old friend’s appearance was a surprise. “What the heck are you doing here?” CJ had already exploded out of his seat, taken a couple of steps in the visitor’s directi

LOL Yeah, my problem has been having to listen to a lot of new music. Hip-hop just ain't my thing. I like some, but when the heavy rap hits, my ears complain. It's a pain considering the age group in my crowd would be listening to some of that. A perfect example's Kendrick Lamar. I had no idea he'd won a Pulitzer for an album. While researching Coachella for Singer that was something I discovered and decided to incorporate into the story.

LMAO Sorry, but those three won't be in a room alone any time soon. However the three of them and a certain marine named Austin will most definitely be in the same city and hotel sometime soon.

LOL Too young or too rambunctious? At least I've aged everyone; it was good to leave high school behind. Even uni's almost done with for most characters. These days it's young professionals and a few rugrats. Hell, one of my primary characters celebrates 50 in an upcoming story. Thanks, Northie. The discipline falters on a regular basis, but I manage to return to writing falling off. I hope I can keep doing that for a long time.

I keep telling readers the comment section is often as good as the chapter itself. And yes, I've been known to foreshadow or share details edited out of the chapter's final version. That hook a couple of years ago was a stroke of luck more than genius. I tried to update the lives of every Squad member with a line or two, and the one I chose for Lincoln wasn't meant to create such a stir. It was just a little detail. It turned out to be a bigger deal than what Owen's sister asked of him and CJ! Anyway, not one to look too closely at a gift horse, I expanded on the Lincoln bit in Ritch's story. partially forced to by the timelines. We'll finally find out what happened sometime soon. And no, it does not involve anything a certain Russian spy may have said about Russia invading Ukraine.

He was probably the one who convinced store employees to unionize!

Why do you think I post chapters and reply to comments so early in the day? This morning I overslept; didn't get out of bed until 5:15! Next thing you know, I'll be joining the retirees for restaurant's early bird specials. And I thought CJ and Owen having dinner early because of their kids was hard. I don't have their excuse!

Thank you. Tracking binge readers through their reactions and comments is a thrill. It still surprises me my scribbling captivates anyone! After a while, the characters have become part of my family and differentiating the real branch from the imaginary one has been difficult. But I don't think I'm the only one. A couple of readers wondered if it was CJ behind the wheel whenever they saw a yellow JEEP (color was chosen to be distinctive). @dughlas has even encountered Harley during a walk! LOL

Considering I've never been to Germany, it's played a big role in the series. Lt. Ritch Peterson, CJ's brother, was born there while his father was stationed at Ramstein. Living there for a couple of years influenced CJ's decision to learn the language. The medical center at that base is also featured in one of the spinoffs of a secondary character. I recall you having a thing for Italy which is part of the story too. Along with Spain and Slovenia. I'm avoiding Ukraine during the European tour. I want CJ and his husband in Berlin at some point, so I may be asking for help again.

Keep the HP references in mind. We may come across one or two in a story set to post in June 2022. I binge watched the movies before I wrote that story. Independently, Mann did the same, and he made sarcastic comments about my writing while editing.

I constantly want to hear Chipper sing some of these songs!

I think I'm okay with that. Social media can be a blessing or a curse. Idiots don't realize when they film themselves breaking the law, it can be used against them in a court of law. A few 'tourists' in D.C. on Three Kings Day 2021 have found out the hard way.

Sean's a bad influence. He keeps them up late at night, gets them drunk, and forces them to sweat out all that booze at the gym the next morning. With friends like that...

Did I have a different character sport a man bun in Cadet? If I didn't, I need to fix that soon. Chipper's bleached his hair, had a Mohawk, a crew cut, and long tresses. I keep trying to show him as a typical young performer before I age him, relax him, and have him find his style.

Yeah, they're in. CJ's not the only one who accumulates friends. Chipper and Ritch do it well too. Now, let's see if I can put all these people together in one story.

That was a fun story arc to write. CJ did Australia for his 16th, Vail for his 18th, and NYC for the 21st. He'll celebrate 25 at Everhope. And for his 30th,

I think I'm done with him so we'll probably never find out if he ended up at a homeless shelter. I'd say jail, but he might enjoy being passed around.

Not always. I alternate between flips and sliders.