Carlos Hazday

You're welcome

That activism did come to mind. I haven't stated Simmone's black yet. About the only clues so far are her daughter having long curly black hair and her wearing a Tupac t-shirt. Not that a white or Asian kid couldn't fit in there, but I was trying to reach the race thing without using a hammer to drive it home. I play games with myself while writing, trying to discover better ways of doing things. So far so good. The name and the kid didn't trigger immediate recognition.

Had Biden not won, I would have still sent CJ to Mexico but this would probably have been a much darker, somber tale, with him constantly pissed off. Although I decided against using Salazar, I kept Blinken since he doesn't have any dialogue in the story.

There'll be none of that. Stephen's application for a PINK card was declined.

Are you reading minds? I was literally just thinking about his wedding! Albeit brief, Harley does make an appearance in this story. January 2022.

LOL I misspoke. I meant the fourth installment, not chapter. I'm counting the prologue. CJ and Owen gt down to business in tomorrow's chapter.

@frosenblum You do realize Simmone's black, right? While plotting the next couple of books, I kept thinking about Liebe and who the primary female presence in her life would be. I've got 3 and laughed because one's a Midwestener, one's black, and the other one Hispanic. Talk about growing up in a rich environment.

Good urban parks should be part of every major city.

I forgot to mention this before: We don't know who Northman supported in any presidential election. He carefully worded his response without using a name. Just because he's a complete tool doesn't automatically mean he supported the traitorous ass. Yep, Clinton and Biden had their share of idiots backing them.

Thank you!

Of course, now that CJ and Owen have had a taste of the James Bond lifestyle (cocktails, beautiful people, and Russian spies) the CIA could send someone to recruit him them, freeing him from Northman's yoke.

I see Stephen as efficient and well suited for his job, but probably at or near the ceiling for his career. CJ, in contrast, has unlimited potential. Our boy may grate under him but realizes it's a temporary thing. This too shall pass. It's been a fun weekend with you guys overdosing on chapters and me on comments. Wish I could maintain this pace.

Yes, yes he probably will. I wonder if his middle initials stand for A Hemorroid?

I started setting up their time in Mexico a long time ago. Owen moved to the US speaking English and French. Spanish he would have heard regularly from CJ's family, so I made some comments about him learning, practicing, and improving. The man has 3 college degrees, he's no dummy, so he must have figured out learning a third one would only benefit him.

Sure, but consider what a twist that would be. Northman bound to a stone atop a pyramid while someone carves him up like a Thanksgiving turkey!

We can only hope the ambassador's approval and praise will make Northman reconsider how he treats CJ. Personally, I doubt it.

It could turn hairy for CJ with his immediate supervisor objecting to his off duty activities and the ambassador encouraging them. He's a low-level paper pusher, but we know the potential for much more's present. Let's hope Nortman dials back the antipathy/resentment.

@scrubber6620 Once again, your insights are stupendous. If you like domesticity, you'll enjoy the next chapter since it's mostly a dinner party at CJ and Owen's place. A couple more characters introduced, and additional background info will be shared. Considering the Australian ambassador to the U.S. was a guest at their wedding, CJ and Owen should establish a good relationship with Australian embassy personnel. And maybe at others since they'll be interacting with diplomats from all over the world. I do have a thing for making the cast as international as possible. Good analysis on how Northman and Cox view CJ's activities and the entire purpose of the American delegation. Northman's narrow approach is in sharp contrast to Cox thinking ahead. While researching, I read about traditional Mexican foods so I could mention a couple of dishes. Most of us think of Taco Bell as Mexican food. Yuck. I also watched a handful of National Geographic documentaries on Mayan archeology. Recent discoveries show they were more belligerent than previously thought. Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs all practiced bloody sacrifices.

You think he's smart enough? His comment about Georgetown makes me think he's jealous of CJ having attended a top tier institution. Maybe he went to Penn State and feels inadequate? (Carlos goes into temporary hiding...)

Had I made him a Scot and had him in a kilt you would've screamed. What a waste of red hair. I tried to balance his appearance by having him dress appropriately and groom his facial hair while making him thin and giving him acne scars. He's probably a hetero to boot.

Cox seemed oblivious to Northman's antagonism toward CJ, but Simmone and Lincoln are both aware of the man's attitude. Maybe CJ can organize a mutiny? Alternatively, I've been reading about and watching specials on Maya human sacrifices. We could revive ancient traditions.

You guys talking behind my back? LOL Where I to post twice a week for the duration, it could lead to a long interval between stories. I'm trying to avoid that happening again. Once the next one's ready to go, I may accelerate CDMX postings.

Do you think he'll relax after realizing his reaction to CJ's public activities was diametrically opposed to the big boss'?

Yep... I had originally planned on posting three consecutive days, but the reaction to the first couple of chapters was so great, I'm doing a fourth to thank readers. After tomorrow, we'll be on a regular Friday schedule.

Stephen sounds like an insecure man trying to aggrandize himself. He has no idea who he's dealing with!