Title: David & Goliath
Author: Diana Stout
Genre: Police suspense mystery – screenplay format
Book Blurb:
He's a New York cop haunted by his past...
She's a New Orleans cop with a point to prove...
A serial killer, nursery rhymes, and voodoo bring them together...
Sultry heat and passion...
And, there are only two weeks to Mardi Gras.
Donovan O'Roarke, a tall New York cop, escaping an event where he accidentally shot the victim instead of the perp and wanting to work in a new landscape, arrives in New Orleans early evening and visits a bar in the French Quarter, where he falls into Silky David’s stakeout. He mistakes her for a lady of the night and hauls her to jail, only to find he’s the butt of her joke and is nicknamed Goliath by his new co-workers. The captain pairs them together to hunt down a serial killer. As the investigation moves forward, forgotten memories return to David much like Louisiana’s nightly wisps of fog. Can O'Roarke save her before it's too late?
Excerpt:
INT. FRENCH QUARTER BAR
NOISY bar, smoke-filled. Mirror above the bar, runs the length of the bar.
Band plays CAJUN MUSIC. Couples dance, Jack (cop undercover) among them.
Silky—dressed as a hooker—sits at bar, alone. Short skirt hiked up.
Drags on a cigarette, looks bored. Swings stool around, first toward the band. She and Jack exchange a quick glance.
Larry (cop), and a few other men sit at a table nearby. She spins around 180 degrees.
Randy (cop & her cousin) sits at the opposite end of the bar, where the bar curves around and meets the wall. Hunched over drink.
Silky's gaze lingers from table to table, eyeing different customers.
She turns back to her own drink, mumbling.
CLOSE ANGLE - RANDY'S RIGHT SHOULDER AND HIS POV
A microphone cord comes out of his collar, leads to the earpiece nestled in his ear. Through his earphone--
SILKY
This tea sucks. I'm about to order a REAL drink.
She tosses back the tea, like a woman who's been without a drink for days.
The bartender replaces the empty glass for a full one. She grimaces. He winks.
Suddenly, her demeanor changes. She re-adjusts her bosom. Sits up straighter.
Randy turns his head toward the wall, coughing. He speaks softly.
RANDY
Sit tight, guys. The action's about to start. I swear the woman has radar.
Bar door opens. It's Donovan.
Silky raises her gaze to the mirror. They stare at each other.
Without lowering her gaze, she sticks her finger in her drink, sticks same finger in her mouth, drawing it out slowly, her lips making a tight "o" around it.
Donovan tears his gaze away, scans the bar.
Randy huddles over his drink so he's not seen or recognized by Donovan.
Ignoring Silky, but aware she's watching him, Donovan moves to the bar.
Straddles a stool, a couple seats away from Silky. Between Silky and Randy. She looks Donovan up and down.
JOHN, young and who looks like he barely knows how to shave, sits on Silky's other side.
Starts conversing with Silky. She glances at Donovan saucily, then turns her back to him, giving the new "customer" her undivided attention.
JOHN
Beer. Bud from tap.
BARTENDER
Let's see some I.D.
John tosses his I.D. across the bar. Bartender scoops it up, glances at it, and smiles.
BARTENDER
Happy birthday, John.
SILKY
John. Nice name. You alone?
JOHN
As the night is long.
SILKY
Poor baby.
Donovan glares territorially at John. John notices. He takes his drink and leaves.
Donovan scoots over until he's next to Silky.
DONOVAN
Your friend left.
Silky startles and spins around. The surprise in her face changes to one of delight.
SILKY
My, aren't we a big boy.
DONOVAN
Bet you say that to all the men.
SILKY
Only when they're naked.
Donovan grins slightly. A loud chuckle comes from a table behind her. A choking sound comes from Randy.
CLOSE ANGLE - RANDY
He's mumbling again, pretending to grumble into his drink.
RANDY
Whatever happens, boys, stay back. Target's okay. Cop, new in town. Couldn't have planned this better myself.
SILKY
How long y'all in town for?
DONOVAN
Long enough.
He stares at Silky now, his gaze dropping to her chest, showing genuine interest.
SILKY
Ever been to the mountains?
DONOVAN
Now and then.
SILKY
Where ya’ from?
DONOVAN
Does it matter?
SILKY
Not really.
She takes an ice cube out of her drink and rubs it over her chest.
DONOVAN
Too hot for you?
SILKY
Could be even hotter for you... if you want.
DONOVAN
I'd be foolish to say no when the lady is saying yes. How much?
SILKY
How much you want?
DONOVAN
All of you, Baby, right down to your toes.
Silky turns, so she's facing him square, her legs fully between his.
Her hands on his knees, she slides them up his thighs slowly. She smiles, looking him up and down, taking in his measure fully.
SILKY
Ah, well. Toes will cost you extra. Fifty per.
Donovan lifts an eyebrow. He handcuffs one hand.
DONOVAN
You're under arrest. You have the right--
He handcuffs her other hand to one of his.
SILKY
Think again. Okay, boys, take him!
Silky looks for Randy. He's mumbling in his drink, appearing to cough, sounds like a laugh.
No one comes to her aid. Donovan stands up, jerking Silky along with him.
DONOVAN
No Prince Charming in sight? Too bad. I'm taking you in.
Silky kicks him in the shin.
SILKY
Pass that on to your friend.
Donovan growls, bends toward her, wraps his cuffed hand behind her, forcing her cuffed hand to follow, lifting her up, pressing her to him.
DONOVAN
What friend?
SILKY
Don't toy with me. You're in cahoots with my cousin.
DONOVAN
Lady, I don't know your cousin.
SILKY
I'm a cop.
He ignores her and pulls her out--
EXT. BOURBON STREET
--into the street. Cat-calls and whistles directed their way.
DONOVAN
Friends of yours?
Silky shrugs. She's pulled along. She glances behind her.
Randy and the others follow at a safe distance.
Silky trips. She can hardly keep up with Donovan's long strides and fast pace. She jerks their cuffed arms. She's back in character.
SILKY
Either slow down, Sugar, or carry me.
EXT. POLICE PRECINCT
Donovan strides into the precinct. Silky is practically running now to keep up. Hoots and hollers follow them through the precinct.
O.S. VOICE
Look! David's caught Goliath!
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781717397454
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/david-goliath-diana-stout/1128666726?ean=9781717397454
If you could dress up as anything or anyone this Halloween, what or who would it be and why?
If I had to dress up for Halloween, I'd go as a ghost, but only if my costume could appear translucent and glow slightly in the dark. I'd be a ghost dressed as a woman from the late 1800s: long dress, upswept hair. Why? I'm able to communicate with those on the other side, so the other side fascinates me.
Explain why your featured book is a treat to read:
Because it reads FAST! As a screenplay, it's all about dialogue and action, both of which reveal characters quickly. It's both suspenseful and funny, with delightful moments between various characters, especially the two main characters: Silky & Donovan.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Canada account to win.
Runs October 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on November 1.
Author Biography:
Diana Stout, MFA, Ph.D. is an award-winning screenwriter, author, and former English professor, whose writing led her into academic teaching, then creating a production company. Published in multiple genres, she has written romances, magazine articles and short stories, is a former magazine and newspaper columnist, optioned a Hollywood screenplay, and had two short plays produced in New York City. She’s served as a judge for various screenwriting, romance, and academic contests, both national and regional. When not writing and helping other writers, she enjoys reading, watching movies, bird watching, researching new topics, jigsaw puzzles, and visiting family and friends.
Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Diana-Stout/e/B01DAWQP7Q
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/writerDianaStout
Twitter: ScreenWryter13 or https://twitter.com/ScreenWryter13
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drdianastout
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authordianastout
Blogs
Only for the Brave writing blog: http://wryterinwonderland.com/
Into the Core intuitive blog: http://dianastout.com/
Behind the Scenes: http://dianastout.net/
Behind the Scenes with Diana Stout and Featured Guests: https://dianastout.org/