Chapter 6 shots fired
Absolutely. Chapter 6 Brooklyn, New Year’s Eve, 2006. Most people heard fireworks. Cops heard both. The explosions echoed through East New York long before midnight, bouncing between brick buildings and disappearing into the winter sky. Some bursts painted red and green, others left no color at all, just the sharp crack of gunshots. The radio had barely been quiet all evening. Unit responding, shots fired, male with a firearm. By the last few hours of the tour, the command had already pulled several guns off the street. The air buzzed. Every team wanted their night to count. Especially the younger ones, still trying to prove that they belonged. Nick hadn’t made a collar yet. The car rolled slowly through the projects, heading back. His partners were talking about food. Nick wasn’t listening. He was watching hands, waistbands, eyes. Two young men cut across the courtyard. Most people would’ve driven past, but not Nick. There. The one in the dark jacket. His partner glanced over. What about him? Nick’s voice was calm. He’s carrying. You sure? Certain. The door hadn’t even fully stopped before Nick was out. The young man saw him and bolted. Foot pursuit! Male running east through the projects! The radio bounced against his shoulder as he sprinted. Up ahead, the kid yanked a black handgun from his waistband and flung it into a garbage can without breaking stride. Gun! In the can! Don’t lose that can! He pointed without slowing, trusting the guys behind him. A patrol car from another unit swung around the corner ahead, cutting off the kid’s path. Too late. Cuffs clicked a second later. Nick bent with his hands on his knees, catching his breath. One more gun off the street, someone said. As fireworks cracked overhead, Nick straightened one less chance for tomorrow to go wrong. There are nights you never forget. Now. Years later, Nick stood by his apartment window, coffee cooling in his hand. His phone buzzed against the counter.Good morning, Nick. I hope you’re not too tired today. I had such a wonderful time last night. Thank you for coming into the city. He smiled before he realized it, fingers hovering over the keys. Good morning. I’m smiling because I was just thinking about last night. Thank you for giving me a reason to come in. He hit send before he could overthink it. Almost immediately, three little dots appeared on the screen. Nick laughed. Well, that didn’t take long.
Hmm. I love that idea. Chapter six shows who Nick was. Chapter seven could give us who Isabella is. Not romance first, just her as a person. We could open on her morning in Israel, a quick glimpse of her routine, her family, whatever feels authentic. Then, near the end of that scene, she sees Nick’s message again. Rereads it. Not as a woman searching for something new, but as someone surprised by an old friendship suddenly meaning something again. That gives the reader balance.