I truly wish to thank all of you for tuning in and reading along with Eilea and family in Critical Error. Your varied comments have been encouraging and heartwarming. I have a few changes and editing to do which I find exciting and stimulating (all part of the ongoing process) even as I have noted several […]
Category: Critical Error
A developing short story Critical Error follows Eilea, who faces a growing campaign of fear, terror, and intimidation soon escalates to include her family, What had begun as postcards and letters quickly turns into anonymous phone calls, and threats against all those who surround her.
Eilea’s desperation for assistance turns to law enforcement to protect her family and begin a journey to find the perpetrator, a mystery ensures that before the end you will be on the edge of your seat.
Critical Error Epilogue
They were a family. Together they attended the hearing which was comparatively short. Paul mentioned they were hoping to get a specific judge who took a hard line on bullying, cyber-bullying and stalking. Not to mention shooting at cops. They did. Sitting quietly side by side, they listened to his conclusions. “Your actions were depraved, […]
Critical Error 94
After spending 5 days in Hardy, Paul understood why visitors flocked to this location. It had everything. Serenity, solitude, beauty, activities in which to participate if desired. He overheard many say it was a diamond in the rough. In some ways, it was. He saw the diamond sparkle and shine. He had several days of […]
Critical Error 93
Arm in arm, they left the station a spring in their step lighthearted and free at last. Eilea breathed deeply filling her lungs with refreshing air and with unguarded enthusiasm, freedom and light. Poignant poetic heart-wrenchingly moving. It was a new beginning, a change for the better. She turned and looked Paul in the eye. […]
Critical Error 92
“Let’s go!” Andrew yelled, “I want to see this SOB face to face!” His face reflecting anger, his fists tightly balled he stomped toward the door. “Not so fast, Andrew,” Paul admonished. “We want to take our time play this by the book. We don’t want him slithering away on a technicality.” For the first […]
Critical Error 91
Paul hurried from the room with his phone to his ear. The others exchanged knowing glances. Hopefully, it was good news. The waiting was excruciating. “I want to run after Paul and listen in, five seconds seems too long to wait,” Christina admitted. “I’m with you,” Eilea agreed with a smile. “We could dog pile […]
Critical Error -88
Their reprieve lasted two days. On the third day Paul received word they might have caught a break. After finishing the call, he sat them all down and explained. “Seems when one of the officers was moving your car, Eilea, he found a card that had lodged under the seat and well hidden. They were […]
Critical Error 90 b
Eilea pushed away from Paul, “the kids, the kids!” she frantically pulled herself up. Paul grabbed hold of her and yanked her down, “Stay down Eilea. He may still be about, the kids are fine!” He placed both hands on either side of her face and looked deeply into her eyes, “We’re on top of […]
Critical Error 90 a
“This is amazing! It’s huge! Oh, this is going to be fun!” Christina chirped. “Oh my god, look at the sunken boat, it’s fab!” Heading into the first round, they were keyed up and excited. It didn’t take long for Paul to realize they were indeed serious mini golfers as they banged off course after […]
Critical Error 89 b
Paul was on tender hooks awaiting their decision. He knew his observations were right. They were close he could feel it in his bones. This miscreant was on a mission and he wouldn’t stop now. It was full steam ahead regardless of the risk. He was acting headless of consequences. Eilea entered the kitchen, a […]
Critical Error 89 a
Paul crab-walked toward the window. It held but shattered like windshield glass. He said, “You stay put, all of you!” he barked before hustling toward the back door. Daring to turn her head she looked at her kids who’s expressions surely mirrored her own shock, “You ok?” At the duplicate yeahs, her audible sigh of […]
Critical Error- 87
They watched the group until they were but dots and wandered back inside. Paul noted the men and women surrounding the perimeter of the property and silently nodded approval knowing they were in good hands. Inside with the door closed gently behind them, he took Eilea in his arms. “It’s been too long since we […]
Critical Error -86
Paul’s head pounded and as soon as they ate, retired to the bedroom to lay down in a dark room for an hour. When he got up he was feeling better but still necessitated the pills the doctor had ordered if a headache got out of hand. When he entered the living room he couldn’t […]
Critical Error – 85
Eilea and the kids were waiting just inside the door when Paul arrived. Although he was pale and looked more exhausted than anyone should ever look, he was a sight for sore eyes. Christina walked to him first and held out her arms, “Hey you! You look a little worse for wear but there’s a […]
Critical Error – 84
It was a restless night with nurses poking and prodding him every two hours. Between their endeavours at monitoring his condition and worrying about Eilea and the kids, he could count the minutes of sleep he’d received. Damn, he just wanted out of here! The doctor arrived at his bedside, checked his chart and pronounced […]
Critical Error – 83
Eilea the kids and two others hovered inside the emergency room awaiting the verdict. Paul had apparently regained consciousness and was lucid and angry. She had to smile at the rather robust use of cursing emanating from his room as he obviously was unwilling to remain in the hospital any longer than necessary and wanted […]
Critical Error 81
Paul’s sense of unease couldn’t be denied, even though he knew others were patrolling the area including his home and the beach. His watchful eye drifted from one member of Eilea’s family to another making sure each was present and accounted for. He’d assigned a couple to monitor each of the teens and he […]
Critical Error 80
Eilea couldn’t explain her unease, the prickles creeping up her spine or the neck itch. It was something she’d rarely experienced but it had happened on three previous occasions. A precursor to her “known” pregnancy with both kids and before her “ex” decided they were quits, weeks before in fact. It was here, again. Chills […]
Critical Error 79
Damn! Strategy, he needed a strategy. Think! He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. Music from the radio blasted inside his head. The song pounded his emotions and had him firing on all cylinders. Every nerve ending, every fibre of his body was aflame with emotion swirling from angst to anger to rage and […]
Critical Error 78
Thank god he’d swapped vehicles. Sitting behind the wheel of his car, he shook. That was too close for comfort. He hadn’t thought it through but then he hadn’t expected an immediate response. It was orchestrated he was sure of it. Damn them all! For standing in his way, for stopping him, for keeping them […]
Critical Error 77
They grabbed their lunch and ate at a table overlooking the ravine. “This is so frustrating, Paul. I can’t tell you! I don’t know how you put up with it day in and out.” “It’s frustrating to a degree but I know I’ll get the perp. In this case, I’m finding it as frustrating as […]
Critical Error 76
Secretly, Paul wished the current events at an end. He’d enjoy the opportunity of knowing this family, especially Eilea, under “normal” circumstances. Still having witnessed their interactions under tumultuous situations, he was more than impressed and certainly drawn to each of them. Eilea was concerned. Not only because of the current situation but because she […]
Critical Error 75
Christina stepped back wiping tears from her cheeks. “Don’t tell mom! She’ll worry if she knows I’m upset.” Paul smiled, ‘like mother like daughter’. “I think the telling should be yours, Christina. She needs to know that her life matters to you and perhaps she’ll be less inclined to take unnecessary risks.” “I know, that […]
Critical Error 74
Christina snagged Paul early the following morning. “Can we talk for a minute?” “Sure, Christina, what’s up?” “I thought I’d check into the mind-set if that’s possible of the perp. I don’t get it.” “Ok, go on,” Paul urged. “According to what I’ve found, there are four types of stalkers. The Rejected stalker – is […]
Critical Error 73
Eilea was on edge. It showed in jerky movements, darting glances, and hesitation. She was right to feel agitated. He was a seasoned cop and he felt the touch of nerves. Never as acutely felt as now, with Eilea and her kids involved. They were dear to his heart. He knew when the time was […]