Just over three weeks from now, my new novel, Accidental Allies, will hit book sellers. Last week, I kicked off my series of character spotlights to introduce readers to the main characters, their storylines, and a little about what inspires them.
Lieutenant Gus Channing has appeared in both of the previous installments of The Unde(a)feated Detective Series, serving as Orlando PD’s commanding officer. In the forerunners to Accidental Allies, readers have been privy to the unusual dynamic between Gus and Minka, with her having respect for him and his position but having the courage to be candid as a friend.
In Husband in Hiding, Minka alludes to the chance Gus gave her early on in her career, which spurred on the success she found thereafter. Accidental Allies elaborates on that, featuring flashbacks that offer a glimpse of the first case they worked together…and how they became “accidental allies”! Their history, along with their present efforts to unravel the mysterious courthouse bombing, sheds much light on their unique bond.
Not every character of mine represents someone in my life, but in Gus Channing’s case, I’m privileged to have a friendship that inspires Gus and Minka’s. Troy Chaffin and I met in school right after I started to progress in walking on my own. Gus and Troy both have a tough, no-nonsense exterior, but underneath it lays a kind and open heart.
Though three years older than me, Troy took the time to encourage me every day, tracking my small achievements but always making them seem like grand milestones. During both track and football seasons, he was typically the first one to join me ahead of my 100-meter “dashes” with some sort of motivational words and was right at my left side with a protective arm extended “just in case” when I led the team onto the field. As captain of the team, he even barred any of the players from stepping a foot ahead of me!
In the nearly twenty years since then, I’ve been able to count on Troy for that steadying influence and the occasional pick-me-up, even though he has responsibilities with his family and career. When my first publisher parted ways with me in 2017, Troy sent me an email about perseverance that I’ve kept in my files to this day. Even three weeks ago, he yanked me out of a stupor of humiliation after I realized there was a misprint on the cover of Accidental Allies.
Ironically enough, Troy wrote one of his college application essays about me, so I only deemed it appropriate to write a novel inspired by him!
To give you an idea of the high stakes Gus faces in Accidental Allies, here’s a fictitious news article that doesn’t appear in the book.
Can OPD’s Lieutenant Channing Take the Heat of the Blast?
By Doreen Packard
Ever since Sunday night’s explosion at the Orange County Courthouse, fingers continue to be pointed, but not at a definitive suspect of the bombing.
Rather, tensions seem to be boiling over among Orlando’s finest. In recent press conferences, Chief of Police Doug Friedman has implied internal negligence is contributing to the lack of a suspect being identified.
“The department has pursued a few bogus leads, causing several of our supposed best investigators to spend valuable time on worthless endeavors,” Friedman frankly stated last night.
Lieutenant Gus Channing is bearing the brunt of the blame. Throughout his eleven years at the helm of the department, he’s been credited with the various achievements of his officers. The level-headed commanding officer understands, however, that sharing accountability comes with his position, as well.
“Of course, I’m willing to accept responsibility for my precinct,” Channing acknowledges. “With all due respect, though, Chief Friedman doesn’t have a clear picture of what’s really going on here.”
The Lieutenant insists investigators have followed solid leads, but their diligent search of the facts has resulted in the exoneration of the persons of interest.
“I appreciate why the public craves seeing the bomber apprehended. As a citizen of Orlando and a father, so do I,” Channing says. “But with any crime—especially one of this magnitude—the last thing we want is to get the wrong guy while the real one skates by us.”
Channing claims he’s agreeable to adjusting their approach to the investigation and endeavors to cooperate with Chief Friedman and the FBI, who notably haven’t named a suspect in their probe, either. According to sources, one of the Chief’s main picking bones is Channing’s designating Minka Avery as the lead detective in the case, despite her six-year absence from the force.
When asked if he’d reassign it to a more experienced detective, Channing shakes his head in defiance. “Detective Avery’s time off duty hasn’t hindered her acute intuition or any of her other skills. Along with Detective Hart, she brings veteran insight and leadership to this major undertaking. I have zero qualms about her qualifications.”
Can Gus and his officers uncover the bomber before it’s too late?
Preorder Accidental Allies Now!
Also See
Character Spotlight: Minka Avery
KarinaBartow.com 
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