December 14, 2020
We usually interview our good guys and gals when we do character interviews. How about we do an interview with our favorite bad guy?
Jake Hennessey, the anti-hero from the Harmony Duprie Mysteries, agreed to meet me for a chat. He’s got a varied background with a conviction of resisting arrest and battery on police officers, but also played a part in busting a gun smuggling ring. I’ve tried to interview him before, and he’s turned me down. I don’t know what changed his mind. I’m hoping to find out.
He suggested we get together in a neighborhood bar in Cleveland. It took me a bit to find a parking spot, and I was late when I stopped inside the front door to allow my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. The bartender said, “He’s at a table in the back,” at the same time as I spotted him standing and waving at me.
He greeted me with an outstretched hand and the effervescent smile I’d been warned about. Before I got settled in the rickety wooden chair, the bartender was putting two beers on the table, next to the half-empty one already there.
“I heard you like to try local brews,” Jake said. “I took the liberty of ordering for you.”
I’d lost control before we even got started. I took a deep breath to gather my wits, and took a sip of the beer as a delaying tactic. “Thanks for agreeing to this interview. And for the beer.”
“Your persistence amused me. Why would you want to interview me?” He fluttered his eyelashes, and the smile reached his deep brown eyes. My pulse sped up, and I understood why women fell for him so easily.
I took another sip of my beer. “The people who have read Harmony’s stories are curious about you. I thought I could answer a few of their questions.”
He grinned. “We’ll see. Ask away.”
Where to start? “Is this the bar where you work? I had imagined it as a bigger place.”
“Nope. This is where I come to relax. Although I’ve kicked out a drunk or two to help the owner.” He took a deep drink of his beer. “It’s a great way to relieve stress.”
“Is that the best part of your job?”
“The best part? No, the best part is all the people I meet. Sure, we have a solid base of regulars, but we also get the one-timers with interesting stories to tell.”
“What is the name of that bar?” I’d been unable to find it in my research.
“Not saying. I’d prefer the information not get out. Besides, I’m being paid under the table and don’t want the owner to get in trouble.”
“Who are you hiding from?”
“This week? Or on a regular basis? The Feds still think I had something to do with a string of jewelry thefts a few years back, although they can’t even get enough evidence to get a warrant.” Jake flashed that wonderous smile again. “Hey, Agent Garza, you about ready to give up?”
“Were you involved?”
“Do you have an idea how much fun it is to keep everyone guessing?” He drained his first beer.
I took that to mean he wouldn’t tell me. “How are you adjusting to living in Cleveland? Do you miss Oak Grove?”
“Oak Grove was never anything more than a stop along the road. There’s no future there for a guy like me. Now that Harmony doesn’t need my protection anymore, there’s no reason to hang around. There’s more opportunity here.” He winked. “It’s a lot easier to ‘come across’ interesting jewelry.”
I didn’t know if I should take him seriously. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame brings in an great assortment of people. All those stars and all that glitter. Next question?”
He was good at keeping me guessing. “What do you do in your spare time?”
“I scope out the competition. Keep my ears open for new beers to add to our offerings. Keep an eye on the real estate market. Maybe I’ll find an old house to restore when the time is right. I got hooked when I started the house in Oak Grove. I’m glad Harmony finished the project.”
“Are you seeing any one?”
Dramatically, he put his hand over his heart. “I’ll never recover from losing Harmony. But there is no shortage of friendly ladies eager to console me.”
Angry voices from the front of the bar interrupted our conversation. He stood. “Let me walk you to the door. I know these two, and when they get into it, things get messy. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
Just like that, the interview was over. I didn’t protest when he slipped his arm around my waist and threaded a path to the front door. The voices were getting louder and angrier, but I felt protected with him by my side.
Outside the door, he released me and held out his hand. We shook. “It was nice meeting you,” he said. “Tell Harmony I said hi if you see her. And by the way, you should have your ring checked. It look as if the clasps around the opal are getting loose.”
Before I could respond, more yelling came from inside. He swiveled, and was gone.
If you’ve got any other questions for Jake, I might be able to get him to answer. Just leave them in the comments. It’s Jake, so no promises. In the meantime, I’m going to check out the other interviews on this hop by following the links below. Don’t forget, you can find out more about Jake by reading the Harmony Duprie Mysteries.
Until next time, please stay safe!
December 14, 2020
We usually interview our good guys and gals when we do character interviews. How about we do an interview with our favorite bad guy?
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