George Martin and Mike Foster have been best friends since childhood, but recent events have brought them even closer together: Mike has moved into George’s house now that George’s unfaithful boyfriend has been kicked out. It puts Mike in a pinch, because he’s always loved George -- maybe more than a best friend should.<br><br>George doesn’t suspect Mike’s feelings, being wrapped up in his job as the youngest lieutenant in the Jacksonville sheriff’s office and investigating a series of murders. But it will all come to a head when George is stalked by a psycho and Mike steps in front of a bullet meant for George. George then realizes there’s much more to their relationship than he thought.

Bodies of Work

“One day we would lean back, close our eyes, and ignore him. Other days, we would sit close together, whisper in each other’s ears, and get a little touchy-feely, trying to make the point that I wasn’t interested in anyone else. This Sunday morning, we did that again and then actually walked out of the steam room holding hands. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the guy wasn’t too happy at that point.”


“You did what you had to do, George,” the captain said.


“Perhaps, but I wonder if we pushed him too far?”


“Don’t beat yourself up for one second, George,” Sarah said. “I have a well-earned minor in psychology, and I can tell you that when a person creates such a fantasy life that they become obsessed with and begin stalking another human being, they’re on a collision course with violence. At the very worst, all you and Mike did was hasten the inevitable.”


“Listen to her, George,” Captain Bridges said. “She knows what she’s talking about.”


Chapter 34