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

“There’s nothing to see. He isn’t even awake.”


“Doc,” I said, “Mike and I have been best friends since we were eight years old, and he’s all the family I have. This evening he deliberately jumped in front of a bullet that had been intended for me. I need the reassurance of actually seeing for myself that he’s okay.”


He stood for a minute, thinking, and then said, “It’s bending the rules, but all right. You can come with me, but just for a minute.”


“I’ll wait here, George,” Deb said.


I followed the doctor through the swinging doors and down a hallway to the recovery room, where Mike lay in a bed with wires and tubes leading from him in all directions. He was white as a sheet, even under today’s sunburn, but appeared to be breathing normally. I took one of his hands, patted it, and said, “You get better, buddy. Deb and I will be waiting for you to wake up.”


Chapter 36