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

“Your stalker had a family of sorts, the type that’s barely hanging onto the bottom rung of the socioeconomic ladder. On the other hand, they seem to have enough sense to be ashamed about their boy’s actions. I don’t think you’ll hear from them. I did sort of hint that you were prepared to sue his estate over the stalking bit.”


“I doubt if he had much in the way of an estate.”


“No, he didn’t, but funnily enough, he had a large life insurance policy, and I sort of hinted that you could go after the proceeds, should you choose. I rather think they’ve already got plans for those proceeds, and I suspect they may have also gotten the notion that the police have the power to block the policy payout for a while.”


“You can be devious when you want to, can’t you, boss?”


They chatted with us for a while, said their good-byes, and left, but not before Sarah gave me a hug.


“He’s one of the good guys, isn’t he?” Mike said.


Chapter 39