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

“Sit down, Lieutenant,” he said. “I got the report from the patrol car, and I’ve already called down to Jacksonville to check your credentials. They told me you were the youngest lieutenant ever in that department, and you surely do look the part.”


“That I am. Did your patrolman tell you what this was about?”


“He gave me a somewhat garbled account, so why don’t you give me the straight dope?”


I explained about the crime, the NCIC report, the FBI visit, and my epiphany in the middle of the night. I told him we didn’t have Internet in the cabin yet, so I’d thought about McDonald’s Wi-Fi.


“That was good thinking, son,” he said, “except you forgot about professional courtesy. You could have come here.”


“Captain, this thing has been bugging the shit out of me for several weeks, and I was so excited that it never occurred to me to come to the local police. If the McDonald’s thing hadn’t worked, I’d probably have thought of your department next.”


Chapter 70