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

“Holy shit, that’s as much as the Chief makes here in Waynesville.”


“Let me thank you for your hospitality, Captain. I truly appreciate it.”


“My pleasure,” he said. “It’s not every day I get to see big-city crime fighting in action. By the way, where’s your cabin?”


“In Maggie Valley. About a mile up Fie Top Road from the main drag.”


“I know the area well. I have some distant relations that have lived up there for years.”


“Does the name Hawkins mean anything to you?”


“They’re the closest of those relations, second or third cousins, I think; why do you ask?”


“My partner and I have had the Hawkins twins doing yard work, and their mother cleaned the place for us from top to bottom.”


“Those are good boys,” he said, “and their mother is a real hard worker. Too bad about the father.”


“What about the father? We haven’t met him.”


“He works off and on as a plumber, when he’s not dead drunk, that is.”


“Sorry to hear that. I hope he doesn’t abuse that nice woman or those boys.”


Chapter 72