Cody has never been lucky in love. In fact, he isn’t feeling very lucky at all. Losing his job and all his money means he has to sell his home. He feels overwhelmed at having to start from scratch again.<br><br>Cody decides to get away from it all, and retreats to a secluded forest for some peace and quiet. But two days into his journey, he’s hit over the head as he’s emerging from his tent. When he wakes up, he discovers he’s tied to a chair in a dark room. He struggles against his bonds, and when he hears someone approaching, he begins to panic.<br><br>Who kidnapped him? What do they want from a man who has nothing left?

Tied Up In Knots

They began wrestling again. Then a gunshot exploded into the silent evening.


Cody’s body flooded with adrenalin. Every sense became heightened. Something landed in the grass beside him. He felt about, the palm of his left hand eventually coming to rest on the hot metal of the revolver. He left it where it lay and watched as the two figures continued wrestling.


The fight became ever more violent. Both men landed punches, though even in the rapidly darkening night, Cody saw Baz inflicting the most damage.


“You had enough?” asked Baz, his words broken by heavy panting.


“I’ll have had enough when you’re in prison,” said Beckett. “Or hell.”


The punches continued. Animalistic grunts, from exertion, from determination, accompanied each blow. Suddenly Beckett cried out. He dropped to the ground, only his cries continued after he disappeared into the darkness. The cries grew fainter, then it dawned on Cody what had happened.


Chapter 22