Disgraced cop Doyle McCann and former undercover cop Kord Verlangen are forced to partner on a cold case which they must solve or lose their jobs. Doyle is gay and out; Kord says he's straight. Both harbor secrets they never want revealed.<br><br>The case, involving a series of gay bashings two years earlier, takes them through the underbelly of Philadelphia's gay nightlife, and Doyle has reason to believe the Mafia may also be involved.<br><br>Following years' old leads is hard enough. But working together proves even more difficult as the sexual tension between Doyle and Kord rises and begins to overwhelm their focus. As they come closer to solving the case, their team is split down the middle, threatening to destroy any chance for them to keep their jobs. What will it take to get them working again and keep them on track?

Family Bashings

“And that’s when I called the police. Pulled out my cellphone and dialed 911.” Carney sat back, fidgeting, and Doyle knew he was hungry for a cigarette. “Before I knew what was happening, Giorgio. You know Giorgio? He’s the manager. He comes out sees what’s going’ on and hustles me back inside. Says it was for my safety. That was funny because I didn’t feel unsafe. That beating was way down the block.”


“Do you remember the guy’s face at all?”


“It was way down the street and it was at night. Of course not. It was just a blurry face at that distance. Though…”


“What? You remember something now?” Doyle asked.


“Then who?” Kord sounded impatient and Doyle was worried he’d explode again.


“He stared at the guy for a while. And I remember he mumbled something like, ‘Son of a bitch…’ But I was too focused on calling the police and keeping an eye on the beating.”


Chapter 18