Puzzle maker Peter Find isn't thinking about falling in love anytime soon. Truth be told, he's happy with his job, his mundane life, and being single. He works, has a few drinks at The Hoffstetter Inn after his shifts, and spends quality time alone in his small apartment.<br><br>Then a mystery man by the name of Waverly "Wave" Yorkshire introduces himself to Pete at the inn. Unfortunately Wave has the wrong guy on his radar. This doesn't stop Pete from thinking him charming, and Pete begins to follow and spy on the man.<br><br>Soon Pete's new hobby gets out of hand, though. He finds himself mixed up with a few ugly Russians, government secrets, and a heap of danger. Will Pete live long enough to have The Charmer as his boyfriend? Or will Wave's secrets cause his early demise?

The Charmer

My outburst is on deaf ears, though, I know. Ira will become invisible for the next two days, and then he’ll be back at his old tricks again, using my place as his: showering, eating my food, napping on the sofa—everything he does to survive as a mooch.


Three taps sound on my driver’s side window: crisp, sharp, loud. I jump in my seat and spin my head to the left, thinking I’m going to see a Russian there with the short barrel of Colt .45 pointed at my skull through the glass. It’s not a Russian, though. It’s a city cop. Southmore is loaded with them. They’re like roaches.


This roach is cute, though: black hair, Italian-dark skin, somewhat green eyes, cleft in his chin, broad shoulders, and narrow waist. I place him at twenty-nine, possibly thirty, but no older. Maybe he should frisk me and throw me up against his cruiser, rough me up a bit. Hmmmmm.


Chapter 11