Nineteen-year-old Joe has been living on the streets since escaping from a sex-trafficking ring. When a blizzard hits the city, he takes a chance, accepting Derek Clarke's offer of a place to stay for the night. It wouldn't have happened if Derek hadn't been doing a stake-out in the alley at just the right time and taken pity on Joe. The blizzard leaves the two men housebound for the next few days, and they begin to bond as Derek teaches Joe some of what being a private detective involves. Loath to let Joe return to the streets when the weather clears, Derek offers him a job as his apprentice, while allowing him to continue staying in his guestroom. Can their relationship grow from friendship to more, in spite of traumas in their pasts, or will Joe's fear of physical commitment ultimately drive them apart?

The Detective's Apprentice

Derek shrugged. “Whatever works. Now, will you give me a chance to explain what I was going to say?”


Derek moved into the room. Taking the lone chair, he swung it around, sitting with his arms crossed over the back. “All right. We both know that how you’re living isn’t good. Yeah, stating the obvious but still the truth. From what you’ve said, you pick up day work when you can but that’s hardly going to help you change things. So I’m going to make you an offer which you can accept or not. I’m willing to take you on as my apprentice. I can’t afford to pay you much at first, but if it works out and gives me time to take on new clients, I’ll give you a raise.”


Joe sucked in a breath, his eyes widening in shock. “Are you serious?”


Chapter 11