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

“Then she should have said something instead of taking a lover,” Mr. Sullivan replied angrily.


Derek had gotten out the forms he needed while Joe and Mr. Sullivan were talking. He handed them to the man, saying, “This is our contract. The other one is for your, and her, personal information.” He explained what it would cost for him to do surveillance on Mrs. Sullivan, and that he required a retainer. Mr. Sullivan had no problem with any of that. He filled out the forms, the contract was signed by both of them, and he paid the retainer.


“Thank you for taking my case,” Mr. Sullivan said as he got ready to leave. “Honestly, I hope I’m wrong about her, but realistically I don’t think I am.”


“I’ll do my best to find out one way or the other,” Derek promised.


Chapter 25