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 paused momentarily to smile at him. “When haven’t I?”


“Mr. Clarke.” The man seated at a large desk in a well-appointed office stood, offering his hand, when the receptionist ushered Derek into the room.


“Mr. Horne,” Derek replied as they shook hands. When Mr. Horne gestured to the chair beside the desk, Derek sat.


“Thank you for coming so promptly,” Mr. Horne said. “As you may well imagine, this whole thing with Paige has me and my wife at sixes-and-sevens. Paige refuses to believe Leon is stalking her, despite the fact he’s sent her flowers and cards on numerous occasions, and seems to show up almost everywhere she goes when she’s out in public.”


“You said when you called that she thinks he’s trying to win her back. Why did they break up in the first place?”


“Technically, they didn’t, since she was going out with two other young men, as well.” Mr. Horne shrugged. “She’s in high school, or was, and wasn’t ready to settle on just one boy.”


Chapter 39