Chapter 7

“Then we’ll find something else for you. I have no intention of letting you return to the streets. It would be a waste of a good man.”

Ben ducked his head at the compliment; not at all certain Durand was right in his assessment, but relieved that he felt that way. Before he could say anything in reply there was a knock on the door.

Ray went to answer it, ushering in a man that Ben estimated at first glance to be close to his own early thirties. He had short dark hair, blue eyes, and a way of moving that said he had confidence in himself and what he was capable of doing.

“Ben,” Durand said when the man had taken the other chair, “This is Zach Turner. Zach, Ben Mercer, the man I was telling you about.”

“The whiz kid with a gun,” Zach said, eyeing Ben.

Ben shrugged. “It’s yet to be seen if that holds true after all this time.”

“I know. That’s why I’m here. As soon as we’re finished I’ll take you out to our shooting range and we’ll see if you’ve still got it.”