Horribly abused by his mother, Van eventually goes in search of his father. When he finds him, his life is radically changed. His father works for the FBI, and has contacts to a covert group, run by the Old Man, that goes after the worst of the worst criminals. Van is recruited to join both -- and does. Van handles every job he's sent on with cold efficiency, letting nothing stand in his way of gaining the information he seeks and stopping his foes. Eventually, he's offered a team of his own within the Old Man's organization. He accepts, with one caveat -- none of them can be female. Because of his mother, the only woman he has ever trusted is his handler, Makie. His attitude takes a hit when he meets Ginna, a cop, while on a job for the Old Man. When it's over, much to the shock of everyone involved, he requests that she be added to his team if she's willing -- which she is, as long as the organization can promise to keep her young son safe while she's on assignments. Ginna fits in well with the team, and though she is appalled at some of the tactics Van uses to gain information, she finds herself attracted to him. Can she break through the walls he's erected around his emotions? If so, then what? Only time will tell.

A Shattered Life

Vance spent his nights at a house in one of the wealthier suburbs of the city. It had his name on record as the new owner, again thanks to someone who was indebted to the Old Man.


By the end of the third week Vance decided it was time to take the next step. He dressed down as he always did when he was doing outreach, but this time he was going out on his own, late in the evening. His face was known by enough of the kids now that he should be, if not accepted, at least not avoided by them when they saw him coming.


He slung the backpack over his shoulder that he always carried with him on these excursions, making certain it was filled with bottled water, needles, and condoms. Then he drove into the city, stopping a few blocks from one of the parks where he and Polly had spent several days talking to kids. After parking his car in a secured lot, he took off on foot.


Chapter 36