Line of Sight

By Sharen Skylar

After spending two years experiencing the sights and men of Europe, Serena Elles comes home to find she is too restless to stay at her brothers ranch in Idaho. She leaves in search of a perfect place to live and stumbles into Mystic Arizona. After purchasing the local antique store, Serena starts experiencing some strange events and visions, such as witnessing her brother's murder, in a dream and then losing her sight. As her life intermingles with that of the local deputy, who has made up his mind to despise her, the man responsible for the recent upsets is steadily moving closer and keeping her in his sights. After all, everything he did.he did for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 16, 2001
• ISBN: 9781469747965

Sharen Skylar

SHAREN SKYLAR is the imaginative author and mastermind behind the creation titled, "Line of Sight." In addition to her highly anticipated series of suspense novels, she is currently working on her fourth novel in this series titled, "In The Blink of an Eye." Sharen currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada where the bright lights and big city set the stage for her next big production.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

May 25th was the perfect day for a college graduation. It was a beautiful spring day and the sky was crystal clear. Not a cloud to be seen anywhere. In fact the only thing visible in the sky were the huge letters from a crop plane’s exhaust that read ‘Kick Ass Class of ‘97’.

Birds were flying overhead, some a little closer than others since they seemed to be a little buzzed from the exhaust they were playing in. They zoomed and dipped and when one frisky little fella decided to play dive bomber and drop his load on Sue Ellen Murkle, it set off a chain reaction of white and black robes scampering out of the way, trying to dodge any more of the winged attackers. It looked like a dancing penguin convention.

This was the 96th graduating class from Idaho State University.

Serena Elles sat patiently waiting for her name to be called so she could walk up on stage in front of all these people and pick up the diploma that had taken her four years to receive. She hoped she wouldn’t trip on the too long gown that was making her look ridiculous, but not as bad as Sue Ellen.

She really didn’t want to go to college, but her parents had insisted and Steven, the traitorous brother that he is, backed them up. The irony of it was that neither parent lived long enough to see this day. Serena’s father died of pneumonia in her sophomore year and her mother died in a car accident last summer. The only family she had left was Steven and his young daughter Alicia.

And both of them were in attendance today.

When they finally called her name, she stood, walked to the stage and posed with her diploma, flashing her drop-dead gorgeous smile for the camera and listened to her brother and niece whoop and holler, making her face turn almost as red as her hair.

But Steven was so proud of her. Even though she didn’t graduate with honors and wear the white gown, she’d done the best she could and was wearing the traditional black. What on earth was she was going to do with a degree in Literature from Idaho State University?, she wondered.

After her trip to the stage, she returned to her seat and sighed deeply while Jimmy Hollis slid his hand inside the pocket of her gown, which coincidentally had a large hole in the bottom of it, and let him slide it under her dress and up along her thigh for a congratulatory grope. Serena didn’t ask how he managed to sit next to her, since it was supposed to be alphabetical order and right now, she didn’t care.

She figured she had exactly two choices at the moment. She could either throw Jimmy to the ground and have wild sex in front of the entire graduating class, not to mention visitors, and certainly embarrass her brother and niece to death or, quite literally, grin and bear it.

Life is full of choices, she mused. She chose the second.

Bless his heart, she thought, as his fingers worked their usual magic. Since her name was at the beginning of the alphabet, they had a long way to go. With one ear, she tried to listened to what was going on, and with the other she listened to Jimmy. When he squeezed her thigh and moved his hand away, she just smiled at him.

She and Jimmy had some interesting plans for the summer. She was going to let him tag along on her jaunt across Europe, starting in England and when he went back home, she was continuing on alone.

Are you ready to leave next week? she asked quietly.

Umm. Yeah. Got my passport last week and I’m set. You?

I’ve been ready for the last four years, she chuckled.

When her mother died last year, she put the money she received from her life insurance away for this trip. If she ran short of funds, Steven was there to help. He always was.

She’d been planning it forever. She was flying into Heathrow Airport in London and backpacking, hitching, riding the rails or driving, depending on her mood, through all the places she wanted to see.

The list was impressive. Everywhere from Scotland to Amsterdam, from Germany to Austria. She’d planned on spending some time in Russia if she had enough time. Nothing was completely set and everything was subject to change. She just wanted to see it all and at her own speed.

Originally her plans hadn’t included Jimmy Hollis. In fact, he only found out about it this year and had wheedled himself into going along with her. He was definitely going to cramp her style, she decided. Sure, they had some pretty intense sex going on now and then, but she had no plans of getting married, much to his disappointment, and wanted to experience not only different geographical places of interest, but different men from those places as well.

This didn’t set too well with Jimmy as he fancied himself her boyfriend. But, that was his delusion. She never indicated anything other than friends and reminded him constantly of that.

After the graduation ritual was over, Serena slipped off her gown and straightened her dress that had mysteriously bunched up around her stomach. Steven watched with amused eyes as Jimmy tried to help and she slapped him away.

You’re not going to come home married to that….kid, are you? Steven asked stepping out of striking range from the long fingernails.

She studied him with cool green eyes and considered a smart and witty retort, but stuck out her tongue instead. He grabbed her under the arms and swung her around in a large circle, telling her how proud he was of her. She threw her arms high in the air and screamed, Free at last. I’m free to travel the world. Then she looked into the eyes of the brother she loved dearly as he put her gently down on the ground in front of him.

You have to promise to send Alicia’s cards from everywhere you go, he sighed deeply. She’s trying to talk me into letting her go with you.

He shook her around like a rag doll. I can only imagine the dimly lit flesh pots and complete debauchery you’d expose that child to.

Steven thought about that for a minute. Hmm. Maybe I should tag along, he added as an afterthought.

The next five days flew by for Serena and before she knew it she was at the airport. She didn’t have any luggage and only had a large backpack. In her mind it carried everything she needed. Personal hygiene items, one pair of good walking sneakers; she wore the other pair, shorts, jeans and tops.

She’d tossed in a couple of bras and panties, but considered neither of them necessities and didn’t care if she wore them at all. Several pairs of socks rounded out her clothing. If she needed or wanted anything else, she’d think about getting it there. Where ever that happened to be.

Alicia was all misty eyed at the departure. Serena wasn’t just an aunt, but the closest thing to a mother she’d ever known. Her own, had chosen to desert both her and her father immediately after she was born. Steven divorced her six months later, when she made it plain she wasn’t coming back.

I promise I’ll send you something from every country I go to, she told the thirteen year old, wiping her tears away.

Like what? Alicia sniffed miserably.

Don’t know yet. Haven’t a clue. But when I see it, I’ll know…she paused to look into those trusting young black eyes, and then it’ll be coming your way. She smacked her lips against her niece’s and hugged her tight. Then she turned to her brother.

Don’t you start with me now, she advised, but let him pull her into a fierce brotherly hug. I really am a big girl Steven, I can take care of myself…. she paused to gauge his reaction. And if I can’t, I can always find someone who will, she added.

Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of. He looked at his sister as she drew away from him.

Long red hair, the color of polished copper, hung down her back. Her bright green eyes sparkled mischievously at him. She stood five-six, had a figure men loved and women despised her for having and skin the color of cream. She had no freckles on her face as most redheads do. Her mouth was sensuous and full and he supposed that Serena would be using those lips whenever the urge hit her. And the urge hit her often.

Steven Elles wondered if he should send out some kind of warning to the men abroad that his lusty sister was on the way. Tell them to run for the hills, he thought chuckling, then shook his head. He knew that Serena was looking for fun, adventure and lots of passion along the way. And all with no strings attached. He had no doubt that his sister would find what she was looking for.

Serena and Jimmy trekked around England and Scotland for several weeks. Time stood still for them it seemed. There was no rush to do anything. Some days, they’d just laze around by a stream and talk or read. Serena was especially fond of making love by the water, any water and they did quite a lot of that as well. There was time enough for everything and anything.

They crossed the channel into Amsterdam and spent some time taking in the beautiful tulip gardens that thrived everywhere you looked. And they’d sampled the restaurants that served Marijuana, like hamburgers were served in the States. It was a relaxing time for them and they savored it.

But after six weeks, Jimmy ran out of money and headed for home. He did make several attempts to sway her into going back with him, but Serena had other plans. She’d enjoyed his company, but was looking forward to meeting new people.

She’d discovered antique shops in Germany. They fascinated her. If you could get someone to tell you about the history of a certain item, you could almost go back in time and feel yourself being a part of it. It made her shiver but it excited her too. And the older the better! Not just the antiques, but old buildings, old books, even old people.

She was in a tiny shop in Brussels and on impulse, she picked up an hourglass. There didn’t seem to be any story that went with it, but she liked it’s shape. It was made of pewter and the two glass spheres seemed to have an iridescent quality to them that looked like lavender threads running through it.

She immediately thought of Alicia and took it to the counter and wrote out a little card that said, Because we have all the time in the world. She also wrote out the shipping address and after paying for it, stuck the receipt in her backpack along with the other receipts she’d accumulated and small items of importance.

Her fingers touched a little square packet deep in the pocket. She laughed when she remembered what it was. Steven had tossed in a few condoms in the hopes she’d be a little careful. Oops, she said when she was outside the shop still adjusting her backpack.

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in safe sex. She did. She just didn’t like condoms. In her opinion they were great for water balloon fights. Besides, she was on the pill. And it wasn’t like she was sleeping with every guy she bumped into. She did, after all, have her internal system working for her.

If her stomach didn’t twist up into knots when she noticed a man, she didn’t waste her time. If her mouth went instantly dry and she couldn’t swallow, she took a good hard look. She had to feel something, whether it was a burn, deep down inside, or butterflies bouncing off the interior lining of her stomach or the brutal throb that wouldn’t leave her alone until it turned into a viscous ache that she had to deal with in one form or another.

Serena stayed in Europe for twenty-two months and reluctantly agreed to end her trip when her brother told her she’d used up most of her inheritance money.

Besides, they missed her and wanted her to come home, but she had one more stop to make first.

CHAPTER TWO

Serena had changed her mind about leaving from Moscow to fly home. Instead, she decided to leave from London, and had one last place she wanted to visit before she booked that flight.

She’d met David Chandler when she first arrived in London but wasn’t able spend any time with him because Jimmy had been with her then. He’d taken her off to the side and whispered in her ear that she had an open invitation anytime she wanted to come. And she took that literally.

Serena took a big chance that he’d be home and alone. The man had quite a reputation as a playboy and she was sure it was well earned. Everywhere David Chandler went, so did the annoying paparazzi. And it was rare for him to be seen without a woman hanging on him like a shirt.

But the man was so beautiful to look at. Dark brown hair with a little bit of a wave to it and the darkest, bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Long black eyelashes that made women envious. And his mouth promised shivers of delight. His smile she thought, could simply liquify your bones. She sighed thinking about him. For such a brief meeting, she remembered too many details.

She took a taxi, and had the driver wait while she rapped on the door, waited, whistled and then knocked again. After the second knock, she decided he wasn’t available and had started down the steps when the door was opened, and a not quite dried off from the shower, David Chandler stared at her.

At first, he wasn’t sure who she was, but when she took off her hat and the shimmery red hair fell to her waist, his eyes widened in remembrance.

Serena, he whispered.

Smiling, she climbed back up the steps. I hope you don’t mind darling, but I’m heading home and I did want to see you. Is the invitation still open?

David’s eyes glanced at the taxi waiting at the curb then back to her with a questioning look.

You’re having him wait then? he said, confusion ringing in his voice.

How can you be one of the best lawyers in England, she wondered, and not know what she was doing there? No, no. I was hoping you could help me out with the fare. I’ve run extremely low on funds. I’m sure…. She didn’t get to finish as he’d already turned away and came back seconds later with his wallet and handed it to her.

Chuckling, she paid the waiting driver, grabbed her backpack and skipped up the steps to be yanked inside and shoved against the door when he closed it. He stood with his hands on either side of her head, his mouth inches away from hers and just stared into her bright green eyes. I didn’t think you were coming back this way, he said, his breath warm on her face.

I hadn’t planned on it but… her thoughts scattered like marbles as he nibbled on her flesh and her heart pounded furiously against her chest.

He tugged on her lower lip and then let his lips tease her earlobe, still whispering to her even though they were alone in his house.

So, have you come to compare me with the rest of the men you’ve seduced on your trip? His voice was a sexy low growl.

It wasn’t a contest, she said a little too breathlessly and admitted to herself that secretly, she had been mentally rating them. So far, the Russians were in the lead when it came to passion, with the Austrians second and the Italians bringing in a shaky third.

She noticed the towel hooked around his waist and gave it a yank, letting it drop silently to the floor between them. She wrapped her fingers around him and heard him groan as he hungrily explored her mouth.

Sometimes Serena thought there must be something wrong with her. She loved the feel of a man. All of him. Whether it be in her hand or inside her. She loved the feeling of sliding her fingers over muscles that quivered under her touch. David was quivering at the moment, and she smiled devilishly at the thought. His shoulders were strong and solid and she could grip them should the need arise and she hoped like hell it would!

He swept her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom, tossing her onto the bed. When she bounced, her knees fell apart and he took advantage by grabbing her ankles and pulling her down.

Serena just giggled. From the looks of him, he was very happy to see her. She scanned the bed as he dragged her boots off. Sleeping alone these days, sweetheart?

He was a very respected and sought after lawyer and he was single, wealthy and very attractive.

I was waiting for you darling, he said stripping off her shorts.

She lifted her brows in mock surprise. For almost two years? She made a tsk tsk sound.

Well…. he shrugged those big shoulders seconds before he grabbed a fistful of hair and dragged her head back so he could use his teeth on her throat. …You know what they say about the British.

No, what?

We’re a patient people,he started,we never rush, and we’re bloody marvelous. He nuzzled her like he was a puppy. But his nose wasn’t cold or wet and his breath was sweet and warm.

Well, let’s see how marvelous you really are, she baited him, pulling him down so she could get to his mouth again.

He simply rushed her senses, overloaded them. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t breathe. Every time she caught her breath, he dragged it away. And the heat! They were in danger of becoming combustible. There should’ve been steam coming off their bodies and it was scorching. She didn’t know how either of them could stand it.

He didn’t give her time to worry about the intense heat, about catching her breath or for that matter breathing at all, as he finally slid smoothly inside her and took what little breath she had away again.

He pulled back out right away and teased her, while he ran his hands over her breasts then put his lips where his hands had been. When he took her nipple in his teeth and tugged, she came off the bed and straight into his arms.

I’ve thought about you darling, he panted.

Sure you have. About as much as I have you, she laughed.

He lifted her hips and drove back inside her, taking them both to the face of the sun where they seemed to melt into puddles of pleasure. Her nails tore at his shoulders and made him crush his mouth over hers as they completely surrendered.

They laid there for several minutes on sheets that were twisted and wet with sweat and sex as they both tried to remember the correct procedure for breathing. It seemed to escape them at the moment.

Serena looked into those dark blue eyes that were such a contrast against the dark brown hair and snuggled closer, if that was possible.

Did I make the top ten? he laughed.

She stretched like a cat under him and almost purred like one. Oh, you made the list, was all she said, knowing he wouldn’t be able to let it go at that. Only just. Maybe with some practice…. she added and watched his brows draw together.

She didn’t tell him that he’d taken over the Russian’s spot with his first magnificent thrust. Orgasms, after all, equaled points. And points pushed you to the top of the list She let her eyes flutter shut and chuckled to herself. She was enjoying the sweet lassitude when she felt him moving inside her again and smiled sweetly up at him.

How long are you staying Serena? he asked, his voice full of passion.

She looked at him for a long minute before answering. She had planned on leaving in the morning, but his eyes were telling her to stay longer. Until you get it right David, she murmured as she ran her hands through his dark hair and dragged him down.

Stopping a breath away from her mouth, he said, Well, you know what they say?

Practice makes perfect?

His eyes crinkled in amusement. Yeah. Something like that.

They spent a beautifully blissful day in bed. He wanted to take her to some big dinner event the next night. She wanted to stay in bed and eat pizza. Besides, she didn’t have a wide variety of clothes to choose from for something like that. She told him her thought.

Well, I’m sure we can get you something to wear, he said studying her silky body. "Love your tattoo, he said tracing the design on her breast with his tongue. He pictured her in a deep royal blue dress, low cut of course, backless, with her hair down. He knew just what would go around her neck too. He’d make the phone calls in the morning. She didn’t have to do a thing.

He’d ordered her a dress over the telephone!

She had to admit, when she tried it on, it fit perfectly. He was a very clever and charming man, she decided. And there wasn’t much he couldn’t get if he wanted it.

When he slipped the small fortune of diamonds and sapphires around her neck,she gasped.Don’t worry darling.Only a loan,he’d commented.

David Chandler and Serena Elles made quite a striking couple.

Even though they weren’t one.

The paparazzi snapped a multitude of pictures every time they saw them and the one that made it home first showed them staring into each others eyes and both looking sexier than hell.

Steven shook his head and laughed when he saw it. Well, it looks like she’s going to be there a little while longer, he advised his daughter.

He studied the pictures. David Chandler, Britain’s candidate for the sexiest bachelor with his baby sister. Captions under the pictures were amusing, but hopefully completely untrue.

Is Mr. Chandler falling for the American beauty? Is it finally true love for D. Chandler? Is the American lovely holding his heart?

Every picture he saw, showed a very possessive arm around Serena. He couldn’t believe this was anything more than his sister having one hell of a good time.

When Serena and David saw the various pictures themselves, they laughed ‘till it hurt.

Can’t two people simply have some fun together? she asked as he handed her a glass of wine. They clinked their glasses together and sipped.

Let’s find out, shall we? he suggested.

The fun time lasted for three weeks and it was wonderful. There were no regrets on either side. Both said they’d contact the other should they find themselves in one another’s country. But neither really planned on that happening. What were the odds?

He insisted she keep the dress. She stuffed it into her backpack. The necklace had been returned two weeks ago. Before Serena boarded the plane she whispered in his ear, You were right. You were bloody marvelous darling, she drawled and they gave the snapping cameras another scorching picture as they shared a deep and passionate kiss.

And then Serena headed for home.

After Serena had left David Chandler standing at the gate at Heathrow Airport, she found her seat and was very pleased she wasn’t stuck sitting next to some screaming children. Instead, she took the window seat and noticed the middle one remained empty. She kept her fingers crossed.

The aisle seat was occupied by a young man, early thirties, sitting back with his eyes closed. He looked like he was sleeping, or trying to anyway. He kept being bumped by people walking down the aisle, looking for their own places to sit. The seat between them remained happily vacant.

She thought she’d take a break from men for a little while and let her body get back to doing whatever your body does when you’re celibate.

Missing men, she thought and a laugh escaped from her throat. The man on the aisle glanced over at her but didn’t smile.

Her literature degree popped into her head and she still didn’t know what she was going to do with it. She did know however, that she had no intention of staying in Idaho despite what her brother seemed to think. And that made her think about him.

Steven was such an interesting person to her that if he hadn’t been related she’d still think of him that way. When he’d decided to get married, no one in the family knew until a solid month had passed. His wife Susan was incredibly shy and insecure. She seemed to remember her being a Native Indian, Apache, maybe. It was so long ago.

Her daughter Alicia looked exactly like her. Long black hair and blacker eyes that you would swear could look right into your soul. Both mother and daughter had dark complexions, and Alicia inherited her father’s innate sense of humor and self confidence. It was noticeable even as a child.

But Susan didn’t handle being a mother any better than she handled being pregnant and for whatever reasons, and she never explained, she just left them. She said she simply couldn’t deal with the pressure.

So Steven raised his beautiful daughter alone with help from his parents and sister. But mostly on his own. When Alicia was old enough to go to school, it only lasted one year. After numerous visits with principals and counselors, he’d decided to have her home-schooled. He didn’t like the approach the public schools had of teaching. From what he saw, they pigeonholed the mind and you were to learn what they, the school system, felt you needed to know.

He didn’t agree. He hired a tutor and decided he needed more money, to accommodate the changing life style he was now introducing. Although, he made decent money at what he did, which was architectural engineering, he wanted to spend more time with his daughter at home, so he needed a different plan.

Serena shot a glance over at the man in the aisle seat and felt a tug at her lips watching him try to stay sitting upright. He kept tipping over, would catch himself and jerk back up. She was amazed that he hadn’t given himself a whiplash.

Gently, hoping to not startle him, she touched his arm but he jumped anyway.

Excuse me, she said softly. Why don’t you stretch out and put your head here? she patted her thigh and smiled at him.

Phillip Baker just stared at her. This gorgeous woman with long copper colored hair wanted him to put his head in her lap? He watched as she pulled her hair around her shoulder so that it all hung down on the left side of her body and patted her thigh again. That way, he supposed, it wouldn’t dangle in his face. His face, that she wanted in her lap. He cleared his throat before he spoke.

Uh…that’s very nice of you, Miss?…. he quirked a brow at her.

Elles.

Elles? Hmm, that sounds familiar, he thought and shook his head. I can’t just…

She cut him off rudely. Jesus. It’s not like I want you to do…. she stopped cold and actually felt her face heat up.I mean,I just thought you’d be more comfortable. You’re losing the battle of sitting up you know.

He was actually considering it. In fact he was already leaning down and across and had his head resting on her thighs.

You can do the same for me later, she said, not giving any thought as to how that sounded.

Phillip did however and started to laugh, but held it in. As he closed his eyes, he heard himself mutter, Okay, and had a brief vision of her pulling his zipper down, turning her head and….and then he was drifting off with a cloud of red hair blurring his vision.

Serena hadn’t realized she was playing with his hair but she was and he seemed to be enjoying it. She was tired now and just let herself drift off.

At some point they must’ve traded places because when she woke, her head was in his lap and he was stroking her hair. She just sighed and kept her eyes closed enjoying being lulled back to sleep.

And Phillip finally figured out why her name sounded familiar. He’d seen her picture in the tabloids recently, with a guy named David Chandler and he’d had his arms wrapped snugly around her.

He smiled and thought, yeah, well her head’s in my lap, you arrogant ass, and twined her hair around his finger.

While Serena was flying home to Boise, Idaho, her brother sat on the couch at his sprawling ranch awaiting her return and thought about his childhood friend Kevin.

Kevin Singleton was born to be an entrepreneur. It was Kevin that came up with all the ideas. They had been friends since they were in elementary school. Even then he had money making ideas.

And they always worked!

It started with lemonade stands. He’d put one up by the baseball field, and between the little kids on the leagues and the parents sitting in the heat, he was raking in the dough. Everyone thought it was freshly squeezed, but all he’d done was buy the frozen with pulp and viola.

From there he went into the lawn mowing business. At first, his neighbors thought he was cute and hired him to do their lawns. Through word of mouth, he had houses up and down the streets near his home.

His parents had let him use their lawn mower, but as business picked up, Kevin opted for a more sleek mower, one that had a bag to catch the grass thereby eliminating raking afterwards and even did mulching as well and purchased it with his own money. Routine maintenance on the mower and gas were his only expenditures.

By the time he was thirteen, he was bringing in over a hundred a week in pure profit.

Because he wasn’t interested in anything besides money, making money and how to make more, he was labeled a dork at school.

That left Steven to protect him since Kevin couldn’t even throw a decent punch and didn’t know when to get out of the way of one. There was never a doubt in either of their minds that Kevin would always have money and because they were the closest of friends, and partners in the different monetary ventures, there was no reason to think that Steven would be any different.

So it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when Steven heard what Kevin wanted to do.

A coffee shop? Steven asked incredulously.

Yeah.I love coffee.I even like de-caf.he beamed.And so do millions of other people. We’re gonna quench their thirsts, he announced.

Steven just shook his head in amazement. Got a name picked out too I bet.

Of course. You’re not dealing with an amateur you know, he flashed the grin that had gotten him many a date. He might’ve been a dork but he was cute, had a nice body and always had money.

Kevin stood there pulling on his fingers to make the popping noises that came just before he steepled his fingers and cracked his knuckles all at once. Steven knew it as a nervous gesture.

Okay, okay. What is it?

Cuppa Joe. His smile took over his face now as he waited for his long time friend’s reaction. When it was slow in coming, he popped out his lower lip in a close pout and started pacing. We’ll have food, he stopped and stared at Steven. A limited menu. You know, sandwiches, finger foods, salads maybe. Nothing heavy.

Liquor?

No booze. Kevin shot him an irritated look. Pay attention.

I am,he said defensively. Gonna have a…a hootenany?he snickered.

A what?

You know, some guitars strumming, some flutes—fluting. Like a beatnik hangout. All folksy man. You know—cool, groovy. He flashed him a peace sign, which also doubled as a victory sign.

Kevin just stared at him like he’d sprouted a head from his stomach. Rolling his eyes, he gave him another gesture using only one finger. Well, I don’t plan on working for other people. You can do what you like, he paused,dragging him in for the kill.But I need you to put up $50,000.00.

Uh-huh, he looked around the room laughing. Where’d I leave that extra fifty thou? Come on Kev—I’ve got a five year old kid with no mother, a mortgage and bills springing out of my ass like daisies.

Kevin’s smile was back. He