Page 9 of PenPal Hero

“Whoa! Stop right there.” Holt carried a concealed handgun sometimes, but that was it. “I have no interest in shooting anyone.”

“Good.” Foster looked pleased. “I don’t want anyone coming to work for us who enjoys inflicting pain on others. We only use force when it’s absolutely necessary. It’s better to use your head to neutralize confrontations before they turn violent. My gut says this is something you’ll prove to be skilled at. In time. With the proper training, of course.”

Holt shook his head again, hardly able to believe what he was hearing.

Before he could come up with a response, Foster stated a salary amount in a deadpan voice. “That’s what we’re willing to pay you to become the eyes and ears on the front lines of our newest department.”

Holt nearly fell out of his chair. “Are you serious?” It was a lot of money. More than he’d ever made before. More than enough to apply for a loan to purchase the auto body shop he had his eye on. It was enough money, quite frankly, to do whatever he wanted.

“Very serious.” Foster didn’t rush to fill the lull in their conversation.

“Okay, I’ll bite.” Holt drew a deep breath. “Exactly what do you mean by eyes and ears?”

Foster grinned in triumph. It was as if he already knew he’d made an offer that Holt couldn’t afford to turn down. “Exactly what it sounds like. You’re a nice guy. Everybody likes and trusts you. You get around town, while handling your auto detailing jobs, and nobody questions your movements. All we’re asking is for you to keep your eyes and ears open for the information we’re seeking on any and all cases assigned to you. Whatever you find out, you report it back to us. That’s it.”

“Us?” Holt latched onto the word, wondering how many bosses he was signing up for.

“To me. To Lyon Garrett, my business partner. To any other security personnel you’re assigned to work with.” Foster made it sound so simple.

“There has to be more to it than that.” Holt opened the folder again, scanning its contents.

“In time, yes, there’s the potential for you to take on more responsibility within the firm,” Foster agreed in the same mild voice. “In the meantime, we’ll train you for undercover work — how to interrogate someone without them knowing they’re being interrogated, how to use all kinds of security equipment, how to navigate our many channels of resources, that sort of thing. I think you’ll find everything that we have in mind for this job to be right up your alley.”

Holt wished he shared the guy’s confidence. “For the salary you just quoted me, I want to say yes. I’d be a fool not to, but?—”

“Then say it,” Foster interrupted, sitting forward. “The rest is just details.” He rattled off a few of the benefits that would accompany working full time for K&G Security.

They included paid federal holidays, health insurance, and a retirement plan — all the stuff Holt didn’t have while working for himself. He’d always figured he’d look into those things after he started making a more reliable income. But Foster Kane was offering all of it to him on the spot. Right here. Right now.

“Man, this is tempting,” Holt groaned, hoping he wasn’t about to make the biggest mistake of his life.

“It’s supposed to be.” Foster grinned.

“What if it doesn’t turn out to be as good a fit for me as you’re hoping?” Holt had to ask the question.

Foster shrugged. “There’s an exit clause. It comes with a mandatory gag order if you sign it. No talking about our cases. No sharing the layout of our facility or the hierarchy of our organization with anyone ever.”

“Or,” Holt prodded.

“It’s a violation of your contract, a prosecutable offense that could come with a hefty fine.” Foster’s voice was grave. “Even more concerning is the fact that you’d be putting innocent lives in danger — both our employees and our clients.”

“I have no problem agreeing to that.” The more Holt heard about the job, the more he liked it. K&G Security sounded like a company run by people with a strong sense of fairness and justice.

“Good. I can already tell you’re gonna fit in here just fine.” Foster pointed at the folder. “There’s an employment contract in there. I’ll pour us some coffee while you start reading and signing.”

Nearly two hours clicked past before Holt left the building. He had a signed contract in the folder beneath his arm and a start date of today. Technically, he was already on the clock. A generous signing bonus was being deposited into his bank account as he walked to his truck. It almost felt too good to be true.

Except it wasn’t. He’d just finished making one of the biggest commitments of his adult life. One that was going to change everything. Already, the sense of danger he’d experienced for the past several weeks was easing with each step that took him closer to his truck. It was downright empowering to be facing his fears, looking them in the eye, and spitting on them.

He was done being a victim. Done choking on his own air. Done soaking his sheets in a cold sweat every night.

Working for a security firm meant he had resources and connections. He was no longer alone, no longer a sitting duck waiting for the next shoe to drop.

His phone rang as he started the motor.

It was Bonnie. “You’re killing me, Holt. It’s literally been hours since you left the B&B.”

He hit his speakerphone button, smiling, as he drove away from K&G Security and headed toward the highway. “They offered me a job. Can you believe it?”

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