Page 1 of Evidence of Secrets

CHAPTERONE

“Read ’em and weep, suckers,” hollered Hank Peterman as he threw his cards on the table. The other guys groaned and tossed in their cards.

“About time you won something,” said Danny Knight.

“Smart-ass.” Hank smiled and glanced over at his best friend.

Danny was laughing again and content now that he had settled down with his wife, Hailey. The drama of finding Hailey’s sister Melanie was over, and Melanie was getting the help she needed for her addiction.

“Hey, I’m not complaining. Although it seems that I lose more money playing poker than if I were betting on the horses,” said Hank.

It was about time. Hank seemed to lose money every month when the guys got together for poker, even with a winning hand.Go figure.

Hank stood and started collecting the pot. “When are Joe and Claire getting back from New York?”

“Oh, they’ll be back next week,” said Mark Stone. “Claire missed her parents and wanted to see them before she gets too big. Joe wasn’t about to let her go by herself.”

“Can’t blame him. I’m glad they took time off. When’s the baby due?”

“Four months,” said Mark.

“Joe is making sure Claire sticks close to him, especially after she was kidnapped,” said Danny. He grabbed his beer and took a long gulp. “I’m not sure Claire appreciates having him hover so much.”

“Hell, after what happened, if that were my woman, I’d never let her out of the house,” said Hank. Sam and Claire’s recent abduction had shaken KnightGuard Security. Luckily, Mark and Joe found them before Chrissie Thorn killed them. Although Sam had things mostly under control.

“You’re in luck. You don’t have a woman to worry about,” said Seth Bowman.

“Yeah? Neither do you, asshole.” Hank pocketed his winnings and tossed his beer bottle in the trash. He never lacked female companionship. The key was sincerity—he genuinely liked women. But not to marry. Hank had been down that road, and it had blown up in his face big-time. Thank fuck he dodged that bullet.

Seth started laughing. “Well, we have something in common.”

“Hey, are the renovations on the fish camp finished?” asked Hank. “I was thinking of taking a cabin for a week.”

“The guys have finished. Let me know when you’re free, and I’ll reserve one for you.”

Hank stood and pushed his chair under the table. “Good enough. Okay, losers, I’m off. Big job tomorrow, and I need to get up early.”

He saluted the group and headed to where he’d parked his black Grand Cherokee.

Hank asked his media system to play music of his favorite country singer, Johnny Cash, and for the fifteen-minute drive home, he relaxed and allowed himself to rehash the night’s events.

The poker game was the highlight of Hank’s month. It was relaxing to chill out and spend the evening with good friends.

Tomorrow’s job required him to concentrate on protecting a movie star who wanted to buy a mansion in Black Pointe. It would be an easy gig. Not all jobs were, not that it mattered.

Danny brought him on board to KnightGuard Security after they left the Army. Hank was impressed by Sam Knight when he met the small, tenacious woman. He admired her dedication and mission to help others, values close to his heart.

Hank parked his car in the on-site garage, walked up to the glass front door of his building, and punched in his code.

He walked through the doors into a large reception area. On one side was a paneled wall with a cluster of mailbox slots. A black leather sofa and a large potted tree occupied the other. In the back, by the elevator, was a large brown console desk with a computer and television.

“Hey, Manny. How ya doing?” asked Hank.

Manny looked up from his computer and smiled. “Living the dream.”

Hank laughed. That was Manny’s standard answer every time he asked.

“Seriously, though, everything’s quiet, just the way I like it,” Manny said.

---