Walking up to the X-ray machines, Jonathan checked his pockets for anything that may set off the high-tech equipment. Inside his suit coat, he searched for his cell phone. A guard approached him before he could put anything in the gray tote. “Mr. Von Otto.” He motioned to him. “Sir. Please follow me.” Jonathan nodded,…

Her excitement bubbled up deep inside her. It was the same as her first kiss, that excitement buzzing in the pit of her stomach, making her shiver all over. She double and triple-checked the math, reviewing each variable of the equation. No. She didn’t make a mistake. Nothing was out of place. The positive integers…

Jonathan’s meeting ran longer than usual, which was expected. He did his best to keep from glancing every few seconds at his watch, but he knew his next appointment would be more lucrative. Budget meetings bored him. Not because the information wasn’t pertinent to his role. Numbers weren’t exciting. Jonathan loved excitement and adventure. Being…

Jonathan’s meeting ran a little longer than usual, which was expected. He did his best to keep himself from glancing periodically at his watch, but he knew that his next appointment would be more lucrative than this one. Budget meetings bored him. Not because the information wasn’t pertinent to his role but because the numbers…

                Cold. That’s what Grant woke up to, his head aching due to the lack of water and his daily caffeine regimen. The concrete was solid and cold. Not to mention that his back was aching from laying on it all night. The holding cell wasn’t supposed to be accommodating. At least that’s what his…

As the bank’s leader, Jonathan, like it or not, oversaw human resources because he was an excellent judge of character. Not that Emily agreed. Most of the time, Jon tended to jump to conclusions instead of asking questions. But over several years, with coaching and guidance from Emily, he was so much better at it…

Jonathan stared out the window of his office on the third floor of the Truman building. It was the highest floor of the odd-shaped structure, which was saying something for Danville. The shape was odd because it didn’t exactly fit the design standards of buildings. It wasn’t rectangular or square-shaped. Even a circle would’ve been…

Standing up, Scott brushed off his uniform. “Right about here,” he pointed with the flashlight, “there’s a spot that doesn’t feel right. Tell me I’m wrong.” Bruce knelt down and felt the spot Scott pointed out to him. “No. You aren’t wrong. That’s a soft spot. Should we try to pry it open?” “And risk…

“Fair enough. You want to answer any more questions?” Grant was silent. “I asked you a question, son.” “I want my attorney.” Sergeant Turner nodded, picking him up by the arm and leading him back to his car. “Watch your head, Mr. McNamar,” he said, helping him into the back seat of the police cruiser.…

Grant’s thoughts about purchasing the Toyota snapped away when the officer softly tapped the driver’s side window. “Hello? Can you roll down the window for me, sir?” Grant didn’t realize the young officer was standing next to his door. The lights were blinding and hypnotizing all at the same time. “Yes, sir. Absolutely.” He quickly…

Red and blue lights flashed behind the beat-up Toyota Corolla. The car was still intact, one color all around, except for a few rust spots peaking through the rear metallic silver bumper. The tags were still good for another month, and the windows, albeit dirty, were passable by California safety guidelines. None of that mattered…

Nick avoided bars and alcohol, but today seemed like a good day to break that rule. Once in a great while, he would share a glass of wine with his wife, Angela. And there was a time when Nick sipped a 25-year-old scotch with one of the hospital’s biggest donors. He didn’t enjoy it as…