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…

Helping Hands Network. It started out as a project for Emily, mostly because she was tired of being bored during the Parent Teacher Conferences at her son’s junior high school. The other Moms attending were working and middle class. None of them had money or resources like she and Jonathan had. She could have enrolled…

“I’m only going to say this one more time, Emily.” Jonathan’s entire body tensed up. The last thing he wanted to do was fight with Emily. This was becoming a regular thing between them, most often about whose function or event they would be attending. Usually, the Bank President won out over the sitting President…

Persistent knocking on the door to her suite disturbed her sleep. “What do you want?” she shouted. “Ms. Chiges. It’s time to leave. We have to be at the airport in twenty minutes.” “Isn’t the plane mine?” “Technically, Ms. Chiges, yes. But Ms. Chiges, we have a schedule to keep. If we are even a…

Will wasn’t the most active kid in the neighborhood. Honestly, exercise wasn’t his thing. The only kind of outside activity he did, reluctantly at that, was riding his bike. Riding around the neighborhood was a freeing activity, not exercise, at least not in Will’s book. Josh, on the other hand, was an active kid. Watching…

“What do you mean it’s all gone?”                “Exactly what I said. It’s gone. All of it.”                Gary was a tall man compared to the rest of the research team. He stuck his hands deep into the pockets of a white lab coat, jingling his keys. “You’re sure?”                His friend and coworker nodded.…

Laying on the grass, both boys stared into the pale blue sky. “Will? Are you there?” Josh’s voice sounded like he was speaking through water or maybe jello. That feeling you get from water being stuck in your ears? That’s what Josh was experiencing. There was something unnatural about the loss of his hearing. He…