MASTER OF SALVATION
Series: # 3 in series: Benevolence
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Artist: Martine Jardin
Release
Date: November 15, 2011
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‘Caught between the past and present, some memories are best forgotten.’
Blurb:
When a slave falls
from a warehouse rooftop and a strange new narcotic is found, the Federal Panel
needs someone experienced to head the investigation. Since Morgan’s resigned,
the commissioner of Avalon suggests, there’s only one man for the job.
Sloan’s less than
thrilled with his newly appointed position as a public servant, until he
discovers convicted serial killer, Markus Middleton, a man he put behind bars
is freely walking the streets. Days later, Rigg Flynt is spotted with Markus in
a café. Shortly after, four slaves are kidnapped. Convinced the felons are involved,
Sloan wonders if there’s a reason he’s the general. Is it simply a coincidence?
Or is it justice?
Excerpt:
Sloan
wandered through the warehouse, a barren and expansive space. The only other
exit was an open doorway strung with beads–cheap, iridescent, glass beads that
hung millimetres above the cement floor. His hand feathered the rainbow of
glass then he ducked past into the sunlight. Beyond the warehouse door was a
rooftop circled with a foot high ledge. A rusted whirly-gig squeaked against
the breeze. Sloan didn’t care for heights and cautiously peered over the edge.
He saw the green waste management bin and the bloodstain on the ground. Orange
tape still cordoned off the crime scene. “Why would you jump?” he asked aloud.
Unwrapping a stick of spearmint gum, Sloan looked at the surroundings and tried
to get a sense of what the dead slave might have felt. Then he noticed the
commissioner.
“I assume you got my file,” said Alison.
“Yeah, I got it. And you’ve got a big
mouth.”
“Most couples don’t hide their life history
from one another, they share it.”
“Telling Vale we were together five years
was a cheap shot, Alison!”
“I’m guessing he didn’t take the news well.”
“Let’s get one thing straight right now,”
Sloan leaned towards her and stared into her eyes, “my personal life is mine.
Not yours. Go near Vale again and you’re going to have a serious problem on
your hands.”
“Oh come on Sloan, now you’re threatening
me? That’s quite juvenile, don’t you think?”
“That wasn’t a threat.”
“Honestly, I thought he knew.”
“No. You thought you’d rub salt in the wound
to get a rise out of me.” Sloan slowly walked the rooftop perimeter with his
eyes focused on the alley below and the commissioner followed. “Just because I
agreed to temporarily fill a position for the feds doesn’t give you permission
to screw with my life.”
“It was a slip of the tongue.”
“You’re just jealous because he’s a better
lay.”
“Fine, you win, Sloan.” Alison stepped aside
with both hands up.
“I’m so glad we’ve come to an
understanding.”
“Don’t act like a prick or you’ll be the one
in serious trouble.” Scowling, Alison shot up in his face stabbing a finger.
“You’re on the government’s payroll and you’re on probation. That means you
work for me, Sloan. So do the job I pay you for or else my foot will be so far
up your ass, you’ll need surgery to have it removed.” She casually flicked his
jacket collar then backhanded his chest. “I mean it, don’t play with me, Sloan.
Oh and, the pathologist has finished
the autopsy. I want you there today.”
“Today–”
“You heard me.” She shouted, “Today!”
Sloan sighed as her dark tresses bounced
towards the door. Vale edged out from around the building’s penthouse wall
where he’d been lurking the whole time. He stood beside the hunter as the woman
vanished from sight.
“You weren’t joking. She is a bitch.”
“That and a cheating ho bag.” Sloan
fastidiously chewed his gum. “To this day, I still don’t know what I ever saw
in the lying cow.”
“A little bitter are we?”
“Nah, never bitter. Cheating ho bag and
lying cow are just terms of endearment, babe. And beyond the words it’s all
about rekindling the romance.”
“You’re a horrible man.” Vale’s soft
laughter ended with a sigh. “What’s next?”
“The Monte needs a tune up.” Sloan smiled
then kissed his lips. “We’ll hit my mechanic shop before the morgue.”
* * * *
District
H was only a hop, skip and jump away. Vale had no intention of waiting in a car
without air conditioning, so he loitered at the entrance to the central bay.
That way he could keep an eye on his flirtatious lover and maybe learn more of
the ropes. Sweltering even in the shade, Vale fanned himself with one of
Sloan’s old, soft-cover forensic manuals. The weather was exceptionally warm
for the early autumn.
“She’s running rough.”
“I’ll do what I can. I’ve got three others
ahead of you.” Josie motioned to a pair of Jeeps and a Land Rover parked in the
neighbouring bays.
“Should I bring it back tomorrow?” Sloan
wandered past the tools with an inquisitive eye.
“How about this…” Josie stood up and grabbed
a rag that was hanging on the car’s quarter panel. “Bring the Monte back the day
after tomorrow. I’ll fix her up, then we’ll have dinner.” She wiped her hands.
“Sound good?”
Sloan smirked. “I’d love to, but I don’t
think my partner would appreciate the dessert.”
“Partner? Men don’t talk about women like
that.” She rubbed a grease spot on the top of her hand. “You found a man. I
didn’t think your gate swung that way, hun.”
“It doesn’t.” Sloan squeezed between the
hoists and trays of auto parts. “He’s my first.”
“What happened? Too many women break your
heart?”
“You could say that.”
“I’m tongue-tied. But if you’re happy…” She
sighed with noticeable disappointment while searching his eyes. “You seem happy
enough.”
“I am.” Sloan turned on the charm with a
handsome, but crooked smile. “Tomorrow? Doll, I really need my car.”
“I’ve got people ahead of you.” Josie hedged
then turned away. “Don’t look at me like that.”
Sloan kissed her face. “I’d be indebted to
you.”
“Yeah and you’ll never be able to pay with
your partner in the picture.” Josie
gave him a kiss on the cheek and tapped his chest, gesturing for him to leave.
“Okay, I’ll do it hun. Just get out of here before I have a change of heart.”
“You’re a sweetheart.” Sloan slapped her
ass.
Awed by the man’s brazen behaviour, Vale
laughed in disbelief when he waltzed out into the daylight like nothing
happened. “You’re a regular Casanova. Peaches, Amanda and this one–Josie,
right?”
“Josie it is. I’ve know her since the war.”
Sloan glanced back at her while adjusting his jeans. “She’s got the finest set
of–”
Vale belted Sloan in the gut hard and he
groaned. “Excuse me?”
“Shit babe! I was going to say, the finest
set of wrenches I’ve ever seen.”
“How many other people do you suck face with
that I don’t know about?”
“Too many to count. And it isn’t sucking
face it’s mingling. I need to mingle when I work.” They both got inside the car
and Sloan turned the ignition. “Sometimes it’s necessary to get whatever I
need.”
“I think you’re a pervert.”
“I take it wherever I can get it!” Sloan
shook with mirth lifting an arm when Vale walloped him. “You’ve really got to
get this whole jealousy thing under control, babe. It isn’t like I screw them.”
He eyed the blond. “Keep hitting me and I’ll tear that pair of jeans too.”
“Piss off!” Vale slapped his hand away. “You
enjoy throwing your weight around. If I was bigger I’d teach you manners.”
“That’ll be the day!” Sloan chuckled
steering to the left.
“Maybe I should learn to mingle. I bet I
could get some hot piece of ass too.” Vale grinned towards the window.
“Oh feck that!” Sloan swerved. The cell went
off, he fished it out and put it to his ear. The commissioner was on the other
end of the line. The only thing Sloan said was hello and a minute later
goodbye. “Hang on.” The car made a sudden sharp u-turn and sped back in the
direction it had originally come.
“Not another one?” Vale asked.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Where?”
“Under the wharf in District A.”
Happy Yaoi Hunting ^_^!!
Blak Rayne
