Chapter 44

Past

I stood up from the table. When I grabbed the business card, I noticed my hand was shaking. Picking up my cell phone, I dialed the number.

The voice from my memory answered on the second ring.

"Hello, Zachery."

"Hello... Nathanial."

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've contacted you."

Hell yes I was. "That's a mild understatement," I replied.

"I would like you to be my guest for a week here at my estate. I have need of a man like you, and I was hoping we could discuss a proposition."

"A proposition?" My voice suddenly bordered on insolence. What did this fucker mean by a "man like you" anyway?

Deep, rich laughter sounded over the phone. The voice was no less arresting than it had been when Monroe had placed a knife in my hand. "I assure you that you will be safe and my intentions are entirely aboveboard."

"Why now?" I asked. And why do you talk like you've got a stick up your ass, I think to myself.

"You will be going to the police academy in three months but at the mome