Secret Light by Z. A. Maxfield Read Free Book Online

we’re worse than they are. That we’re tougher and
    stronger. They have to know we’re not afraid of them.”
    “This is 1955, not 1948 and—”
    “You have to be loyal to the badge. The badge always comes first, or bad things
    happen.”
    Ben understood what Calhoun was saying, but he couldn’t let the incident go.
    “The badge doesn’t come before justice, Calhoun. Just so we’re clear, if I see you do
    something like that again, I will report you myself.”
    Calhoun stared at him. Eventually he laughed, but it was mirthless. “Nah. You
    won’t. You’ll want to, but you won’t because you’re soft .”
    Ben hoped he’d never have to find out. “And you’re a dinosaur, and I don’t have to
    tell you what happened to them.”
    Ben clenched the steering wheel so hard his knuckles paled.
    “It’s cute that you’re hopping mad about it, though. Shows you got class. I like
    working with a guy who’s got class. It makes the ride smell cleaner somehow.”
    A few blocks down the road, Ben spotted a phone booth and pulled over. “Gimme a
    second. I gotta call my mother and tell her what time I’ll be there for dinner Saturday.”
    “Oh Christ. Mama’s got you on her apron strings too, huh? You’re like an open
    book, you know that?”
    “That’s it.” Ben turned before getting out of the car. “I’ll meet you in the ring after
    work, Calhoun. I am going to beat on you like a drum, and we’ll see who’s soft.”
    “I’ll fight you. You think you got what it takes to win?”
    “Glove up or shut up.” Ben got out and slammed the door. He could wipe the floor
    with Calhoun. It was an excellent plan. Maybe the man would be less mouthy with his
    face swollen and his spleen lodged in his throat.
    Z. A. Maxfield | Secret Light
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    He took out his tiny notebook and a pencil and put a dime in the slot. He dialed the
    phone, perfectly aware that Colman would probably hang up on him, but he had to try.
    “Paradise Realty.” A woman’s voice, calm and professional.
    “I’m calling for Rafe Colman.”
    “He just walked through the door. One moment, please.”
    Thank heavens she didn’t ask who was calling; he’d foreseen a problem there. On
    the one hand, he couldn’t lie, and on the other, Rafe was bound to dodge him after the
    incident in the coffee shop.
    “This is Rafe Colman.” Oh, that gut-stirring accent. Women must go mad for him . “How
    may I help you?”
    “Don’t hang up. It’s me…Ben.”
    “I can’t decide whether to complain about intimidation or harassment. I’m going to
    call everyone into my office now and let them hear exactly—”
    “I swear to you, I’m on the level, Rafe. Please, just listen to me.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “Calhoun is a sack of turds. I’m sorry.”
    “Thanks for that, anyway.”
    “And about last Saturday night, I’m… Can you please forgive me? I made a
    mistake. I am not harassing you, and I won’t let Calhoun intimidate you. I won’t bother
    you. I just want you to accept my apology. I just… I thought we could be friends.”
    Silence. So much goddamn silence. Ben strained to hear Rafe’s soft voice above the
    traffic and past the noise of his pulse, drumming in his ears.
    “I accept your apology.”
    “Thank you. I swear, I am sincerely sorry. I just wish I knew—”
    “Since you want to be a detective, perhaps you would like to solve a mystery?”
    Ben’s mouth went dry. “Yeah?”
    Z. A. Maxfield | Secret Light
    39

    “I’ll say two words, and you must find out what they mean.”
    Ben could hear something tapping. Maybe a pen? Maybe it was a nervous habit?
    “Two words?”
    “Two words only. Walter Hart. H-A-R-T.”
    “Walter Hart? Hart with no ‘e’ like the deer?”
    “Yes. Exactly.”
    “What am I supposed to do with Walter Hart?”
    “You say you want to be my friend. Well… Walter Hart was my friend. Solve the
    mystery, Detective Morgan.”
    Z. A. Maxfield | Secret Light
    40

    Chapter Five
    December 7,