Page 50 of Beyond Perfect

Nick dropped down and cuffed the guy. Then dragged him up to stand. “I’ll take him to the cops.” They escorted the guy out.

Jackson stood. Harry closed the door behind them. “Are you all right?”

“A little sore.”

“You took matters into your own hands.”

“I had no choice. I didn’t know you called in the cavalry.”

“Sit down, Jackson.”

Jackson was glad to take a chair. He was shaky from all the adrenaline draining from his body now that the danger was over.

Harry sat across from him. “I think there’s more to it than you having no choice.”

“I don’t understand.”

“For days now you’ve been sullen and remote. I’m afraid the staff are reacting.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. This incident makes me wonder if you didn’t care if you got hurt. Or worse.”

“Harry, I lived on the streets when I was young. Self-defense gets ingrained after a while.”

“I think you’re telling yourself that. But in my opinion, losing Maisy Shepherd from Pathways and your life has caused you to be reckless.”

“That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?”

Jackson sat back. His accusation had to be false. Because if it was correct, it meant Jackson was in a very bad and a very dangerous place.

Chapter 8

Jackson got home at eight o’clock, listlessly ate his takeout dinner and settled in with some education journals. He stayed current on innovations in his area to improve Pathways.

Because it’s all you have. All you’ll ever have.

The sound of his doorbell brought him from his recriminations. Who would be visiting at this hour? He got up and pulled open the door.

Before him stood Caleb Shepherd.

His heart rate went from zero to sixty. “Is Maisy all right?”

“Yes. This isn’t about her.”

His pulse rate calmed. “What’s this about?”

“Joe Romano’s crew is fighting a fire close by. Joe’s in trouble. I know he means something to you so I came here to tell you before you saw it online or TV.”

Jackson froze. Joe?Joe? The only friend he had. Not only a friend but his savior. “Um.”

Caleb put a hand on his arm. “I’ll take you there.”

“Okay. Let’s go.”

“Get your keys.”

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