Nothing Sacred (FBI Agent Dan Hammer Series Book 1) by Douglas Wickard
Authors: Douglas Wickard
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something changed. The energy of Charleston shifted.
Dan thought too damn much when he was driving.
After Wallace died, the Chief sat him down and gave him a lecture. He explained the symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome. The Chief thought it might be a good idea if he took some time, a leave of absence. Take a little vacation. “Some R&R.” Dan passed. He wasn’t much on vacations. Besides, in Dan’s line of work, you risked your life. Every day. Wallace just had a run in with bad luck.
Chief Abrams informed Dan that they were doing a full-out investigation on Wallace’s case. Dan was happy to hear it. He’d like to see those punks put away. For life.
Dan thought about leaving the force after Wallace died. He sure as hell didn’t want Alexandra growing up without a father. It scared him for a few beats. He never thought about mortality much before. When his luck might change. Ask Wallace.
A toss of a coin.
But, he stayed on. Stubborn, he guessed. What else was he going to do? End up like his Daddy. Jobless and broke at fifty. Borrowing twenty bucks from Dan each time he came to visit. Knowing damn well the money would be used to stock the refrigerator full of beer. Wall to wall longneck Budweiser’s. No, thank you. Dan wanted something better than that.
His Daddy finally did die. Alone, of a heart attack. Dan didn’t even go to the funeral. His Mama was upset. He had other commitments. He supposed he should have felt guilty, not paying his respects and all, a good southern boy like him. But, he didn’t. He didn’t feel he owed his Daddy much of anything. He’d said his goodbyes already. A long time ago.
His new family was the force. And Dan’s Daddy was the farthest thing from being a cop. He wasn’t much of a father, either. If a patrol car came within fifty yards, you had better believe his Daddy was headed in the opposite direction. Not that he was a crook or anything, he wasn’t, his Dad just played by a different set of rules. His own. And his Mama and he just sort of went along blindly for the ride. What else were they supposed to do?
It was one of the reason’s Dan joined the force in the first place. He liked the discipline. Rules were meant to be followed. Obeyed. Codes of justice had to be adhered to or consequences were paid. Why would Dan want this? Your guess was as good as his was. He never remembered having any overwhelming urge to be of service to people. As a kid, he never joined the Boy Scouts or the YMCA, or shit like that. He never worked at an old folks home or carted pigs to the state fair for 4-H. He hated group gatherings altogether. A bunch of boys camping out in the woods acting out bad adult behavior. That didn’t sound like a whole lot of fun, particularly when he realized adults weren’t much different… acting out bad childhood behavior. Ironic. So, Dan stayed alone most of the time. A loner. It was easier for him. And, being the only child, he got used to being by himself. Both of his parents were gone most of the day, just putting food on the table, or staying out of each other’s hair. There never seemed to be enough on the table. It was always empty. No seconds. With the police force, Dan belonged. He could finally believe in something.
He thought all that would change when he got married. Boy was Dan wrong! Gina was supposed to make it all worthwhile for him. She was his pretty, strawberry blonde angel he met after high school. Those big, blue green eyes. They’d keep changing each time she’d switch the color of her top. It was the strangest thing. Just the sight of Gina made his legs weak. He’d feel flushed and get all crazy excited. That wonderful sinking feeling. It was an incredible time in his
Dan thought too damn much when he was driving.
After Wallace died, the Chief sat him down and gave him a lecture. He explained the symptoms of post-traumatic stress syndrome. The Chief thought it might be a good idea if he took some time, a leave of absence. Take a little vacation. “Some R&R.” Dan passed. He wasn’t much on vacations. Besides, in Dan’s line of work, you risked your life. Every day. Wallace just had a run in with bad luck.
Chief Abrams informed Dan that they were doing a full-out investigation on Wallace’s case. Dan was happy to hear it. He’d like to see those punks put away. For life.
Dan thought about leaving the force after Wallace died. He sure as hell didn’t want Alexandra growing up without a father. It scared him for a few beats. He never thought about mortality much before. When his luck might change. Ask Wallace.
A toss of a coin.
But, he stayed on. Stubborn, he guessed. What else was he going to do? End up like his Daddy. Jobless and broke at fifty. Borrowing twenty bucks from Dan each time he came to visit. Knowing damn well the money would be used to stock the refrigerator full of beer. Wall to wall longneck Budweiser’s. No, thank you. Dan wanted something better than that.
His Daddy finally did die. Alone, of a heart attack. Dan didn’t even go to the funeral. His Mama was upset. He had other commitments. He supposed he should have felt guilty, not paying his respects and all, a good southern boy like him. But, he didn’t. He didn’t feel he owed his Daddy much of anything. He’d said his goodbyes already. A long time ago.
His new family was the force. And Dan’s Daddy was the farthest thing from being a cop. He wasn’t much of a father, either. If a patrol car came within fifty yards, you had better believe his Daddy was headed in the opposite direction. Not that he was a crook or anything, he wasn’t, his Dad just played by a different set of rules. His own. And his Mama and he just sort of went along blindly for the ride. What else were they supposed to do?
It was one of the reason’s Dan joined the force in the first place. He liked the discipline. Rules were meant to be followed. Obeyed. Codes of justice had to be adhered to or consequences were paid. Why would Dan want this? Your guess was as good as his was. He never remembered having any overwhelming urge to be of service to people. As a kid, he never joined the Boy Scouts or the YMCA, or shit like that. He never worked at an old folks home or carted pigs to the state fair for 4-H. He hated group gatherings altogether. A bunch of boys camping out in the woods acting out bad adult behavior. That didn’t sound like a whole lot of fun, particularly when he realized adults weren’t much different… acting out bad childhood behavior. Ironic. So, Dan stayed alone most of the time. A loner. It was easier for him. And, being the only child, he got used to being by himself. Both of his parents were gone most of the day, just putting food on the table, or staying out of each other’s hair. There never seemed to be enough on the table. It was always empty. No seconds. With the police force, Dan belonged. He could finally believe in something.
He thought all that would change when he got married. Boy was Dan wrong! Gina was supposed to make it all worthwhile for him. She was his pretty, strawberry blonde angel he met after high school. Those big, blue green eyes. They’d keep changing each time she’d switch the color of her top. It was the strangest thing. Just the sight of Gina made his legs weak. He’d feel flushed and get all crazy excited. That wonderful sinking feeling. It was an incredible time in his
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