Author: Tegon Maus
ISBN: 9781310634536
ASIN: B00SU4OOC8
Length: Novel
Genre: Thriller
Price: $3.99
Buy here: Tirgearr Publishing
A recent transplant to Southern California, Toby Grant has landed his dream job. He’s a service tech for Handy Dandy Services—the premier handyman service in the southland.
Things don’t go well for Toby on the first day when he is teamed up with Ryan Burnell, a twenty year veteran of Handy Dandy. Toby quickly learns the hardships of being Ryan’s partner, and finds himself in one uncomfortable situation after another.
In an effort to understand his new partner, Toby accidently uncovers Ryan’s past involvement with drugs, burglary, and murder. He also learns about Ryan’s last partner of five years—Delsin Honaw—who had been murdered…stabbed twenty-seven times.
Haunted by one misunderstanding after another, Toby learns the true meaning of the company’s motto—“Service before Self.”
• • •
If you're like me and I have every reason to assume that you are, then every day is the same. Like me, you get up at the same time, leave for work, drive the same roads, eat the same things day in and day out.
Now, some would call it a rut, some would simply call it life. But the funny thing about life is every once in a while the universe, or God, or whoever it is that rolls the dice, gives us a little bump and we find ourselves on a whole new road. A road we didn't know existed, and then, of all things, that rut doesn't seem so bad after all.
"Ryan," he shouted, waving.
From across the room, a large, Hispanic man with a barrel chest, heavily muscled arms and an intimidating manner came our way. He stood a few inches taller than me, with broad shoulders, dark long hair pulled into a tail, tied at the back of his head. His face was unshaven, giving him a slightly unprofessional appearance.
"Ryan Burnell...meet your new partner...Toby Grant," he said, pointing at me.
"I don't need a partner," Ryan said gruffly, turning to walk away.
"Hey. I don't remember giving you a choice, Burnell," Conway yelled, suddenly angry.
"Give ‘em to Hicks. I don't need a partner," he said over his shoulder.
“Alright," Conway snapped. "I'll drop your suspension."
Whatever that meant, it stopped Ryan cold. He was still facing away from us. The fingers of his right hand wiggled a little as if they suddenly itched.
"And Kenyon?" Ryan asked without turning around.
"Fuck, Burnell, I can't..." Conway started.
Ryan simply flipped the man off and began to walk away again.
"Alright, alright, I'll drop her suspension as well, but so help me God..." Conway threatened.
"Yeah, yeah. It won't happen again," Ryan said.
"Damn well better not," Conway threatened, sticking a thick finger in the man's face. "Get your packet and roll."
"Where we going today?" Ryan asked, taking a large envelope Conway slid toward him.
I looked to one of them for an explanation, but received none.
"Ah, fuck no. Come on boss cut me a little slack," Ryan moaned.
"Sorry pal, I don't set the jobs. I just hand them out."
"Come on. Switch me. I can't take a newbie to the West side on his first day," Ryan pleaded.
"I hear you, but who would I send if not you?" Conway asked shrugging.
"God damn it, put them off...reschedule."
"Can't, I already tried," Conway countered.
"Fuck Andy, I'm begging you."
"Get rolling. You got an 8:00 am across town," Conway said, jerking a thumb in the direction of the truck bay.
"God damn it," Ryan shouted, grabbing the envelope, storming off.
I stood there, uncertain what I should do.
"You need a special invitation? Move your ass," Conway barked pointing toward Ryan.
I ran as quickly as I could to catch up.
"Keep him safe, Burnell, I mean it," Conway shouted after us.
Ryan flipped the man off again without breaking stride or turning to face him.
"Where we going?" I asked as I caught up with him.
"Rule number one, don't talk to me, until spoken to. You're only with me for the day, then you're Johnson's problem," he said harshly.
"Beg your pardon?" I gasped.
"What are you? Stupid? I said don't talk to me, got it?" he said, jabbing a finger into my chest.
"Got it," I snapped in return. "What an ass," I said softly to myself as he turned and walked away.
• • •
Married forty-three years to a woman he calls Dearheart, Tegon Maus lives a contented life in a small town of 8,200 in Southern California. By day, Tegon is a successful home remodeling contractor, but his passion is storytelling.Tegon's progatonists are frequently wedged between a rock and a hard place, but manage to work things out through the story. Like most when pushed into a corner, it only brings out the best in his characters and become the unstoppable force of a reluctant hero. Tegon's signature style is creating characters who are driven and believable, and who strive to find happiness.
Tegon is the author of The Chronicles Of Tucker Littlefield series.
Find Tegon Online:
Website - http://www.tegonmaus.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tegon-Maus/150255051766767
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TegonMaus
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Tegon-Maus/e/B009PFZILW
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5808023.Tegon_Maus
Shelfari - http://www.shelfari.com/o1514811662
LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/pub/tegon-maus/62/606/931
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/tegon
Tirgearr Publishing - http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Maus_Tegon
