Synopsis

Jake Hansen used to know how to chase a story.

Before the scandal. Before the divorce. Before the drinking, the gambling, and the dive bar that became both refuge and reminder.

Now, a missing woman has pulled him back into the kind of work that once made him dangerous: asking the wrong questions in the wrong rooms, following the money, and refusing to look away when powerful people start getting nervous.

Joined by retired NYPD detective Pete Mills and former ex-con Lamar Wagner, Jake follows a trail through Los Angeles’s back rooms, casino money, old loyalties, and the parts of the city most people never see. What begins as a missing person case becomes something harder to walk away from, forcing Jake to confront the same instincts that once made him an exceptional investigative reporter.

Jake may be a wreck, but one thing hasn’t changed. He still knows when someone is hiding the truth.

Amazon

Excerpt

INT. TROTTER’S TAVERN- BACK BAR AREA- MORNING

JAKE HANSEN, 35, a half-Latino and half-white male is asleep on the bar top of the dark tavern. Jake is smart, funny and a lovable rogue but also a disaster of a person. He lies on his back with one leg off of the bar. Jake has two black eyes and scrapes on his face with puffy red eyes.

A 60-inch TV above the bar is on.

INSERT TELEVISION – NEWS CONFERENCE

MAYOR ALEX VILA, 45, a handsome Latino male, dressed in a sharp suit, speaks behind a podium. To the right of Alex Vila is LILY VILA, 35, his beautiful wife. She wears a stunning green dress.

ALEX VILA
(ON TV)
I wish I could answer that question, Rick, but it really is premature.

Jake, groaning, opens his eyes and looks at the television.

JAKE
(Grumbling)
Asshole.

REPORTER
(O.S. On TV)
So you are not announcing your re- election candidacy today, Mayor?

ALEX VILA
(On TV)
I can not comment on that question at this time.

The TV is turned off from behind Jake. He quickly closes his eyes.

A large black male, LAMAR WAGNER, 45, with remote control in hand, approaches Jake. Lamar always has a cherubic smile on his face but that hides a tough but loving persona.

LAMAR
You awake, boss?

Jake’s eyes remained closed.

JAKE
I’m awake, Lamar.

LAMAR
Your eyes are closed.

JAKE
I guess you’re gonna have to take my word for it.

Jake opens his eyes and sees Lamar smiling down at him.

JAKE (CONT’D)
What the hell are you smiling at?

LAMAR
Just you, Jake. I know your three day bender’s over when you pass out on top of the bar.

Jake, grunting, rolls over and closes his eyes again.

LAMAR (CONT’D)
Lily looked pretty good.

JAKE
Don’t know what you’re talking about.

LAMAR
You sure, boss? Your ex-wife looked pretty comfy next to the mayor.

JAKE
I didn’t notice.

LAMAR
(Laughing)
You gotta wake up.

JAKE
What time is it?

LAMAR
Nine bells.

JAKE
Jesus, Lamar, we don’t open for another two bells.
SOPHIE, 20, a fit and attractive, brunette, enters the bar area. Sophie is shy and quiet but she hides a sad truth.
SOPHIE
Mr. Hansen?

JAKE
It’s Jake, Sophie. What is it?

SOPHIE
There’s a man here to see you.

Jake sits upright, nervous, looking toward the front.

LAMAR
I saw him. Relax, it ain’t Tony Tahoe.

JAKE
Thank God.

LAMAR
C’mon Jake, you know Pete and me won’t let that gorilla Tahoe lay a hand on you.

JAKE
(Pointing to his eyes)
You did see what Pete did to my face, right?

LAMAR
You deserved it and he didn’t even use his claw, so whatcha bitchin’ about?

Jake turns to Sophie.

JAKE Did the man tell you who he was? His business? Anything?

SOPHIE
He said he was an old friend of yours from Palm Springs.

LAMAR
Your old stomping grounds.

JAKE
Palm Springs? Okay Sophie, you might wanna go grab Pete for this.

SOPHIE
Right away, Mr. Hansen.

Sophie exits.

JAKE
Jake. Call me Jake.

About the Author

Kevin R. Andrade is the author of the Jake Hansen Mystery series, including Ten to the 405 and In For a Dime.

A Mexican American raised in Ohio, Kevin earned degrees in English and Political Science from Bowling Green State University before building a career as a speechwriter, music journalist, travel writer, and novelist. He has lived in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Boston, and New York City, experiences that continue to influence the authentic settings, dialogue, and characters throughout his fiction.

Before writing novels, Kevin crafted speeches for politicians, interviewed music legends, and explored destinations around the world as a travel writer. Those experiences taught him that every person has a story worth telling, a philosophy that continues to shape the characters and investigations at the heart of the Jake Hansen Mystery series.

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