off—” “Karl!” The woman stood and walked over to them as Karl took a step back.

“Karl is my security chief. He stays with me.” “You need security?” “I’m Helen

Myers, Mr.?” “Paul. Just call me Paul.” She looked at Karl. “He vets the

bouncers. That’s part of his job as head of security.” “Okay.” “And we normally

run a background check on potential employees.” Rogers turned to leave. “Wait,”

said Myers.

 

Rogers turned back around. “Are you in some sort of trouble?” “I had some

trouble and I paid my bill on it. I’m a free man. And I really need the job. But

I’m not going through a background check.

 

No harm, no foul. Thanks anyway.” “Just hold on for a sec.” She studied him for

a few moments. “Okay, Paul, I’m going to turn it over to Karl now.” Rogers

looked at Karl expectantly.

 

Karl stepped forward and gave Rogers a smile that did not reach his eyes. “Let

me see how you do visual sweeps.” Rogers turned his head to the right.

 

A second later his hand reached out and caught the haymaker Karl had planned to

land on his chin.

 

Caught and held it.

 

Karl tried to pull free but couldn’t break Rogers’s grip. “What the hell!” he

exclaimed.