Chapter 5
Buck and Marjorie Collins had been married twenty years. Their home was in a gated community in Malibu, but Ryan had been here so many times he was on the permanent list of people who could visit. White columns and a perfectly manicured lawn reflected Buck’s money and Marjorie’s breeding and taste. She was cultured and gracious in contrast with her rough, exuberant spouse. It was obvious she adored him and thought him cute.
The idea of Buck being cute was beyond Ryan. He paced nervously after he’d pushed the doorbell and heard the chime sound inside. The thought he was making a mistake was like a bumble bee in his mind.
“Why, Ryan, this is a surprise.” Her face tightened into an expression of concern. “Is anything wrong? Nothing’s happened to Buck, has it?”
“Buck’s working as
