One last deal and then get out. Coltrane
Davis had already been thinking about pulling up stakes and leaving San Diego.
That idea gained momentum in Florida recently as his teen daughter competed in
a tournament. She did not win. But, she did really well. She has the chance to
be somebody great in the tennis world with the right coaching and support. It
would also give her a chance to put some physical distance from a tragedy that
has haunted them both these past few months and caused incredible grief in
their lives.
All he has to do is manage his boss,
Saul Sollman, for one more deal. The problem is Saul Sollman is certified nuts.
He’s the crooked kingmaker who allowed Coltrane Davis into his world. That
decision has financially rewarded them both. Saul is not pleased with Coltrane
Davis right now. Getting summoned to Saul’s in the middle of the night,
especially on a date night, is the latest reminder that it is time to get out.
Coltrane is also less than pleased. Not
only because he was summoned to Saul’s place like he is some sort of indentured
servant working for his white king, Dylan Banks also arrived. Coltrane has to
work to hide his disgust as Dylan Banks is one of those white guys who appropriates
language, culture, and mannerisms not his own when speaking to others outside
of his race. Then, when there are consequences, hides behind the wall of privilege.
The agent has a huge problem. His
client, Anthony Riddell, an all-pro running back for the Chargers, is in a
situation that could cost him everything. Riddell has his own history and it is
not good. In the here and now, Riddell is being extorted because of a picture
that shows him in a sexually compromising position with another man. Coltrane
wants no part of any of it at all and the hard sell by Saul and Dylan begins in
earnest.
Dylan is sure that his client was set up.
That the whole deal is a plot by the GM to low ball him as they argue about the
next contract. The Chargers already declined his fifth-year option, didn’t negotiate
a fair market deal, and then put the franchise tag on him. Then stories started
getting leaked to the press about health issues, domestic violence, and gang
ties.
Being black in the NFL brings issues
that white players don’t have to deal with at all. Things between the Chargers
and the player are very heated. Now this problem. If word of it, let alone the
pictorial proof, go out he could lose his football career, his endorsements,
everything.
Coltrane grudgingly agrees to poke
around and try to clean up the matter. He soon gets involved deeper than ever
intended, as he looks for a way out for the player as well as the people Coltrane
loves.
Along the way, readers are treated to a
side of San Diego they never see and how race plays a major factor in the NFL
and far beyond. It’s a complicated tale, a debut novel, and a good crime
fiction read.
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4zopxHZ
My ARC digital reading copy came by way
of the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, through NetGalley, with no expectation
of a positive review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2026
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