The Guardians

THE NEGOTIATOR

For the Negotiator, talk is never cheap. In a moment, he has to make connections with the crazed and the desperate and the lost. He has to promise, cajole and placate. Success is a rush. Failure would cripple a lesser man. Above all, he must stay detached.

Beck Winters is the Negotiator.

Despite everything he's seen and done, Beck's still sane, but only because he never allows himself to get close to anyone. Then during a hostage incident, he hears a voice over the phone line, Jennifer Barclay's voice.

Jennifer's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Her plan has always been to avoid excitement. But that was before she was taken hostage...before the incident ended badly...and before she met the Negotiator.

THE GUARDIANS: This time the good guys wear black.

THE COMMANDER:

The commander leads; she will not follow. She has to assess situations, determine solutions and can never lose control. The job comes first -- being a woman a very distant second.

Lena McKinney is the Commander.

Two years ago, Lena tried to be both a woman and a cop -- it didn't work out. Now her ex-fiance is back in town and her SWAT team has been assigned to protect him. Much as she'd like to walk away, Lena will do her duty, keeping her true feelings buried.

But that's before the shots are fired....

THE GUARDIANS: This time the good guys wear black.

This is #1 & 2 in The Guardians Series.