NUMBERS NEVER LIE Character Sketch: Ben

Before I let you know more about one of the characters in my work-in-progress, I need share the brainstorm I got last week. A new (and improved) title. What used to be Unpredictable Nature is now Numbers Never Lie. When I started this story back in 2003, the focus was on camping with the girls. I’m a better writer now than fifteen years ago. (I should hope so.) As I’ve been editing and revising this story, it hit me that Jack’s discoveries while doing an audit is pivotal. Audit, numbers. Number Never Lie. (In fact, I didn’t realize until today that I used that phrase during Jack’s character sketch.)

Back to the character sketches. I’ve already shared Maggie’s, Drew’s, and Jack’s. Now, it’s Ben’s turn. While he’s a secondary character, Ben Voorheis plays a large part in the story.

Here’s a physical description of him from the story:

He enveloped her [Maggie] in a one-armed bear hug. He smelled of cologne—a heavy, exotic scent—and mint. Though about the same height as Maggie, Ben Voorheis was burly and about a year older. His blond-white hair, blue eyes, and ‘apple’ cheeks were a testament to his Dutch ancestors who—like so many—settled in West Michigan.

Ben met Jack at the big-name accounting firm where they first worked after college. They became friends, eventually left the firm, and started their own accounting business. They were a good match. Ben was more of a people person than Jack, while Jack had a stronger drive. They each had their own clients. Though Ben brought in more, he shared. Ben’s best quality is his loyalty to his friends.

Five years ago, when he and Jack began their business partnership, Ben fell for Maggie. When she let him know she wasn’t interested in that type of relationship, he backed off. Sort of. Though he often joked how she’d ruined him for other women, he never lost his romantic interest in her.

A stupid stunt on his motorcycle sidelined Ben for several weeks, Hospital and rehab left him unable to perform his business duties. As they always did when one became overloaded, the other stepped in. Jack took on the audit of one of Ben’s clients, and one of his friends.

Here's the blurb:

A shocking secret brings danger to Jack Sinclair and his sister Maggie. 

As kids, they were the fearless threesome. As adults, Jack's an accountant; Drew, a lawyer; Maggie, a teacher and camping troop leader. Returning from a weekend camping trip, Maggie receives horrifying news. She refuses to believe her brother’s fatal car crash was an accident. If the police won’t investigate, she’ll do it herself. Convincing Drew Campbell to help is her only recourse.

Drew Campbell was too busy to return his best friend’s phone call. Too busy to attend a camping meeting important to his teen daughter. Too busy to stay in touch with Jack. Logic and reason indicate Jack’s accident was just that--an accident caused by fatigue and fog. Prodded by guilt, he’ll help Maggie even if he thinks she’s wrong.

A break-in at Jack’s condo convinces Maggie she’s right. Then her home is searched. What did Jack leave behind?

I’ve been sharing snippets from Numbers Never Lie every weekend since February 3^rd. Stop by every Saturday or Sunday to read something new.

Thanks for stopping by. This is going to be a busy week, blogwise. Tomorrow, I’ll be at Paranormal Romantics, writing about my Muse.

On Friday, it’s my turn over at The Roses of Prose where I’ll talk about my progress this month (compared to my miserable February).

On Saturday, I’ll share another snippet from Numbers Never Lie.

Today, my friend Susan Coryell’s latest mystery, A Murder of Principle, was released. See my review.

On Thursday, Shannon Lawrence visits.

In between all the blogging, I’ll be chugging along on Numbers Never Lie.