These are the first three Extreme Arbitration suspense stories starring Michael Hammersmith and his best friend Victor Jensen, known as VJ. They work together to help people who have been failed by the official channels of justice.
The Kidnapper's Cabin is the story of Cathy Evans, who came to him because she had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted - by her boss. He covered up his crimes using his knowledge of her and her vacation plans. No one believed Cathy, except for Michael Hammersmith and VJ.
The Abuser's Stairway is the story of Rose Murphy Price who died when her husband threw her down the stairs of their home. As is too often the case, well-off defendants charm, or bribe, their way out of such crimes. But Michael and VJ, and Rose's sister and brother, dealt the husband their own brand of Extreme Arbitration.
The Promise and the Burden is the origin story of Extreme Arbitration, when Michael and VJ were 18. They met as college roommates, and with the help of Michael's older brother John, dealt with a bully who refused to stop. He broke VJ's arm, brought some friends to beat up both Michael and VJ, and later tried to stab Michael. John declared, “He needed killing,” and came to help Michael and VJ. They both learned a hard lesson they would never forget. That lesson pushed them, years later, to form the law firm called Extreme Arbitration.
Novella - 20,400 words