Every morning, I remind myself to stop for WD-40 on my way home. Every evening, I forget, only to be reminded the next morning when the grating sound of metal-on-metal shocks my system as my garage door springs to life. This morning is no different.
It’s 6:15 a.m., and I am properly caffeinated. I again remind myself to stop at the hardware store on my way home. But this time, I set a reminder on my phone – progress.
I press the unlock button on the key fob for my SUV. I hear the familiar beep and the clunk as my locks disengage. The taillights and headlights flash in unison. The shrill sound of my garage door dies a silent, merciful death.
I am widowed. Five years ago, my wife also died a silent, merciful death. Cancer. Gone in a whisper. I was her protector. She trusted me. She counted on me. I failed her.
The engine roars, and I back out of my garage.
Just another typical day. Had I only known.
Two hours later, my right foot on the gas pedal is trembling from the stress of my daily 6:30 a.m. ass-beating of a workout.
Jerry Rafferty is singing about a man dreaming of “giving up the booze and the one-night stands.” I’m not winding my way down on Baker Street, but my own streets—the streets of my home city of Houston, TX.
Just another typical drive. Had I only known.
I park in my usual spot, grab my laptop bag, take the elevator, greet the receptionist, and sit at my desk. My typical routine.
I am a lawyer. Though not yet forty years old, I’m at the apex of my career. My sole responsibility is to protect my clients, and I am very good at it. But, I’m not just a protector – I’m an Apex Protector. At least, I am now.
I sign onto my 9:00 a.m. Zoom call with my largest client, a multi-billion-dollar software firm. A client who has trusted me since I hung a shingle for the Law Offices of Ryan B. Wolfe thirteen years ago, with a little more than $5,000 in the bank. Even though I have moved to a bigger firm, sit in a bigger office, in a bigger building, they still trust me. They are loyal to me, and I am loyal to them. I am their Apex Protector.
I feverishly take notes and ask the appropriate questions. My clients are angry. They should be. A competitor has stolen their software code, costing them billions in contracts. This is a big case. That’s nothing new. I only handle big cases.
I close the call and hand off their file to the appropriate staff for processing.
Just another typical case. Had I only known.
In the coming weeks, swords will be drawn. The sharp sounds of steel-on-steel. I hope for a clean fight. But considering the law firm I will be facing, I know that if my sword remains clean, I will lose this fight. Blood will be spilled. I must protect my client. I am their Apex Protector. They trust me. They are counting on me. I fail them.
Four years from today, when the cacophony of bullets rings out over the desert floor below, there will be no denying that today is the last typical day of my life.
Four years from today, men I love will be under siege. They are my friends. I must protect them.
Four years from today, I will cross the line from Apex Protector to Apex Predator.
Had I only known.
RECOIL OF JUSTICE – A “Ryan Wolfe” Thriller, Book 1
Genre: Heist Thriller
Release: June 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link
With dwindling evidence and engulfed in the most significant case of his career against the most powerful law firm in the United States, Ryan Wolfe is at the end of his legal rope.
From author Brad Elder, Recoil of Justice is a true David vs. Goliath tale. Houston attorney Ryan Wolfe’s oldest client, Baron Tech, has developed the world’s most secure data-sharing and storage software utilizing the most advanced artificial intelligence and computing technology available. Stored on the seventh level of the dark web, the software is completely invisible to the outside world—invisible until their largest competitor, Bidwell Technology, steals it.
Using cunning deceit and unethical legal tactics, Bidwell’s team of ruthless lawyers are on the precipice of victory. With hope all but lost, the tides turn when a call from an unsuspecting source turns everything Ryan thinks he knows about the case on its axis.
Then, in a dramatic turn of events, everything comes crashing down when Ryan discovers the real culprit behind the stolen software and their sinister plan.
Out of legal remedies, with no other options, Ryan turns to his closes allies and launches a desperate plot to thwart the murderous plan. Finding themselves pitted against the most dangerous criminals in the world, in the thrilling showdown, Ryan must decide if he is a lawyer whose hands are tied… or if he is willing to deliver the Recoil of Justice.
Meet the author
Brad Elder is a best-selling author and a licensed attorney in the state of Texas. He is an avid golfer (read: mediocre) and enjoys playing racquetball, hunting, fishing, and a beer or two (not all at the same time).
Brad’s life goals are to be favored by God, be a great father and husband, write a few interesting novels, and be a damn fine cart partner.
Brad spends his days in Lubbock, TX, with his wife, Ashton, and two children, Lauren, 22, and Jake, 12. Their golden doodles, Chili and Frito, are usually hanging around, too.
Follow Brad on Facebook @Brad Elder Novels, Instagram @brad.elder.novels, or visit his website at www.bradeldernovels.com.