Before his conversation with McIntosh, Jack had seriously considered transferring. No matter what she said about her motivations, McIntosh had doubted his loyalty. After their talk, however, his worries had vanished. He hadn’t lied to her, or himself. He was feeling more settled at work than he had since returning from the desert, despite the impending decision from the DIC and minister. McIntosh had dangled the promotion to Field Leader in front of him again, this time stipulated on whether he had a job after the handing down of the initial judgement. Field Leader would give him more control over where and how he worked. And right then, control over his own destiny seemed like a very good thing.
“No.” But because the idea of options in the future appealed right then, he added, “At least, not now. Ask me again later. If I still have a job here, that is.”
Tan nodded sagely. “Why did you turn down my offer of a position with ETA when you first joined us?”
Jack considered fobbing him off once again, but decided to tell the truth. If he ever did end up working for Tan, he needed this to be clear from the start.
“I won’t go back to India, sir.”
With his heritage, his knowledge, there was no way Tan would have ever not sent him there. Seven years ago, fresh from the nightmare of Jharkhand, he would have killed anyone who tried to send him back. Now, his feelings weren’t quite so desperate, but had settled into a deep-seated need to never return.
As if reading those thoughts in Jack’s eyes, Tan was silent for a moment, then nodded. “I understand. I have my fingers crossed the DIC and minister will make the right decision regarding your future with us. You may go, Mr. Reardon.”
“Thank you, sir.” Jack stood. “One more thing.”
Tan waved at him to continue.
“Should Blade ever contact me again, how do you want me to play it?”
McIntosh had washed her hands of the whole concept, leaving it solely in Tan’s hands.
“Well, Mr. Reardon, whether or not he’s Ethan Blade, he’s a remarkable individual, and it would only benefit us to keep him on side. If he contacts you, I suggest you do whatever is required to keep him happy.” He smiled that lion’s smile again. “Within reason.”
Jack snorted. “Whose reason, sir? Yours, mine, or his?”
Tan just laughed and sent him on his way.
Day nine saw Director In Charge Lund and Minister Simmons hand down their initial judgement on Jack’s conduct during the whole disastrous affair.
That night, Jack went home a Field Leader. He took a long, hot shower, then fell into his own bed and slept for ten hours.
When he woke up, it was to the scent of strongly brewed tea.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading L.J. Hayward’s Where Death Meets the Devil!
We know your time is precious and you have many, many entertainment options, so it means a lot that you’ve chosen to spend your time reading. We really hope you enjoyed it.
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I only have a couple of folks to thank here, but it is heartfelt. Firstly, Catriona F, for all the support and advice. The story may have changed a lot since you read it, but everything you said helped me move forward and end up here. Secondly, Jenny Blackford, for listening to my neurotic ramblings and always having the right response. Lastly, the team at Riptide and especially my awesome editor, May Peterson. Massive thanks for all your patience and expertise. Yay, we made it!
The Night Call series
Blood Work (Book One)
Demon Dei (Book Two)
Here Be Dragons (A Night Call Story)
Rock Paper Sorcery (Book Three)
L.J. Hayward has been telling stories for most of her life. Granted, a good deal of them have been of the tall variety, but who’s counting? Parents and teachers notwithstanding, of course. These days, the vast majority of her storytelling has been in an honest attempt to create fun and exciting ways of entertaining others (and making money).
As such, she is still a mad (always provoked!) scientist in a dungeon laboratory (it has no windows—seriously, the zombie apocalypse could be going on outside and she’d have nary a clue) who, on the rare occasions she emerges into the light, does so under extreme protest and with the potential hazard of bursting into flames under the southeast Queensland sun.
Visit L.J. at her website, ljhayward.com; at her blog, l-j-hayward.livejournal.com; on Twitter, @ljhayward; or on Goodreads, goodreads.com/L.J.Hayward.
Enjoy more stories like Where Death Meets the Devil at RiptidePublishing.com!
Stranded
www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/stranded
Catch a Ghost
www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/catch-ghost-hell-or-high-water-1
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