Jack reached the stage and walked up the handful of stairs and into the open arms of Harley, who hugged him politely and then shared a peck on the cheek. Jack broke the embrace and walked to the lectern. He searched his pocket for his notes and then thought better of it; he knew what he wanted to say.
He smiled, then leaned in close to the microphone on the lectern. “It’s a pleasure to accept this award and be recognized by the prize board for the second time in my career.”
More polite applause broke out from the room, and Jack was forced to wait while it dissipated. “I believe the stories I wrote about the Foundation were the most important of my career, because of the threat they posed to our freedom.
“Unfortunately, the story won’t bring back some good people. Erin Emery, Ernest McDowell, Admiral Carl McCulloch, and lots of others. I’d like to dedicate this prize to their memory.”
He backed away for a second, and felt a tear welling up in his eye. He smiled awkwardly and Harley placed a reassuring hand on his back. “Just take your time, Jack. The stage is yours for as long as you want it.”
‘Thanks.” He stepped forward to the lectern again. “The last thing I want to say is that, more than anything, the last few months have shown me that we need to be vigilant. The people in this room are the last line.”
Jack nodded and held up his hand, as long and sincere applause broke out around the room. The short speech felt entirely appropriate, and was about all Jack could give. He’d said more in private to those who were closest to him. It would do. He left the stage with a smile and returned to his seat.
“Nice job.” Celeste leaned in to kiss him on the cheek as he sat. “Nice words.”
‘Thanks.” He looked at the trophy: a solid glass paperweight, engraved with his name. “Something else to gather dust on the shelf.”
She laughed. “Such a burden to be a success.”
“You’ll have to win one next year and start catching up. I think I’ll be stuck on two for a bit.”
The others at his table—Josefa, Peter Weston, Sarah McDowell, Simon Hickens—all laughed at that thought. While the crushing tentacles of Michelle Dominique’s control over EMCorp had receded, there was still a lot of damage for the new management of the company to fix.
Peter Weston had taken control of the board at the behest of Sarah McDowell, and had set about purging the company of Marles and the others who’d made their way in during the period of Foundation rule. The editors had control of content again and things were slowly getting back to normal.
“Want your job back now your price has just doubled, Jack?” Peter laughed. “I might get in trouble from the boss, but she did put me in charge.”
Jack looked at Sarah, who flushed red and looked down at her wine glass. “Pretty sure you’re doing better than the last person I chose, Peter.”
Jack had to feel for her. While none of it was her fault, she’d put the woman who had murdered her father in charge of his company. Though Sarah had been expertly buttered up, it wouldn’t be the finest hour when she got around to her memoirs in sixty years or so.
After Dominique’s body had been found, the FBI had continued to scoop up the Foundation’s entire network, the newly elected members of Congress among them. China, smarting from its losses and barely holding on to control, had accepted US overtures of peace after an apology from President Kurzon. The peace was holding.
Jack raised his glass of Coke. “A toast, everyone? To Ernest, Erin and all the others lost.”
The others raised their glass into the air. Josefa broke the silence that followed. “You’ve got a job waiting for you at the Standard if you want one, Jack.”
“No thanks, Jo. I’m starting something new.”
Click here to continue Jack’s journey in State of Emergency (Jack Emery 2)
State of Emergency (Jack Emery 2)
What is the true cost of security?
Amid a wave of unprecedented terrorist attacks on American soil, a panicked and inexperienced president declares a state of emergency and hands over control of the country to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The quiet and unassuming Administrator Hall soon becomes the most powerful man in America. Determined to stop the attacks, Hall enforces his order across the US, using a newly empowered State Guard to deal with anyone who gets in his way.
As totalitarianism descends across the country, battle-weary reporter Jack Emery is faced with a terrifying new reality when friends, colleagues, and sources are imprisoned before his eyes. Among weekly terrorist attacks, FEMA atrocities, and the clamp tightening on every element of society, Jack becomes one of the few able to stop the madness.
This time though, he’s on the wrong side of the law and fighting the very government he’s trying to save.
Click here to continue Jack’s journey in State of Emergency (Jack Emery 2)
Steve P. Vincent’s Mailing List
Sign-up to Steve’s mailing list for news, new releases and special offers. It’s never spammy and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Just visit: bit.ly/2swOcaI
Acknowledgments
This book wouldn’t have happened without the love and support of my wife, Vanessa Pratt. She’s my love, my inspiration and a star. She shines plenty of light on me. I also need to mention Bear Gills II, our other family member, who stared at me agog while I wrote most of the book.
Deep thanks to manuscript tradespeople: Gerard Burg, PD Martin, Dr Kirstie Barry, Christopher Nelson, Andrew McLaughlin, Raya Klinbail, Andi Kenrick and the 2012 WV alumni. Your friendship is wonderful and your help is a bonus.
The Momentum crew are great. My thanks to Joel Naoum, who steered the ship, Tara Goedjen and Kylie Mason, who made it a lot sleeker, XOU Creative, who gave it a shiny paint job, and Mark Harding and Patrick Lenton, who showed it off. I hope you’re all proud of the book and I look forward to working with you all again.
Haylee Nash at Pan Macmillan has been the Yoda to my Luke, there for all of the stupid questions (of which there were many) and to teach me the way of the force. You’re wonderful and I hope to also work with you again soon.
I’m lucky to have a loving and supportive family. Love to Lyn, Paul, Darryn, Fiona, Warwick and little Victoria. I’ve also got the best in-laws in town – Stephen, Maree, Ashley and Lyndon. Firmly in the family column also belong James, Kylie, Andrew, Kristy, Megan, Dr James, Tenisha and Simon.
Slightly indulgent dip of my lid to Jane Milton, who has my deepest thanks, to Lesley Morath, the first person to tell me I could be a writer, and to the army of extended family, friends and colleagues who have supported and encouraged me along the way.
A final nod to you, the reader. It means a lot that you choose to spend your spare time with Jack.
About the Author
Steve P. Vincent lives with his wife in Melbourne, Australia, where he’s forced to write on the couch in front of an obnoxiously large television.
When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys beer, whisky, sports and dreaming up ever more elaborate conspiracy theories to write about. Oh, and travel.
Steve has a degree in Political Science and History, with a thesis on global terrorism. He’s received instruction from the FBI and the Australian Army.
You can contact Steve at all the usual places:
stevepvincent.com
[email protected]
First published by Momentum in 2014
This edition published in 2017 by Steve P. Vincent
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the publisher.
A CIP record for this book is available at the Nation
al Library of Australia
The Foundation
Cover design by XOU Creative
Edited by Kylie Mason
Proofread by Hayley Crandell
[Jack Emery 01.0] The Foundation Page 28
