Adrian Flaherty stood on the porch.
His skin was pale, and he had bags under his bloodshot eyes. Barnes looked past him to see Joanna in the driver’s seat of the car parked at the curb, Amanda in the back.
“You all right?” Barnes said.
Flaherty nodded. He held out a fist, something clenched in it.
Barnes opened his palm.
Flaherty dropped Ricky’s watch and decoder ring into Barnes’s hand. “They were really his, weren’t they?”
Barnes nodded.
“What do I do now?” Flaherty said.
Barnes produced one of his Machine Anonymous business cards and handed it over. “I know I already gave you one, but . . . well, you were me at the time.”
Flaherty took it and read it.
Barnes rubbed a hand over his bald head. “Maybe we can start over together.”
Flaherty looked up. “No offense, but I think I’ll pick a different sponsor.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’d like to start by thanking my old yellow Labrador, Moose. He’s no longer with us, but for more than thirteen years he was my loyal companion and good friend. He was there when I started putting the proverbial pen to paper, always by my side, and always a willing chum for whatever antics I got into. When he was—ahem, when we were—young we used to wrestle and play like brothers. When he got old we would sit together and conspire. He carried me through lean years, taught me a thing or two about patience, and showed me what unconditional love looks like. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.
Of course, I’d like to thank my wife Nichole and my girls. There are hundreds of reasons why, but it comes down to the simple things. A smile. A hug. A home full of music and laughter.
I’d like to thank Jessica Tribble for always giving it to me straight. You were right about those chapters.
I’d like to thank Sarah Shaw, Ashley Vanicek, and my editors at Thomas & Mercer.
I’d like to thank the reviewers on Amazon and Goodreads who said nice things about Punishment, and even those who slammed it. Sorry, but I love you, too. I guess I’m supposed to say that writing my second book was super hard compared to the first, but I don’t feel that way. Writing novels is super hard in the same way raising kids or trying to be a good person is super hard. It’s just satisfying when you’re doing it right. Every moment of every day is a struggle as well as a new adventure, a reason to cry, a kick, a laugh. The highs are only as high as the lows are low. They require each other. That said, in regards to level of difficulty, I don’t really know first book from second book, only that I love to tell stories.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Scott J. Holliday was born and raised in Detroit. In addition to a lifelong love of books and reading, he has pursued a range of curiosities and interests, including glassblowing, boxing, and much more. He is the author of Punishment, the first book in his series featuring Detective John Barnes; Stonefly; and Normal, which earned him recognition in INKUBATE.com’s Literary Blockbuster Challenge. He loves to cook and create stories for his wife and two daughters. Visit him at www.scottjholliday.com.
Machine City: A Thriller (Detective Barnes Book 2) Page 26
