Still Alive

by Jessi Newborn

  ***

  “Director Grier speaking,” Grier spoke into his office phone.

  “We need to talk,” a voice announced curtly.

  “So talk,” Grier replied with a humorless chuckle.

  “Your little project that was supposed to disappear three years ago is still causing trouble,” the man declared grimly. “Are you going to finish what you started before we lose another major player in the game?”

  “It worked out better this way anyway,” Grier replied lightly. “In fact, I might even be a corpse right now had we succeeded. I’m inclined to see what else we can glean. She was obviously a much better alternative to the competition we had our money riding on.”

  “Unless she has total recall,” he disagreed sourly. “Who knows what kind of trail she’ll be able to follow back to us.”

  “Unless corpses can talk, she won’t be following any trails anywhere,” Grier said dryly. “You didn’t think I was going to leave any loose ends lying around after how much they botched up such a simple assignment, did you?”

  “Let’s just hope these particular corpses can’t talk,” he grunted. “So you just plan on leaving her alone in hopes that a few more golden nuggets fall out of her tree?”

  “Who said anything about leaving her alone?” Grier asked with another humorless chuckle. “Nothing speeds progress along like a little adversity.”

  “What did you have in mind?” he asked suspiciously.

  “You’ll see, soon enough,” Grier replied mysteriously. “Always good talking with you, Davis.”