In Extremis
Page 22
“We understand your final product wasn’t up to your normal standards. Perhaps you’d like another opportunity…to make amends, and to properly earn your fee?” the deep voice suggested.
Mialkovsky hesitated again. “Do you have a time frame in mind?”
“Sooner would be better than later. We wouldn’t want your former client to make any more unfortunate mistakes…or say too much about his previous ones.”
Mialkovsky hesitated again for another three seconds as he made his decision. “Yes, I suppose I could change my travel plans and stay another day or two.”
“Excellent,” the deep voice responded. “We’ll be waiting to hear from you.”
Click.
“Uh, back to your hotel?” the taxi driver asked hesitantly after a long moment.
“No, I think I’ll try something at the other end of town. Take me to the Orpheus Hotel,” Mialkovsky replied casually. “I’ve always found a nice change of scenery to be refreshing.”
About the Author
A former deputy sheriff, CSI police forensic scientist, and crime lab director, Ken Goddard is currently the director of the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. Over the past thirty-nine years, Ken has taught CSI techniques to local, state, federal, and international law enforcement investigators, and is currently adapting police/wildlife CSI techniques to investigate damaged coral reefs. His previous novels includeBalefire, The Alchemist, Prey, Wildfire, Cheater, Double Blind, First Evidence, andOuter Perimeter. Ken and his wife live in Ashland, Oregon.