Masks (Out of the Box Book 9) (43 page)

“I …” Byerly shook his head. “She’s too strong. Too crafty. She killed Nadine Griffin, I’m sure of it.” There was a wince as he said that, pain behind the eyes. “But I can’t prove a thing.”

Harmon watched him. He’d known what Scott Byerly was going to say, of course, before he even entered the room. Excuses were predictable in their way, after all. “I know,” he said with a sigh. “Here’s the good news for you … I’ve already laid the groundwork for getting you some help.”

Byerly looked up, the confusion showing. He just wasn’t that bright. “You … did?”

“Of course,” Harmon said lightly, with a smile. The appearances needed to be observed, after all. “I released Jamie Barton from federal custody, didn’t I? Time was, we would have thrown her right into the Cube and let her rot there forever.” He stood up. “But my constituency has been making some noise about this for a while, and never let it be said I’m not open to listening and changing my position.” He came around the desk and leaned against it. “And that’s where we’ll find your help.”

Byerly frowned at him. “I … I don’t understand. Where?”

“The Cube,” Harmon said. He was used to explaining things to people who didn’t understand. He’d gone into politics for much the same reason, like Prometheus, bringing fire to the humans. “I can think of about fifteen or so people in federal custody—people she put away, without much in the way of evidence, people languishing, some of them for years …” He smiled with relish as comprehension finally spread across the young Byerly’s face, “… people who are just dying to help you … with your Sienna Nealon problem.”

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Editorial/Literary Janitorial duties performed by Sarah Barbour and Jeffrey Bryan. Final proofing was handle by Jo Evans. Any errors you see in the text, however, are the result of me rejecting changes. Because I'm a special snowflake, obviously, and the rules of spelling and grammar mean fuck-all to me. I'm trying to tell a story here, people, don't let this petty bullshit get in my way. (I'm mostly joking about that.) Also, Jeff Bryan contributed the moniker, “Sleazy Snowman,” for Captain Frost, and that seems worthy of mention.

Thanks to Tianna Walters for the Staten Island local connection. Any errors you find can be attributed to me. Tianna took the Staten Island ferry and the subways all the way up to midtown to hang out with me in the Times Square Starbucks described in the book with pretty much no notice, and gave me a different perspective on New York City than the one I'd gotten as a tourist. Muchas gracias to her.

Alexa Medhus also gave this book a once-over and provided much-needed affirmation that I had crafted a fun villain with Nadine Griffin, so thanks to her for that. I considered changing Nadine's name to Alexa, but figured that might be a little too evil, even for me.

Once more, thanks to my parents, my kids and my wife, for helping me keep things together.

Defender: The Sanctuary Series, Volume One

Avenger: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Two

Champion: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Three

Crusader: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Four

Sanctuary Tales, Volume One - A Short Story Collection

Thy Father's Shadow: The Sanctuary Series, Volume 4.5

Master: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Five

Fated in Darkness: The Sanctuary Series, Volume 5.5

Warlord: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Six

Heretic: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Seven

Legend: The Sanctuary Series, Volume Eight* (Coming Soon!)

A Haven in Ash: Ashes of Luukessia Trilogy, Volume One (Coming Late 2016/Early 2017!)

Alone: The Girl in the Box, Book 1

Untouched: The Girl in the Box, Book 2

Soulless: The Girl in the Box, Book 3

Family: The Girl in the Box, Book 4

Omega: The Girl in the Box, Book 5

Broken: The Girl in the Box, Book 6

Enemies: The Girl in the Box, Book 7

Legacy: The Girl in the Box, Book 8

Destiny: The Girl in the Box, Book 9

Power: The Girl in the Box, Book 10

Limitless: Out of the Box, Book 1

In the Wind: Out of the Box, Book 2

Ruthless: Out of the Box, Book 3

Grounded: Out of the Box, Book 4

Tormented: Out of the Box, Book 5

Vengeful: Out of the Box, Book 6

Sea Change: Out of the Box, Book 7

Painkiller: Out of the Box, Book 8

Masks: Out of the Box, Book 9

Prisoners: Out of the Box, Book 10* (Coming October 11, 2016!)

Called: Southern Watch, Book 1

Depths: Southern Watch, Book 2

Corrupted: Southern Watch, Book 3

Unearthed: Southern Watch, Book 4

Legion: Southern Watch, Book 5

Starling: Southern Watch, Book 6* (Coming in Late 2016 – Tentatively)

*Forthcoming and subject to change