Skywatcher by Winona Kent

Author:Winona Kent
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626818866
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2015-06-30T16:00:00+00:00

“Do I take it, then,” the Shirda said, “that we are in business?”

“You do,” Ian replied.

It had been an extremely civilized meeting, conducted in the privacy of Hamelin’s office, a rather mundane, functional sort of place that reminded Ian of government bureaus and doctors’ consulting rooms. Throughout the meeting, two gentlemen in three-piece suits had stood sentry by the door, more resembling CIA men guarding the president of the United States than financial advisers to Dehra Dun, which was how they had been introduced by Hamelin.

“We’ll begin the campaign next week, then. I’ll expect to see some copy by—Tuesday?”

“I’ll have it couriered down,” Ian said.

“I’d really rather you stay here until I give my approval,” the Shirda replied, with a persuasiveness Ian couldn’t ignore.

He considered the man’s request. A safety measure on his part? All right. He’d simply have to write the copy himself and try to present it in as attractive a way as possible, utilizing the materials at hand. There had to be a typewriter somewhere on the premises; a word processor was too much to hope for. And an extra couple of days in Dehra Dun wasn’t going to make life terribly miserable for him—although Jennifer was probably by now climbing the condominium walls. He’d give her a call later.

“My understanding,” he said, pressing his fingertips together, “is that all of this is still somewhat tentative. You’re waiting for final authorization from somebody?”

Hamelin smiled. His eyes were like ball bearings. They saw right through you.

“I’m awaiting the arrival of certain crucial items of information,” he said, “without which the project cannot proceed.”

“And if this information is not in your possession by the weekend?”

“It will be,” Hamelin said, with confidence.

Ian nodded. A fair amount of tact was required in dealing with this fellow. One needed to know when to speak and when to remain diplomatically silent. He supposed that was why Hamelin had requested him for this particular job: his business sense was impeccable.

“What name have you chosen now that you’ve decided to join our little community?” Hamelin was walking with him to the door. The two high-financiers stepped aside.

“Oran,” Ian answered, pausing in the doorway. He turned to face his benefactor. “I do have one more question.”

The Shirda waited patiently, a bland, self-effacing, totally deceptive smile still on his lips.

“This campaign I’ve been hired by you to coordinate—it involves a series of broadcasts over existing satellite TV and radio systems.”

“That is correct.”

“And you want me to write your speeches for you. Put words in your mouth. Produce copy for other members of your group to read.”

“Have we not already discussed this, Oran?”

“We have,” Ian said, treading carefully. “I’m still a little unclear on one point, though. I’m a writer—but so are you. You made a living at it for years. Why do you need to hire me? Why don’t you simply do it yourself?”

The Shirda’s thin-lipped smile neither faded nor grew. “Aside from priorities—I’m much too busy to concern myself with rhetoric at this point—there is a practical consideration.

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