Viking by Daniel Hardman

Author:Daniel Hardman [Hardman, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Science Fiction, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 1481268899
Publisher: Sivanea
Published: 2012-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

27

Julie licked her lips and pressed the key that would complete her call to FBI headquarters. After another conversation with Dr. Satler last night, she’d decided to call, but that didn’t make the approach any easier. She had lain awake till morning rehearsing what she would say, and dark circles under her clear blue eyes testified to the sleep she’d sacrificed.

At times her little speech had seemed pretty convincing to her own ear, but now she admitted that getting any reaction at all was a long shot. After all, why would anybody at the FBI be motivated to lift a finger for a convicted killer of one of their own?

The phone sounded a soft alert to signal a connection, and the screen lit up with the pleasant face of a young receptionist. Julie could see a busy office and potted plants over her shoulder.

“Federal bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles field office. May I help you?”

“Hi. My name’s Julie Orosco. I’m trying to get in touch with Ray Gregory. Does he work out of your office?”

The receptionist typed rapidly and studied a display off-screen. “Agent Gregory has actually been transferred, but I have his new office number. Would you like me to connect you?”

“Yes, thanks.” The screen went blank, and Julie waited anxiously. She was pretty sure Gregory would hear her out; he’d come across as a straight shooter during their one conversation months before, and during his testimony at the trial. At least he’d answer when he saw her ID on his phone. He’d remember the name.

But thirty seconds later she was leaving a message, feeling an empty sensation of anti-climax. She floundered through, wondering if she should elaborate, hoping everything would not sound as implausible on playback as it did in her own ears. As she was signing off the receptionist came back online.

“I’m sorry. I saw you had to leave a message. His calendar doesn’t show any specific appointments, so I can’t guess when he’ll be back. If this is a business call I may be able to reach him by satellite.”

It was a polite feeler. Julie wondered briefly how the woman defined “business call”. She wanted to talk about a crime. Did that count—or was business only related to an agent’s current cases?

“Maybe you can help me find the right person to talk to.” The receptionist raised her eyebrows attentively, so Julie pressed on. “Agent Gregory knows me in connection with a case he investigated a few months ago. I wanted to ask him for some advice about looking into...well, into another crime.” It sounded pretty lame. Was she coming across as a melodramatic housewife?

The receptionist’s manicured fingers tapped briefly on her desktop as she considered. “Do you want to report something, or discuss an ongoing investigation?”

“Report, I guess.” Julie could almost see wheels turning behind the tolerant smile—the receptionist probably had lots of experience with neurotic victims of the neighborhood purse snatcher—so she pressed on quickly. “It’s about criminal negligence or manslaughter on a viking mission.”

The smile became more businesslike.

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