Thanks for stopping by to check out an excerpt of In the Interest of Security! This story features Lorine and Jim, characters readers meet during the edgy, urban fantasy Shadows of Justice novels.
The year is 2096 and retired soldier Jim Corvin is content with the challenge of heading up security for Chicago’s notorious smuggler, Slick Micky. But when he’s unexpectedly tasked with protecting the young son of a beautiful scientist, will his expertise be enough to shield mother and child as well as his battered heart?
Prologue
Chicago 2092, Office of National Health Chairman Dr. Leo Kristoff
“Senator, I appreciate these new penalties for smugglers. We cannot allow this contraband to continue to flow unchecked.” Dr. Kristoff took a long sip of his coffee while the senator rambled on through the speaker phone. “Yes, sir. It is most certainly a direct assault on the public and our core values as a society. Publishing the results of our latest studies combined with these updated caffeine awareness campaigns should stem the tide of the illegal trafficking among casual users.”
When the call ended, he waved Captain Derrick Simmons into his office eager to get to more important matters. “Good morning. How’s your fiancé?”
Simmons gazed through the wide window that overlooked the lab and smiled fondly at Lorine. “The hot chocolate was a great idea.”
“Of course, son. Little kindnesses impress women.” Kristoff checked his watch. He’d introduced the two of them, knowing Simmons was the ideal match for his niece. Their recent engagement meant he could move forward with the next stage of his plans. “You have the field report?”
“Sir.” Simmons came to attention. “The supplement is improving stamina and reflexes as well as faster run times over increasing distances. Generally, the ‘juice’ is delivering everything you promised: a more obedient and lethal soldier. The Army is pleased.”
“Generally?”
Captain Simmons placed a disc on the desk and activated the hologram. “Nine out of ten soldiers are showing the predicted results.”
Kristoff watched the holographic soldiers rush forward with snappy salutes, eager for the next order. “Ten percent failure rate isn’t acceptable.” He was already considering adjustments to the formula.
“Not precisely a failure rate, sir.” The hologram shivered and a new image appeared. “This soldier has super reflexes, and he hasn’t lost a hand-to-hand or battle drill in over a year. He has an uncanny ability to anticipate his opponent.”
“Interesting. See that he gets back into the field immediately and keep me informed.”
“Yes, sir. Though he seems less inclined to blind obedience.”
“Ninety percent gives us enough simple cattle.” Kristoff glared at the tiny representation of the odd soldier. There was potential here, he could feel it. “Ten percent are like this one?”
“No, sir. It seems ten percent are variables. Some of these x-factors you might find favorable.”
Kristoff appreciated the young officer’s ability to see the big picture. It was part of the reason he’d brought him into his inner circle, providing him boosters of ‘nutritional supplements’ unavailable to the general military. In his years of genetic research and public service guiding policy as the Health Chairman, he’d found an open mind a most important asset when it came to advancing the human race in the right direction.
Checking his watch once more, he walked over to the window overlooking the lab. Lorine was slumped at her station, her head pillowed on her hands. The sedative he’d told Simmons to put in her hot chocolate had done the trick.
“Good work, son. Take her to the operating room.”
* * *
Ready for the whole story? You can pick up this Christmas novella from the Shadows of Justice series indvidually or as part of the Heroes for the Holidays collection!
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