She nods her head.

“Good.” In the time it takes him to climb out of the car, he shakes the venomous residue of his outburst completely out of his system. The mark of a pro. “Let’s go inside,” he suggests jovially. “The Shaws probably will ask us to dinner. I can personally attest to the mouthwatering experience that would be.”

Sarah gets out of the car. They lock up the shed and, together, head for the house.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

“Finding out what you wanted to know was childishly easy,” Sarah says into the vidphone, “I almost feel you’re entitled to a partial refund.”

“Apply it toward the next aspect of your assignment,” says her employer. “We’re no longer thinking in terms of contingencies. We have a specific use for T.K. Mann. I want you to continue to see him. Tell him you’re expanding your article into a six part series. Gain his confidence. His intimate confidence. I don’t believe I need go into explicit detail.”

“Not so long as you keep sending money.”

The senator laughs. “You’re an unprincipled bitch, Sarah.”

“In my business, that’s what it takes to survive.”

“We have a great deal in common, my dear, a great deal indeed.” Chuckling, he breaks the connection.

5

KILLERBOWL XXI, THE GAME

Saturday, January 1, 2011, 12:55 A.M.

The Prospectors take the kickoff deep on Myrtle.

The Minutemen, bolstered by an advantage in manpower, smother the return at Grove.

For his first call of the game, T.K. puts Frazier on the line at right tackle to compensate for the loss of Minick and Healy. T.K. sends Howe in motion to the right. He gives to Clausen, who swings around right end. The Minutemen smear Clausen for no gain.

On his way to the huddle, T.K. notes the defense. A standard 5-4-2. Matision has shifted himself to free safety, and is juking the line. Bumbo Johnson, back in the middle linebacker slot, swings his short club menacingly. Just at the sight of that club, T.K.’s kidneys start to throb.

The situation calls for a stall. A team can operate moderately well down one man. Not down two. The Prospectors need to buy some time to give Healy a chance to recover. To do that, the ball carrier has to shake his pursuit and stay out of sight for as long as possible. Naturally, he has to keep moving forward or the referees will call a deliberate stalling penalty. He needn’t move forward very fast.

The Prospectors huddle up.