Deep Storm Read Online Free PDF

be amused at how pale his skin was. Clearly, this was a fellow who spent most of his time in front of a computer.
     
    You got my message, Lindengood said as the man approached.
     
    Whats this about?
     
    I think wed be more comfortable in my car, Lindengood replied.
     
    The man stood still a moment, then shrugged and slipped into the passenger seat.
     
    Lindengood walked around the front of the car and got in behind the wheel, careful to leave the door wide open. He kept the air hose in his hand, playing with it idly. The man wasnt going to try anything, not here besides, he hardly looked the physical type but on the off chance he did, Lindengood could use the air hose as a blackjack. Yet once again he reminded himself that wouldnt be necessary: hed transact his bit of business and then vanish. Wallace didnt know where he lived, and Lindengood sure as hell wasnt about to tell him.
     
    Youve been paid, and paid well, Wallace said in his quiet voice. Your part of the job is finished.
     
    I know that, Lindengood replied, careful to keep his own voice firm and confident. Its just that, now that I know a little more about your, um, operation, Im beginning to think I was underpaid.
     
    You dont know anything about any operation.
     
    I know that its far from kosher. Look, Im the one who found you, remember?
     
    Wallace didnt answer. He simply stared back, his expression neutral, almost placid. Outside, the air compressor chuffed, then chimed, as it maintained pressure.
     
    See, I was one of the last of the crew to leave Storm King, Lindengood went on. It happened a week after wed finished our little business, and Id fed you the last of the data. All these government types, all these scientists, began swarming over the place. And I got to thinking. Something huge, really huge, was taking place. It was a lot bigger than Id ever thought. So just the fact you were interested in what I had to sell meant your people must have resourcesand deep pockets.
     
    Whats your point? Wallace said.
     
    Lindengood licked his lips. My point is certain officials would be very, very eager to learn of your interest in Storm King.
     
    Are you threatening us? Wallace asked. His quiet voice had gone silky.
     
    I dont want to use that word. Lets say Im trying to redress an imbalance. Clearly my original fee wasnt nearly enough. Hey, Im the guy who first discovered the readings, reported the anomaly. Doesnt that count for anything? And I passed the information on to you: all the readouts, the triangulation data, the telemetry from the deep-sea probe. Everything. And Im the only one who could have done it I made the connection, saw the data. No one else knows.
     
    No one else, Wallace repeated.
     
    Without me, your people wouldnt even have known about the project. You wouldnt have your own I presume? assets in place.
     
    Wallace took off his glasses, began polishing them on the tank top. How much were you thinking?
     
    I was thinking fifty thousand.
     
    And then youll go away for good. Is that it?
     
    Lindengood nodded. Youll never hear from me again.
     
    Wallace considered this for a moment, still polishing. Itll take me a day or two to get the money together. Well have to meet again.
     
    Two days is fine, Lindengood replied. We can meet here, the same
     
    Quick as a striking snake, Wallaces right fist shot out, index and middle knuckles extended, hammering Lindengood in the solar plexus. A crippling pain blossomed deep in his gut. Lindengood opened his mouth but no sound emerged. Involuntarily he bent forward, fighting to get his wind back, hands clutching his midriff. Now Wallaces right hand grabbed Lindengood by the hair and pulled him down onto the seat while brutally twisting his head around. Staring eyes wide with agony, Lindengood saw Wallace look first left, then right glasses forgotten checking that his actions were unobserved. Still holding Lindengood by the hair, he reached over to close the drivers door. As the man sat back