NorthWest (John Hazard - Book II) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the barrister asked him, “What’ll it be sir?”
    “I’ll have a regular coffee with an extra shot.”
    John was crazy about that extra shot, it was like a nitrous power boost on a race car for him, and it was just what he needed to get the party started this early in the morning. He pulled a couple of bucks from his pocket and paid for the coffee, then threw the change in the tip cup. He couldn’t afford to be more generous at the moment, and he honestly didn’t see why someone pouring him an outrageously expensive cup of coffee needed more than that anyway.
    He picked up his coffee and headed out the door. As he was adjusting the sleeve that had been placed on the cup to keep him from burning his hands, he nearly ran down a woman on her way in who was clearly not paying attention  any more than he was.
    “Excuse me,” she said smiling at him.
    “No worries.” He didn’t stop as he continued down the sidewalk, but he did look to see if the rearview matched the front, since she was kind of attractive. He continued across the street and onto the campus grounds, heading over to the faculty building where the interviews had been previously held. There had been several others who had been considered to shoot the video for this excursion but either did not make the grade, or didn’t want to ‘intern’ on the project, or maybe they just weren’t available for the two week period that it required.
    He didn’t know why but today he had a good feeling about the outcome of the interview. Maybe he was developing a sixth sense, maybe that part of his brain was beginning to wake up to extrasensory input. Whatever it was, since he had begun this class on Paranormal Investigation, it seemed his senses had sharpened and his ability to feel a situation, good or bad, had been improved to a much higher degree.
    By the time he arrived at room 224, he had finished his coffee. Everyone else was already seated around a conference table and waiting for Ms. Emily Sparks. Dr. Renner had asked the core of the team to attend to get a feel for Emily. They were not there to simply qualify her résumé and skills as a videographer, but to judge whether or not she would be a good member of the team. The low rumble of chit-chat stopped when he entered the room and everyone sat looking at him.
    “Good morning. How’s everybody today?” John addressed the group including Dr. Renner, Rajesh, or Raj, as he preferred to be called, and Sherri. Heads nodded and affirmations were grumbled.
    “Shit, were we supposed to bring something to take notes with?” He noticed that the three of them had a pad and pen sitting on the table in front of them.
    “No, John,” Macy said reaching into a bag sitting on the floor. “I brought writing materials for everyone. Have a seat.” As John sat at his place at the table, Macy began instructing the group on her protocol for this interview.
    “Previously I’ve interviewed applicants for this very important position on our team in the privacy of my office. The interviews were conducted in a professional manner – a standard question and answer session. Now, I’m not so sure that it was the best way to operate, so today we are going to conduct an experiment as a part of this interview.”
    She reached her hands up to her head and touched her temples with the tips of her fingers. “In this format, I want each of you to relax and allow yourselves to feel the answers as opposed to just listening to them.” She closed her eyes as if concentrating on the vibrations in the room, then opened them again suddenly.
    “Are we allowed to ask any questions?” Raj inquired as he scratched his head through his mop of black hair.
    “I was just about to say that questions are not limited to the standard talk about job experience, where the interviewee sees herself in five years, or what does she think she can contribute to our project.”
    She pushed her glasses up with her middle finger. “I want you to ask any