Orpheus: Homecoming (The Orpheus Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

"Whaaaat? You mean that half-assed bombing didn't do the trick? They don't want to risk aerosolizing the virus and ending the world again?"
    German shrugged. "My orders don't include having an opinion on that."
    "I bet."
    Tino picked up. “We were sent here to gauge you. See what you're about.”
    “Meaning?”
    “Our boss wanted to make sure you're not just rep, that you didn't become some sort of legend based on nothing more than a slick public relations campaign.” German said. “I can confidently report that's not the case.”
    Tino nodded emphatically.
    “I appreciate the vote of confidence. Let's just cut to the chase. The answer's no.”
    “Come on, Holt,” Tino started, and was met with a cold look. “Mr. Holt. We haven't even asked you the question yet. You don't know what they're offering you. You don't even know who's asking.”
    Holt wiped his mouth with a napkin and tossed it down on the table in preparation to leave. “In order. You want me to run, or appear to run, whatever op you're planning. I'm now pretty flush with cash, so the offer won't impress me. And I don't give a flying fuck who's asking, because, whoever it is from the President on down, I don't owe them an audience. Look, you boys seem okay, and I realize you're just doing your job, but forget it. I'm done with that place. I respectfully decline.”
    “Will you at least speak to the Colonel? I can call him right now.” Tino almost sounded like he was pleading.
    “You don't want me to have to answer a second time.” He stood up and slid the gun and magazine across the table. He put his earbuds in and said, “Thanks for the drink. Now get the fuck out of my town.” He walked away, this time heading for home, trusting that his point had been made.
    German pulled a five out and dropped it on the table. He sighed and dialed his cell phone. “Ralston's not going to be happy.”
    Tino rubbed the back of his head and said, “Suddenly, Ralston doesn't seem as scary anymore.”
     

Unwelcome Invitation
     
     
    It was a great day.
    For the first time in recent memory, Holt was able to cross his street and get the mail by himself. No questions, no photos, not even any neighbors in their yards … nothing. He could almost hear Martin Trager's supremely smug voice saying, I told you so. Storm over. Damn, I'm good.
    He stood in front of the mailbox and just enjoyed the silence from all things unnatural. A glance at the street in either direction revealed no approaching cars. No pedestrians. No human life of any kind.
    No, he had this gorgeous July afternoon all to himself.
    He reached in the mailbox and pulled out a thick stack of assorted envelopes and ads. The bills (no longer a problem) had been replaced by more credit offers, the shopping circulars a mere annoyance, the pleadings from local politicians immediately passed over.
    It was looking every inch the perfect day, the kind of day that might make one forget about an upcoming anniversary, especially when that anniversary was better forgotten.
    The invitation brought it all back.
    It was a horrible day.
     
    O
     
    Jackie rolled over, not quite conscious, assuming that her arm would fall across her husband's sleeping body.
    It hit cold sheets, and her eyes popped open a moment later. She propped herself on one elbow and squinted around the room, which was softly illuminated by the overhead bathroom nightlight. “Cam?” No answer. “Cam?” she repeated, as she got her feet under her and slid into her slippers. She pushed open the door to the bathroom, which was unoccupied.
    Jackie opened the door to her son's room. Ethan and Rachel were fast asleep. The same was true for her parents.
    She felt a growing sense of unease as she headed to the first floor. “Cam? Where are you?” He wasn't in the living room or the kitchen. A peek into the driveway showed that his car was still there. All of the entry doors were locked from the inside.
    She heard a cry of pain and a shout of