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are expected to premier a playable demo of Living Land . You have around one hundred and twenty days of operating capital left at current staffing levels. You desperately need an infusion of cash and enough time to replace most of your current staff. No, I haven’t stolen your bank statements or hacked your network. It’s just basic business management and a calendar.”
    I sat back. She was right, and she knew it. I took a calming breath and said, “This is the part where I find out what your terms are. But first, I have to ask—what’s the salary range for a house assassin, and how does one get a job like that?”
    “A doctorate from Harvard law is a good foundation. However, I don’t often get my hands dirty anymore. My employer prefers to do her own wetwork when it’s needed. I don’t know about salary, but I’m quite comfortable.” Geneva set another folder on the table. “You will find our terms quite generous. Thirty million to yourself, twenty million to fund the project I mentioned. You will be able to hire from a pool of available and interested Llewellyn employees, allowing you to clear the deadwood out of your staff.”
    “You have some delightful bait,” I said. “What’s the hook?”
    “Llewellyn will not fund or support development of Living Land , and Llewellyn personnel will not work on it. Any additional development would have to be funded and staffed out of your pocket, preferably at a separate site.”
    That was not what I’d expected. I got up and paced the office half a dozen times. Geneva said nothing. It wasn’t that I objected to the idea; in fact, it had a measure of appeal. Still…I sat back down and asked, “What project do you want me to work on?”
    Geneva grimaced. “I’m not allowed to get into the details unless you sign around a dozen proprietary information forms. I can tell you it’s a resource management game on a scale never before attempted by the entertainment industry. I have no other information to impart, so I believe my business here is finished.” She stood up, leaving the paperwork on the table.
    I said, “I’ll look it over, but I have to say I’m not convinced. I did a lot of research on Llewellyn Industries after speaking with Josephine. The organization has an almost cult-like reputation. A family-only city called Gilead outside Vancouver, mandatory homeschool education, and seeming lifetime employment for family members. A private medical facility just for family members. A code of silence that would do organized crime proud. I’m sorry, but it all seems a little too Jonestown for my taste.”
    Geneva gave me a genuine smile. “Do you want to know why we chose you for this offer?”
    “Yes.”
    “Because you will be able to handle the truth. That truth is nothing illegal, improper, unethical, or repugnant to the morals of an average person, but revealing it to the public would endanger the family. The company’s assessment concluded you would be able to keep that secret even if you decline this offer. In short, Josephine believes she can trust you.” She picked up her bags and added, “You have time to make your decision. I urge you to consider the offer. Josephine will be available to answer any other questions you might have.”
    “I’ll consider it.” I walked her back to the lobby and returned her Glock. A black Escalade limousine with the Llewellyn Industries logo was waiting for her at the curb. I watched her drive off and went back to my office.
     

 
Chapter Two
    Family Planning
     
    I didn’t even get back to my office before the next calamity whacked me on the head and dragged me into a dark alley.
    Syndee—yes, her parents named her that—our system admin, caught up with me and said, “No one can access the development environment. Someone changed the password on the admin account, deleted all the back doors, and locked out all the other accounts, including mine. It had to be someone in the information security group.