SHIAM Conspiracy- Book 1 Read Free Page A

the well-toned body of a young man. His
lean, clean shaven face reflected a cruelty that was confirmed by
his cold dark eyes. Even the simple act of walking to the edge of
the desk to stand beside Grimrok was carried out in slow calculated
stalking motions. His short brown hair was neatly cut and combed.
The dark blue suit he wore, although off-the-rack, was impeccably
worn, without a trace of a wrinkle or crease or even a hint of
lint. Everything about him spoke ex-military, including the parade
rest stance he assumed next to Grimrok’s chair.
    Grimrok let his hand slowly fall to his side.
He studied Zak with a calculating smile.
    “Ah yes, of course,” the Dwarf said, his eyes
never leaving Zak. “Your mother’s maiden name. I’ve heard you and
your father had your differences. Pity, really. Your father was a
great Elf.” Grimrok’s brown eyes suddenly seemed more penetrating,
staring out from beneath those bushy brows as though they could
read every secret Zak possessed. “Of course, that does not change
your blood line, laddie.”
    “He’s right, Zak,” Vennhim said. “That fair
complexion of yours, along with those pointy ears, are a dead
giveaway. There’s no getting around the fact that you are Elf.”
    “Half Elf,” Zak said evenly. “I am sure you
didn’t bring me here to discuss my family history. I must admit
though, I am now even more confused as to why you called me here.
You hardly need my services if the Department is involved.”
    “Mr. Vennhim is no longer with ASID,” Grimrok
replied, motioning for Zak to take a seat. “He works for Grimrok
Corporation now, as head of security.”
    “What happened, Vennhim, did you finally
cross a line even the fanatics running black ops couldn’t ignore?”
Zak’s smile contained a hard edge. He remained standing.
    Vennhim chuckled, shaking his head. “Zak,
buddy, come on. There’s no need for hostility. Can’t we put the
past behind us? I regret what happened in Bh’ag Mur. It was
unfortunate, but I was only following orders.” His words were as
insincere as his laugh.
    “Gentlemen, please! I did not bring you two
together to reignite old grudges.” Grimrok gave them both a stern
look and then allowed his smile to return. “Please, Mr. Harris,
won’t you take a seat and we’ll get down to it.”
    Zak reluctantly took a seat in one of the two
chairs positioned in front of Grimrok’s desk. Vennhim remained
standing next to the Dwarf, his hands now stuffed in his pants
pockets in exaggerated casualness and an irritating grin smeared
across his face.
    “First of all, Mr. Harris, I’d like to thank
you for coming out in this atrocious weather.” Grimrok sat back in
his chair and quickly glanced up at Vennhim before locking his
attention back upon Zak. “The reason I asked you here today, Mr.
Harris, is...we have a situation . And I believe you are the
best solution to correct it.”
    Zak didn’t reply. He sat with his hands
folded on his lap and waited for the rest.
    “I need you to find something for me,”
Grimrok continued. “Something very valuable and very secret. Some technology was taken from this building three nights
ago. Whoever took it slipped through our security like water
through a tea bag! Mind you, our security is second to none and
that includes the Aragne government. So this was no small task they
accomplished!”
    “If somebody swiped top secret military
technology, you need ASID, not me.”
    “Strictly speaking, this isn’t military,”
Grimrok said. “Not quite yet, anyway.”
    “Not yet?” Zak smirked. “That sounds close
enough. I take it the military is already interested?”
    “The military is aware of it,” Grimrok
conceded. “And yes, they are interested. But it’s not officially a
part of any military program yet. There are certain issues that
need to be addressed before it can go to the military. You need to
help me out on this, Mr. Harris. I’m in a tight spot here. If news
of this theft gets