The Letterhead Affair

By Glenn Muller

In this short thriller, Saul Ryerson is a historical-fiction novelist who develops a very dangerous style, but no matter how much history he's created, he can't escape his own past. Written by the author of Torque, this witty fast-paced thriller set in the Florida Keys can be read in one sitting - it's a perfect hour or two of escapism!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenn Muller
• Release date: Dec 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9780991864133

Glenn Muller

Glenn Muller was born in New Jersey, USA, then spent his early years in England before emigrating to Canada where he would attain Canadian citizenship.After jobs in hotel administration, driver education, computer applications, and bookkeeping, Glenn started his own successful bookkeeping business. Writing, of course, he’s always done for love, not money. Though money is always politely accepted when offered.Chas Fenn, the protagonist in his debut novel, TORQUE, was inspired by the twelve years he spent as a driving instructor, and would appeal to fans of The Republic of Doyle. The sequel, JACKLIGHTER COPSE, was written in response to the demand for another book featuring Chas Fenn and Detective Inspector Evan Lareault. His other novel, BOOMERANG, was influenced by a life-long interest in Space exploration and would appeal to fans of Clive Cussler, Lynwood Barclay, and Michael Connelly.Although his genre is thrillers, Glenn natural sense of humour bubbles to the surface, prompting readers to describe his books as “fun-packed” and “just plain awesome”.

Book preview

The Letterhead Affair

Glenn Muller

Smashwords Edition 1.0

Copyright 2014 Glenn Muller

EPUB ISBN 978-0-9918641-3-3

Licence Notes

Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author by purchasing your copy of this book, which is licenced for your personal enjoyment only. Except for brief passages embodied in reviews, or other non-commercial uses, this book may not be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase them a copy. Pirated works always benefit the wrong people.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

THE LETTERHEAD AFFAIR

Glenn Muller

I’m no boy scout and in my line of work it’s better to adapt than to come prepared. If I’ve had time to get ready then so has the other side, and that’s never a good thing. I move before the whistle, play what I’m dealt, and put little emphasis on the setting; be it a shop floor, warehouse, park, or office tower. The stage rarely impacts on how a deal goes down, though I must admit I enjoy some places more than others. The last location, an abandoned textile mill, was just two mold spores from a lung infection whereas today’s encounter would be in the finest hotel on the southern tip of Florida. My quarry had checked in last night, but not on my account. In fact, with any luck, they wouldn’t even know I was coming.

The concierge, a young Hispanic, led me to the pool and pointed across to where an attractive couple appeared to have the other side to themselves. On a lounger, prone to the sun, the woman wore large tinted glasses and a bikini that, down here, was probably considered Key-lime green. Her companion, in swim trunks, flip-flops, and a pool robe sat beneath the shade of a table umbrella.

Both were tanned but she was lean while he was lanky with only a few pounds more than he had twelve years ago at our High School grad party. The extra flesh made him appear more mature, as did the close cropped beard, but Saul Ryerson still had that surfer dude look that made girls late for class and the guys wish their clothes hung like his did.

I'd specifically worn loafers, slacks, and a golf shirt for this meeting but three steps from the building felt overdressed. Pools will do that. I walked around the deep end, resisted the urge to bounce on the diving board, and came up on Ryerson's blind side. Engrossed with his crackberry he didn't sense my presence until my shadow darkened the deck before him. His momentary stillness when I said Hi Saul revealed more than I think he realized.

He turned to face me with a passive Hello. I waited until his flickering recognition came full on then clasped the hand he extended as he rose from his chair.

Darryl Keppler! Holy cow, I thought you were dead.

He indicated the chair across the table and waited until I got settled. As I did, his companion raised her head and lowered her shades for a better look at me. I smiled with a nod and she went back to soaking up the rays. Famous authors like Ryerson were forever meeting people. Kissy-kissy, whatever.

How about a drink, Darryl? He had his hand