LITMIR.BIZ

      Many thanks to Ethan Ellenberg for gently guiding my career in this direction and to Denise Zaza for giving me this opportunity. My great appreciation also goes to Shawna Rice for answering all my newbie questions.

      To Mica, Wendy, Kassia, Stephanie and Jill—you prove every single day that women who read and write romance are incredibly smart and insightful. Sharing the ups and downs of this career with you all is a pleasure.

      Thank you to Judy Duarte for saying the right thing at the right time. Your comments were invaluable.

      As always, thank you and big hugs to James for all your love and support.

Chapter One

      “Tell me how much she knows.”

      “She is a very able student.” Dr. Langdon Hammer felt a surge of pride at having picked his assistant. Maura Lindsey possessed multiple degrees and a significant amount of research experience. Not just any lab could secure the services of such a dedicated and knowledgeable young doctor.

      Of course, the very reasons that made her ideal as a professional also made her a problem now. Being brilliant would be her downfall.

      “I’m talking about professionally, Hammer.”

      “So am I. She works with me every day. Just work.” Dr. Hammer didn’t bother to look up from the computer keyboard. He couldn’t type if he couldn’t see the letters, and he had to move fast. The man standing in front of him didn’t like having his time wasted.

      Just thinking about the man’s plans made Dr. Hammer’s fingers trip over the keys and accidentally erase an entire column of data. This was why he had an assistant. Entering information and other menial tasks fell to her.

      “Tell me about her access to your work. How much does she see?” the other man asked.

      Dr. Hammer’s hand hesitated over the delete key. “All of it.”

      “Does she understand the ramifications of your findings?”

      “Of course.” As if he would hire someone incapable of grasping a world-changing scientific breakthrough. Stupid people annoyed him.

      The other man paced the small space across from Dr. Hammer, the only section of the office not blocked by stacks of books and papers. “Then she’s the logical choice for this.”

      Dr. Hammer tried one last time to argue for her. “She is invaluable to my research.”

      “Everyone is replaceable.”

      Dr. Hammer pushed back in his chair and focused solely on the conversation. The disturbing turn had his full attention now. “Not everyone.”

      “There are others with the same level of expertise as you.”

      “Hardly.”

      “With enough assistance, they can reach your level.”

      “That would take years, possibly decades, and even then it’s doubtful. On the other hand, there is no question about my success. I have achieved it.”

      “Which is why we came to you.” The man traced his finger over the top of the crystal award sitting on the edge of Dr. Hammer’s desk. “But you would be wise to remember the extent of my resources. The reach of my power.”

      Dr. Hammer swallowed back the lump of fear that had been forming since the other man walked into the office. “I am.”

      “Then we understand each other.”

      “Yes.”

      The man’s twisted grin resembled that of a pouncing animal. “Dr. Lindsey will continue to help you. She just needs to be dead to do it.”

      MAURA LINDSEY READ OVER the paragraph a second time. She didn’t need her two doctorate degrees and a genius-level IQ to recognize something was very wrong at the Systems Institute, the government lab where she worked.

      Since the task of inputting

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