Authors Note – my dues for the period ending Oct. 12^th.

Kate has given me a great idea for my next dues, which I hope to write

once I do the October Con in NYC and turn in my book in December!

Diane

You Never Know…

By Diane Kachmar

Lee Crane paused in the doorframe of Nelson’s inner office as he realized the Admiral had someone with him. He was about to duck out, when the Admiral Nelson turned and spotted him.

“Oh, there you are, Lee,” Nelson said, a bit more loudly than he needed to. “Did you bring that grant report I asked for?”

“Right here,” Crane lifted the manila folder he had in his hand. “I can come back if you are …
“No need.” The Admiral waved a dismissing hand. “The “gentleman” was just leaving.”

The Visitor scowled and swept a fairly thick stack of papers, held together with brads, off Nelson’s desk and back into his briefcase, which he snapped closed in a rather irritated manner.

Nelson stood up, signifying the interview was over.

The visitor stood as well. “I’m sorry you don’t see the value of what I’m offering, Admiral, in exchange for the access I want. Most people would give their eyeteeth to be immortalized in print.”

The Admiral shook his head. “Trust me, there is nothing going on here that would be of any use to you to observe. I’m sure watching algae grow is really high on your list of exciting adventures for your hero. You are better off making something up that they will want to read. Isn’t that what you do?”

“No. That’s not the way it works.” The visitor shook his head.

Lee stepped out the doorway, so the man could leave. The Visitor stopped and his gaze traveled up and down Crane almost as he was committing him to memory. Lee didn’t particularly care for the scrutiny, but he bore it in polite silence.

With a final shrug, the man left.

Crane waited until he heard the outer door close behind the visitor. He slid into the now vacant visitor chair and handed the grant folder to Nelson. “Who was that?”

Nelson leaned back in his chair and grinned. “Oh, I wish you had showed up about fifteen minutes ago, when he was talking a mile a minute about famous he was going to make you and me and the Institute. He seemed to think you would be the perfect hero of his stories, working for an Admiral out some mythical for hire Institute, hunting treasure…”

“Me?” Crane shook his head. “A treasure hunter for hire? He really has no idea what we do here, does he?”

“Apparently,” Nelson replied. “I figured I’d spare him watching you push papers for a week so we can sail again.”

It was Crane’s turn to smile. “Once you’ve done it several times, it’s not as daunting as it looks, to an outsider. But thanks, I really didn’t need a civilian underfoot this week. There is a lot to get done.” Lee stood up. “Speaking of paperwork…”

Crane paused at the door. “That author, he wouldn’t happen to be anyone we ever heard of?”

“No, I don’t think he’s published anything yet. But you never know, son.”

The End