by Layton Green
After one of the longest moments of his life, one in which he truly did not know what outcome to expect, she reached a hand across the table, palm up. “Maybe. But it’s not a second chance. It’s a trial period.”
He took her hand. “I’m not sure I understand the difference. Though I think I probably should.”
“Have you heard of the Socratic Method? It’s how classes in law school are taught. The professors answer questions by asking another question in response.”
“Forcing the students to come up with their own reasoning.”
She tipped her head in agreement. “So you tell me. Is there hope of extra credit?”
“I’ve never had classes as difficult as law school,” he said. “But I’ll do my very best, and let my prof decide.”
“Good answer.”
“How long does the term last?” he asked. “A quarter? A semester?” “Think of it as a PhD program. It’s over when the dissertation is complete.”
“I can accept that.”
“Did you have a choice ?” she said, as she drained the last of her wine and stood. After setting the empty glass on the table, she gave him a long, unreadable look and then left the café without a backward glance.
His first test, he supposed, was whether or not he should follow.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks to my indefatigable agent, Ayesha Pande, and the team at Seventh Street Books for all of their hard work and wonderful support for the series. I’d also like to recognize John Perdue for graciously lending this novel a lifetime of criminal justice and law enforcement expertise, as well as Luke Bumm for providing legal acumen and insight into the Durham District Attorney’s Office. Finally, a special thanks to my wife, whose beauty, wit, and devotion inspired the novel, and whose literary ear helped shaped it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Layton is the author of the Detective Preach Everson novels, the popular Dominic Grey series, and other works of fiction. His novels have been optioned for film, nominated for multiple awards, including a two-time finalist for an International Thriller Writers award, and have reached #1 on numerous genre lists in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Layton is also the co-editor of International Thrills, an online magazine for International Thriller Writers (ITW) that interviews crime authors from around the world.
In addition to writing, Layton attended law school in New Orleans and was a practicing attorney for the better part of a decade. He has also been an intern for the United Nations, an ESL teacher in Central America, a bartender in London, a seller of cheap knives on the streets of Brixton, a door to door phone book deliverer in Florida, and the list goes downhill from there.
Layton lives with his family in North Carolina. You can also visit him on Facebook, Goodreads, or on his website www.laytongreen.com.