Deep State
Page 29
The former president glances down to the young woman’s hands and sees her right fist is clenched so hard the knuckles are white. He finds himself transfixed by the fury of her clenched fist, shocked to see the faintest trickle of blood seeping from between two fingers. The former president starts to say something but stops himself, realizing with astonishment that he is intimidated by this young woman and not the other way around. Here is only more reason for confidence in their selection. Hayley Chill will be more than equal to the task assigned to her. More sobering, however, is the former president’s awareness the nation faces even graver threats than a Russian mole residing in the White House. As the helicopter churns west, he mutters a silent prayer for the young woman sitting beside him and her safekeeping. Her country needs her.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my amazing editor, Emily Bestler, for her wholehearted support. Emily and her intrepid assistant, Lara Jones, as well as the whole team at Atria Books, have been a godsend. Thank you, Emily, for being this new author’s lifeline.
No words of acknowledgment are equal to the gratitude I have for my film and television agent of three decades, Jordan Bayer, whose ferocious and unwavering support of my creative efforts has been nothing short of a miracle. Jordan, you are so much more than simply my agent. You are my very good friend.
I would like to thank my book agent, Ann Rittenberg, and her unbeatable team at the Ann Rittenberg Literary Agency, Rosie Jonker and Imogen Jenkins. Were it not for Ann’s boisterous enthusiasm for this book and unerring instincts for finding it a home, I might not be a published author today.
To my fellow Hollywood trench fighter, Douglas Steinberg, who led the charge outflanking the enemy and first suggested I fill the page with words “that go from margin to margin,” a most heartfelt thank you. Lunch is eternally on me, Doug.
I would also like to acknowledge my far-flung and lifelong pals, Wesley Harris, Jim Woodside, Joe Pomar, Brian Allman, Marty Gross, Andy Lerman, Harry Steinway, and Tom Christie. Good buds all, you guys have made the time between writing jags a most enjoyable alternative.
Christie Ciraulo was kind enough to proofread the manuscript. Thank you.
Gratitude must be expressed for my late lawyer, J. Franklin Stewart, a true southern gentleman whose generosity was a legend in the industry and very much appreciated. Rest in peace, Frank. I miss you.
And, finally, I would like to salute a wise and anonymous critic of welcome brevity who said a book had to be about something to be successful. I pray I’ve been equal to that task.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHRIS HAUTY is a screenwriter. He lives in Venice, California, with his feral cat and a Triumph motorcycle. Deep State is his first novel.
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 by Chris Hauty
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
ISBN 978-1-9821-2658-2
ISBN 978-1-9821-2660-5 (ebook)