The Dispatcher (The Dispatcher, #1)

by John Scalzi

He was going to be recovering from massively invasive surgery rather than doing anything else he’d want to do with his life, which was probably anything else.

I knelt back down, positioned Langdon’s handgun close to the fallen woman’s temple, and fired. The woman’s body jolted and was still. It was, literally, deathly quiet. And then, with the familiar sucking pop of inrushing air, the woman was no longer there.

“All right. Thank you, Mason.” “Don’t mention it. I mean that.” I smiled at that.

“How old do you think this place is?” “I’d guess it’s been around since the turn of the century.” “I think it’s older than that.” “I meant the other turn of the century.” “Oh. Right.”

“You know it’s hard to murder someone these days. I mean, I know you know that, given your job. But it’s not impossible. No, it’s not impossible at all. All it really takes is patience, and time, and silence. So let me assure you, Mr. Valdez. I am patient. I have time. And I am very good at silence.” “I thought there wasn’t going to be any threatening.” “I don’t see that as a threat. I am simply listing personal attributes. So. Do we have a deal?”

“Can you really get a warrant in five minutes?” I asked. Langdon shook her head. “No, of course not. My personal record is seven minutes.” I smiled at that.

“I know what side of the street I like better. But you don’t always get to choose the side of the street you walk on.”