Return to The Deep (From The Deep Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

he waited for the handset to power up, then dialled the only number, which was stored into it.
    “It’s me,” he said as the line connected, “we need to meet up. I can’t delay this any longer.”
    He took another sip of his drink as he listened.
    “No, I can’t. It has to be now.”
    He listened again, trying to convince himself the guilt would go away, especially when he got the money. That would make everything much easier.
    “Alright,” he said as he grabbed a pen from his desk and opened his notepad, “where do you want me to meet you?”

 
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
     
    The harsh lights of TV studios had gone from something to be nervous and tense about, to a home away from home for Clara Thompson. Certainly, of everyone who was involved with the initial hunt for the giant creature, which had changed all of their lives, she had changed the most. The once quiet marine biologist had become something of a celebrity, and slowly but surely, had grown accustomed to the unrealistic lifestyle enjoyed by the rich and famous. She remembered her first television interview, the way she had stared bug eyed at the camera in clothes, which she felt, didn’t reflect the person she really was. Now, those same clothes fit well, and the glare of the lights was tolerated because she knew it would make her look good on screen. She had cut her hair short, and even though she was wearing too much makeup, still looked stunning as the camera pulled her into focus.
    "Welcome back to Breakfast with America. I’m Dawn Hinchcliffe, and with me today, I have a very special guest. She's the author of the bestselling novel, ‘Terror Beneath the Waves’, and everyone’s favourite celebrity face, Clara Thompson. Clara, welcome to the show."
    "Thank you," Clara said with a smile. Remembering to be polite, and remembering that the camera was her friend.
    "Now, let me get right to the point. Many people who have read the book have said that it’s so realistic in its execution, they have wondered if it is actually based on fact rather than fiction. Can you tell us now, definitively, what your inspiration was for this book and how you managed to make it so visceral and believable?"
    She smiled, a well-practiced expression for the benefit of the media. "Dawn, I've heard these insane theories about the story being based on fact. I can categorically assure you this is entirely a fictional story. I mean, have you read it? I’m sure if it was based on truth, the world would know there was a giant sea monster out there."
    "Still, many people, me included, have seen alleged leaked documents stating that you were involved in a secret government project five years ago, which is said to be the basis of this book."
    The Media virgin, Clara, would have been thrown off by such a question, maybe even stuttered her way through a half-baked answer. This Clara, though, was a veteran, and went on without missing a beat.
    "I think the key word there is alleged, Dawn. Everyone knows the internet is a cesspool of misinformation. I have to admit that reading some of the insane theories about my book was a whole lot of fun."
    "Those alleged documents which claim this is a factual situation also state that you were subject to a gagging order of some kind preventing you from telling the story of what happened, and that this novel is a thinly veiled way to get around that and tell the story of what really happened."
    Clara smiled again, making a conscious effort to remain calm. "To what end? If these allegations were true, why would I risk telling such a story knowing what the consequences would be? It makes no sense."
    Like a shark smelling blood, the veteran presenter moved in for the kill. "Actually, some say it makes perfect sense. The book talks of locations and procedures which are known not only to be actual locations for the alleged sea monster sightings off the California coast, but also details military procedures, which some say only a person with