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There was no such thing as London fog--never had been The London Fog of legend was only that In reality London fog was London sht of the Industrial Revolution it had killed thousands, choking the city with its poisonous hands Zach Easton knew that in the offices of Royal House Publishing, he was known as the London Fog, the disparaging nickname coined by a fellow editor who disapproved of Zach’s dour demeanor Zach had no love of his nicknaer to earn his epithet

As he kneould, Zach found John-Paul Bonner, the chief , still hard at work even after hours JP sat on the floor of his office, piles of e in ainst the frame He stared his chief editor down and did not speak He didn’t have to tell JP why he was here They both knew

"Death--she co," JP said froh another stack of books "A poetic enough way to die You are here to kill ray beard and spectacles, JP was literature personified Usually Zach enjoyed playing word games with him, but he was in no mood for repartee today

"Yes"

"‘Yes’?" JP repeated "Just ‘yes’? Well, brevity is the soul of wit after all Help an old ht as well die on , Zach stepped into the office, reached down and helped JP stand JP patted Zach gratefully on the shoulder and collapsed into his chair behind his desk

"I’alley for John Warren Should have had it in the ood health and a bad memory they say, and I am a happy, happy man"

Zach studied JP for aHis affection for his boss made this conversation far less pleasant Zach walked over to JP’s bookshelves and ran his hand along the top of the case He knew JP’s habit of stashing important papers where even he couldn’t reach them Zach found a manuscript and pulled it down He threw it on JP’s desk and watched it kick up a s as he put his hand over his heart "You have saved et to be the one who kills you"

JP eyed Zach and pointed at the chair across froray coat around hian but it was as far as Zach let hiet

"Nora Sutherlin?" Zach infused the naust as he could muster, a considerable a"

"Yes, Nora Sutherlin I’ve thought about it, looked at the sales projections I think we should acquire her I want you to ith her"

"I will do no such thing It’s pn ography"