Page 12 of Brainwashed

“Lemuel Love,” I say by way of greeting, leaving my phone on the bathroom counter, since I still have my AirPods in.

“Hello, Doctor! My name is Yari Estevez, and I’m calling you with a business proposition.”

I’m thrown off for a moment. I rarely get business calls after hours. And it’s late… Almost ten-thirty.

“I’m sorry… I’m not in the office. If you’d like, I can call you back tomorrow—”

“My employer would prefer to speak with you right away, if possible,” the man says. “I apologize for the hour.”

“Who’s your employer?” I ask, bemused by everything about this call.

“I have him on the line right now if you’re ready.”

“Uh… Sure?” I pace out of the bathroom and toward the living room.

“One moment, please.” I hear a click, and then the man—Yari—says, “All set, boss.”

“Thank you, Yari.” A new, much smoother voice comes over the line. “Dr. Lemuel Love… you’re a hard man to reach.”

My mouth hangs open for a second while I remember the note Emily fucked up earlier. “Yes, well… My assistant—I’m sorry,whois this?”

“My name is Manuel Blanco. I operate a facility in New York, and well, I’ll get right to the point. I would like you to come work for me on a specific job for which I believe you’re the perfect candidate.”

I’m stunned, which doesn’t happen often. I’m just standing in my living room staring at the wall…

Manuel Blanco? Facility in New York?

“What type of facility?” I ask, then shake my head. “This is highly irregular, Mr. Blanco. I’m not currently looking for work, and I’m in Atlanta. How did you get my number?”

“If you agree to our terms, I can give you more information, Doctor,” Mr. Blanco answers, speaking calmly, his tone rather mysterious. “But to answer your question, I’ve been following your career for quite some time. I’m a big fan of your book.”

I blink a few times. “Oh… Are you in the psychology field?”

“No, no.” He chuckles. “But I have a pertinent interest. Your book, your research, and your accolades brought me to the belief that you may be right for this job I’m offering.”

“Oh? And why would you think that?” I’m flattered, and a bit intrigued, though I shouldn’t be. This could be Callahan messing with me.

“The…subjectsI hold in my facility could be right up your alley,” he says, and for some reason I can hear a smirk in his voice, even though I’ve never seen him before.

Something about what he’s said makes me think…

“Which of my books are you referring to, Mr. Blanco?”

The line is quiet for a moment before he answers, “Beneficial Brainwashing.”

I almost gasp.

My fingers tremble, and my pulse speeds up. “How did you…?”

“I have my ways, Dr. Love,” he answers my question before I’ve even asked it. “As I mentioned, I believe this job may be perfect for you.”

Perfect forme… Not,I’llbe perfect forit.

My muscles are tense as I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Blanco. I’m not interested.”

And I hang up the phone, powering it off immediately.

Staggering around my living room, my mind sifts frantically through the conversation. How on earth anyone would linkmeto that book is baffling. No one knows I wrote it, and rightfully so, because if they did, I’m sure my reputation would bleed out and die in minutes.