Comment from Iza Deleanu

Excellent

It's nice to know that the stress is over and life can get back to normal. Also is interesting to see how dumb is he to say over the phone about the paid assignment.

 Comment Written 09-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 09-Feb-2025

Yes, that was dumb, but he probably didn't know those calls are monitored. He is an amateur compared to who he passes the baton to, and life won't get back to normal for very long!

Comment from eliz100

Excellent

This is another excellent chapter. Although a goal was achieved, it is not the end of the book. The arrest went too smoothly for me, maybe a little more yelling or something more physical.Have a blessed day.

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 08-Feb-2025

Thanks so much for your review, Lee. I agree. This part seems rather tame, but it was meant to be just the beginning and to contrast with what will come later in this part of the plot. Just whetting the appetite, so to speak.

reply by eliz100 on 09-Feb-2025

ok

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

I've been having trouble keeping up, and I see that the action in the story is heating up. From previous chapters I know that when you write, "I'm passing the baton," it is a clue or preview of what's to come. I will be here to witness every thing that happens now that Merra has been arrested.

 Comment Written 08-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 08-Feb-2025

Absolutely right about the clue, Lorraine. Merra's part in the story is pretty much done as he passes the baton to the real professionals with more experience in harassment.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Merra's phonecall "I', passing the baton" is intriguing for going forward. I'm sure he won't be going down quietly. As I say Jim, intriguing going forward, and a great chapter. cheers
valda

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 07-Feb-2025

Thanks so much, Valda. You're right there; he'll be calling in the professionals now.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

At least one drug company has a problem with their VP, and they will need to keep a low profile and not say anything again about Brian's creations. Now all Brian has to do is stop anyone from making his first drug for any reason.

 Comment Written 06-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 06-Feb-2025

Hopefully that will be the effect for Merra's company, but he seems to have passed the baton with his cryptic message. We'll see where that leads.

Comment from Cecilia A Heiskary

Excellent

Jim,

This is a great chapter to your book. So glad Merra finally got arrested for trying to set Brian up. The action is starting to heat up.

Great job my friend

Cecilia

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2025

Thanks, Cecilia. You're right about the action starting to heat up. This was pretty tame compared to what's coming. Hope you enjoy it.

reply by Cecilia A Heiskary on 06-Feb-2025

You're welcome. Keep writing I am looking forward to reading more of the story.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Woohoo! So glad that Merra is arrested and no attack on Brian could be carried out. Great dialogue and hopefully, there won't be any "passing the baton" to anyone else to do the company's dirty work!

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2025

Well, now, we wouldn't have much of a story if that were all that was to it. The baton recipient is quite a bit more ruthless than Merra was.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Apparently unaware that this call would be legally monitored, he uttered a single sentence to the recipient: "I'm passing the baton." (This sentence is very telling. I can't wait to see what this is all about.)

I really like this story. Thank you for sharing it with us.

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2025

Thanks, Barbara. This will be quite a different order of magnitude than the efforts of Merra and his company. Many tense scenes coming up in the second half of the story.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I must admit, your story about what Merra brought a feeling of indignation to me, so your great story has an affect on me, I remember this feeling after going to the Saturday afternoon matinees when I was a kid, but due process is, and can be very long and tedious. I don't understand people like Merra, well done Jim, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2025

Thanks, Roy. I won't really be dwelling on what happens so much to Merra as what happens now that he has "passed the baton." He was an amateur compared to these guys.

reply by royowen on 05-Feb-2025

That true

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

This is so thorough and well researched, Jim, it's easy to believe it's actually happening. I loved the arrest of Merra and could visualise every part of that. The only very slight stumbling block for me is, if Brian is unlikely to win against the magazine for libel, why would they bother to enter into a very costly legal defence? Interesting that Merra has now passed the baton on and to whom? And a prescient comment by Barry at the end concludes your intriguing and entertaining story, well worthy of a six. Thank you for sharing, Jim. Take care Debbie

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2025

Thanks very much, Debbie. There was a lot of research I had to do for this chapter, but I really enjoy that aspect of it. The reason for possibly entering into a libel suit even though it may be a loser is that they are pretty sure the small magazine won't be able to afford it with only 850 subscribers and will just agree to the terms Brian's lawyers will propose. Brian has his lawyers on retainer, so there may not be any additional charges to him.

reply by Debbie D'Arcy on 05-Feb-2025

Are you sure you never worked for the FBI?:)

reply by the author on 05-Feb-2025

Haha. I'll never tell!