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apply some risk management to the process.”
    Archibald Morgan sounded like one of the apprehensive types. “So you want me to make sure your computer security doesn’t catch you with your pants down?”
    “I would have chosen different words, but that is essentially correct. There will be other tasks, but making sure we are safe is my top priority.”
    I thought about it for a minute. “Usually my reviews take a few weeks to perform and a few weeks to write up the report and recommendations. When do you need this done?”
    “Right away.”
    I gave him our standard rates.
    Morgan answered without a pause. “Very good. When can we start?”
    That surprised me; my rates are high, and most clients try to talk me down. Better make sure he was committed. “If you want me to start right away, you’ll have to pay a month’s retainer in advance.”
    “Bob can deliver a certified check tomorrow morning. Can we start Wednesday?”
    I stared at the phone. These guys must have a huge emergency on their hands. What wasn’t Morgan telling me?
    “Mr. Waverly?” Morgan’s voice was faint.
    I brought the phone back to my ear. “One more thing. I don’t like formality. I call you Archie, and you call me Scott.”
    He laughed. “If that is what it takes to engage you, I can certainly call you Scott.” He paused. “Most of our operations are run from Massachusetts . I suggest that we start here and see where else you need to go.”
    “Okay, send me your address and a recommended hotel and I’ll see you in time for your morning coffee.”
    Archie cleared his throat. “I will send somebody to pick you up at your house in Maryland at six o’clock Wednesday morning. We will provide all transportation and accommodations.”
    Now he was getting too weird. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with that, Archie.”
    “I assure you that you will be well taken care of. Soul Identity will pay for your services around the clock, starting Wednesday at six o’clock in the morning, and continuing until your work is completed.”
    I almost dropped the phone. “Around the clock pay?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why would you do that?”
    “This work is extremely important and critical to us. We would like your complete and undivided attention for the duration.”
    It sounded good enough for me. “Archie, you have a deal. Send the round-the-clock month’s pay tomorrow so we’re ready.” I disconnected, and then stared at the phone. Mom was right; these guys were nut cases.

    That night I dreamed I saw an osprey dive down and scoop a bluefish out of the bay, but then I realized it was me and not the bluefish wriggling in its claws. I broke free and started falling down to the water. Good, I thought, now I get to wake up, right before I hit. But the osprey caught me and carried me high up in the air. I was shivering from the cold as we broke through the clouds, only it was no longer an osprey, but an airplane that held me buckled into my seat. I looked into the cockpit and saw Bob was piloting.
    The airplane transformed into Bob’s green delivery van. Bob swerved to avoid ramming a silver gray car, and he drove off a cliff. I woke up, right before we hit the ground, and sat straight up in bed.
    These Soul Identity guys were getting inside my head. I wanted to see how the dream ended—not the cliff part, but where Bob was taking me. I lay back down and tried to rewind, but I couldn’t keep the dream alive.
    I walked into the bathroom. An image had repeated in the dream. It was on the osprey’s breast, the back of the airline seat, and the side of Bob’s van. I closed my eyes to see it again, but the image swirled away from me like mist on the bay breaking up at sunrise.
    I sat on the bed and tried to squeeze out the image, but I ended up falling asleep and tumbling to the floor. I grabbed a pencil and a piece of paper and put them next to the bed, just in case.
    In the morning I discovered that I had written the following: “Soul Identity