John T. Cullen has authored over 20 books, including The Generals of October (Simon & Schuster, 2004)—pulse-pounding political-military suspense fiction set in a near-future U.S. Constitutional crisis.
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John T. Cullen also writes screenplays, including one for Nebula Express (adapted from his SF novel) and the violent, darkly glistening, utterly strange tale of a serial killer in Scorpion.
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Neon Blue
a novel
by John T. Cullen
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55.
Chicago
At Ajanian's, John Connor could hardly keep his mind on his work. He longed for Blue, worried about her.
"You've been daydreaming," Gregor Ajanian teased. Ajanian's wrinkled hand patted John's shoulder. It was nine o'clock, and most of the sales staff had already gone. Ajanian had his tailored buff linen jacket on. It hung deceptively, padded in the shoulders, disguising his arthritis-racked frame. "I see symptoms," he told John, "and I hope it is love requited."
Johnno grinned. "I feel like a teenager." He locked display cases and damp-toweled fingerprints as he went.
Ajanian's gray eyes looked bright. "I was beginning to think you would never fall in love."
"Don't tell me it shows."
"Oh, it shows," Ajanian said with a wink. The gesture had a kind, smug delight, like a cat's pounce without the claws.
After Ajanian left, Johnno let the last of the sales staff out. He took his time, puttering about. He swept up little messes here and there, dabbed at fingerprints. Where was she? Was she okay? What was she doing? Was she thinking of him?
Toward nine-thirty, he put on his coat. Turned off the store lights and switched on the night lights. Made sure the emergency lights were functioning. Turned on the alarm system. Each store in the mall had its own alarm system tied to the police department, the fire department, various alarm companies, and the mall's own security agency. Satisfied that everything was in order, he stepped into the dark alley and locked the steel door. Startled by a sound, he whirled.
A cat had jumped from a high wall and landed on a dumpster it intended to scavenge. A clear, chilly night. Stars shone in a sky as black and mysterious as a velour display case. The silence was unnerving, now that the elevator music was off. He stepped into the deserted main part of the mall.
"Mr. Connor."
He jerked around. A pleasant looking man with white hair and a chilly smile walked toward him. A hand was extended. The other hand remained in the pocket of the stranger's raincoat. "I'm Father Jenkins. Father Binder referred me to you."
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If you like what you're reading, please send at least two other avid readers to this website.
—Thank you! …Your grateful author, John T. Cullen.
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Other gripping books by the author:
Copyright © 2005 by John T. Cullen. All Rights Reserved.
John T. Cullen has been a pioneer in digital publishing since 1996. He is listed by digital publishing historian Karen Wiesner as the sixth digital publisher in history, and the second person to publish serialized chapters on line (starting 1996). His web magazine Deep Outside SFFH was the first to be listed along with the professional pulps in Writer's Market (1999) and was at one time the oldest professional SFFH magazine in the world. John T. Cullen continues to explore new ways to adapt the primordial power of storytelling to emerging new digital opportunities as the Third Millennium springs to light.
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A Walk in Ancient Rome John T. Cullen (Simon&Schuster May 2005) innovative, acclaimed walking & teaching tour—explore every corner of the Imperial capital at its zenith almost 2000 years ago; learn its history—smell and taste the very air of Classical Rome.
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= Summer 2008 =
A Walk in Ancient Rome, Second Edition John T. Cullen (Clocktower Books 2008)—New! Many new maps; images from the unique scale model of AndréCaron of Quebec. Read this innovative book, with its acclaimed walking & teaching tour. Explore every corner of the Imperial capital at its zenith almost 2000 years ago; learn its history. Smell and taste the very air of Classical Rome. The new edition is bigger, like an atlas. Some people have carried the 1st edition with them to Rome, and found it ggreatly enhanced their experience. Preorders start Spring 2008.
Dead Move: Kate Morgan and the Haunting Mystery of Coronado, 2nd Ed. John T. Cullen (Clocktower Books, San Diego, Summer 2008). John T. Cullen has tackled the mystery of the ghost at the Hotel del Coronado. He has assembled a dramatic new theory about how and why she violently died on the back steps of the hotel in 1892. A first-class ghost story and whodunit wrapped in one. Don't miss it! Preorders start Spring 2008.
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