Cirrus@Austlit

'Four people have been released from prisons in the last five or six years, each having been convicted of at least one murder. They don’t know each other.

'Each took advantage of in-prison programs and has been using these experiences to re-engage with normal society. Things are working out.

'Then they receive a series of text messages.

'The first offers them $20 million.

'Over time, dismissal becomes disbelief becomes caution becomes interest becomes knowledge becomes… commitment?

'But who is the Contractor? Might he be one of them? Unlikely. Or the police? Or a newspaper magnate? Why is he offering this huge sum, if he can?' (Publication summary)