Page 1 of Shot Taker

1

NOVA

“This gala is vital for the organization. You’ll be creating the crown jewel of our facility.”

The owner of the Kodiaks is shorter than the players but compensates for it with a suit and watch that look like they cost more than the trailer I grew up in.

“You'll have a budget for supplies and a stipend for living expenses. The balance will be transferred when the work is complete,” he goes on.

“Thank you.” I try to sound as serious as he looks, but secretly I’m buzzing with nervous excitement.

This is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Months ago, I was put on probation from my job doing administration for a small design company.

Days ago, I was serving coffee a few blocks from my apartment in Boston.

Now…

I have the chance to show my work to millions of people.

The blank canvas could be the first thing that’s truly mine. A bigger gift than the money or the exposure.

James Parker’s office is dark wood and gold accents. You wouldn’t know it had anything to do with basketball except for the awards in the case and the windows that overlook the court. It’s clear he’s into winning, or at least being seen as a winner.

He nods to a stack of papers between us, an NDA on top. “If you’ll sign these.”

I take a moment to scan the pages, skimming over the legal jargon. I don’t want to miss anything important, but I’m also aware of him watching me.

Once I’m finished signing, I pass them back to him.

“You mentioned it’s a mural for one of the central hallways in the arena. I’ve been working on some ideas.” I pull out the sketches I drew on the plane from Boston yesterday. I’m glad I took an extra day to get here as I set the first concept in front of him. “I was thinking of the Kodiak logo, plus the players in action.”

I flip to an outline of five guys around the basket, one going up for a dunk.

He glances at it before meeting my eyes again. “We need more.”

“Thematically?”

“No, literally.”

A ribbon of doubt cuts through my anticipation. “How big is the wall?”

He walks me down through the halls. With his lean figure and perfect posture, I’d bet he’s closer to forty than fifty.

Staff nod to him, but in a deferential way rather than a friendly one.

It occurs to me he wasn’t at the wedding.

Because he wasn’t invited or because he declined to attend?

Maybe it was an impulsive idea to return to Denver…

For more reason than one.

He pulls up at the end of the hall that opens into a grand foyer and nods to the wall.

I stare down the length of it, my stomach dropping. “Holy. This entire thing?”

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