Jamie DeBroux’s boss has called a special meeting for all key personnel at 9:00 a.m. on a hot Saturday in August.

When Jamie arrives, the conference room is stocked with cookies and champagne. His boss smiles and tells his employees, We’re a cover for a branch of the intelligence community. And we’re being shut down. Jamie’s boss then tells everyone to drink some champagne, and in a few seconds they’ll fall asleep—for good. If they refuse, they’ll be shot in the head.

Escape is not an option. Jamie’s boss has shut down the elevators and rigged the fire towers with chemical bombs. Panic sets in, chaos erupts, and no one is sure whom to trust. Jamie quickly realizes that there’s only one way he’s ever going to see his family again: the hard way.

Severance Package shows author Duane Swierczynski at his thrilling best.