This document contains excerpts from the novel "Quarry in the Middle" by Max Allan Collins, a work of fiction published in November 2009 by Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc. under their Hard Case Crime imprint. The text primarily details the protagonist's experiences and inner thoughts as a professional assassin operating on his own terms, having previously worked for a middleman known as "the Broker." The narrative unfolds as the protagonist navigates a complex criminal underworld in Haydee's Port, an isolated town with rival gambling and entertainment establishments, all while pursuing a "financial killing" to potentially retire from his illicit trade. The excerpts also provide glimpses into the character's personal history, motivations, and the intricate web of relationships within the criminal families he encounters.