Running Blind (60 page)

"The partnership party" he said "you got it."

"I sure did" she said.

"Well, congratulations babe" he said. "and I'm sorry I'm late.

She drew him into the crowd and people closed around them. He shook hands with a hundred lawyers the way he used to with Generals from foreign armies – Don't mess with me and I won't mess with you.

The top boy was an old red and grey faced man about sixty five, the son of one of the names on the brass plaque in reception. His suit must have cost more than all the clothes Reacher had ever worn in his life. But the mood of the party meant there was no edge in the old guy's attitude. He looked like he would have been delighted to shake hands with Jodie's elevator man.

"She's a big, big star" he said "and I'm gratified she's accepted our offer"

"Smartest lawyer I ever met" Reacher said over the noise.

"Will you go with her?"

"Go with her where?"

"To London" the old guy said. "Didn't she explain? First tour of duty for a new partner is running the European operation for a couple of years."

Then she was back at his side, smiling, drawing him away. The crowd was settling into small groups and conversation was turning to work matters and quiet gossip. She led him to a space by the window. There was a yard-wide view of the harbour framed by sheer buildings on either side.

"I called the FBI uptown" she said "I was worried about you and technically I'm still your lawyer. I spoke with Alan Deerfield's Office."

"When?"

"Two hours ago. They wouldn't tell me anything."

"Nothing to tell. They're straight with me, I'm straight with them"

She nodded. "So you delivered, finally" Then she paused. "Will you be called as a witness? Is there going to be a trial?"

He shook his head. "No trial."

She nodded. "Just a funeral, right?"

He shrugged "There are no relatives left. That was the point."

She paused again like there was an important question coming up. "How do you feel about it?"

"One word answer…. calm."

"Would you do it again? Same circumstances?"

He paused and turned "Same circumstances….in a heartbeat."

"I have to go to work in London. Two years."

"I know. The old guy told me. When do you go?"

"End of the month."

"You don't want me to come with you." He said.

"It'll be very busy. It's a small staff with a big workload."

"And it's a civilised city."

She nodded. "Yes it is." "Did you want to come?"

"Two straight years? No. But maybe I could visit, time to time."

She smiled, vaguely. "That would be good."

He said nothing.

"This is awful. Fifteen years, I couldn't live without you and now I find I can't live with you."

"I know. Probably my fault."

"Do you feel the same way?"

He looked at her. "Yes I do." He lied.

"We've got until the end of the month."

He nodded. "More than most people get. Can you take the afternoon off?"

"Sure I can. I'm a partner now. I can do what I want."

"So let's go."

They left their empty glasses on the window ledge and threaded their way through the knots of people. Everybody watched them to the door and then turned back to their quiet speculations.

End.

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31/08/2007

LRS to LRF parser v.0.9; Mikhail Sharonov, 2006; msh-tools.com/ebook/