The Guilty (Will Robie 4)

involves me inserting myself in situations that, at first blush, seem of a personal nature but may impact the professional side.”

“Well, that’s an answer that says nothing,” replied Reel. Then she lifted her glass in silent praise.

“What did you tell my father about me?” asked Robie.

“I told him that he had a son who had served his country faithfully and well under the most extreme conditions imaginable and at the constant risk of his life.”

“And what did he say to that?”

“Why, is that important to you?”

“It might be.”

Blue Man appraised them both. “After your assorted injuries heal, will you be returning to the field?”

“Do we have a choice?” asked Robie.

“Well, of course you do.” He glanced between them before his gaze resettled on Robie. “It’s just that in your case it may be a more complicated one.”

“What if I told you I can’t answer that question yet?”

“I would say that was perfectly reasonable and that we should adjourn this discussion until a later time. For both of you.”

A little over two hours later the jet glided to a landing at a private airstrip, and they deplaned.

Robie helped wheel Reel toward some waiting vehicles while Blue Man walked next to him.

“He said he would have expected nothing less,” said Blue Man.

“Who?”

“Your father, when I told him what you did for us.”

“Why do I think you’re lying?”

“I may be very good at prevaricating. But I also know when it is time to tell the truth. And I just did. Let me just see to our transportation arrangements.”

He left them and walked ahead to the vehicles.

Reel reached up and gripped Robie’s hand.

“You know you’re going to be okay, right?” she said.

“And how exactly do you know that?” he asked.

“Just two reasons, but they’re compelling ones.”

“What are they?”

“You’ve got me, Robie. And I’ve got you. And while we might fall sometimes, together, well, together we are unbeatable.”

Five minutes later they were driven off. Back to what, neither of them was exactly sure.

But they were returning to their world so secure in the knowledge that they would, at least, not have to face whatever it was alone.

And for Will Robie and Jessica Reel, where each new day could easily be the last one they would ever have, that was all that really mattered.

Acknowledgments

To Michelle, for rolling right along with me.

To Mitch Hoffman, for a stellar editing job.

To Michael Pietsch, for captaining the mother ship with a steady hand.

To Jamie Raab, Lindsey Rose, Karen Torres, Anthony Goff, Bob Castillo, Michele McGonigle, Andrew Duncan, Christopher Murphy, Dave Epstein, Tracy Dowd, Rick Cobban, Brian McLendon, Matthew Ballast, Lukas Fauset, and everyone at Grand Central Publishing, for always having my back.

To Aaron and Arleen Priest, Lucy Childs Baker, Lisa Erbach Vance, Frances Jalet-Miller, John Richmond, and Melissa Edwards, for being my champions in so many ways.

To Anthony Forbes Watson, Jeremy Trevathan, Maria Rejt, Trisha Jackson, Katie James, Natasha Harding, Sara Lloyd, Lee Dibble, Stuart Dwyer, Geoff Duffield, Jonathan Atkins, Stacey Hamilton, James Long, Anna Bond, Sarah Willcox, Leanne Williams, Sarah McLean, Charlotte Williams, and Neil Lang at Pan Macmillan, for all your incredibly hard work.

To Praveen Naidoo and his team at Pan Macmillan in Australia, for leading me to the top of the mountain.

To Sandy Violette and Caspian Dennis, for being my champions across the pond.

To Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy, for your superb audio performances.

To Steven Maat and the entire Bruna team, for continuing to build my career in Holland.

To Bob Schule, for making me look good yet again.

To Mark Steven Long, for a great copyediting job.

To auction winners Keith Monda and Jon Wurtzburger, I hope that you enjoyed your characters. Thank you for supporting two terrific organizations.

To Kristen and Natasha, for keeping Columbus Rose running straight and true even in rocky seas.

And a very special thank-you to my dear friend Ron McLarty, for bringing my stories to life with your incredible talent.