“She’s a big, big star,” he said. “And I’m gratified she 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 harbor, 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?” she asked. “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?” she asked. “One-word answer?”

“Calm,” he said.

“Would you do it again? Same circumstances?”

He paused in turn.

“Same circumstances?” he said. “In a heartbeat.”

“I have to go to work in London,” she said. “Two years.”

“I know,” he said. “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 civilized city.”

She nodded. “Yes, it is. Would you want to come?”

“Two straight years?” he said. “No. But maybe I could visit, time to time.”

She smiled, vaguely. “That would be good.”

He said nothing.

“This is awful,” she said. “Fifteen years I couldn’t live without you, and now I find I can’t live with you.”

“I know,” he said. “Totally my fault.”

“Do you feel the same way?”

He looked at her.

“I guess I do,” he lied.

“We’ve got until the end of the month,” she said.

He nodded.

“More than most people get,” he said. “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.

About Lee Child

LEE CHILD is British but moved with his family from Cumbria to the United States to start a new career as an American thriller writer. His first novel, Killing Floor, won the Anthony Award, and his second, Die Trying, won W H Smith's Thumping Good Read Award.

He lives just outside New York City, with his American wife, Jane. They have a grown-up daughter, Ruth, and a small dog called Jenny. Lee fills his spare time with music, reading, and the New York Yankees. He likes to travel, for vacations, but especially on promotion tours so he can meet his readers, to whom he is eternally grateful.