“He was my employer. I was hired to protect him.”

“But not to die for him. You did your best. You can’t protect a man from himself.”

“I could come after you. I have my reputation to consider.”

“You’re a bodyguard, not a virgin. I think your reputation will recover. If you come after me, your health won’t. I suggest you walk away from this. I don’t believe that you knew everything of what passed between Hoyle and Leehagen. You don’t strike me as the kind of man who would comfortably set up another. Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe you’d like to contradict me.”

Simeon didn’t speak for a time.

“Okay,” he said. “I walk.”

“Good. Don’t stay in the city. Don’t even stay in the country. I’m sure a gentleman of your abilities won’t find it hard to pick up work somewhere else, far away from here. A good soldier can always find a convenient war.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then our paths might cross again. Someone once told me to avoid leaving witnesses. I wouldn’t want to start thinking of you in that way.”

Simeon ended the call. He put the cellphone and his security pass by the side of the pool and left Hoyle’s penthouse. He traveled down to the lobby and walked quickly but casually from the building, facing the great skyscrapers that dominated the skyline, their windows reflecting the late fall sun and the white clouds that scudded across the sky. He did not doubt for one minute that he was fortunate to be alive. He felt only a slight twinge of shame at the fact that he was running away. Still, it was enough to make him pause in an effort to reassert his dignity. He stopped and looked up at the buildings around him, his eyes moving from window to window, frame to frame. After a time, he nodded, both to himself and at the man who he knew was following his progress:

Louis, the killer, the burning man.

Louis, the last of the Reapers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A NUMBER OF BOOKS proved particularly useful during the writing of this novel. They were: Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism by James W. Loewen (Touchstone, 2005); The Adirondacks: A History of America’s First Wilderness by Paul Schneider (Owl Books, 1997); and On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Dave Grossman (Back Bay Books, 1996).

I am grateful for the kind assistance provided by Joe Long and Keith Long while researching the Queens sections of the book; and to Geoff Ridyard who, in another life, would have made a very good assassin indeed. Thanks also to my U.K. editor, Sue Fletcher, and everyone at Hodder & Stoughton; Emily Bestler, my U.S. editor, and all at Atria Books and Pocket Books; and to my agent, Darley Anderson, and his wonderful staff. Finally, Jennie, Cameron, and Alistair put up with a lot, as always. Love and thanks to you all.

John Connolly