JR15 - Worth Dying For by Lee Child

Author:Lee Child [Child, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781407083131
Publisher: Transworld Digital
Published: 2010-09-30T06:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-FOUR

THE OLD CAPRICE’S REAR BENCH WAS CONTOURED LIKE TWO separate bucket seats, not by design but by age and relentless wear and tear. Mahmeini’s man settled into the right-hand pit, behind the front passenger seat, and cocked his head to the left so he could see out the windshield. He saw the blank back of a billboard in the headlight beams, and then he saw nothing. The road ahead was straight and empty. No oncoming lights, which was a disappointment. One drink on Asghar’s part might be overlooked. Or even two. Or three, followed by a prompt return. But a night of it would be considered desertion.

The wheezing old motor had the needle trembling over the sixty mark. A mile a minute. Nine more miles to go. Nine minutes.

Reacher said, ‘Exactly one hour and ten minutes from now, I want you to take a drive. In your little red sports car.’

Eleanor Duncan said, ‘A drive? Where?’

‘South on the two-lane,’ Reacher said. ‘Just drive. Eleven miles. As fast as you want. Then turn around and go home again.’

‘Eleven miles?’

‘Or twelve. Or more. But not less than ten.’

‘Why?’

‘Doesn’t matter why. Will you do it?’

‘Are you going to do something to the house? You want me out of the way?’

‘I won’t come near the house. I promise. No one will ever know. Will you do it?’

‘I can’t. Seth took my car key. I’m grounded.’

‘Is there a spare?’

‘He took that too.’

Reacher said, ‘He’s not carrying them around in his pocket. Not if he keeps his own key in a bowl in the kitchen.’

Eleanor said nothing.

Reacher asked, ‘Do you know where they are?’

‘Yes. They’re on his desk.’

‘On or in?’

‘On. Just sitting there. Like a test for me. He says obedience without temptation is meaningless.’

‘Why the hell are you still there?’

‘Where else could I go?’

‘Just take the damn keys, will you? Stand up for yourself.’

‘Will this hurt Seth?’

‘I don’t know how you want me to answer that question.’

‘I want you to answer it honestly.’

‘It might hurt him indirectly. And eventually. Possibly.’

There was a long pause. Then Eleanor said, ‘OK, I’ll do it. I’ll drive south eleven miles on the two-lane and come back again. An hour and ten minutes from now.’

‘No,’ Reacher said. ‘An hour and six minutes from now. We’ve just been talking for four minutes.’

He hung up and stepped back to the main public room. The barman was working like a good barman should, using fast efficient movements, thinking ahead, watching the room. He caught Reacher’s eye and Reacher detoured towards him and the guy said, ‘I should get you to sign a napkin or something. Like a memento. You’re the only guy who ever came in here to use a phone, not avoid one. You want a drink?’

Reacher scanned what the guy had to offer. Liquor of all kinds, beer on tap, beer in bottles, sodas. No sign of coffee. He said, ‘No thanks, I’m good. I should hit the road.’ He moved on, shuffling sideways between the tables, and he pushed out the door and walked back to his car.

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