“So, Officers, can you fill us in on what’s going on?” Bennie asked.
Kevin and Ahmed exchanged glances, then Ahmed said, “We were setting up a training facility in the woods. That’s all I can say. Please keep this to yourself—in the interest of national security.”
She gestured to Corey. “But do me a favor, Ahmed. Please tell the Legend here that it was Arabic I heard.”
Before Ahmed could reply, Kevin said something in what Corey recognized as Arabic.
Funny, coming from an Irishman.
Kevin said, “I’m learning the language. It’s just a training exercise. There are no terrorists in the woods. You can relax.”
Corey didn’t think he was getting the whole truth, and there was no reason why he should. But if he had to guess, this was more of a sting operation than a training exercise. In a week, or a month, or a year, there would be terrorists at that site, lured there by Ahmed or other Arab-Americans on the Task Force. He had a sudden nostalgia for the ATTF. He disliked the bureaucracy, the political correctness, and working with the FBI, but he missed the excitement. And the satisfaction of doing something important for the country.
But that train had left the station.
Bennie said to Kevin and Ahmed, “Well, thank you, Officers. But even if I’m safe, I’m going back to Philly tonight.”
Kevin assured her, “You’re safer here than in Philadelphia.”
Which was true.
Thousands of people died in Philly every year from boredom. But Corey kept that wisecrack to himself.
Kevin and Ahmed said good night and left.
He gestured to the sliders. “If you’d locked them when you got back in the house, we wouldn’t have been terrorized by terrorists.”
“They weren’t terrorists.”
“But they were terrifying.”
She smiled. “And apparently you’re a big deal.”
“No apparently about it.”
“I like a modest man.”
“Some men have a lot to be modest about. I don’t.” He looked at his watch. “You’re really going back tonight?”
“I wouldn’t sleep tonight anyway, after all that.” He sensed that they’d reached their good-byes sooner than either of them had wanted. He thought about offering to stay in touch, exchanging numbers and e-mails but decided to only stick out his hand, which she shook.
“Thank you,” she said. “And I’m seeing someone.”
“Figures. Nice meeting you, and have a good trip back to Philly. Tell Max I said good-bye.”
“Will do.”
“And lock the door after I leave.”
“Will do that, too.”
“Good night, Benedetta.”
He left the cabin.
He wished they could’ve gotten to know each other better, and he thought she felt the same way. He liked strong women, and she was one of the strongest yet.
They’d have made a good match.
He climbed into his Jeep and drove away.
Not a total loss, though.
He had her cell-phone number in his phone and she had his. So maybe one day he’d get a call or a text.
Or maybe someday he’d need a Philadelphia lawyer.
But, if not, they’d always have Lake Whatever.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
NELSON DEMILLE spent three years at Hofstra University, then joined the army and saw action as an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam, where he earned the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. His first major novel was By the Rivers of Babylon, published in 1978. There have been many more since, most #1 New York Times best sellers. He is a past president of Mystery Writers of America and was named Thrillermaster by International Thriller Writers in 2015. He holds three honorary degrees: doctor of humane letters from Hofstra University, doctor of literature from Long Island University, and doctor of humane letters from Dowling College. He lives on Long Island, New York, with his wife and son. For more, visit nelsondemille.net.
LISA SCOTTOLINE is an Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author of suspense fiction. She also writes a humorous nonfiction series with her daughter Francesca Serritella, which began with Why My Third Husband Will Be a Dog. She has served as president of Mystery Writers of America and has over thirty million copies of her books in print, published in over thirty-five countries. She lives in the Philadelphia area with an array of disobedient pets. Get better acquainted with her at scottoline.com.
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Originally appeared in 2017 in the anthology Matchup
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