“He booked,” said Katherine. “He can move them short legs pretty fast when he has to.” That drew chuckles, and the mood lightened.
“Well,” said Sharon. “At least we beat Pascua, and that’s a reason to celebrate.”
Epilogue
On the evening following the destruction of Pascua, there was a small party at Stanley’s house. Katherine, Norbert, Kayoko, and Sharon were there, but Slocum, who had not been seen since they parted company at the FBI data center, was not. It was a good party, with good food and good friends, bound together by their shared experience. While Stanley and Katherine played the role of host and hostess, Agent Sharon congratulated everyone on a job well done. Bobby was delighted to be back home, and seemed genuinely pleased at the obviously close bond between his father and Katherine. Norbert and Kayoko chatted amiably. It was late, but the party had really just started.
***
In a car parked across the street, George Pampas turned to Mason.
“Do you want me to finish this?” Mason watched the movement inside the house, taking a long time to answer.
“No. Let them think they’ve won.” Pampas nodded and started the car, then pulled slowly away from the curb. As they left, Slocum stepped out from the shadows. He put his gun away and walked across the street towards the Whipple house, climbing the three short steps that led to the front door. As he reached his hand out to knock, the sound of laughter carried through, and Slocum hesitated. Those inside were celebrating, and they were part of a different world. He slowly lowered his hand and looked at the soft light that filtered through the curtains.
Things belonged a certain way. His place, Slocum knew, was in the shadows, and rightly so. With a smile that was two parts resignation, one part regret, and all Slocum, he turned and walked away. He would be back, he knew, but this was not the time. With the sounds of celebration fading behind him, Robert Slocum disappeared into the night.
END
Palm Sunday Page 37
