Jack Reacher

JACK REACHER 

The girl put her silverware down, and her napkin, and her plate, and then she ducked back to the counter to retrieve her glass of water. She waved to the guy called Arthur and then she came back with her water and put it next to her plate, and she slid along the vinyl bench, and she ended up directly opposite Reacher. 

He said, 'Why would you want to join me?'

She said, 'Why wouldn't I?'

'You don't know me.'

'Are you dangerous?'

'I could be.'

'Arthur keeps a Colt Python under the counter, about opposite where you're sitting. And another one at the other end. They're both loaded. With .357 Magnums. Out of eight-inch barrels.'

'You eat here a lot?'

'Practically every meal.'

Reacher said, 'Why did you want to join me?'

'Why did I see your car three times today?... I was at the lawyer's office.'

'Why?'

'Curiosity.'

'About what?'

'About why we see the same cars three times a day.'

'We?'

'Those of us paying attention,' she said. 'Don't play dumb, mister. There's something going on in the neighbourhood, and we would love to know what it is. And you look like you might tell us. If I asked you nicely.'

'Why do you think I could tell you?'

'Because you're one of them, cruising around all day, snooping.'

Reacher said, 'What do you think is happening?'

'We know you're all over the lawyer's office. And we know you're all over my street. So we're guessing someone on my street is the lawyer's client, and they're in some shady business together.'

'Who on your street?'

'That's the big question, isn't it? We think you would want to be close to your target, but not right in front of it. But how close? That's what we don't know. You could be watching a lot of different houses.'

Reacher said, 'What's your name?'

'Remember that Colt Python?'

'Loaded.'

'My name is Sam.'

'Sam what?'

'Sam Dayton. What's your name?'

'Is that really all you know about the operation on your street?'

'I think we did very well to piece that much together. You're all very tight-lipped about it. Which is a great expression, isn't it? Tight-lipped? But the tell is the way you move your cars between the law office and where I live.'

'No one has talked to you about it?'

'Why would they?'

'Has your mom said anything?'

'She doesn't pay attention. She's very stressed.'

'What about?' 

'Everything.'

'What about your dad?'

'I don't have one. I mean, obviously I must, biologically, but I've never met him.'

'Brothers or sisters?'

'I don't have any.'

Reacher said, 'Who do you think we are?'

'Federal agents, obviously. Either DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration], ATF [Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms], or FBI. This is Los Angeles. It's always drugs or guns or money.'

'How old are you?'

'Almost fifteen. You didn't tell me your name yet.'

Reacher said, 'Reacher,' and watched her very carefully. But there was no reaction. No spark. No aha! moment. Or no OMG!! [Oh My God!!] moment, which Reacher understood to be more likely with kids. His name meant nothing to her. Nothing at all. It hadn't been mentioned in her presence. 

She said, 'So will you tell me what's going on?'

Reacher said, 'Your dinner is getting cold. That's what's going on. You should eat.'

'Are you eating?'

'I already ate.'

'So why come in?'

'For the decor.'

'Arthur is very proud of it. Where are you from?'

'I move around.'

'So you are a federal agent.' And then she started eating some of her food, which Reacher bet himself was billed in the menu as Mom's Amazing Meatloaf. He knew all about diners. He had spent hundreds of hours in them, and he had eaten most of what they had to offer. 

She said, 'So am I right? Is it the lawyer and a client?'

'Partly,' Reacher said.

'So it's going to be an ambush? You're waiting for the guy to show? You're going to bust him on my street? That would be very cool.'

Reacher said, 'I'm not authorized to tell you much.'

(p. 391-395)

(From LEE CHILD: "NEVER GO BACK", Bantam Books)

Kishalay Sinha [G] October 22, 2020