FaceOff

by Lee Child

  In the far distance Jerry DeLong was watching.

  Reacher picked up the grocery sack. It was full of hundred-dollar bills, all used and wrinkled, held together in bricks by orange rubber bands. Reacher had four pants pockets, two in front, two in back, so he took four bricks from the sack and stuffed one in each pocket. Then he tore off the gold chains and pulled off the rings and found the Sig and went through the Albanian’s pockets and dumped out all the loot. He gave the sack to Heller.

  Heller said, “The cops will come. We don’t leave people on the street here. Not like New York.”

  Reacher said, “They’ll check the bar.”

  “Their first stop.”

  “I’ll go east and you go west. Pleasure working with you.”

  “Likewise,” Heller said.

  They shook hands, and melted away into the darkness, opposite directions, leaving the Albanian where he was on the sidewalk, an unfortunate victim of a mugging, his good and valuable consideration stolen before the deal with DeLong could be properly consummated. Therefore no deal existed. Their own rules said so. DeLong had no obligations, and nothing to betray. An Albanian thing. Part of the culture.

  REACHER WATCHED THE END OF the game in a bar a mile away. He was sure Heller was doing the same thing a mile in the other direction. In which case they were watching two different events. Reacher was watching a limp and miserable defeat. Heller was watching a glorious and triumphant victory. But such was life. You can’t win them all.

  Author Biographies

  DAVID BALDACCI made a splash on the literary scene with the publication of his first novel, Absolute Power. A major motion picture adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. David has now published twenty-six novels, all of which have been national and international best sellers. His novels have been translated into more than forty-five languages and sold in more than eighty countries, with over 110 million copies in print worldwide. A lifelong Virginian, David received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced in Washington, DC. He’s also an accomplished philanthropist. With his wife, Michelle, he started Wish You Well Foundation, which supports literacy by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of literacy and educational programs. In 2008, the foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty, and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, more than one million new and used books have been collected and distributed through area food banks nationwide. David lives with his wife and their two teenagers in Virginia. To learn more, visit davidbaldacci.com.

  LINWOOD BARCLAY had written several novels by the time he was in his early twenties, but no one wanted to publish them (this may have been because, according to Linwood, they were not all that good). So he decided on a field where he could get paid to write every day. He spent twenty-seven years at Canada’s largest paper, the Toronto Star, the last fifteen as a columnist. But in 2004, with the publication of Bad Move, he finally got to do what he’d always wanted. In 2008, he left the paper to write fiction full-time. Linwood has published more than a dozen novels, which have been translated into nearly thirty languages. They include the best seller No Time for Goodbye and Trust Your Eyes, which has been optioned by Warner Bros. for film. He lives near Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children. His website is linwoodbarclay.com.

  STEVE BERRY is the New York Times and number one internationally best-selling author of nine Cotton Malone adventures, four stand-alone thrillers, and four short story originals. His books have been translated into forty languages with more than seventeen million printed copies in fifty-one countries. History lies at the heart of all of Steve’s novels. It’s his passion, one he shares with his wife, Elizabeth, which led them to create History Matters, a foundation dedicated to historic preservation. Since 2009 Steve and Elizabeth have crossed the country to save endangered historic treasures, raising money via lectures, receptions, galas, luncheons, dinners, and their popular writers’ workshops. He is a member of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries Advisory Board and a founding member of International Thriller Writers—where he served three years as its copresident. For more information on Steve and History Matters, visit steveberry.org.

  LEE CHILD has been a television director, union organizer, theater technician, and law student. After being fired, and on the dole, he hatched a harebrained scheme to write a novel, thus saving his family from financial ruin. Killing Floor (1997) was that novel and won worldwide acclaim. The hero first introduced there was Jack Reacher. Seventeen novels later Reacher is a worldwide phenomenon. Millions of copies of those books have been sold in countless languages. In 2012, Tom Cruise brought Reacher to life on the big screen. Lee himself was born in England but now lives in New York City. He likes to say that he leaves the island of Manhattan “only when required to by forces beyond his control.” Visit Lee online at leechild.com.

  MICHAEL CONNELLY is the author of twenty-six published novels and a book of nonfiction. He is a former journalist who covered crime and courts for the Los Angeles Times. Eighteen of his novels have featured LAPD detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch, who debuted in the mystery world in 1992 with The Black Echo. Michael has also written several novels featuring defense attorney Mickey Haller, who debuted in 2005’s The Lincoln Lawyer. More than fifty million copies of his books have been sold worldwide. Two of his novels—Blood Work and The Lincoln Lawyer—have been made into films. Michael was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Florida, and spends much of his time in California where he researches his characters and books. His website is michaelconnelly.com.

  JEFFERY DEAVER is a former journalist, folksinger, and lawyer. Now he’s a number one internationally best-selling author, sold in 150 countries and translated into thirty-one languages, with thirty-two novels, three collections of short stories, and a nonfiction law book to his credit. His The Bodies Left Behind was named 2009 Novel of the Year by International Thriller Writers. He’s also won the Steel Dagger and the Short Story Dagger from the British Crime Writers’ Association and the Nero Wolfe. He’s even entered the world of James Bond, chosen by the Ian Fleming estate to write Carte Blanche (2011), a huge best seller, which also received the Japanese Grand Prix award. Movies are no stranger to him, either. His book A Maiden’s Grave was made into an HBO film starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin. The Bone Collector became a feature release starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. His The Devil’s Teardrop is a Lifetime Network feature film. And, yes, the rumors are true, Jeff did appear as a corrupt reporter on his favorite soap opera, As the World Turns. Jeff was born outside Chicago, has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, and a law degree from Fordham University. Learn more about this fascinating writer at jefferydeaver.com.

  LINDA FAIRSTEIN spent thirty years as a prosecutor in the New York County District Attorney’s Office. But she is now the author of fifteen New York Times and internationally best-selling Alex Cooper crime novels. She is also the author of a New York Times Notable Book of the Year, Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape. Among her many honors, Linda was awarded the International Thriller Writers’ 2010 Silver Bullet for her work with battered and abused women. You can find out more about Linda at lindafairstein.com.

  JOSEPH FINDER is the New York Times best-selling author of ten novels. The Boston Globe called him a “master of the modern thriller.” His first novel, The Moscow Club (1991), was named one of the ten best spy novels of all time. In 2007, his Killer Instinct (2006) was tagged as Best Novel of the Year by International Thriller Writers. He’s also made a successful move into theaters. A major motion picture based on his novel Paranoia, starring Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, and Liam Hemsworth, was released in 2013. Previously, his novel High Crimes became a hit starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. Joe is a graduate of Yale College and th
e Harvard Russian Research Center. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Association of Former Intelligence Officers. He lives in Boston. Check him out at josephfinder.com.

  LISA GARDNER is both a number one New York Times best-selling author and the 2010 winner for Best Hardcover Novel (The Neighbor) from International Thriller Writers. She began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire she took the hint and focused on writing. With sixteen million copies of her books now in print, Lisa’s glad she did. She lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with her race car–driving husband, speed-skiing daughter, two extremely barky dogs, and one silly puppy. For the full scoop on Lisa, check out lisagardner.com.

  HEATHER GRAHAM is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of over one hundred novels ranging from suspense, paranormal, and historical, to mainstream Christmas fare. She lives in Miami, Florida, which makes for an easy drive down to the Keys where she can indulge her passion for diving. Travel, research, and ballroom dancing also help keep her sane. She is the CEO of Slush Pile Productions, a recording company and production house for various charitable events. Look her up at eheathergraham.com.

  PETER JAMES’s Sunday Times number one best-selling Detective Superintendent Roy Grace crime novels have been translated into thirty-six languages, with worldwide sales of over fourteen million copies. Three of his books have been filmed and two more are currently in development, as well as a stage play. All of Peter’s novels reflect his deep interest in law enforcement. His research is legendary, delving into science, medicine, and the paranormal. He’s also produced numerous films, including The Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, and Joseph Fiennes. In 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Brighton. He served two terms as chair of the Crime Writers Association and is a board member of International Thriller Writers. He divides his time between his homes in Notting Hill, London, and near Brighton in Sussex. Visit Peter’s website at peterjames.com.

  RAYMOND KHOURY is the New York Times and internationally best-selling author of four Reilly and Tess adventures: The Last Templar, The Templar Salvation, The Devil’s Elixir, and Rasputin’s Shadow, as well as two stand-alone thrillers, The Sanctuary and The Sign. His debut novel, The Last Templar, spent twenty weeks on the New York Times best-seller list and was adapted for television by NBC. His books have been translated into over forty languages and sold over ten million copies. Raymond earned an MA in architecture and an MBA before deciding he wanted to write. His screenwriting work includes the award-winning British series Spooks (MI-5) and Waking the Dead. You can connect with him at raymondkhoury.com.

  DENNIS LEHANE grew up in Boston. Before becoming a full-time writer, Dennis worked as a counselor with mentally handicapped and abused children, waited tables, parked cars, drove limos, worked in bookstores, and loaded tractor-trailers. His first novel, A Drink Before the War, won the Shamus Award. He has published nine more novels since that have been translated into more than thirty languages, each an international best seller. Gems like Darkness, Take My Hand; Sacred; Gone, Baby, Gone; Prayers for Rain; Mystic River; Shutter Island; The Given Day; Moonlight Mile; and Live by Night. He was a staff writer on the acclaimed HBO series The Wire and is currently a writer-producer on the fourth season of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Learn more at dennislehane.com.

  JOHN LESCROART is the author of twenty-four novels, most of which have been New York Times best sellers. With sales of over ten million copies, his books have been translated into twenty-two languages in more than seventy-five countries. John has also endowed the perennial $5,000 Maurice Prize for excellence in long-form fiction at the University of California at Davis. Additionally, he is a member of the board of directors of Cal Humanities, an independent nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Finally, and perhaps less known, John loves to cook. His original recipes have appeared in Gourmet magazine and in the cookbook A Taste of Murder. John and his wife, Lisa Sawyer, live in Northern California. His website is johnlescroart.com.

  STEVE MARTINI is the author of numerous New York Times best-selling novels, including Shadow of Power, Double Tap, The List, The Judge, and Undue Influence, the last two of which were produced as network television miniseries on NBC and CBS. In all Steve has written fifteen novels, twelve of them in the Paul Madriani series. Once upon a time Steve worked as a newspaper reporter and California State Capitol correspondent. He also practiced law in California and served as an administrative law judge. He currently travels widely and divides his time between his home in the Pacific Northwest and a condominium overlooking the Gulf of Siam in Thailand. To discover more about Steve’s interesting life, go to stevemartini.com.

  T. JEFFERSON PARKER is the author of twenty crime novels, including Silent Joe and California Girl, both of which won the Edgar Award for best mystery. His last six books are what he calls a “Border Sextet,” featuring ATF task-force agent Charlie Hood, who tries to staunch the flow of illegal firearms being smuggled from the United States into Mexico. Jeff enjoys fishing, hiking, and cycling. He lives in Southern California with his family. His website is tjeffersonparker.com.

  DOUGLAS PRESTON and LINCOLN CHILD have been a writing team for a long time. They are the creators of the number one New York Times and internationally best-selling series of thrillers starring Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast. Their novel Relic was made into a number one box-office movie by Paramount Pictures. Two of their novels, Relic and The Cabinet of Curiosities, were named as among the one hundred greatest thrillers ever written in a National Public Radio poll of avid thriller readers. When not writing together, they write alone. Lincoln is the author of five best-selling novels and was once a top editor at St. Martin’s Press. He first met Doug when he edited Doug’s debut novel. In addition to writing his own separate novels, Doug Preston is the author of several nonfiction books. The most recent, The Monster of Florence, the true story of a serial killer, is being made into a film starring George Clooney. Doug also contributes to The New Yorker and has taught writing at Princeton University. Lincoln lives in New Jersey and is interested in fast cars, exotic parrots, electric guitars, and the culinary arts. Doug resides in New Mexico and is more the outdoorsman. Skiing, mountain climbing, and scuba diving consume his free time. Learn more about each of these men at prestonchild.com.

  IAN RANKIN is known for his Inspector Rebus series. The first Rebus novel, Knots and Crosses, was written in 1987 while Ian was a postgraduate student at Edinburgh University. Eighteen more novels followed and there have been several TV incarnations for the irascible, hard-drinking detective. Ian has also branched out into nonfiction work (Rebus’s Scotland: A Personal Journey), two collections of short stories, and a series of thrillers under the pseudonym Jack Harvey. Recently, Ian began to write about an Internal Affairs cop named Malcolm Fox. Ian’s books have been translated into thirty-five languages, and his many awards include the Gold and Diamond Daggers, the Edgar Award, and literary prizes in Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. He is the recipient of five honorary degrees, plus the Order of the British Empire for Services to Literature. He lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, a city that continues to confound, mesmerize, and intrigue him, with his wife and two sons. His website is ianrankin.net.

  JAMES ROLLINS is the New York Times best-selling author of international thrillers that are sold in over forty languages. His Sigma Force novels specialize in unveiling unseen worlds, scientific breakthroughs, and historical secrets. But Jim also pays it forward, having founded Authors United for Veterans, a group of best-selling writers dedicated to raising funds and awareness for USA Cares, a nonprofit organization that helps soldiers and their families. When Jim is not writing or touring, he can be found spelunking, scuba diving, or hiking. He shares his family with three golden retrievers, amid chew toys and a collection of paleontological treasures, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. To learn all sorts of things about him, visit jamesrollins.com.

  M. J. ROSE is t
he award-winning, internationally best-selling author of more than a dozen novels and three nonfiction books. The television series Past Life was based on her novels in the Reincarnationist series. Her 2013 novel, Seduction, was chosen Book of the Year by Suspense Magazine. In 1999, Rose broke ground when she used the Internet to self-publish an ebook and became the first author to be discovered online and picked up by a major publisher. She is currently copresident of ITW, and was one of the organization’s founding members. She’s also the founder of the first Internet marketing company for authors, AuthorBuzz.com, which remains one of the premier resources for writers. Before turning to fiction, Rose was a creative director at a top ad agency. She lives in Connecticut with a mysterious composer and their spoiled dog, Winka. Learn more about her at mjrose.com.

  JOHN SANDFORD is the pseudonym of John Camp. John was a reporter and an editor at the Miami Herald, and a reporter and columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He won the 1986 Pulitzer Prize in journalism. John is the author of thirty-one published novels, all of which have appeared on the New York Times best sellers lists. He is also the author of two nonfiction books, one on plastic surgery, the other art. His books have been translated into most every language around the world. He is also the principal financial backer of the Beth-Shean Valley Archaeological Project in the Jordan River Valley in Israel. In addition to archaeology, John is deeply interested in art and photography along with hunting, fishing, canoeing, and skiing. He lives in Sante Fe, New Mexico. To get to know him better, visit johnsandford.org.

  R. L. STINE is one of the best-selling children’s authors in history. He’s also one of the most widely published writers of all time. His Goosebumps series for young people has sold over 300 million copies in the United States alone, and has become a publishing phenomenon in thirty-two languages around the world. His other popular children’s book series include Fear Street, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room, and Rotten School. His anthology television series, R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour, won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Series. In 2014, Bob marked the twenty-second anniversary of Goosebumps. Many of his original readers are now in their twenties and thirties and have enjoyed his adult novels, which include Red Rain and Superstitious. Bob lives in New York City with his wife, Jane, an editor and publisher. You can find out much more at rlstine.com.