The Survivor: A Novel Part 40

Now Cielle breathed the morning quiet and ate her breakfast. Her face was as pretty as ever, and full, though not as full as it had been.

Footfalls descended the stairs, and then Janie emerged, rubbing one eye with the heel of her hand and stifling a yawn. Pa.s.sing behind Cielle, she gave her daughter's neck an affectionate squeeze, and Cielle caught her hand and clasped it. Janie paused, followed Cielle's stare across to the portrait, and they took a collective moment. The three of them preserved in a crisp photograph, cracking up, the frame still slightly askew.

Janie started up the coffeemaker, leaning over it on locked arms as it percolated, and then she filled her mug and sipped, her eyes wistful. Cielle finished her breakfast, washed the bowl in the sink, and they headed together for the garage. The door closed behind them.

A moment later it opened again.

Cielle came back in, crossed to the living room, and, lifting a solitary finger, straightened the family portrait. She studied it a moment, her features heavy with remembrance, and then a private memory flickered beneath the surface, firming her cheeks, bringing up an incipient smile. She jogged back out, lighter on her feet.

The door swung shut.

The sun lifted above the east-facing windows, softening the quality of light.

The house sat at peace.

Acknowledgments.

As always, I consulted a number of experts in the course of writing this book, and I'd like to thank them for their time, support, and impressive brain power. Lauren Crais, for matters legal and prosecutorial. Melissa Hurwitz, M.D., and Bret Nelson, M.D., for matters medical. Philip Eisner and Maureen Sugden, for matters editorial. Greg Muradov, for introducing me to the culinary inclinations of our antagonists. Dana Kaye, my tireless publicist, who applied an even temperament and a dogged spirit throughout. Joseph Flueckiger, Omar Valdemar, and Alan Hill, security professionals who took me through the gritty realities of bank robberies. Scot Spooner, Green Beret and former member of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, who helped me rig up a nasty IED. Chris Brenes, former lieutenant at SEAL Team One, who painted a picture and walked me inside it. It almost goes without saying that all errors in the book are mine alone.

Grat.i.tude must also be extended to my attorneys, Stephen F. Breimer and Marc H. Glick, as well as to Rich Green at CAA and my team at Aaron Priest. I am thankful daily for my editor, Keith Kahla, and the rest of the folks at St. Martin's, including publisher Sally Richardson and Matthew Baldacci, Loren Jaggers, Matthew Shear, and Martin Quinn. My UK publisher has done a spectacular job on my behalf-many thanks to Daniel Mallory, David Sh.e.l.ley, and the others at Sphere who have worked so hard.

A final tip of the hat to Delinah Raya, there for me in countless ways with a tranquil outlook and an irrepressible smile.

Also by Gregg Hurwitz.

The Tower.

Minutes to Burn.

Do No Harm.

The Kill Clause.

The Program Troubleshooter.

Last Shot The Crime Writer.

Trust No One.

They're Watching You're Next.

About the Author.

Gregg Hurwitz is the author of twelve novels, most recently You're Next. In addition to his novels, he is a producer and writer for television and has written for both Marvel and DC Comics. He lives in Los Angeles.

end.