Keith said to Annie, Don't trust a word he says.
She replied, I already figured that out.
Charlie smiled again.
The coffee came, and they sipped on it. Charlie said to Annie, Here's something you can trust me on—Keith Landry is the finest, bravest, most truthful man I know.
She smiled. I know that.
Keith said, I think that's enough. He said to Charlie, This woman saved my life.
Charlie nodded and said, You owe her.
Annie said to Charlie, Actually, Keith risked his life to save mine.
Keith said again, Enough.
Charlie asked, Can Uncle buy you breakfast? No strings attached if it's under ten bucks.
They both shook their heads.
Charlie inquired, Do you need money?
Keith replied, No, we're fine.
Charlie said, So you've known each other since you were kids. That's great. Who did better in school?
Annie said, I did. He has the attention span of a gnat.
Charlie smiled. Depends on the subject. He can read Russian. Did you know that?
It never came up and probably never will.
Charlie laughed.
They drank their coffee, and Charlie said to Annie, I know you've probably had a very trying experience, and I appreciate your agreeing to stop and make small talk.
I'm sure when I get up to make my phone call, you'll dispense with the small talk.
Charlie looked at her and said, I used to meet him when he returned from someplace—usually a small cafe in a small town near a nasty border. So this sort of feels like old times. He went on, We'd have a coffee or a drink, and I'd fill him in on the latest sports news. We'd never discuss his trip until much later. But this time, since I don't think I'll see him again for a while . . .
Annie stood. I'll make that phone call.
Keith and Charlie stood as she left, and every trucker in the place watched.
They sat down again, and Charlie said, Good woman. Good presence, good eyes, good face, good body. Bad taste in men.
Apparently.
You still in love?
Yes.
The inconvenient husband, I imagine, is out of the picture.
Very much so.
You need a cleaning service?
Yes. He's in the lodge, Billy Marlon is outside.
Charlie nodded.
Keith gave Charlie directions to the lodge and said, I want everything that's hers taken out of there, I want Marlon's body out of there. You may even decide to burn the place. Your call. Then I guess someone can make an anonymous phone call to the local police. Let them figure it out.
Again, Charlie nodded. We'll take care of it. How about Marlon's body?
Find his next of kin in Spencerville. There's an ex-wife and kids in Fort Wayne, and an ex-wife named Beth in Columbus, Ohio. I want a military funeral with honors in Spencerville.
Okay. Hey, you feeling good or bad?
Both.
She really save your life?
Yes, she brained him with a poker.
Ouch! Charlie added, Aside from him trying to kill you, I guess he deserved it.
More than we'll ever know.
How's she doing?
Okay.
It's going to get a little rocky later, you know, when it all hits her. I mean, with her kids and all.
She'll be all right. But no one else has to know what happened there.
No one ever will.
Thanks.
Charlie smiled. So you did it yourself. But I have to clean up the mess.
That's what you're good at.
Is this a free favor I'm doing?
Sure is.
I don't get anything in return?
No.
He asked Keith, You coming back?
No.
That's final?
Yes.
Good. Maybe I'll take the job.
Serve you right.
Annie returned, and the two men stood again and came out of the booth. Keith said to Annie, We're leaving.
Okay. She put out her hand to Charlie and said, It was very good meeting you. I hope we see you again sometime.
You most certainly will. I want you to be my guest in Washington.
That's very kind of you.
Charlie took Keith's hand and said, Good luck, my friend. We'll meet again under happier circumstances.
I'm sure we will.
They said their good-byes, and Keith and Annie went outside and got back into the pickup truck.
Keith pulled out onto the highway and asked her, Did you speak to Terry?
Yes. She's happy and relieved. She said to tell you thanks.
Did you tell her about him?
Yes. She said, 'God rest his soul.
Keith didn't reply.
They continued south, toward Spencerville. Annie said, Charlie is a charming man.
He's very charming.
He was your boss?
Yes, but he never took it too seriously.
She stayed silent awhile, then asked him, Do you want to go back there?
No.
Why not? I'll bet it was very glamorous and exciting. What could you possibly do after leading that kind of life?
Grow corn.
She looked at him and asked, Keith . . . do you know about your house?
Yes, I do.
I'm sorry.
It's all right, Annie. The land is still there, and there were two houses on that spot before the last one. I'll build the fourth.
She nodded and said, I would offer to have you come live with me, but I don't think I can live in that house again.
No, you can't.
No . . . well . . . what . . . ? She glanced at him. What are your plans?
Well, first I'm taking you to Rome, and we'll both see the Colosseum at night, together this time.
She smiled and put her arm around his shoulders and said, Welcome home, Keith.
>
Nelson DeMille, Spencerville
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