page97 (1/2)

the island”

He said nothing

Her chest started to heave “I think we could have been happy there”

Everyone looked at Stone, and then back at Friedman

She said, “I think we could have been Tell me we could have been”

Stone re at her

Her body clenched and then relaxed Stone thought she had passed at that ed to say, “We’reto admit, John Carr”

Now her eyes grew still And then glazed And Marisa Friedainst plain gravel

Stone didn’t see this

He had already turned and walked away

CHAPTER 103

THE CAMEL CLUB CROWDED AROUND Alex Ford’s bed to see the agent staring back at the down her face

Reuben and Caleb exchanged smiles Reuben whispered to Caleb, “Remember, no flowers for the man”

Stone moved closer to the bed and looked down at his friend Alex still couldn’t speak and the doctors had warned that the extent of his injuries was as yet unknown because part of his brain had been impacted

“He eon had told them

“But he’ll live,” said Annabelle

“Yes,” said the doctor “He’s going to live”

Stone put a hand gently on Alex’s shoulder “It’s… good to have you back, Alex,” he said in a faltering tone

Alex blinked back at hi line

Annabelle bent her face closer to his “We’ll be with you every step of the way, Alex, every step”

He squeezed her hand

Late that night Stone sat at his desk at his cottage He had a lot to think about but really didn’t want to dwell on any of it He had a standing offer to return to work for the government in any capacity he wanted He’d told the FBI director he’d get back to hi when

Carmen Escalante had been put into WITSEC just in case Carlos Montoya decided to take out his anger on her Stone doubted she had much to worry about The world no the truth about Montoya being behind Lafayette Park and all the rest Stone assuer Either soanization would seize the opportunity and take over his cartel, the Russians wouldto pin all these crimes on them, or else the Americans would take him out

In the end, Stone didn’t care who killed him

And the nanobots that could change the trace footprints of boive the ATF and the rest of the criht

Finally, despite not wanting to do so, his thoughts turned to Marisa Friedman

A desert island she’d bought for them