James Patterson - Double Cross

“What about the Webcast?” Bree asked. “We have any idea how many people saw it?”

Davies looked from her face to mine. “Let’s just say if you ever wanted to sell your story, now would be a good time.” We laughed but only because there was nothing we could do about the reach and popularity of the Webcast.

“He basically got what he wanted, didn’t he?” Bree said. “He got famous, anyway. She’ll be famous now too. As disciples of Kyle Craig, at the least.”

I turned away from the window, suddenly done looking at him, and done with this case. “Hope it was worth it, Anthony .”

I heard a shout that was muffled by the observation window. I looked back.

“Dead man walking!” Aaron yelled. “That’s what you are, Cross.”

I DIDN’T HEAR ANYTHING from Kyle Craig, which didn’t completely surprise me. He’d made terrible threats, but if he had wanted me dead, he would have done it. He had his chance in the alleyway. So the next few days passed quickly for me, but probably slowly for Damon. My boy was leaving home.

By the time we were packing the car to send him off to his first semester at Cushing Academy, he was showing his emotions on a fairly regular basis. Cool just didn’t cut it for him anymore.

He and I spent the final couple of days driving up to Massachusetts together. We stopped to see our cousin Jimmy at the Red Hat in Irvington, and had a fine meal and listened to some jazz, then continued on our way. I noticed that I was showing my emotions on a regular basis now too. I figured that was a good thing, growth maybe. I was troubled by my life, though. I wondered if I had a soul anymore. All these killings, understanding the killers…

“So you know when Family Weekend is?” Damon asked me as we got close to Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

“Don’t worry, it’s already on my calendar. I’ll be there with bells on.”

“Well, if you have a case or whatever, I understand.”

“Damon.” I waited for him to look at me. “I’ll be there. No matter what.”

“Dad.” He gave me a grown-up stare and a little frown he’d inherited from Nana Mama. “It’s okay. I know you’ll come if you can.” It wasn’t quite like looking at myself across the front seat, but there was no closer copy in the world.

“You’re going to have a great year, Day. In school and on the basketball court. I’m really proud of you. One hundred percent.”

“Thanks. I think you’re going to have a great year too. Keep an eye on Bree. She’s good for you. Everybody thinks so. Your decision, though. Of course.”

Just then, my cell phone rang. What now ? I had a crazy thought-to throw the damn thing right out the car window.

And that’s what I did.

And Damon clapped, and we laughed as if it were the funniest thing I’d ever done. Maybe it was too.

We arrived at the school in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, and it was so gorgeous, such an eyeful, that I wished I could spend the next four years there myself, relive my youth, or something like that.

A message was waiting for me at the admin building. It was from Superintendent Davies. Alex, I have bad news. There have been some murders in Georgetown .

But that’s another story for another time.

JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and bestselling writers of all time. He is the author of the two top-selling new detective series of the past decade: the Alex Cross novels, including Cross; Mary, Mary; London Bridges; Kiss the Girls; and Along Came a Spider , and the Women’s Murder Club series, including 1st to Die; 2nd Chance; 3rd Degree; 4th of July; The 5th Horseman; and The 6th Target . He has written many other #1 bestsellers, including Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas, Lifeguard, Honeymoon, Beach Road , and Judge amp; Jury . He lives in Florida.