Джеймс Паттерсон - Private Rogue

Sci whistled.

Carver looked at me squarely.

“So, like I said before, if you ever need anything...”

“I could use a name,” I said. “Andreyev told me he’d been instructed to hire me by someone in the Kremlin, that I’ve made powerful enemies over there.”

I sensed Justine shift uncomfortably. Carver was smart enough to pick up on her concern.

“He was probably trying to get inside your head,” he replied. “But I’ll check it out for you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Secretary,” I said, and he frowned.

“I’ve told you, it’s Eli.”

“And I said I might feel more comfortable with that once we’ve had a beer together,” I countered. “What can I get you?”

He stood. “I’m afraid I can’t. Dinner date with some defense contractors. They tell me it’s essential for national security, but I’d much rather hang out with you guys.”

“Another time then, Mr. Secretary,” I said.

He gave a wry smile. “You folks enjoy your evening.”

We said our goodbyes and within a few moments, he and his Secret Service detail were gone.

“Heck of a thing,” Sci remarked.

“When are you going to stop saying that?” Mo-bot exclaimed. We all chuckled.

“Well, it is,” Sci objected.

Mo-bot elbowed him playfully.

“Come on,” she said. “I need to grab my stuff. Meet down here in an hour?” she asked me.

I nodded. We’d booked a jet to leave for Los Angeles.

“We’ll catch up soon,” she said to Jessie.

When she and Sci were gone, Jessie got to her feet.

“I’m going too,” she said. “Unless you need anything?”

I shook my head. “You’ve done more than enough. I’ll call you for our regular briefing on Wednesday.”

“Thank you,” Justine said to Jessie. “For everything.”

“Yes,” I added. “Thank you. You’ve been outstanding.”

Jessie blushed. “Look after him. He needs watching.” She gave a warm smile, then turned and walked away.

Justine lifted my arm and put it over her shoulder. I pulled her toward me, and she settled against my chest.

For a while we didn’t say anything, simply watched the other patrons spending a normal evening in the busy hotel bar. True to its name, the place was fitted out like a library in an old English country home and had a comforting atmosphere. It was where Justine and I had flirted with giving our relationship another try, before my trip to Moscow. The place had special significance, at least for me, so I’d chosen it for our last night in New York.

“She’s right, you know,” Justine said at last. “You do need watching.”

“And you think you’re the right person to take on the responsibility?” I asked.

“I do,” she replied, before leaning in to kiss me.

We’d like to thank our editor, John Sugar, and the team at Cornerstone for their excellent work on this book. We’d also like to thank you, the reader, for coming on another adventure with the Private team, and hope you’ll join us for the next one.

Adam would like to thank James Patterson for giving him the opportunity to be part of Private. He’d also like to thank his wife, Amy, and his children, Maya, Elliot and Thomas, for being such great inspiration, and his agent, Hannah Sheppard, for her continued support.