David Baldacci - The Last Mile

He said, “Let me see. One of the greatest college running backs of all time. Heisman finalist. And a guy who would’ve made the NFL Hall of Fame first ballot. I wonder what the hell a high school football team sees in you .”

Mars chuckled embarrassedly. “I knew how to run the ball, Decker. I just don’t know if I can teach other people how to do it.”

“I think Tommy will be in good hands.”

They reached the airport and Decker helped Mars with his bags. The two men faced each other in front of the terminal.

“I guess this is goodbye. At least for now.”

Decker said, “For now. But don’t disappear on me.”

“Come on down to ’Bama and watch the Howling Cougars play. Bring Jamison and Bogart.”

“That’s a deal.”

They looked at each other awkwardly for a moment until Mars gave a bear hug to Decker, which he tentatively returned.

Mars said, “I don’t know how I can ever thank you, man. I’ve never had a better friend, not in my whole life.”

“Quite an admission for a Longhorn to make to a Buckeye.”

“You know what I mean.”

Decker didn’t have to hesitate this time. Keeping in his head that memory of their playing against each other he said, “I know what you mean, Melvin. And I feel the same way.”

“You never know, we might hook up sometime. I’m starting to like this investigation stuff.”

“You’re actually good at it.”

“You take care of yourself.” Mars cracked a smile. “And don’t get too skinny.”

“Don’t lose any sleep over that possibility.”

They hugged once more, and then Mars picked up his bags and walked into the airport terminal.

Decker watched him go until the big man disappeared from view.

Then he climbed back into his car but didn’t drive off right away.

He turned on the radio. The station was turned to NPR.

He thought back to last New Year’s Eve when he had done this same thing. When he had heard a story that had changed his life and so many others’. But most importantly, the life of Melvin Mars.

He glanced once more in the direction of the terminal and dialed up the image of Melvin Mars telling him that he was the best friend he’d ever had.

He suddenly felt like he had when he’d walked onto that gridiron on opening day. When eighty thousand people were cheering him, Amos Decker, or so it had seemed.

Except for the day he’d married his wife and the day his daughter was born, that experience had been the best he had ever felt in his whole life.

Now that amazing NFL moment had been pushed back to a distant fourth place.

After Melvin Mars being his new best friend.

To Michelle, for doing everything else while I do this!

To Mitch Hoffman, for being a crackerjack editor and now an agent.

To Michael Pietsch, for leading the way so ably.

To Jamie Raab, for being a wonderful advocate.

To Lindsey Rose, Karen Torres, Anthony Goff, Bob Castillo, Michele McGonigle, Andrew Duncan, Christopher Murphy, Dave Epstein, Tracy Dowd, Brian McLendon, Andy Dodds, Matthew Ballast, Lukas Fauset, Deb Futter, Beth deGuzman, Jessica Krueger, Oscar Stern, Michele Karas, Stephanie Sirabian, and everyone at Grand Central Publishing, for all the intense labor.

To Aaron and Arleen Priest, Lucy Childs Baker, Lisa Erbach Vance, Frances Jalet-Miller, John Richmond, and Melissa Edwards, for being the absolute best. Enjoy the new digs!

To Anthony Forbes Watson, Jeremy Trevathan, Trisha Jackson, Katie James, Alex Saunders, Sara Lloyd, Jodie Mullish, Stuart Dwyer, Geoff Duffield, Jonathan Atkins, Anna Bond, Sarah Willcox, Leanne Williams, Sarah McLean, Charlotte Williams, and Neil Lang at Pan Macmillan, for making me feel so very special.

To Praveen Naidoo and his team at Pan Macmillan in Australia, for all your hard work.

To Caspian Dennis and Sandy Violette, for being such cool friends.

To Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy, for your incredible audio performances.

To Steven Maat and the entire Bruna team, for taking such great care of me in Holland.

To Bob Schule, for reading yet another manuscript.

To Roland Ottewell, for a stellar copyediting job.

To auction winner Patricia Bray, I hope you enjoyed your character. Thank you for supporting a wonderful organization.

To Kristen and Natasha, for keeping Columbus Rose on course.

And to Michelle Butler, welcome to the team.