Lee Child

“That’s a long way,” Neagley said. “It could take forever. Rush hour has started.”

“Already?”

“Rush hour in LA started thirty years ago.

Again I didn’t respond. Long experience had taught me that absolute silence is the best way. Say something, and it can be misheard. Misunderstood. Misinterpreted. It can get you convicted. It can get you killed.

Because the best stereo in the world is free. Inside your head. It sounds as good as you want it to. As loud as you want it to be.

been a lonely wanderer for six months. I’d learned something. Like Blanche in that old movie, a wanderer depends on the kindness of strangers. Not for anything specific or material. For morale.

took the cup. I was glad of it. I was thirsty and I love coffee. Give me the chance and I drink coffee like an alcoholic drinks vodka. I took a sip. Good coffee. I raised the cup like a toast.

“Nobody’s nobody,” he said. “We’ve all got a story. Tell me.”

The world all changed in a second. That’s how I felt.

But that phrase has a very precise meaning. A lot of those stock sayings do. Like when people say they slept like a baby. Do they mean they slept well? Or do they mean they woke up every ten minutes, screaming?

Ebanks wasn’t looking forward to turning in his shield.