Quotes from Fade Away

“So basically, that entire theory is blown to hell."
Not basically," Win corrected. "Entirely.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“He truly believed that no one could love him, and no matter who you are, that hurts. It made you insecure. It made you want to hide and build fences”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Sitting for an hour without reading material meant he had to think.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Win’s phone rang. He picked it up and said, “Articulate. Okay, put it through.” Two seconds later he handed the phone to Myron. “For me?” Myron asked. Win gave him flat eyes. “No,” he said. “I’m handing you the phone because it’s too heavy for me.” Everyone’s a wiseass.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Introductions were made. Hands were shaken. Rear ends were seated. As was his custom in such situations, Win remained silent. His eyes slid from one side of the room to the other, taking in everything. He liked to study people for a while before speaking to them, especially in their home environment.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Myron looked a question at Esperanza.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“He had learned never to disturb her when the keyboard was clacking. He left a quick note and slipped out. He grabbed the 6 train up to midtown and walked to the Kinney lot on 46th Street. Mario tossed him the keys without glancing up from his paper.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“You read me,” Myron said, “like Vasco da Gama reads a map.” Dimonte”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“What about Gloria Katz and Susan Milano?” Myron asked. “Where are they?” Cole smiled without mirth or humor. Myron saw the missing teeth and wondered if they were part of the disguise or something more sinister. “I’ll tell you about them another time,” he said. Myron”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“As Myron dashed back and forth in the wave of basketball action, a thought sneaked in through the back door of his brain. The thought stayed on the fringes, hiding behind a couch, popping into view every once in a while before ducking back down again. You can do this, the thought taunted. You can play with them. Myron”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Dimonte was waiting for him in the Meadowlands parking lot. He leaned out of his red Corvette. “Get in.” “A red Corvette,” Myron said. “Why aren’t I surprised?” “Just get in.” Myron opened the door and slid into the black leather seat. Though they were parked with the engine off, Dimonte gripped the steering wheel with both hands and stared in front of him. His face was sheet-white. The toothpick hung low. He kept shaking his head over and over. Yet again, the subtlety. “Something wrong, Rolly?”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Myron’s eyes narrowed, swerving from Clip to Calvin Johnson, back to Clip. Their expressions were neutral. “Why do I have the feeling,” Myron asked, “that I’m missing something here?” Clip finally smiled. He looked over to Calvin Johnson. Calvin Johnson forced up a return smile. “Perhaps I should be less”—Clip paused, searched for the word—“opaque.” “That might be helpful.” “I want you on the team. I don’t much care if you play or not.” Myron waited again. When no one continued, he said, “It’s still a bit opaque.” Clip let loose a long breath. He walked over to the bar, opened a small hotel-style fridge, and removed a can of Yoo-Hoo. Stocking Yoo-Hoos. Hmm. Clip had been prepared. “You still drink this sludge?” “Yes,” Myron said. He tossed Myron the can and poured something from a decanter into two glasses. He handed one to Calvin Johnson. He signaled to the seats by the glass window. Exactly midcourt. Very nice. Nice leg room too. Even Calvin, who was six-eight, was able to stretch a bit. The three men sat next to one another, all facing the same way, which again felt weird in a business setting. You were supposed to sit across from one another, preferably at a table or desk. Instead they sat shoulder to shoulder, watching the work crew pound the floor into place.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“They passed several sleazy motels and a potpourri of gas stations on Route 4. No-tell motels in New Jersey always gave themselves lofty names that belied their social station. Right now, for example, they were driving past the “Courtesy Inn.” This fine establishment not only gave you courteous attention, but they gave it to you by the hour at a rate, according to the sign, of $19.82. Not twenty dollars, mind you, but $19.82—so priced, Myron guessed, because it was also the year they last changed sheets. The CHEAP BEER DEPOT, according to another sign, was the next building on Myron’s right. Truth in advertising. Nice to see. The Courtesy Inn could learn a lesson from them.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“If I’m not mistaken,” Clip continued, “you’re a lawyer now.” “I’m a member of the bar,” Myron said. “I don’t practice much law.” “You’re a sports agent.” “Yes.” “I don’t trust agents,” Clip said. “Neither do I.” “For the most part, they’re bloodsucking leeches.” “We prefer the term ‘parasitic entities,’ ” Myron said. “It’s more PC.” Clip”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Dimonte turned the ignition key. The sound was loud. He hit the gas a bit, let the engine do the rev thing for a while. The car had been jacked up like a race car. The sound was, like, totally rad, man. No women were in the nearby vicinity to hear this human mating call or they would surely be disrobing by now. Dimonte finally shifted into gear.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“The waitress came over slowly, as if the effort of crossing the floor was synonymous with wading through deep snow and she should be rewarded for it. Myron warmed her up with one of his patented smiles. The Christian Slater model—friendly yet devilish. Not to be mistaken for the Jack Nicholson model which was also friendly yet devilish. “Hi,” he said. She put down a Rolling Rock cardboard coaster. “What can I get you?” she asked, trying to toss up a friendly tone and falling way short. You rarely find a friendly barmaid in Manhattan, except for those born-again waitresses at chains like TGI Friday’s or Bennigan’s where they tell you their name and that they’ll be your “server” like you might mistake them for something else, like your “legal consultant” or “medical advisor.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“What can you tell me about his divorce?” “Just that it’s been acrimonious as all hell.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Clip hesitated. His breathing was deep, almost labored. “I know something of your years with the FBI,” he said finally. “No details, of course. Not even vagaries really, but enough to know you have a background in this kinda stuff. We want you to find Greg. Quietly.” Myron”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Another male patron skulked around the back like he was in the adult movie area at his local video store. Again”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Her nod was grudging. “Do you think Downing killed her and ran?” “There is no evidence of that.” He pulled up to her building. “One last question,” he said. “Was Greg involved in anything unsavory?” “Like what?” “Like is there any reason thugs would be after him?” Again her excitement was palpable. The woman was like an electric current. “What do you mean? What thugs?” “A couple of thugs were watching Greg’s house.” Her face was positively glowing. “Thugs? You mean like professional gangsters?” “Probably. I don’t know for sure yet. Can you think of anything that would connect Greg to thugs or for that matter, the murder of this woman? Drugs maybe?” Audrey shook her head immediately. “It can’t be drugs.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“I just spoke to Jessica again.” “What do you mean, again?” Win sighed impatiently. He hated explanations. “If they are planning to jump you tonight, it is logical to assume it will be by her loft.” “Right.” “Ergo, I called her ten minutes ago. I told her to keep an eye out for anything unusual.” “And?” “An unmarked white van parked across the street,” Win answered. “No one got out.” “So it appears they are going to strike,” Myron said. “Yes,” Win said. “Should I preempt it?” “How?” “I could disable the car following you.” “No,” Myron said. “Let them make their move and see where it leads.” “Pardon?” “Just back me up. If they grab me, I may be able to get to the boss.” Win made a noise. “What?” Myron asked. “You complicate the simple,” Win said. “Would it not be easier to simply take out the two in the car? We could then make them tell us about their boss.” “It’s that ‘make them’ part I have trouble with.” “But of course,” Win countered. “A thousand pardons for my lack of ethics. Clearly it is far wiser to risk your own life than to make a worthless goon feel momentary discomfort.” Win”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“In most relationships, one partner has more control than the other. It was just the natural order of things. Perfect balance was a hard thing to find. In their case, Jessica currently had the upper”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“In most relationships, one partner has more control than the other. It was just the natural order of things. Perfect balance was a hard thing to find. In their case, Jessica currently had the upper hand.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“He reached for the door handle. Fear nestled into his throat, but he did not stop. He pulled the handle, opened the door, and stepped out. It was dark. The streetlights in Soho were nearly worthless, like pen beams in a black hole. Lights drifting out from nearby windows provided more of an eerie kindle than real illumination. There were plastic garbage bags out on the street. Most had been torn open; the odor of spoiled food wafted through the air. The van slowly cruised toward him. A man stepped out from a doorway and approached without hesitation. The man wore a black turtleneck under a black overcoat. He pointed a gun at Myron. The van stopped, and the side door slid open. “Get in, asshole,” the man with the gun said. Myron pointed at himself. “You talking to me?” “Now, asshole. Haul ass.” “Is that a turtleneck or a dickey?” The man with the gun moved closer. “I said, now.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“I understand,” Myron said. “I hope you do, my friend.” Calvin looked up at the numbered lights. The lights flickered in his brown eyes. “Dreams never die. Sometimes you think they’re dead, but they’re just hibernating like some big old bear. And if the dream has been hibernating for a long time, that bear is going to wake up grumpy and hungry.” “You should write country songs,” Myron said. Calvin shook his head. “Just giving a friend fair warning.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Myron parked next to a black BMW. There were maybe a dozen other cars, all glistening from fresh washes and waxes or perhaps they were all new. Mostly Mercedes Benzes. A few BMWs. A Bentley. A Jag. A Rolls. Myron’s Taurus stood out like a zit in a Revlon commercial. The”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Win normally drove a Jaguar, but he had smashed a 1983 Chevy Nova into the van. Totaled. Not that it mattered. Win had several such vehicles he kept out in New Jersey to use for surveillance or activities just east of legal. The car was untraceable. The plates and paperwork were all phony. It would never lead back to anyone. Myron”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Win nodded. “Kindly fill me in on what else has occurred in my absence. Jessica mentioned something about finding a dead woman.” Myron told him everything. As he spoke, new theories rushed forward. He tried to sort through them and organize them a bit. When he finished the recap, Myron went right into the first one. “Let’s assume,” he said, “that Downing does owe a lot of money to this B Man. That might explain why he finally agreed to sign an endorsement deal. He needs the money.” Win nodded. “Go on.” “And let’s also assume the B Man is not stupid. He wants to collect, right? So he would never really hurt Greg. Greg makes him money through his physical prowess. Broken bones would have an adverse effect on Greg’s financial status and thus his ability to pay.” “True,” Win said. “So let’s say Greg owes them a lot of money. Maybe the B Man wanted to scare him in another way.” “How?” “By hurting someone close to him. As a warning.” Win nodded again. “That might work.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“In most relationships, one partner has more control than the other. It was just the natural order of things. Perfect balance was a hard thing to find.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

“Calvin nodded and withdrew. Myron dialed the private line of Windsor Horne Lockwood III, president of the prestigious investment firm of Lock-Horne Securities in midtown Manhattan. Win answered on the third ring. “Articulate,” Win said. Myron shook his head. “Articulate?” “I said articulate, not repeat.” “We have a case,” Myron said. “Oh yippee,” he drawled in that preppy, Philly Main-Line accent of his. “I’m enthralled. I’m elated. But before I completely wet myself, I must ask but one question.” “Shoot.”
― Harlan Coben, quote from Fade Away

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Popular quotes

“Do you want me to lie to you?"
I grabbed his hand and forced him to hold the towel so I could work on his face. I cleaned him off with a cotton ball soaked in peroxide, which had him swearing and scowling at me. I found the little butterfly Steri-strip I bought and slapped a couple on his cheek.
"Yeah. I think I do." I couldn't tell the difference when he lied to me anyway. He grunted and narrowed his eyes even farther at me when I slimed some antibacterial goo on his lower lip.
"then no. You wold be exactly like all the rest.”
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“Besides, if I’d decided to pull Carver’s spine out of his body, I would’ve done it already.”
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― Joshua Harris, quote from Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship

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― Richard Fariña, quote from Been Down So Long it Looks Like Up to Me

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