The Innocent

There's always more to life than money, Will. Money is just a means to an end. It shouldn't be the goal. Annnie Lambert

Robie took a deep, cleansing breath. He had never played well with others. For the last dozen years he had worked in almost total isolation. He preferred it that way. He was better alone than with a team. That’s just how he was built.

They’re both black. I don’t like to cut perfectly fine coffee with cream or sugar.

Energy is my specialty and I do white papers and briefing documents and I help write speeches for the administration

My undergraduate degree is in engineering. I have a Ph.D. in biochemistry with an emphasis on renewable energy resources. And we are running out of the fossil fuel stuff. Not to mention wreaking great harm through climate change.

Ordinarily Robie would police his brass. But he was chambering dum-dum rounds tonight, so most likely they would stay inside her.

Who’s taking care of you?” “Them, for now,” said Julie, indicating Robie and Vance. “Is she in protective

Life is what it is, Will. You take it as it comes.

It was like Julie had said. You had to take life as it came. It gave no quarter, spared no feelings. Limited no pain. Put no ceiling on happiness.

You had to take life as it came. It gave no quarter, spared no feelings. Limited no pain. Put no ceiling on happiness.

whatever and whoever is after her? A

Money is just a means to an end. It shouldn’t be the goal.

The spokeswoman said, “The victims, a mother and her young son, have been identified, but we’re withholding their

There were five, not counting the guide. The man and

Lots of people don’t talk about their military service.” “I bet heroes do.” “No. A pretty accurate rule of thumb is the people who did the most talk about it the least. The blowhards are the ones who did squat.

That’s what civilization sometimes did to threats, real or perceived. They walled them off. Us against them. Survival of the fittest. You die so I can live.

same squad.” “Maybe,” said Robie. “But I’m not convinced.” Vance eyed his car. “You think it’s okay to get in it?” “I told you about the special features. But if it makes you feel any better I’ll get in first and start it up.” “Robie, you don’t have to do that. We’re in this together.” “And because we’re in this together, I do have to do it. No sense in all of us going up in the same flame ball.” They waited at the corner while he unlocked the car and got in. Vance and Julie tensed noticeably when he started the engine. When nothing happened, they both let out long breaths at the same time. He drove to the corner and they climbed in. “Now where?” asked Vance. “Back to our little HQ, compare notes, think it through, and come up with new leads.” “I don’t see anything to think through,” grumbled Julie. “You’d be surprised,” replied Robie. “Well, let’s hope we’re surprised,” said Vance. “Because I don’t see any daylight in all this either.” Traffic was just as bad heading west and it was well over ninety minutes later before they were seated at the table in the farmhouse kitchen staring at each other. They’d grabbed some burgers and fries on the way back and had eaten in the car. But while their bellies were full, their heads were still empty of any promising leads. “Okay, let’s go through it again,” said Robie. “Do we have to?” said Julie. “It seems like a waste of time.” “Most of investigative work can be a waste of time. But

You’re lying to me, aren’t you?” “Pretty much, yeah.” “Thanks for being honest about your dishonesty.

Five hundred and thirty-five members of Congress plied their trade near here in various buildings named after long-dead politicians. They, in turn, were surrounded by an army of lobbyists flush with cash who worked relentlessly to convince the elected officials of the unassailable righteousness of their causes. Such was democracy.

A pretty accurate rule of thumb is the people who did the most talk about it the least. The blowhards are the ones who did squat.