"Josh is spending some time in one of our more out-of-the-way stations," said Calibrisi. "If there's ever a terrorist threat in Biak, he'll be the first to know."

"Biak?" asked Katie.

"An island near Papua New Guinea," said Calibrisi. "Apparently there're still some cannibals running around, but personally I have my doubts."

"What about Roberts?" asked Dewey.

Calibrisi smiled knowingly, but didn't answer Dewey's question.

Just then, the waitress brought over the check, which Calibrisi grabbed before anyone else could.

"So what are you up to tonight?" he asked Katie.

"Nothing too exciting," she said. "I might stay in the city. I don't know."

"Doesn't Igor live near here?" asked Tacoma, grinning at Katie.

"Yeah, I think he does," said Calibrisi.

Katie smiled mischievously and then turned to Calibrisi.

"How about you?"

"I'm headed back tonight. I haven't seen Vivian in a week."

Calibrisi looked at Dewey.

"What about you?"

"Me?" asked Dewey. He looked at his watch. "Oh, shit. I'm actually going to see something."

"Something?" asked Katie. "Or someone?"

"Someone. It's nothing."

Dewey got to his feet.

"You're not leaving yet," said Tacoma. "Let's hear it."

"No way."

"Come on, Grampa. Who is she?"

Dewey shot Tacoma a look.

"Someone whose identity is above your pay grade, studmuffin."

"So you won't tell us who the lucky lady is?" asked Tacoma, flashing a smile.

"Tell you what, tough guy," said Dewey, "let's arm wrestle. You win, I'll tell you her name. I win, I get that leather jacket."

Dewey sat down. He put his right arm up, resting it on the table. Tacoma placed his arm on the table. Their hands met and clasped tightly together.

A small crowd started to gather in the back room to watch-waiters and waitresses, a few people from the bar-until there wasn't any more room left.

"We go on three," said Dewey. "Katie, you call it."

"Honestly," said Katie, "you two are like little children."

"Katie," said Dewey.

"Fine," she said, smiling. "One ... two ... three."

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.

Last year, I brought my then six-year-old daughter to the Flatiron Building in New York City. This is the headquarters of my publisher, St. Martin's Press. When Sally Richardson, the company CEO, heard we were in the building, she insisted on us coming up to her office to say hi. Sally was, as usual, incredibly busy. But she put everything on hold to welcome us. We caught up and shared some laughs. Feeling bad that we were taking up so much of the boss's time, I suggested we should go so that Sally could get back to work.

"Now hold on just a minute, Ben," said Sally. She then turned to Esme. "Esme, before you leave, could you do something for me?"

"Sure, Mrs. Richardson."

Sally patted the empty seat next to her.

"Would you please read aloud to me?"

Esme walked over and sat down next to Sally on the big sofa. For the next ten minutes, she read aloud to Sally and the rest of us. It was a moment that reminded me why I became a writer, and why, with every book, I'm fortunate enough to have St. Martin's Press on my side.

So thank you everyone at SMP, with special gratitude to Sally, Keith Kahla, Jennifer Enderlin, George Witte, Martin Quinn, Jeff Capshew, Lisa Tomasello, Krista Loercher, Paul Hochman, Justin Velella, Kelsey Lawrence, Melissa Hastings, Rafal Gibek, Jason Reigal, Ervin Serrano, and Hannah Braaten. And a special thank-you to the late Matthew Shear, whose laughter and kindness I will never forget.

I would also like to thank the talented group of people who represent me: Nicole James, Aaron Priest, Chris George, Terra Chalberg, and Rachel Sussman.

As with every book, a number of technical experts offered me their guidance and thoughts. Thank you for your help: Gail Riley, Matthew Bunn, Alex Mijailovic, Kevin Ryan, Jonathan KomLosy, and Rorke Denver.

An extra, very sincere thank-you to Nicole James and Keith Kahla, who demand nothing but the best from me, and then help me find it with their brilliance, toughness, patience, and, above all, humor.

Finally, a heartfelt thank-you to my family, Shannon, Charlie, Teddy, Oscar, and Esme. I'm very proud of you-each of you-for your own unique and wonderful gifts. You make me laugh, keep me humble, and always find a way to show me your love when I need it most. A hundred times a day, I think to myself, look at how lucky you are, the only person alive who can look at the five of you and and say the words, this is my family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

BEN COES is the author of the critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling Dewey Andreas novels, including Power Down, Coup d'etat, The Last Refuge, and Eye for an Eye. He lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

ALSO BY BEN COES.

Power Down.

Coup d'etat.

The Last Refuge.

Eye for an Eye.

end.