Page 70 of Exit Strategy
Strickland didn’t answer.
‘Where did they come from?’
Strickland sneered, but he didn’t speak.
Reacher took a step toward him. ‘Who are they?’
Strickland said, ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m the one who’s asking you a question. What’s with these bodies?’
‘Yeah? Well, I’m the one who’s not answering.’
Kasselwood said, ‘It’s freezing in here. And these bodies are creeping me out. Can you ask him your questions outside?’
Reacher looked at Strickland and said, ‘Take your coat off.’
Strickland said, ‘What?’
‘The lady’s cold. Take your coat off. Give it to her.’
‘No.’
Kasselwood said, ‘It’s all right. I don’t need it.’
Reacher kept his eyes on Strickland. He tucked the gun into his waistband and said, ‘You can give it up. Or I can take it from you. Your choice.’
Strickland was silent for a moment, then said, ‘Fine.’ He unzipped the coat, slipped it off his shoulders, and let it fall to the floor.
Reacher kept looking at Strickland and said, ‘Kathryn – how much rope is left on the bed?’
Kasselwood checked the bed frame and said, ‘A couple of feet at each corner, if you adjust the knot.’
Reacher quickly glanced at the bed Vardanyan had been in. The blanket was missing. He saw that she had it wrapped around her shoulders like a cape. He looked back at Strickland and said, ‘Go lie on her bed.’
Strickland didn’t move. He didn’t speak.
Reacher said, ‘If I have to put you on the bed, I’m going to break both your legs.’ He stepped back to give Strickland a clear path.
Strickland was still for a moment, then he slowly walked forward. He paused at the foot of the bed Vardanyan had been in, then moved down its far side. He made as if he was going to sit on it, then twisted the other way and flopped onto the next empty bed in line.
Gilmour was the closest to Strickland. He moved forward and reached out, ready to grab him and move him across to the bed with the ropes attached. Strickland sat up. He slipped his hand behind his back, then pulled it around to his front. He was holding something now. It was bright orange, with two spikes sticking out. Helunged at Gilmour’s chest. Gilmour spun away but the spikes caught him in the side. They ripped through his clothes and stuck into his skin. His back arched. His whole body shook for a second. His eyes rolled back in his head. Strickland dropped the device and grabbed Gilmour’s shirt, just below the collar. He jumped off the bed and dived toward the door, towing Gilmour after him. He took two more steps then let go of Gilmour’s shirt. Strickland kept moving. Gilmour fell, sprawling, arms and legs out wide. Strickland was at the doorway. Reacher was moving, too. His right arm was stretched out, aiming for Strickland’s back, closing in. His fingertips were an inch away. Then his foot tangled with Gilmour’s leg. He stumbled. Almost lost his balance. Corrected. But by then Strickland was through the doorway. He pulled the door behind him. Reacher snatched it open. He dived through and caught sight of Strickland. He was running toward his office, full pelt. Reacher snatched the gun from his waistband and lined it up on Strickland’s back. Then he lowered it and tucked it away.
Kasselwood was standing in the doorway. She said, ‘You didn’t shoot. Why not?’
Reacher said, ‘I was thinking of you and Dr Martin.This isn’t Hollywood.’
‘Thank you.’
‘For what?’
‘Not killing him.’
‘After what he did to Vardanyan? And what his guys did to you?’
Kasselwood shrugged. ‘It’s complicated.’
‘I’m listening.’
