One False Move, Page 27

  Clouds began to blot the blue, and then rain began to fall. Myron almost smiled. Yes, rain. That was fitting. Much better than the earlier clear skies. He closed his eyes and let the drops pound him--rain on the petals of a crushed rose.

  Eventually he stood and trekked down the hill to his car. Jessica was there, looming before him like a translucent specter. He had not seen or spoken to her in two weeks. Her beautiful face was wet--from the rain or tears, he could not say.

  He stopped short and looked at her. Something else inside him shattered like a dropped tumbler.

  "I don't want to hurt you," Myron said.

  Jessica nodded. "I know."

  He walked away from her then. Jessica stood and watched him in silence. He got in his car and turned the ignition. Still, she did not move. He started driving, keeping his eye on the rearview mirror. The translucent specter grew smaller and smaller. But it never totally disappeared.

  HARLAN COBEN, winner of the Edgar Award, the Shamus Award, and the Anthony Award, is the author of nine critically acclaimed novels: Drop Shot, Deal Breaker, Fade Away, Back Spin, One False Move, The Final Detail, Darkest Fear, Tell No One, and Gone For Good. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and four children. Visit his website at www.harlancoben.com.

  Read about Myron's next

  move In Harlan Coben's

  THE FINAL DETAIL,

  available

  from Dell

  Please visit Myron Bolitar at

  www.harlancoben.com

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  Random House, Inc.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright (c) 1998 by Harlan Coben

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. For information address: Delacorte Press, New York, New York.

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