Running Blind (The Visitor)

them.”
    Harper stared at him. “But how? How the hell? How would he do all that?”
    “I don’t know,” Reacher said.
    “Blackmail?” she said. “Threats? Fear? Is he saying, play along and the others die but you live? Like he’s conning them all separately?”
    “I just don’t know. Nothing fits. They weren’t an especially fearful bunch, were they? Certainly Alison didn’t look it. And I know Rita Scimeca isn’t afraid of much.”
    She was still staring at him.
    “But it’s not just participation, is it?” she said. “It’s more than that. He’s forcing them to be happy about it too. Alison said oh good when her carton came.”
    Silence in the room.
    “Was she relieved or something?” she said. “Did he promise her, you get your carton by UPS instead of FedEx or in the afternoon instead of the morning or on some particular day of the week it means you’re definitely going to be OK?”
    “I don’t know,” he said again.
    Silence.
    “So what do you want me to do?” Harper asked.
    He shrugged. “Just keep on thinking, I guess. You’re the only one can do anything about it now. The others won’t get anywhere, not if they keep on heading the direction they’ve been going.”
    “You’ve got to tell Blake.”
    He shook his head. “Blake won’t listen to me. I’ve exhausted my credibility with him. It’s up to you now.”
    “Maybe you’ve exhausted your credibility with me, too.”
    She sat down on the bed next to him, like she was suddenly unsteady on her feet. He was looking at her, something in his eyes.
    “What?” she said.
    “Is the camera on?”
    She shook her head. “They gave up on that. Why?” “Because I want to kiss you again.”
    “Why?”
    “I liked it, before.”
    “Why should I want to kiss you again?”
    “Because you liked it before too.”
    She blushed. “Just a kiss?”
    He nodded.
    “Well, OK, I guess,” she said.
    She turned to him and he took her in his arms and kissed her. She moved her head like she had before. Pressed harder and put her tongue against his lips and his teeth. Into his mouth. He moved his hand down to her waist. She laced her fingers into his hair. Kissed harder. Her tongue was urgent. Then she put her hand on his chest and pushed herself away. Breathed hard.
    “We should stop now,” she said.
    “I guess,” he said.
    She stood up, unsteady. Bent forward and back and tossed her hair behind her shoulders.
    “I’m out of here,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    She opened the door. Stepped outside. He heard her wait in the corridor until the door swung shut again. Then he heard her walk away to the elevator. He lay back on the bed. Didn’t sleep. Just thought about obedience and acquiescence, and means and motives and opportunities. And truth and lies. He spent five solid hours thinking about all of those things.
    SHE CAME BACK at eight in the morning. She was showered and glowing and wearing a different suit and tie. She looked full of energy. He was tired, and crumpled and sweaty and hot and cold all at the same time. But he was standing just inside the door with his coat buttoned, waiting for her, his heart hammering with urgency.
    “Let’s go,” he said. “Right now.”
    Blake was in his office, at his desk, same as he had been before. Maybe he’d been there all night. The UPS fax was still at his elbow. The television was still playing silently. Same channel. Some Washington reporter was standing on Pennsylvania Avenue, the White House behind his shoulder. The weather looked good. Bright blue sky, clear cold air. It would be an OK day for travel.
    “Today you work the files again,” Blake said.
    “No, I need to get to Portland,” Reacher said. “Will you lend me the plane?”
    “The plane?” Blake repeated. “What are you, crazy? Not in a million years.”
    “OK,” Reacher said.
    He moved to the door. Took a last look at the office and stepped into the corridor. Stood still and quiet in the center of the narrow space. Harper crowded past him.
    “Why Portland?” she asked.
    He looked at her. “Truth, and lies.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Come with me and find out.”

27
    "WHAT THE HELL’S going on?” she asked.
    He shook his head.
    “I can’t say it out loud,” he said. “You’d think I was completely crazy. You’d just walk away from me.”
    “What’s crazy? Tell me.”
    “No, I can’t. Right now, it’s just a house of cards. You’d blow it down. Anybody would blow it