OBIE WENT OUT into the barn, uncovered a box on the workbench, and took out a pack of Winston cigarettes. He popped one out, lit it up, and put the filter to his mouth. He drew in the carcinogens and then exhaled them.

Lung cancer slow or bullet fast. What’s the real difference? Time? Who gives a shit?

He took another pull on his smoke, stretched out his neck. He took one final puff, ground the cigarette out on the workbench, and left the barn, locking the door behind him.

He stared up at the small farmhouse. There were two lights on inside.

One room where Julie was.

One room where Vance was.

He was separated from them by about fifty feet.

He was actually separated from them by about fifty light-years.

I am a killer. I pull triggers. I end lives. I do no more than that.

He turned and pulled his gun so fast she threw up her hands to shield her face.

Vance slowly lowered her arms and gazed at him.

He eased down his gun and said, “I thought you were in the house.”

“I was in the house. But I decided to come and check on you.”

“I’m just fine.”

She eyed the gun. “Fine, if a little edgy?”

“I prefer to call it being professional.”

She folded her arms across her chest, took a breath, exhaled, and watched it turn into mist in the chilly air. “We all are in this together, you know.”

He holstered his weapon but said nothing.

She moved closer. “You know, I understand guys who keep it all bottled up inside. The silent, stoic warrior. The FBI sure as hell has enough of them. But it does get old after a while. And a little grating, particularly at times like these.”

Robie looked away. “I’m not like anybody at the FBI, Vance. I kill people. I’m ordered to do it. But I carry out those orders. No remorse. No nothing.”

She said, “So why didn’t you kill Jane Wind and her son? Why did you take the time to get her other child to safety? And you did it while people were trying to kill you. Explain that to me.”

“Maybe I should have just killed them.”

“If I thought you believed that I’d shoot you right now.”

He turned to see Vance pointing her pistol at his chest.

“So are you just a killer, Robie? Don’t give a damn about anything or anyone else?”

“Why do you care?”

“I’m not sure why. It just seems that I do. Maybe I’m just stupid. I just swore an oath of loyalty to you back there. But it didn’t seem to register with you. I wasn’t expecting you to jump up and cheer when I put you above the FBI and my professional career, but I did expect some type of positive reaction. Instead you just walked out.”

Robie turned and started to walk back toward the house.

“Do you always just walk away when the questions get tough?” she snapped. “Is that your way of handling things when the going gets shitty? If so, it sucks. I expected better from you.”

He turned back around, settled his hands in his pockets, and rocked back and forth on his heels. He took several shallow breaths and stared at a spot directly over Vance’s shoulder.

She walked toward him, sliding her gun back into its belt holster. “I thought I came here to be part of something. Please don’t tell me I was wrong about that.”

Robie glanced at the house. “She’s only a kid. She’s in way over her head. She shouldn’t be involved in this at all.”

“I know that. But she’s also a tough kid. And smart. And determined.”

Robie’s mouth twisted. “This isn’t some scrape-up on the playground. Or some chemistry test you either pass or fail. One or both of us probably won’t make it through to the end. So what chance does she have?”

Vance said, “But you’re just a killer, Robie. You said that’s all you are. So why do you care what happens to me or her? It’s just another job. If we die, we die.”

“But she shouldn’t die. She deserves to have a life.”

“Pretty weird statement for a cold-blooded killer to make.”

“Okay, Vance, I get your point.”

She pointed toward the house. “Let’s go work on the plan. All of us.”

Robie didn’t say anything, but he started to walk toward the house. Vance fell into step beside him.

He said, “Whatever happens, Julie is going to survive this.”

Vance said, “And for what it’s worth, I’ll do all I can to make sure you do too.”