Every Last Fear(99)
Keller severed the connection, collected herself. She went over to the group huddled near the only window of the run-down shack.
“We’ve got someone coming up to the place,” the spotter said from the window.
“Tough business staying off the grid,” Cal Buchanan said. “How in the hell’d you find him?”
“Airline records,” Keller said without elaboration. She went over to the spotter, took his binoculars, peered through a crack in the blinds.
A man carrying a plastic jug of water approached the doorway to a shack even smaller than the one they were in. He was tall, thin, had what looked like a freshly shaved head. He wore a mustache. But the ’stache didn’t fully cover the scar—from a cleft palate—that cut from his right nostril to his lip.
The man went inside the shack and Keller handed the agent the binoculars. “It’s him.”
The team stood at attention, the sound of the men locking and loading filling the room.
“You can stay in here,” Cal said. “We’ve got this. I’ve got the best breach men in the business.”
Keller thought of a fearless young woman named Maggie who always charged in. She got in the stacked position with the rest of the team. Cal gave her an admiring look.
Then she and the men charged out the door.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This novel came about in the most old-fashioned of ways—a writer and an editor sitting in a grim New York City watering hole talking about books and life—and an idea I had for a story about a family torn apart and ultimately brought together by tragedy. Joseph Brosnan, you’re a genius, and I’d be lucky to spend the rest of my career benefiting from your sage guidance and vicious pen.
I’m blessed to be represented by the best literary agent in the business, Lisa Erbach Vance. I’d walk through fire for you, Lisa, which is fitting because you’ve already done so for me.
I also extend my deepest gratitude to the talented and dedicated team at St. Martin’s Press, including Kelley Ragland, who threw her considerable force behind this book; Martin Quinn, Steve Erickson, and Kayla Janas, who expertly made sure the world knew about it; and Kaitlin Severini, who fixed all of my mistakes.
Special thanks to friends who read early drafts or helped with the medical, State Department, and technology research, including Reeves A., Lou B., Mara B., Deborah C., Kimberley H., Brian H., Dawn I., Stanton J., Robert K., Barry L., Doug L., Tony M., Sheila S., Carmen V., and “the Squad” from Recanati, Italy (Stephanie G., Jennifer R., Lynn S., and Charlie S.).
I must also recognize the Center on Wrongful Convictions for its harrowing work, and the exonerees who spent years of their lives in prison for crimes they did not commit. I drew inspiration from some of their stories in the exceptional Anatomy of Innocence: Testimonies of the Wrongfully Convicted (Liveright, 2017).
Of course, I must thank my family. In creating the Pines, I borrowed from my children: Jacob’s tales of life, friendship, and chess at NYU; Emma’s tenacious ways and our hours binge-watching Netflix true-crime dramas; and Aiden’s love of movies and travel—and his admiration of a rogue country club caddie master. Kids: You have my whole heart. You always did.
And none of this would be possible without my wife, Trace. Like everything else, Every Last Fear is for you.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ALEX FINLAY is the pseudonym of an author who lives in Washington, D.C. Born in the American South, Alex spent years traversing the globe, from a tropical island in the Pacific to a small village in the UK to a remote region in the Far East. But it was on a trip to Tulum, Mexico, that Alex was inspired to write Every Last Fear. You can sign up for email updates here.