The Killing Moon: A Novel

do?'

'Well,' he said, bypassing Tracy and addressing Mrs. Mithers directly, 'undergo a little reconstructive surgery, that's the first thing. Beyond that, it looks like Pinty's going to need some help getting around for a while. Never mind putting together a competent police force here. I suppose it's no secret that I still owe this town five years.'

Tracy said, 'Five years?'

'Less six months, for time served. So, four and a half. But after that, believe you me?I am gone.'

Tracy was still staring at him.

To Mrs. Mithers, he added, 'Unless I meet someone. You know. Fall in love. That old trap.'

Tracy pulled her hat off her head and rushed up and squeezed him so tight he staggered back on his cane. She kissed his good cheek, quaking in his arms, crying or maybe laughing. Either way, it was happiness, and Maddox, sore as he was, felt better than he had in a long time.

He buried his nose in Tracy's hair. She smelled clean and pure.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For aiding and abetting, thanks to Richard Abate, Colin Harrison, Susan Moldow, Robert Shulman, and Trooper John Conroy of the Massachusetts State Police.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chuck Hogan abandoned his career as a video store clerk when his first novel, The Standoff, became a best seller and was translated into fourteen international editions. His most recent novel, Prince of Thieves, was awarded the Hammett Prize for literary excellence in crime writing. He lives with his family in Massachusetts.