The Hidden

“Give me the chance,” he said, “I’ll prove it to you. Will you?”

The nurse picked that moment to come in and call for an end to the visit.

Shelby got to her feet.

Macklin gave her a pleading look. “Will you?”

“Heart melter,” she said softly.

“What?”

“Never mind. I’ll think about it.”

“… I love you, Shel.”

Almost under now, his eyelids so heavy they wouldn’t stay open. He didn’t see her face when he heard her say, “Yes, I know.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’m indebted to Sam Parsons, former EMT, South Coast VFD, for sharing his expertise.

Thanks also to George Gibson of Walker & Company and my agent, Dominick Abel, for their ongoing support. And to Marcia, for all the usual reasons.

A NOTE ON THE AUTHOR

Bill Pronzini is the author of more than seventy novels, including three in collaboration with his wife, the novelist Marcia Muller, and is the creator of the popular Nameless Detective series. A six-time nominee for the Edgar Allan Poe Award (most recently for A Wasteland of Strangers), and two-time nominee for the International Association of Crime Writers’ best novel of the year, Pronzini is also the recipient of three Shamus Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America. He lives in northern California.

Also by Bill Pronzini

Blue Lonesome

A Wasteland of Strangers

Nothing But the Night

In an Evil Time

Step to the Graveyard Easy

The Alias Man

The Crimes of Jordan Wise

The Other Side of Silence

Copyright © 2010 by Bill Pronzini

All rights reserved.

Published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc., New York

ISBN: 978-0-8027-1800-6 (hardcover)

First published by Walker Publishing Company in 2010