Read Online ECLIPSE by Richard North Patterson - Free Book Online Page A

face. “What I know is that we’re different. You’re a poor boy from Boston who’s grabbing what America has to offer you—a partnership in a corporate firm and the money to buy a Victorian in Pacific Heights, fill the cellar with fine wine, and have enough left over for liberal causes. It’s only human for that to appeal to you. But I’m going where I can help people in a way that I think matters. The life you’re headed for would be slow death to me.”
    “And yet you’ve imagined it,” Pierce said softly. “Can you tell me you love Bobby as much as the cause he stands for?”
    To his surprise, Marissa said nothing. Nor, despite her stricken expression, could she seem to look away.
    Pierce touched her face. “It seems you’re out of words.”
    Still she didn’t speak. Gently, Pierce brought his face to hers.
    As they kissed, he felt her hesitate, and then their kiss went deep. When it was done, she rested her forehead against his chest. In a strained voice, she said, “You have to go now.”
    Cradling her chin, he raised her head. Twisting away, she said,
“Please.
If you don’t go I can never see you again.”
    She made it sound like a matter of her own survival. He touched her face with curled fingers and then, against his will, walked slowly to the door. When he turned again, she looked as vulnerable as the child she had described.
    Out of compassion and the fear of losing her, Pierce left.

8

    I N THE DARK OF NIGHT , P IERCE READ THE BBC’ S LATEST BULLETIN.
    General Savior Karama, the report said, had announced the imminent arrest of Bobby Okari. Karama’s statement ended simply: “The necessary measures will be taken to maintain civil order as the arrest is carried out.” But Pierce, familiar with war crimes, knew too well that bland phrases and the passive voice often signified unspoken horrors.
    There was nothing more. In silence, more profound for what he could imagine all too well, Pierce recalled the last time he had seen Marissa Brand.
    T HE FOLLOWING WEEK, Marissa had not come to class. Afraid that he had offended her, Pierce forced himself to wait. But then she missed a second class, and a third.
    He did not have her phone number; directory assistance could tell him nothing. Only his fear of making matters worse kept him from going to her apartment.
    The next week she reappeared.
    She would not meet his eyes. When class was over, she left before he could catch her.
    He hurried outside, then stopped abruptly. She was waiting at the bottom of the steps, as though nothing had changed. But when he came closer, the anxiety he felt was reflected in her eyes.
    Touching his sleeve, she asked, “Can we walk a little?”
    Together they moved across the moonlit grass. She did not speak orlook at him until they stood beneath the shadow of the campanile. Quietly, she said, “I’m leaving, Damon.”
    “Class? Or school?”
    “America. Bobby’s returning to Luandia—it’s time, he’s decided. I’m going, too.”
    A dull shock silenced him for an instant. “To do what?”
    “Marry him.
Help
him.” Her eyes held uncertainty and a hint of pain. “I don’t expect you to understand. But I won’t be sad to leave a place where so many take so much for granted, and go where the simplest thing—the survival of your child—is precious.”
    He drew closer, looking down into her face. “Is this about Bobby, or the cause?”
    “I don’t separate them. The work is part of who he is.” Her tone, though sharper, contained a plea for understanding. “It’s also about me.”
    “But do you love him? Does he love you? If he doesn’t
see
you, Marissa, all the good works in the world won’t make you feel less alone.”
    For a moment she looked away. With fresh urgency, he asked, “Why didn’t you come to class?”
    “You know the reason.”
    “Do I? Then look at me and say it.”
    When she gazed up at him it seemed an act of will, though she answered in a soft, deliberate voice. “I love him.