Read Online FrostLine by Justin Scott - Free Book Online

“If those writers and professors and reporters and memoirists and historians refused to believe that when the United States bombed the North, the enemy came to the table—and when we stopped bombing, they left the table—then how can I convince the farmer next door that I did my best to stop the killing?”
    â€œI can’t answer that. All I know is he experienced it up close, and he’s not ready for any revisionists.”
    â€œHundreds of thousands came home and resumed their normal lives. They don’t look back. What’s different about him?”
    â€œHe’s not hundreds of thousands. He’s just one guy.”
    â€œIs this my penance? I’m supposed lay back and open my knees?”
    â€œLaying back would be sufficient.”
    â€œIt’s not fair,” he said. “I served my country, too. I served it as I knew best.”
    â€œLook, I was five years old. I can’t judge either of you. All I know is you’ll be neighbors a long time. Maybe, someday, you can agonize together over a drink.”
    King did not look convinced. “What’s next?” he demanded. “What’s your next move?”
    â€œI just told you. Sit tight. Let him cool down.”
    â€œHow the hell long is that going to take? I want my lake finished by summer. I want my guests here. Do something.”
    I stood up to go. “The sooner you stop pushing him, the sooner he might come around. My advice is leave him alone. No lawyers. No more offers. Just let it lay awhile….And you might tell your helicopter pilot to find another landing path. I thought we were getting someplace, until he buzzed the barn.”
    â€œAm I supposed to pay you for this advice?”
    â€œNo charge. I didn’t deliver.”
    â€œThat’s for damned sure. I suppose you expect me to call you back when he’s cooled down?”
    â€œHe set his dog on me, Mr. King. I take that as a signal he doesn’t want me back.”
    â€œIf that damned dog comes around here, I’ll have it shot.”
    I leaned close and made him look me in the eye. “Don’t shoot his dog or you’ll answer to me.”
    â€œTo you?”
    â€œAnd let me give you some more advice.”
    â€œKeep it.”
    â€œMr. Butler is your neighbor. He’s not going away. And whatever you do, don’t rile his son.”
    â€œI’ve got people who can handle his son.”
    â€œI wouldn’t count on that.”
    â€œI don’t mean those bozo cousins of yours.”
    No surprise that the camera on the gatehouse had recorded the fight.
    â€œI still wouldn’t count on that. The State of Connecticut has tried and failed for twenty years.”
    King tried to have the last word. “My people aren’t bound by their rules.”
    By his “people,” I supposed he meant that his retired spy could call up hitters on a per diem basis. Or maybe former national security advisors had Secret Service protection.
    â€œDiplomacy by different means?”
    â€œEvery war has a winner, Mr. Abbott.”
    I went home wishing I’d done a better job.

Chapter 5
    The following Saturday I got a phone call from a frantic Mrs. Henry King. I could barely hear her over the noise of a revving chainsaw.
    â€œMr. Abbott—Ben—can you come up here? Henry’s really upset. The farmer’s sawing trees.”
    I said, “If you’re outside on a cell phone, go inside and close the door.”
    The racket ceased with a bang. “Can you hear me, now?”
    â€œMuch better. Is he on his leased land?”
    â€œHenry’s going crazy. I’m afraid—”
    â€œWhere’s Josh Wiggens?”
    â€œHe took the Chevalley boys shopping.”
    â€œShopping?”
    â€œFor spring work clothes.”
    There was a picture: the patrician security man herding those two through the Danbury Fair Mall like bulls in search of china.
    â€œHow