The Long Count (27 page)
Authors: JM Gulvin
Taking Quarrie’s hand she gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘She keeps asking me when you’re going to come and visit though, and I’ve been meaning to call.’
‘Visit? You mean she remembers me?’
‘John Q, Miss Annie never forgets a thing. You told her your name and that you were a Texas Ranger and how you were there to protect her. She’s always asking about you.’
Quarrie looked beyond her to where Pious had his arm around James’s shoulders, the two of them leaning against the door of his car.
‘Is that a fact?’ he said, squaring his hat and tracing a finger across the brim. ‘Well, if she’s waiting on me to visit with her then I guess it’s time I did.’
I’d like to say a big thank you to Robert Kirby and Ben Camardi who helped develop this every step of the way.
Also,
Angus Cargill, Katherine Armstrong and everyone at Faber & Faber.
Matthew & Pamela White for all their support.
My daughters Amy & Chloe for the Father’s Day cards and the map of San Saba County.
And,
A very special thanks to my wife Kim, who continues to back me come what may.
Born in the UK, JM Gulvin divides his time between Wales and the western United States. He is the author of many previous novels, as well as Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman’s bestselling travel book
Long Way Down. The Long Count
is his first John Q mystery and he is currently at work on the follow up. He is married and has two daughters.
First published in 2016
by Faber & Faber Ltd
Bloomsbury House
74–77 Great Russell Street
London WC1B 3DA
This ebook edition first published in 2016
All rights reserved
© JM Gulvin, 2016
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Cover photograph © Iris Greenwell/Arcangel
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ISBN 978–0–571–32380–7
