"Bartlett got me fired. That's probably enough for now. I don't know enough to be a threat to him. Yet."
"But what if you find out . . . whatever it is you're looking for? Then—"
"Then I'll know if medical miracles sometimes come with a strange price."
She was looking at him, pity entering her dark eyes. "What are you going to do for money? The child support you send to Amy?" She hesitated. "I'm so sorry about this, Stone. If you need a little help for the short term, I could—"
"Don't go there. I can take cash out on a couple of credit cards. And when I turn in the manuscript for the book, I'll get the other two‑thirds of the advance. After that, I'm hoping I might get an actual career."
"Oh, Stone, I'm really sorry about this," she said with feeling. "Truly I am. I. . . I guess I still enjoy seeing you. Having you around. You're a mensch, you know that? Whatever your other failings, and God knows they're plenty, you were always kind. You're even kind to people who don't necessarily wish you well."
"Well, tell that to Amy if you ever get the chance. Sometimes she thinks her dad is the meanest guy alive. Particularly when I don't honor her every whim."
"You're a good father too." She sighed.
For Stone, this was always the moment that he wanted her back—when she let her guard down.
"Dammit, Stone, why couldn't we make a go of it?"