Never Underestimate - A Jack Reacher Novel

1

              Jack Reacher stood alone on the deck of the U.S.S. Intrepid, watching the sea gulls dive at the muddy Hudson river. He wore the usual generic olive green clothes that kept him inconspicious despite his size. It had been a week since he'd moved and it was time to keep going. Where should he go? These clothes were relatively new, so he should aim for a similar climate. It wasn't super hot in New York, but it wasn't cold either. A perfect blend of warmth and chill that made it a great place to stay. Glancing at a kid with blonde hair, he noticed the man standing behind her. His eyes were trained on Reacher, following his every movement. Reacher wasn't sure of what to do. There were two choices in his mind (1) leap over the deck into the water (2) keep calm and act like nothing was wrong. 

             It all depending on the hostility of the guy and if he was armed. Reacher took a chance, 'dropping' his wallet, before bending down to pick it up. The guy was across the space in an instant, prepared to open his mouth. "Jack Reacher?" he said, rather taken aback by Reacher's height. 

           "No, sir," Reacher replied observing the man with a cold eye. "Carter. Like the president, ya know?" The man's face fell perceptibly. 

        "I'm sorry to disturb you," he said. "I was looking for a Jack Reacher. Do you know him?" 

      "Maybe," Reacher was curious, wondering why anyone would be looking for him. As far as he was concerned, he was off the grid. "What do want him for?" 

       "My girlfriend is in trouble with the law. She thought he'd be able to help her. She's a friend of Helen Rodin, a upstate lawyer." 

         "Rodin?" Reacher was caught off guard in spite of himself. "I've heard the name before. Ya know I'll get in touch with Reacher and send him your way. What's your name, son?" 

           "Roy Heller, here's my phone number," the young man reeled off the series of numbers. "Do you need me to write it down?" 

        "Nope," Reacher said, before turning to leave, disappearing into the crowd despite his height. Roy Heller stood there looking dejected for a few moments before walking back to his car.