He had a Republican senator's cleft chin, and his name was Stone Norman. The article said Stone ran and operated the BMV Investment Group, a highly successful financial enterprise specializing in major institutional trades . Snore . The engagement announcement said that Stone Norman and his wife-to-be would be married next Saturday at Tavern on the Green in Manhattan. A reverend would preside over the ceremony. Then the newlyweds would begin their lives together in Scarsdale, New York . More snore. Stone Snore . But none of that was what had pierced his heart. No, what did that, what really hurt and made the knees buckle, was the woman ol' Stone was marrying, the one smiling with him in that photograph, a smile Myron still knew far too well . For a moment Myron just stared. He reached out and brushed the bride-to-be's face with his finger. Her biography stated that she was a best-selling writer who'd been nominated for both the PEN/Faulkner and National Book Award. Her name was Jessica Culver, and though it didn't say so in the article, for more than a decade she had been the love of Myron Bolitar's life . He just sat and stared . Jessica, the woman he'd been sure was his soul mate, was getting married to someone else . He had not seen her since they broke up seven years ago. Life had gone on for him. It had, of course, gone on for her. Why should he be surprised?He put down the paper, then picked it up again. A lifetime ago Myron had asked Jessica to marry him. She had said no. They stayed together on and off for the next decade. But in the end Myron wanted to get married, and Jessica didn't. She pretty much scoffed at the bourgeois idea of it all the suburbs, the picket fence, the children, the barbecues, the Little League games, the life Myron's parents had led . Except now Jessica was marrying big Stone Norman and moving to the nber-suburb of Scarsdale, New York . Myron carefully folded the paper and put it on the coffee table. He stood with a sigh and headed down the corridor. He flicked off the lights as he went. He passed his parents' bedroom. The reading lamp was still on. His father faked a cough to let Myron know he was there . I 'm fine, he said out loud . His father did not respond, and Myron was grateful. The man was like a master on the tightrope, managing the nearly impossible feat of showing he cared without butting in or interfering . Jessica Culver, the love of his life, the woman he'd always believed was his destined soul mate, was getting married . Myron wanted to sleep on that one. But sleep would not come.

Chapter 14