“Want a ride?” she asked.

“I’ll walk,” Reacher said.

“It’s five miles to town.”

“I walked out here, I can walk back.”

“Riding is easier.”

“I’m OK.”

The woman was quiet for a moment. Reacher listened to the Crown Vic’s engine. It was idling patiently. Belts were turning, a muffler was ticking as it cooled. Then Reacher moved on. He took three steps and heard the car’s transmission go into reverse and then the car came alongside him again, driving backward, keeping pace as he walked. The window was still down. The woman said, “Give yourself a break, Zeno.”

Reacher stopped. Said, “You know who Zeno was?”

The car stopped.

“Zeno of Cittium,” the woman said. “The founder of Stoicism. I’m telling you to stop being so long-suffering.”

“Stoics have to be long-suffering. Stoicism is about the unquestioning acceptance of destinies. Zeno said so.”

“Your destiny is to return to Hope. Doesn’t matter to Zeno whether you walk or ride.”

“What are you anyway-a philosopher or a cop or a cab driver?”

“The Despair PD calls us when they’re dumping someone at the line. As a courtesy.”

“This happens a lot?”

“More than you’d think.”

“And you come on out and pick us up?”

“We’re here to serve. Says so on the badge.”

Reacher looked down at the shield on her door.HPD was written across the scroll in the center, butTo Protect was written at the top of the escutcheon, withAnd Serve added at the bottom.

“I see,” he said.

“So get in.”

“Why do they do it?”

“Get in and I’ll tell you.”

“You going to refuse to let me walk?”

“It’s five miles. You’re grumpy now, you’ll be real cranky when you arrive in town. Believe me. We’ve seen it before. Better for all of us if you ride.”

“I’m different. Walking calms me down.”