PMadriani 12.5 - The Second Man by Steve Martini

say, shoot ’em and let God sort it out?”
    â€œI thought you said I was God.”
    â€œYou see, you just keep avoiding the question. I think you have a problem.”
    â€œTell you the truth, I don’t keep a tally in my head. The notches were all carved on my carbine, but I turned that in. So I’d have to check my computer and get back to you on the number,” he told her. “Fair to say there were days when I probably overshot my limit. But then, it’s not like fishing, is it? Can’t really catch and release after you’ve pulled the trigger.”
    â€œI imagine it helps to be cavalier about it,” said Joselyn. “OK, so tell me, when you do it, are you usually up close, or are you far away? I suspect it’s probably easier to kill them when they’re at a distance. Less personal. ”
    â€œDwarfs and pigmies I shoot up close cuz they’re smaller and harder to hit,” said Akers.
    Joselyn, who was trying to remain serious, couldn’t help but smile.
    â€œSometimes up close, sometimes far away. It depends on the situation,” he said, “that and how quickly they’re trying to kill you or one of your friends.”
    â€œDo you just look ’em in the eye and pull the trigger?”
    â€œI’m beginning to feel like a bug under glass,” he told her.
    â€œDoes it bother you to talk about it?”
    â€œNot if it excites you. In that case, I’m happy to discuss it.”
    â€œThat’s not why I’m asking.”
    â€œI think it is. You know what I think?”
    â€œI don’t think I want to know.”
    â€œI think you get off on being with a man who’s killed for a living.”
    â€œThat’s nonsense. I don’t! That’s not true.”
    â€œNow who’s being defensive? So let me ask you, does it repel you?” he said.
    â€œI didn’t say that.”
    â€œWell, there you go. You’re just sort of neutral on the subject, is that it? That means with a little training, you could probably learn to kill with the best. You and I could go on the road, do a revival as Bonnie and Clyde.”
    â€œWhy is it you can’t be serious?” asked Joselyn.
    â€œI guess it’s just not in my nature.”
    â€œIs it that, or is it just that it hurts too much to talk?”
    â€œWho says?”
    â€œI don’t know. I’m asking.”
    â€œWhat is it with you? I want to talk about us. And all you want to talk about is me.”
    â€œThere is no us,” said Joselyn. “This is business. And besides, I’ve never met a member of DEVGRU, so I’m curious.”
    â€œYou don’t mind if I crawl off the slide and out from under the microscope.”
    â€œSorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”
    â€œYou know, you’re a strange gal,” he said.
    â€œHow is that?”
    â€œWell, for most women, half the fun is being pursued, but that doesn’t seem to hold true for you.”
    â€œMaybe it’s just that rutting season is over,” she told him.
    â€œThat’s not what I meant.”
    â€œI know what you meant.”
    â€œYou and Madriani, is that it?” said Akers.
    â€œYes. I suppose.”
    â€œWhat is it he has that makes you happy?” asked Akers.
    â€œWhat it always is between two ­people.”
    â€œLust?” said Akers.
    â€œThat lasts a nanosecond,” she told him. “There’s always a physical side, but it’s the comfort level that counts. When we’re together, I feel like I’m home if that makes any sense. Do you know what I mean?” She looked over at him.
    The expression on his face was not one of understanding. To Joselyn, it looked more like fear, as if he had no clue. She wondered what it must be like to be at such a loss.
    â€œYou share the same values I suppose. Two bleeding hearts?” he said.
    â€œOh, God, no,” said Joselyn. “We argue all the