The tip of the great tower caught the last of the day’s light. Below, the structure glowed in gathering darkness. Like an ember after the leaping flames have died, it no longer seemed to writhe.
“The chief said it,” Nat said. “The best we could and it wasn’t enough. Maybe it wasn’t the best we could.” His voice was low pitched, savage. “Maybe—”
“It’s done,” Patty said. “Leave it there, and go on.”
“On where?”
“Just on.” Patty’s voice was gentle. “Ahead, not back. There is no turning back.” She paused. “It’s all—behind us. All of it.”
They began to walk again. Together.
About the Author
Richard Martin Stern’s most recent novel, Stanfield Harvest, was a Reader’s Digest Condensed Book Club selection. Among his other novels are Brood of Eagles and The Bright Road to Fear. He lives in Santa Fe and is at work on another novel set in the contemporary mountain West.
Richard Stern is also well known as one of the most accomplished mystery writers in America, particularly for his mysteries set in Santa Fe and featuring Detective Sergeant Johnny Ortiz.
BOOKS BY RICHARD MARTIN STERN
The Tower
Death in the Snow
Stanfield Harvest
Manuscript for Murder
Murder in the Walls
You Don’t Need an Enemy
Brood of Eagles
Merry Go Round
The Kessler Legacy
Right Hand Opposite
Cry Havoc
High Hazard
These Unlucky Deeds
The Search for Tabatha Carr
The Bright Road to Fear
No Copyright
Jerry eBooks
No copyright 
2016 by Jerry eBooks
No rights reserved. All parts of this book may be reproduced in any form and by any means for any purpose without any prior written consent of anyone.
Copyright
Copyright © 1973 BY RICHARD MARTIN STERN
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or parts thereof, in any form, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER 73-76565
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DESIGNED BY JACQUES CHAZAUD