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| Categories | Thrillers & Suspense |
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Random House Large Print; Large type / Large print edition (June 7, 2022) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 416 pages |
| Item Weight | 14.2 ounces |
| Dimensions |
6.05 x 0.88 x 9.17 inches |
I. Book introduction
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • John Grisham is the acknowledged master of the legal thriller. In his first collection of novellas, law is a common thread, but America’s favorite storyteller has several surprises in store.
“Homecoming” takes us back to Ford County, the fictional setting of many of John Grisham’s unforgettable stories. Jake Brigance is back, but he’s not in the courtroom. He’s called upon to help an old friend, Mack Stafford, a former lawyer in Clanton, who three years earlier became a local legend when he stole money from his clients, divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and left his family in the middle of the night, never to be heard from again—until now. Now Mack is back, and he’s leaning on his old pals, Jake and Harry Rex, to help him return. His homecoming does not go as planned.
In “Strawberry Moon”, we meet Cody Wallace, a young death row inmate only three hours away from execution. His lawyers can’t save him, the courts slam the door, and the governor says no to a last-minute request for clemency. As the clock winds down, Cody has one final request.
The “Sparring Partners” are the Malloy brothers, Kirk and Rusty, two successful young lawyers who inherited a once prosperous firm when its founder, their father, was sent to prison. Kirk and Rusty loathe each other, and speak to each other only when necessary. As the firm disintegrates, the resulting fiasco falls into the lap of Diantha Bradshaw, the only person the partners trust. Can she save the Malloys, or does she take a stand for the first time in her career and try to save herself?
By turns suspenseful, hilarious, powerful, and moving, these are three of the greatest stories John Grisham has ever told.
Editorial Reviews
“John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we’ve got in the United States these days.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Grisham’s work—always superior entertainment—is evolving into something more serious, more powerful, more worthy of his exceptional talent.” —The Washington Post
“The law, by its nature, creates drama, and a new Grisham promises us an inside look at the dirty machineries of process and power, with plenty of entertainment.” —Los Angeles Times
“A legal literary legend.” —USA Today
About John Grisham
John Grisham (born February 8, 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas) is an American novelist, lawyer and former member of the 7th district of the Mississippi House of Representatives, known for his popular legal thrillers. According to the American Academy of Achievement, Grisham has written 28 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers, and his books have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Along with Tom Clancy and J. K. Rowling, Grisham is one of only three authors to have sold two million copies on a first printing.
Grisham graduated from Mississippi State University and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981. He practised criminal law for about a decade and served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990.
Grisham’s first novel, A Time to Kill, was published in June 1989, four years after he began writing it. Grisham’s first bestseller, The Firm, sold more than seven million copies. The book was adapted into a 1993 feature film of the same name, starring Tom Cruise, and a 2012 TV series which continues the story ten years after the events of the film and novel. Seven of his other novels have also been adapted into films: The Chamber, The Client, A Painted House, The Pelican Brief, The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, and Skipping Christmas.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he’s not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John Girsham lives on a farm in central Virginia.
II. [Reviews] Sparring Partners: Novellas by John Grisham
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1. SUJOYA review Sparring Partners
Overall Rating: 4/5
Sparring Partners by John Grisham is a collection of three novellas, each of which is very well-written, distinctive in setting, theme and tone and makes for an intriguing read. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection and would definitely recommend it to both longtime fans of Grisham and also as an interesting introduction to those who are yet to read any of his novels.
“Homecoming” revolves around Mack Stafford, a former lawyer and resident of Clanton, Mississippi, and friends with lawyers Jake Brigance and Harry Rex (who also happens to be his lawyer). Mack disappeared from Clanton after divorcing his wife, declaring bankruptcy, and closing his practice rumored to have skipped town with his clients’ money due to them as part of a settlement. Three years later he makes contact with Jake and expresses his desire to return to Clanton, meet his ex-wife who is terminally ill and reconnect with his daughters who he had left behind. However, his homecoming is more complicated than he anticipated with his family wanting to have nothing to do with him and suspicions about his indiscretions leading to potential legal problems for which he requires the assistance of Jake and Harry. This novella was an average read and my least favorite among the three. With a few familiar characters (it was great to revisit Ford County with Grisham) and many new ones and an intriguing start, it did have some interesting moments but I was a tad disappointed with the way the story ultimately panned out. (My Rating: 3.5/5)
“Strawberry Moon” is an engaging story revolving around 29-year-old death row inmate Cody Wallace, who is hours away from being executed. Incarcerated for a home invasion that resulted in the deaths of his brother/partner in crime and the two residents of the house they were in the process of burgling, his appeals and requests for clemency have been denied and now he waits for the inevitable. The narrative gives us a snapshot of his life on ‘The Row’ and takes us through his final interactions with his lawyer, the prison doctor, the chaplain, his warden, a surprise visitor he has been corresponding with and the guard on duty who grants him his final wish. This was a moving and thought-provoking read. You cannot help but feel sympathy for Cody who was arrested at the young age of fourteen and ponder over the justification for capital punishment. (My rating: 4.5/5)
The final novella, “Sparring Partners”, revolves around St. Louis based law firm Malloy & Malloy and the Malloy brothers, Rusty and Kirk, who couldn’t be any more different in nature, management styles or political inclinations. They barely speak to one another and mostly communicate through ‘unofficial third partner’ Diantha Bradshaw. However, together they run the family law firm after their father was incarcerated for manslaughter and duly disbarred, though his devious efforts to manipulate from behind bars remain a constant factor of irritation. Unfortunately, the firm is in a downward spiral. While the brothers and Diantha are concerned with the survival of the firm, each of them is also motivated by self-interest and is looking to grab a larger slice of the pie from a settlement that Malloy Sr. has kept hidden with the help of his lawyer. What follows is a thrilling sequence of events involving collusion and deceit, bribery and political corruption and financial fraud. The fast-paced narrative, well-developed characters and intriguing plot kept me glued to the pages with this one. (My rating: 4.5/5)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due for release on May 31, 2022.
2. KAY review Sparring Partners
This is a collection of three really good new novellas from Grisham. These are not courtroom legal thrillers per se but people’s stories.
The first story Homecoming is set in Clanton, Mississippi featuring Jake Brigance, the main lawyer in A Time to Kill. His old friend who fled the US with clients’ money, and possibly committed a bankruptcy fraud claim wants to return and reunite with his family. What would Jake do? (Narrated by Jeff Daniels) 4⭐
Short but impactful, Strawberry Moon is the shortest story of the three about a death row inmate, arrested when he was fourteen. Now at twenty-nine, Cody is the youngest to face execution. I really enjoy Cody’s story and his conversation with prison guard Marvin. A moving story. (Narrated by Ethan Hawke. He’s really good and should narrate more books!) 5⭐
Sparring Partners is set in St. Louis, Missouri involving two lawyer brothers who hated one another but are forced to run the law firm “Malloy & Malloy” after their father was sent to prison for killing their mother. No one likes the mother so that wasn’t the issue. Diantha Bradshaw is the mediator, the go-between, and the unofficial third partner. A bit of family drama, betrayal, and greed. Fun stuff! (Narrated by January LaVoy) 4⭐
3. DARLA review Sparring Partners
This is classic Grisham with three novellas taking us back into familiar territory in multiple ways. “Homecoming” stars our old friend Jake and the dilemma of a lawyer on the lam. “Strawberry Moon” takes us back to Death Row at Parchman and we spend the last day with an inmate who has lined his cell with nearly 2,000 paperback novels. Loved his many book references and the visit with the sweet little lady who helped him build that collection. Finally, a family feud in St. Louis (Hello, to my home state of Missouri.) is the focus of the final chapter–“Sparring Partners.” Something happens with a Speckled King Snake that I hope NEVER EVER happens to me. Eeek! Totally enjoyed this collection and I hope you do as well.
Many thanks to Doubleday and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
4. MIKE review Sparring Partners
Three short stories are the basis of Sparring Partners, the latest John Grisham novel. The first novella is a Jake Brigance tale where he assists a former fellow attorney from Ford County who disappeared three years earlier. Next is a heartfelt story of a young man on death row, hours before his execution. Finally, the saga of two brothers, young lawyers trying to save their controlling father’s law firm, yet they can’t stand each other. A typical collection, reflecting John Grisham’s inevitable narrative style and a thoroughly enjoyable read with a five star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
5. MANDY WHITE review Sparring Partners
3 short stories from the master of the legal thriller John Grisham – you don’t have to ask me twice! Sparring Partners is a fantastic collection of stories from one of my favourite writers.
First we have Homecoming which brings back a fan favourite character in Jake Brigance. An old friend asks for help to return home to see his family without being caught by the law. 3 years ago he left them behind and stole money from clients. We see Jake at his best, doing everything that he can for his mate.
The second story, Strawberry Moon made me cry. This is the shortest of the 3 and the most powerful one in my opinion. This is the story of a 29 year old man on death row. We meet him 3 hours before is impending death. The clock is ticking – can his lawyer produce a last minute miracle?
The final tale is The Sparring Partners. Brothers Kirk and Rusty Malloy who run their fathers law firm while he is is behind bars. The brothers do not get along and use Dianatha Bradshaw as their go-between. The firm is losing money and they come up with a plan to save it – but can they work together?
Legal thriller fans will really enjoy these 3 very different stories. As always with Grisham, we have strong characters and stories that you will get attached to even though they are short.
Thanks to Hachette Australia for sending me an advanced copy to read, Always a delight to read this author.
6. ARHUELSENBECK review Sparring Partners
Sparring Partners is a collection of three novellas.
Jake Brigance, the hero of Grisham’s novels A Time to Kill, Sycamore Row, and A Time for Mercy, figures prominently in the first novella, Homecoming. Three years prior to the opening of the story, Mark Stafford, another Clanton, Mississippi lawyer, had abruptly divorced his wife, filed for bankruptcy, and disappeared. He wants to come home, but he may have done something illegal. He enlists Jake and Harry Rex (another lawyer familiar to followers of the series) to scope out if there are any active warrants for his arrest.
The second story, Strawberry Moon, details the last hours of Cody Wallace, a young man on death row. Fourteen years earlier, when Cody was fifteen, he and his older brother Brian broke into a what they thought was an empty house with the intention of burglarizing it. Unfortunately, the owners were home, and when the husband prepared to defend his home with a shotgun, Brian drew a 9mm and shot both the husband and the wife. Before he succumbed, the husband fired back and killed Brian. Cody was the only one who survived, and he was sentenced to death. Hours before his execution, he receives a visit from a person who made his incarceration bearable. In a series of flashbacks, we learn what Cody’s life was like before his fateful last day of freedom.
The third novella is Sparring Partners. The law firm of Malloy & Malloy is run by the two Malloy Brothers, Kirk and Rusty. The founder of the firm, their father, Bolton Malloy, is serving a ten-year sentence for killing their mother, his wife, who no one particularly mourned. Rusty, once a promising trial attorney, has lately been losing his cases, and the firm is in danger of financial ruin. The brothers know their father has a lot of money stashed offshore, and they want to get their hands on some of it. But Bolton has a plan to get out of jail soon.
Although I enjoyed reading all three of the stories, I was disappointed with the ending of Homecoming. It felt unfinished.
Strawberry Moon was beautifully constructed. We are given Cody’s backstory little by little, and the more we know, the more we long for a different ending. Grisham is an advocate for the wrongly incarcerated. Sadly, there are many Codys in the prison system. Grisham does justice a service by shedding light on their plight.
The third story, Sparring Partners, is also effectively structured. As horrible as the Malloys all are, Diantha and Stu, the firm’s long-suffering managing director and accountant, ultimately come out ahead and the Malloys get what they deserve in a very satisfying wrap-up.
Together, the three novellas in Sparring Partners are a good read, but not quite as good as Grisham’s full-length legal thrillers.
7. LINDA GALELLA review Sparring Partners
“Sparring Partners” title is more than just the title for the 3rd story…
Novella #1 is called “Homecoming” and this is the story featuring Jake and some characters from his past storylines. It’s a legal themed story but not a courtroom, high intensity drama. Jake is called to help a friend, a disgraced lawyer, who has been hiding for 3 years. Jake gets help from Rex and does some deep soul searching to make decisions in the short but complicated story.
Novella #2 is called “Strawberry Moon” and it’s the shortest of the three tales, actually a short story rather than a novella. Cody was only 15 when he was sentenced to death for double homicide. He’s been on death row for 14 years and now has 3 hours to live and this is the telling of those three hours. Just a few characters, 54 pages and full of emotions and points to ponder.
Novella #3 is our title tale, “Sparring Partners”. It takes place in St. Louis and features a well established, highly dysfunctional family law firm. Dad, one of the founding partners, is in prison for killing his wife of 47 years, both silver spoon sons are acting in their own interests rather than the firm’s and a non family member is acting as managing partner, without the title or financial benefits.
This is the only story with actual courtroom action but it’s minimal. It’s the longest and most complex of the three stories and it also has the most flawed characters and ethical issues to be faced. Finding someone to root for in this story was confusing, challenging and surprising and it’s what lead me to my opening statement for this review.
I’m fairly certain that I’ve read most, if not all of John Grisham’s books. Primarily, he writes courtroom drama that includes lots of legal theory, great well developed characters and very often, they are in a series that take place in a location that becomes a character of sorts. You’ll get to know many locals, various businesses and proprietors, annual events, weekly schedules. I’ve become so involved in some series that I feel as if I’ve moved into these towns for a while.
Details and development are what Grisham excels at and his projects are usually quite long. Short form fiction is a challenge but especially for a writer like Grisham, hence the collection became his “Sparring Partner”(s) in a literary sense. These three stories are well done on the character, dialogue and emotional scores but I found myself wanting more from the description perspective. For me, much of my enjoyment when reading his stories comes from the rich, atmospheric and lavish narratives of time and place.
Extremely challenging in a positive way are all the issues of right, wrong, maybe or I have no clue. These characters are some of the most flawed Grisham has ever gathered together in one place at the same time. On top of that, they are facing issues that are very close to home. You won’t have any trouble imagining yourself in one or several of these situations and then questioning your decision making process; or not…
“Sparring Partners” is good fiction that makes you think📚
8. DARREN O review Sparring Partners
As a certified John Grisham fan, I was very excited to see his new book released. You may already know before reading this that this book is 3 short novels called novellas. (Short novels.)
All three were typical Grisham writing, great descriptions and all legal stories. Without giving away storylines, here are my thoughts.
Story one – was a Jake Brigance story. Very interesting and drew me in. My complaint- this story has enough to it that it could have been a whole novel. I’m left with questions still. Not enough resolution for me. Maybe JG will write a continuation to it sometime?
The second novella is reminiscent of the chamber and some of his non fiction work. Interesting and thought provoking.
The 3rd novella felt like a complete short novel. The thing about this one is I didn’t find any of the characters likeable. The story was interesting, but l’m not positive I liked the resolution.
Overall if you are a Grisham fan, you will enjoy this as I did. Just wish there was more time the first story.
9. JEAN review Sparring Partners
This is a collection of three novellas. Needless to say, considering the author, they are all well-written. I enjoyed all three of the novellas; but I think that the second one “Strawberry Moon” was the most interesting particularly the scene between Cody and the retired Nebraska school teacher. Cody was fourteen when he was arrested and sentence to death. He spent fifteen years on death row. The teacher sent him paperback books (the only ones allowed by the prison) every month then Cody would write her about the book. I found the conversation between them on the day of his execution fascinating. He could barely read when arrested and on day of death he was a well-read articulate young man with a great vocabulary. I was intrigued at the choice of books she sent him and which ones he liked best and read many times. He only wanted fiction. This was an enjoyable fast reading book.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book was eight hours and fifty-seven minutes. There were three narrators: Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, and January LaVoy with a brief overview of each book by John Grisham.
10. LAURIE review Sparring Partners
The thing I like about John Grisham is that I know what I’ll get: a good story involving a courtroom drama or him taking potshots at lawyers. This engaging collection of three novellas contains mostly the latter.
“Homecoming” centers on his character Jake Brigance and the other type of “characters” that abound in Ford County. When Mack Stafford disappeared three years ago, rumors spread that he also took his client’s money. Now Mack wants to come back and asks Jake to help pave the way. Unfortunately for Mack, the road to redemption is rocky.
“Strawberry Moon” follows the final hours of young death row inmate Cody Wallace. With all legal avenues exhausted and his fate sealed, we follow Cody as he comes to terms with death, his relationship with correctional officer, Marvin, and his final request.
“Sparring Partners” revolves around the shady Malloy family of lawyers. Father Bolton is already incarcerated on manslaughter charges leaving his sons Kirk and Rusty to run the law firm. This is problematic because Rusty and Kirk are as different as night and day and don’t speak to each other. That is until they find out Bolton is privately receiving millions in a long ago settlement. Greed has a way of uniting the brothers and together with their managing partner and crooked accountant, they set out to keep their father in prison and get the funds for themselves.
As always, Grisham has a field day with crooked lawyers but poignantly recounts the last hours of a young convict. This is an enjoyable collection and storytelling at its finest.
III. [Quote] Sparring Partners: Novellas by John Grisham
The best book quotes from Sparring Partners by John Grisham
“The two clients who got the twenty-five thousand in cash were Odell Grove and Jerrol Baker.”
“Doug Jumper is in fact dead. Travis Johnson left the area years ago.”
“It had to be the FBI. They were on to Mack Stafford and figured Jake knew where he was.”
Excerpted from Sparring Partners by John Grisham
HOMECOMING – Sparring Partners
(1)
It was one of those raw, windy, dreary Monday afternoons in February when gloom settled over the land and seasonal depression was rampant. Court was not in session. The phone wasn’t ringing. Petty criminals and other potential clients were busy elsewhere with no thoughts whatsoever of hiring lawyers. The occasional caller was more likely to be a man or woman still reeling from holiday overspending and seeking advice about unpaid credit card accounts. Those were quickly sent next door, or across the square, or anywhere.
Jake was at his desk upstairs, making little progress with the stack of paperwork he’d been neglecting for weeks, even months. With no court or hearings scheduled for days, it should have been a good time to catch up with the old stuff—the fish files that every lawyer had for some reason said yes to a year ago and now just wanted to go away. The upside of a small-town law practice, especially in your hometown, was that everyone knew your name, and that was what you wanted. It was important to be well thought of and well liked, with a good reputation. When your neighbors got in trouble, you wanted to be the man they called. The downside was that their cases were always mundane and rarely profitable. But, you couldn’t say no. The gossip was fierce and unrelenting, and a lawyer who turned his back on his friends would not last long.
His funk was interrupted when Alicia, his current part-time secretary, chimed in through his desk phone. “Jake, there’s a couple here to see you.”
A couple. Married but wanting to get unmarried. Another cheap divorce. He glanced at his daily planner though he knew there was nothing.
“Do they have an appointment?” he asked, but only to remind Alicia that she shouldn’t be bothering him with the foot traffic.
“No. But they’re very nice and they say it’s really urgent. They’re not going away, said it wouldn’t take but a few minutes.”
Jake loathed being bullied in his own office. On a busier day he would take a stand and get rid of them. “Do they appear to have any money?” The answer was always no.
“Well, they do seem rather affluent.”
Affluent? In Ford County. Somewhat intriguing.
Alicia continued, “They’re from Memphis and just passing through, but, again, they say it’s very important.”
“Any idea what it is?”
“No.”
Well, it wouldn’t be a divorce if they lived in Memphis. He ran through a list of possibilities—Grandma’s will, some old family land, maybe a kid busted for drugs over at Ole Miss. Since he was bored and mildly curious and needed an excuse to avoid the paperwork, he asked, “Did you tell them that I’m tied up in a settlement conference call with a dozen lawyers?”
“No.”
“Did you tell them I’m due in federal court over in Oxford and can only spare a moment or two?”
“No.”
“Did you tell them that I’m slammed with other appointments?”
“No. It’s pretty obvious the place is empty and the phone isn’t ringing.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m in the kitchen, so I can talk.”
“Okay, okay. Make some fresh coffee and put ’em in the conference room. I’ll be down in ten minutes.”
(2)
The first thing Jake noticed was their tans. They had obviously been somewhere in the sun. No one else in Clanton had a tan in February. The second thing he noticed was the woman’s smart short haircut, with a touch of gray, stylish and obviously expensive. He noticed the handsome sports coat on the gentleman. Both were well dressed and nicely groomed, a departure from the usual walk-ins.
He shook their hands as he got their names. Gene and Kathy Roupp, from Memphis. Late fifties, quite pleasant, with confident smiles showing rows of well-maintained teeth. Jake could easily picture them on a Florida golf course living the good life behind gates and guards.
“What can I do for you folks?” Jake asked.
Gene flashed a smile and went first. “Well, sad to say, but we’re not here as potential clients.”
Jake kept it loose with a fake smile and an aw-shucks shrug, as if to say, What the hell? What lawyer needs to get paid for his time? He’d give them about ten more minutes and one cup before showing them the door.
“We just got back from a month in Costa Rica, one of our favorites. Ever been to Costa Rica?”
“No. I hear it’s great.” He’d heard nothing of the sort but what else could he say? He would never admit that he had left the United States exactly once in his thirty-eight years. Foreign travel was only a dream.
“We love it down there, a real paradise. Beautiful beaches, mountains, rain forests, great food. We have some friends who own houses—real estate is pretty cheap. The people are delightful, educated, almost all speak English.”
Jake loathed the game of travel trivia because he’d never been anywhere. The local doctors were the worst—always bragging about the hottest new resorts.
Kathy was itching to move along the narrative and chimed in with “The golf is incredible, so many fabulous courses.”
Jake didn’t play golf because he was not a member of the Clanton Country Club. Its membership included too many doctors and climbers and families with old money.
He smiled and nodded at her and waited for one of them to continue. From a bag he couldn’t see she whipped out a pound of coffee in a shiny can and said, “Here’s a little gift, San Pedro Select, our favorite. Incredible. We haul it back by the case.”
Jake took it to be polite. In lieu of cash fees, he had been paid with watermelons, fresh venison, firewood, repairs to his cars, and more bartered goods and services than he cared to remember. His best lawyer buddy, Harry Rex Vonner, had once taken a John Deere mower as a fee, though it soon broke down. Another lawyer, one who was no longer practicing, had taken sexual favors from a divorce client. When he lost the case, she filed an ethics complaint alleging “substandard performance.”
Anyway, Jake admired the can and tried to read the Spanish. He noticed they had not touched their coffee, and he was suddenly worried that perhaps they were connoisseurs and his office brew wasn’t quite up to their standards.
Gene resumed with “So, two weeks ago we were at one of our favorite eco-lodges, high in the mountains, deep in the rain forest, a small place with only thirty rooms, incredible views.”
How many times might they use the word “incredible”?
“And we were having breakfast outdoors, watching the spider monkeys and parakeets, when a waiter stopped by our table to pour some more coffee. He was very friendly—”
“People are so friendly down there and they love Americans,” Kathy interjected.
How could they not?
Gene nodded at the interruption and continued, “We chatted him up for a spell, said his name was Jason and that he was from Florida, been living down there for twenty years. We saw him again at lunch and talked to him some more. We saw him around after that and always enjoyed a friendly chat. The day before we were to check out, he asked us to join him for a glass of champagne in a little tree-house bar. He was off-duty and said the drinks were on him. The sunsets over the mountains are incredible, and we were having a good time, when all of a sudden he got serious.”
Gene paused and looked at Kathy, who was ready to pounce with “He said he had something to tell us, something very confidential. Said his name was not really Jason and he wasn’t from Florida. He apologized for not being truthful. Said his name was really Mack Stafford, and that he was from Clanton, Mississippi.”
Jake tried to remain nonchalant but it was impossible. His mouth dropped open and his eyes widened.
The Roupps were watching closely for his reaction. Gene said, “I take it you know Mack Stafford.”
Jake exhaled and wasn’t sure what to say. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“He said you guys were old friends,” Gene added.
Stunned, Jake was still grasping for words. “I’m just glad he’s alive.”
“So you know him well?”
“Oh yes, quite well.”
….
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