The Desert Here and the Desert Far Away

**Prepare for edge-of-your-seat suspense in this Thriller Short.

Originally published in THRILLER 2 (2009),

edited by #1 New York Times bestselling author Clive Cussler.**

In this Thriller Short, bestselling author Marcus Sakey tells the tale of Cooper and Nick, two army buddies facing possible death in battle and at home. Cooper and Nick formed a bond in the army. Cooper the gunner, Nick the assistant gunner and loader. Each relying on the other…even that time when Cooper shot an unarmed man for no apparent reason. But that was Iraq. Six months later they’re sitting in a dingy Las Vegas bar. Cooper’s life has been threatened by a man he owes money to, and once again he turns to Nick for help. Nick covered for him once. There’s no reason to believe he wouldn’t be there for him again. Or is there? And just how far will Nick go?