NineteenThe last request Nestor made of Ben in public, as Erin told him to watch his head and helped him into the back of her cruiser, was that Ben not give up on him. They were best friends, Ben replied, how could he? The last request Nestor made of Ben in private, before they'd come out to face the music, was that he get to the Garfield burn patient and learn what started this horror show.
As good as his word, despite knowing it was crazy, Ben arrived at the hospital prepared to do just that. Then fate tried to derail him. Whether by accident, coincidence, or – an even creepier thought – stalking, Mark Forester was somehow there to accost him in the hospital parking lot and, as reporters always do, to turn 'Hello' into a question.
Instead of answering, Ben asked, “Why aren't you downto
