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?

Don’t miss any of these exciting stories from Thriller 2:

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Remaking by Blake Crouch
Iced by Harry Hunsicker
Justice Served by Mariah Stewart
The Circle by David Hewson
Roomful of Witnesses by R.L. Stine
The House on Pine Terrace by Phillip Margolin
The Desert Here and the Desert Far Away by Marcus Sakey
On the Run by Carla Neggers
Can You Help Me Out Here? by Robert Ferrigno
Crossed Double by Joe Hartlaub
The Lamented by Lawrence Light
Vintage Death by Lisa Jackson
Suspension of Disbelief by Tim Maleeny
A Calculated Risk by Sean Chercover
The Fifth World by Javier Sierra
Ghost Writer by Gary Braver
Through a Veil Darkly by Kathleen Antrim
Bedtime for Mr. Li by David J. Montgomery
Protecting the Innocent by Simon Wood
Watch Out for My Girl by Joan Johnston
Killing Time by Jon Land
Boldt’s Broken Angel by Ridley Pearson