WhileThe Blacklisthas already come to life in graphic novel form,The Blacklist: The Beekeeper No.
159is the shows first original novel and will be released on Nov. 29.
We are so excited to have Steven Piziks tackle our first novel, executive producer John Eisendrath tells EW.
Keen dropped to her stomach and crawled into the undergrowth.
After a moment, she realized Stuart Ivy was nowhere to be seen.
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
And where was Reddington?
The bushes were thick and they blocked her view.
The gunfire and screams continued.
Another bullet smacked into a tree less than a foot above her.
Sweat ran down Keens back.
She needed to keep moving, find Reddington, find Stuart Ivy.
She took a moment to fumble for her cell phone, but it had no signal.
Keen halted, confused.
Greenery surrounded her on all sides, and the escape had disoriented her.
The canopy obscured the sun, so she couldnt even use that as a reference point.
The harsh whisper snapped her head around.
Dembe was peering around a large tree and gesturing at her.
She duck-walked over to him, adrenaline touching every vein and muscle.
Behind the tree was Reddington, looking as angry as she ever saw him.
Are you all right, Lizzie?
he asked, calling her by the nickname she allowed no one but Reddington to use.
Im not hurt, she said.
Whats this, then?
He put out a finger and didnt quite touch her cheek.
Its nothing, she said.
I have no idea, Reddington said.
I was hoping he was with you.
Have you seen Donald?
She tightened her jaw again.
Ressler had covered her and Stuart while they ran for the trees.
She had left him behind.
He couldnt be dead.
I dont know what happened to him, she admitted.
I didnt even see him, Keen replied, peering around the tree.
Are we worried about him?
Not overly, Reddington said.
Neither of us can get a cell phone signal out here.
I dont suppose…?
No, Keen said.
Its either the mountains or the Beekeeper, or both, Reddington said.
Dembe handed Keen a pistol.
A motor coughed to life in the distance, followed by a second.
Voices shouted, doors slammed.
The motors faded away.
Reddington and Dembe exchanged looks.
I will go see, Dembe said.
Ill come with you, Keen said, but was halted by Reddingtons firm grip on her elbow.
you’re gonna wanna stay here with me, Lizzie.
His voice was calm but firm, a father speaking to a daughter.
Its my job, Reddington, she said, torn between exasperation at him and worry for Ressler.
Hell, she was even a little worried about Stuart Ivy, and she had only just met him.
And my job is to keep you safe, Reddington countered.
Theres nothing you’re able to add to Dembes woodcraft anyway.
Hes already gone and you wont catch up with him.
He was, too.
Keen sighed heavily and bit back a sharp retort.
When you have a go at shield me, it looks like I cant do my job.
Reddington looked truly surprised.
When have I ever been concerned with what anything looks like?
An interesting question from someone who makes a living deceiving other people, Keen couldnt help saying.
Reddington turned his hat in his hand.
Jesus, he still had his hat.
Lizzie, youve examined human psychology carefully, and Im in genuine awe of your skill.
Im sure that all your training and instincts tell you that human beings are never completely consistent.
No matter how many claims they make to the contrary, inconsistencies eventually show themselves.
The politician who defends family values visits prostitutes.
The man who keeps a spotless home drives a car filled with trash.
The police officer who tickets others breaks the speed limit on his way home from work.
Are we really having this conversation right after a gun fight?
But Ill tell you that human beings are marvelously consistent.
Underneath, at the base, they alwaysalways act the same.
Their surface behaviors may change, but underneath, we all stay the same.
When I look at you, I cant see the FBI.
So I do what I need to keep you safe.
Im perfectly consistent that way.
Keen shook her head.
He made sense, sure, but…
Youre also stalling me so I wont go after Dembe.
Consistent, he said, shaking a finger.
And heres Dembe back again.
Dembe spread his hands.
I do not believe so.
All the cars are gone.
So are the bodies.
If he was shot, he shed no blood.
Keens knees weakened a little, and she let herself lean against the tree.
I did not find Mr. Ivy anywhere.
I believe he was captured.
The other agents were killed and their bodies dragged into the van.
A heavy wave of grief came over Keen, and she closed her eyes beneath it.
She hadnt known Gillford long, but it had been long enough.
Now she wished she had paid more attention during their conversation.
We need to keep moving, Reddington said.
The Beekeeper will be looking for us.
He reached into his jacket pocket.
We cant leave Ressler and Stuart Ivy with the Beekeeper, Keen said.
It took Keen a moment to understand what it was.
Keen peered over his shoulder.
The current generation is too dependent on technology, Lizzie.
He looked at the map again, then uphill at the low mountain ahead of them.
He strode off into the woods.
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