u/ChairLegofTruth--WnT

IIRC, this was a one-off by a not well known author.

I've exhausted myself searching for this title but it seems that the novel was obscure enough that search engines and AI aren't returning anything.

Here's what I remember:

1. Protagonist named Jesse

2. Jesse is an ex-con, recently released

3. Primary antagonist is ex-military (possibly a retired Colonel but not positive on that)

4. A single line of dialogue sticks in my head. During the final confrontation, the antagonist, after being disarmed, asks "Do you really think I need a gun to kill you?" to which Jesse replies "Yes. You do."

Probably worth noting that I doubt this was a particularly *good* book but this is bugging the hell out of me. Please help.