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He smiles and nods. “I remember. He’s a good man. I know how hard this must be for you.”

“Got plenty going on to distract me,” I say, returning the smile.

“Well, I hope everyone involved on this side of things is aware of how this is likely to end?”

He smiles, like a friend would smile when they offer you reassurance about something. My jaw muscles tighten as I think about how exactly things will end here.

Very badly. For Pellaggio, at least.

“I think there’s a certain level of understanding, yeah,” I say, flicking my gaze over to Chambers, who remains silent.

“Well, as always, Adrian, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.” He turns to speak to Chambers. “I’ll head over to your office now and assist Agent Wallis in any way I can,” he says. He looks back at me. “Good to see you again, Adrian.”

He turns and walks out, leaving Agent Chambers and me staring at each other by Josh’s bedside.

She looks at me and smiles, and then leans over and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

“What was that for?” I ask, unsure of how to react.

“My way of apologizing for the things I said to you,” she replies. “And to thank you for saving my life — more than once.”

“Forget about it,” I say with a shrug, somewhat humbled by receiving thanks and praise for doing what I do. First time for everything, I guess.

“No one is ever going to see past what you do, Adrian. At its core, you kill people for a living. Whatever justification you give, that will always be what you do. But you’re a good man. And the things you’ve done — what you’re capable of doing… that’s almost superhuman. You have a gift, Adrian — if you can call it that. I just hope, in time, you’ll put it to better use.”

We hold each other’s gaze for a few moments. That’s probably the nicest thing anyone’s said to me in a long time. I can feel the moment overwhelming me. I actually feel close to her. I’ve not thought about a woman this way in what seems like a lifetime. Not since Janine.

I quickly clear my mind and look away. I feel like I’m betraying my wife by even looking at another woman. I’m not ready to put her behind me yet. Maybe I never will be; I don’t know.

“Anyway, I’m going to head off,” she says, maybe sensing my discomfort and changing the mood. “I want to catch up at the office and see where we’re at on figuring out what Pellaggio’s next move is.”

I nod. “Good idea,” I say. “I’m going to hang around here for a bit. I want to keep an eye on Josh, just in case Pellaggio decides to lash out in any way. Plus, I want to be here when Manhattan wakes up.”

She looks at me with concern.

“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna kill him,” I say, reassuring her. “I’ll find out what he knows and come straight to you, I promise.”

“Okay, stay out of trouble.”

She smiles and walks out, closing the door behind her and leaving me alone once again with Josh. I look around the room and drag a chair from against the wall on the far side of the bed over to the wall facing Josh and sit down. This way, I can see whoever’s coming in and out the room as well as keep an eye on Josh, without leaving myself open to an unseen attack.

I sit back in the chair and cross my arms, leaning my head back and staring up at the ceiling. This is the first time I’ve rested in two days.

My eyes are heavy…

SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2014
07:37

I snap awake with a grunt. I blink hard and rub my eyes to clear them of grit. I gaze wide-eyed around the room, trying to focus as my mind comes out of what I suspect was a long and deep sleep. The door’s still closed, which I take as a good sign. I look over at the window and see the pale skies of another sunny day peeking through the blinds.

I look over at the bed…

“Fuck me!” I yell as I jump a clear foot off my chair, sending my heart hammering into my ribcage.

Josh is sitting bolt upright in bed, eyes wide open, staring straight at me and smiling, tilting his head slightly to the left like a goddamn psychopath!

“Boo!” he says before bursting out laughing, his familiar British accent tinges with his lovable, yet annoying happiness.

“Jesus Christ, Josh! What the hell?” I say as I fight to get my heart rate back under control.

“Hey Boss,” he say. “Miss me?”

‘I was missing you until you nearly give me a heart attack, you asshole!’

He laughs. “I’ve been sitting staring at you for half an hour… it was totally worth it!”

“How are you… why are you awake?”

“The nurse came in a few hours ago, checked my bits and bobs, and gave me chance to wake up on my own. I did — go me!”

I sigh, finally calming down and processing the good news. God knows I’m due some. “It’s good to have you back, man,” I say. “How do you feel?”

He shrugs. “Still sore where the bullets got me, obviously. Bit tired, a little hungry, but other than that, I feel pretty good. You?”

I smile. “Well, seeing as you’ve stopped being such a pussy and finally woken up, I may as well fill you in on what you’ve missed.”

He smiles and sits back, adjusting himself to get comfortable. “Go for it,” he says enthusiastically.

So I tell him everything that’s happened since he got shot…

08:02

“You really figured out it was Danny Pellaggio from me getting shot?” he asks.

I nod.

“Really? All on your own?”

I flip him the middle finger and he smiles.

“So we still don’t know how they blew up the SWAT van or know our every move?” he asks.

“Nope. But the smart money would be on an inside man at the FBI. Question is, who? I’ve only really spoken with Grace and Wallis, and I’m comfortable vouching for them.”

He nods in agreement. “Maybe mention it to Agent Chambers?” he offers.

“Yeah, I will next time I see her,” I say. “Tricky subject to raise, though.”

“Yeah, never nice being told your house isn’t in order… I can’t believe you managed to take out an entire Triad operation at the same time as a black market weapons dealer. That’s pretty crazy, man.”

I smile. “Would you have let me do it if you’d been there?”

“From what you’ve told me, I’d probably have suggested it to you!”

We laugh again and I realize just how much I miss him when he’s not around.

“So, what do we think Pellaggio’s plan is?” he asks.

“I’m hoping to get something from Manhattan when he wakes up,” I say. “Right now, I have no idea.”

“He’s still got most of the weaponry he bought from Turner, right?”

“We assume so.”

“I imagine he’ll be looking to use it then.”

I nod in agreement, before changing the subject. “So, anyway, when are you getting out of here?”

“I knew you’d missed working with me!” he says, chuckling.

“I wouldn’t say missed, but I definitely seem to get blown up slightly more often on my own than when I have you talking in my ear…”

“Well, I feel pretty good, all things being considered. Wouldn’t mind getting out of here and getting something to eat.”

“Shall I see if they can fix you up a plate of delicious hospital food?” I ask him with a smile.

“Oh boy, would you?”

I raise my eyebrow, questioningly.

“Oh, sorry,” he says. “I forget that you’re still learning the fine art of sarcasm. It’s always been more of a British thing, hasn’t it?”

“No… has it?” I say with a wry smile.

He laughs and claps his hands like a child. “You’ve been practicing!”