Page 110 of Hidden Depths

“More like bull-headed. Or maybe the ravings of a lunatic, but certainly not talent.”

“I realize I went against orders again, sir. But I want you to know, I learned something.”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

Tom jerked his head toward an empty office.

Armstrong lifted his eyebrows as he followed his agent and shut the door behind him.

“You were right.”

“Now I understand why you wanted privacy. You don’t want anyone else to hear you say that.”

Tom smiled sadly. “I’ve been so caught up in my own pain that I forgot about everyone else who’s around me.”

“I think you might be telling me the truth for once.”

“I am. I got a taste of my own medicine, and that helped me to see what I’d been missing the whole time.”

Armstrong folded his arms across his thick chest. “This I gotta hear.”

“I told Sara not to risk her life to catch Lansky, but she did it anyway.”

“I know. Agent Taylor informed me.”

“I’m not saying there aren’t times when we take risks. But there are lines. I was crossing not only yours, but God’s as well.”

“God?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I always wondered if you had a religious bent.”

“I owe it to you to tell you I blamed myself for Vic’s death. Or at least, I thought it should have been me instead of him.”

“He was a good man, but I wouldn’t say his life was worth more than yours, or vice versa.”

“I know. He did what he believed he had to do. He was protecting me. I’m alive today because of him, and I’ve been abusing that privilege in the way I’ve lived my life. Not to mention God’s got me here for better things.”

“That’s good to hear. But don’t think this lets you off the hook. You still owe Human Resources a proper vacation.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

“You were not.”

“I was.”

“You were doing so well, why start lying now?”

“I’m not. Your condo actually does need renovations now.”

“No.” Armstrong put his hand up in defense. “You can’t stay there. Find somewhere else, but if I let you back in there after what’s happened, my wife will kill me.”

“Fine.”

“You’re really not going to argue?”

“Nope.”

---