Page 105 of The Rat

“I’ll wait outside.”

Rory listened to the governorgetting to his feet, walking to the door, then passing through it. Hereleased a slow breath and flexed his aching hands. It didn’t seemlike much time had passed before the door opened again.

“What the hellis going on?” Ollieblurted.

Rory opened his eyes. “There’ssomething I need to tell you.”

“As long asit’s not about you being apolice officer.” Ollie snorted.

Rory didn’t answer.

“We heardPauly tried to wind up Sebastian,tried to get him to attack you, but Sebastian saw throughit.”

Rory stood up. “What Pauly saidwas true.”

“What?” Olliegasped.

“I’m undercover. I was senthere to gather information on Sebastian. To unearth hisplans.”

Captain leaned back against thewall and turned away, but Ollie took a step towards Rory. His eyes weresearching when they connected with Rory’s, and he didn’t seedisbelief, but a devastating realization.

“Take it back.” Olliemurmured.

Rory took a deep breath. “Itwasn’t my intention to deceive you, I didn’t want tohurt either ofyou.”

“You’re not in here for eightyears…” Olliewhispered.

“No.”

Ollie turned around and clutched hishead. “You lied.”

“Yes.”

“I thought we werefriends—”

“We are.”

“No, we’re not! Friends don’t lie like that.You—I told you about my dad.”

Rory scrunched up his face. “Iknow.”

“I thought we’d be inhere together… I thought I’d have you for eight of my nine years.”

“I’ll visit you, write toyou, I swear.”

Ollie turned around and pointed hisfinger at Rory. “I want nothing from you.”

His face had reddened, and Rory’s eyesstarted stinging when he saw Ollie’s gettingwaterlogged.

“I’m sorry—”

“Sure, you are … you get to go home, getto walk out those gates, and go back to your life, and your family,and I’m left here to rot.”

“Ollie…” Rorypressed his hands together. “Ireally am sorry, I—I can’t tell you enough.”

Ollie wiped aggressively at hisface. “You know what…”

“What?”

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