Page 67 of The Rat

Hethought of Ollie. “I’m gonna end uphurting people, people that don’t deserve to be hurt.”

“Hurting who?”

“Ollie, the guy I came inwith.”

Hamish rubbed his sparse moustache.“Murdered his father in a frenzied attack.”

“He’s come to rely on me, and theguilt’sstarting to eat away at me. The longer I’m here, the more it’llhurt when I go.”

“Push him awaythen.”

Rory scrunched his face. “Ican’t dothat.”

“You are not here to makefriends, you’re here to spy on Sebastian.”

“And I have. I’ve given youinformation.”

“Not enough,” Hamish growled. “You owe me,remember? The favor I did for you?”

Rory bit the inside of hischeek.

“What favor?”Morris asked.

Rory looked up at Hamish andshook his head, but all compassion had gone fromthe inspector’seyes.

“Rory shouldn’t even be apolice officer.”

“What?”

“He failed his entranceexam repeatedly.”

Morrissmirked. “Are you serious? It wasn’thard.”

“When hefailed for the thirdtime—”

“Third?” Morrisblurted.

“He begged me to help him,to tamper with the results, said he wanted to get in before his daddied, wanted to tell him he’d finally achieved hisgoal.”

Rory closed his eyes andpictured his dad’s face when he told him. Lying in the hospital, pale, andfrail, his face had lit up when Rory told him he’d finally got in.The pride had been evident to see, and he grasped Rory’s handtightly, spoke around the tube in his mouth, and told Rory he lovedhim.

“You knew I’d ask for a favor in return.”Hamish mumbled.

“But this…”

“This is a great opportunity foryour career. Not only that, but you’re taking downSebastian.”

“But Ollie—”

“Is an unfortunatecasualty. Focus on the main objective.”

Rory pursed his lipsand released a slowbreath. “It’s not that easy…”

Hamish grinned. “You’re doinggreat, don’tgive up now.”

As he was marched back to the wing, hetried to sort out his swirling mind.

He hated the Sebastian of thepast, hated that he killed, and that he made money helping the heartless andcowards that wanted to cause death and destruction.

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