Page 113 of The Thief
"She would have loved you. Would have spoiled you rotten and taught you to fight dirty."
"Dad did that already."
"Did he? The fighting dirty part?"
"Among other things. He said the world wasn't fair to women, so we had to make our own rules."
Henry laughs, genuine humor breaking through the sadness. "That's exactly what my Mary used to say. Word for word."
Freddie stirs in his chair, opening his eyes slowly. He looks confused for a moment then focuses on me.
"Hey," he says, voice rough with sleep. "How long was I out?"
"Hour or so. Henry and I were just talking."
"About what?"
"Family. Dead people. The usual cheerful hospital conversation."
He stretches, working the kinks out of his neck. "Any word from the doctors?"
"They want to keep me another day for observation, then I can go home."
"Good. This place gives me the creeps."
"Hospitals usually do," Henry says. "Too many people die in them."
"Speaking of which," Freddie says, "Maverick called while you were asleep. Still no sign of Trace, but they found the car he used to escape burned out in the mountains, completely destroyed."
"Professional job?"
"Looks like it. Whoever helped him knew what they were doing."
Henry's face hardens. "He's got resources we don't know about. People, money, safe houses. This isn't over."
"No," Freddie agrees. "It's not."
The weight of that settles over all of us. Trace is still out there, still planning, still dangerous. And next time, he might not be content with just stabbing me.
"I want to go home," I say suddenly.
"Tomorrow," Freddie says. "Doctors said?—"
"No. Today. Now. I'm tired of lying here feeling helpless."
"Alastríona—"
"I'm not asking, Freddie. I'm telling you. Get me discharged or I'll discharge myself."
He looks at Henry, who shrugs. "Her choice. We can provide better security at the house anyway."
The ride back to Henry's safe house feels like returning from exile. Dublin looks different through the car windows, more dangerous, full of potential threats. But it also looks like home.
The safe house is exactly as we left it, except for the new security measures. Cameras, motion sensors, and armed guards who nod respectfully as we pass. Henry's taking no chances.
"Better?" Freddie asks as he helps me into bed.
"Much."
