“It depends on why you’re here.”
“I know you need space,” he says with his hands out in front of him as if to say, Hold on a second. “But I had to make sure you’re all right.”
I stand up and wipe my wet palms on my pants. He walks in, eyes immediately drawn to the wall.
“You did what she needed from you,” he says, not stepping any closer. “And it was more than anyone’s ever done for her.”
I want to throw myself into his arms and inhale his sweat-soaked shirt, but I stop myself. Part of me feels guilty when I notice he’s changed clothes. I’m guessing he helped clean up Amber’s body after I ran out. But I can’t quite forgive him for lying, no matter how much I want to. “It still hurts.”
He’s quiet as he sits down on the bed and puts his hands on his knees. I listen to his breathing as he stares at the painting.
“I say it’s time to retrieve those records and show the world who Wilson really is,” he says. “What he’s made us all do in order to survive.”
“Do you think the world cares?”
“Deep down, I do. And if we show them that their lives are in jeopardy, they’ll step up to the plate,” he says. I stare at him, squinting, and he levels his gaze at me. “I know I don’t deserve you, or your forgiveness. But … that doesn’t change why I came.”
“Cole, I … ”
“You don’t have to say a word. But I need to tell you that I love you and nothing’s going to change that. Not ever.”
I turn my head and stare at the wall I painted. The faces, the memories, all flash through my mind. I flick my eyes back to Cole’s. He raises his eyebrows, his black eyes boring holes through my soul.
“So … are you ready for this?” he asks. I clench my fists and nod my head.
“I’ve never been more ready in my life.”
I try my best to pay attention as Bruno and Cole go back and forth over how they should get into the hospital. They stand, pointing at a homemade diagram sitting on a table in the training room. Since there are no chairs left, the rest of us sprawl on the floor, subjected to their constant discussion of tactics, as the lights flicker overhead, giving me a headache.
“I need to use the restroom; I’ll be right back,” Grace says.
Bruno nods without looking up. I don’t know how he hasn’t suspected her secret yet. This is the second time she’s left the room to pee, and we’ve only been sitting here for one hour.
She gets up from her position along the wall and saunters to the doorway, glancing over her shoulder at me. When she returns a few minutes later, she slides down into place, resting her hands over her abdomen. Her face glows, and her mouth turns upward. The secret weighs on me like an anvil dragging me under the waves with her. Is it better this way? It’s not my place to make that decision. I pull my eyes away from her.
Bill drinks from his small bottle. I don’t know how he can drink so much and still understand anything we’re talking about. But somehow, he’s found himself an endless supply of vodka, and he doesn’t think waiting until we’re free to celebrate is good enough. He belches loudly, but the guys don’t even stop to notice. He looks at me with his gap-toothed smile, and I roll my eyes.
“Want some?”
“No, thanks, you go right ahead and enjoy that,” I say.
“Have to while I can.”
Zeus moans as he lies on his belly, supporting his head between his two front paws, eyes sorrowful. I can understand that. I fidget with my fingers, wondering when Cole and Bruno will reach a decision.
“How about the basement windows?” Bruno asks.
“No way, too close to the training center,” Cole says.
“Oh come on, man. If we get in there, we’re right at the main staircase which goes straight to the eighth floor.” Bruno leans over the papers and points to a location with his index finger. “It’s perfect.”
“Yeah, but impossible.”
“Actually, it isn’t,” Bill says from the shadows. “The guards rotate every four hours. Hit them on a shift change, and you got them.” The eyes in the room all move in his direction. Under the flickering light, Cole’s forehead wrinkles up as he lifts his right eyebrow. “The guards on the roof of the hospital take smoke breaks together. You’ll see the burning light of their cigarettes. This leaves their posts … well, let’s just say, ‘unguarded.’” Bill laughs as Bruno stands up straight. “What? I enjoy observing people, even a bunch of slime balls.”
“Old man, your intelligence is kicking my ass right about now,” Bruno says. “How about helping us out here.”
“Bruno, just because he drinks doesn’t make him unintelligent,” Grace says.
“Who said anything about him drinking?” Bruno asks with his hands in the air.
“Grace, it’s fine. It doesn’t bother me,” Bill says. “Because now my problem can be used for the good.”
“And how is that exactly?” Cole asks, turning fully to face Bill.