Page 38 of Harris

“You were on opposite sides of the law. I more than most understand that.”

“Yeah, at the time, we were on a mission to stop him from selling military secrets that he’d stolen.”

“Facts are facts.” Woodley couldn’t deny them.

“Those facts were more fluid than I believed.”

“What do you mean by fluid?” Fluid had many interpretations, and Woodley didn’t want to jump to conclusions.

“Considering Harris’s behavior since joining our team, I have to admit I began to have doubts. Criminals don’t typically change their stripes. However, Harris didn’t fit into the mold, so I looked closer.”

“Harris is a good person, no matter what he thought he had to do to save his sister.”

Woodley was tired of people labeling Harris because he was forced to commit a crime to save his sister. As a product of the Noah Group himself, Woodley understood the measures people like him had to take at times, even with him being a detective. Sometimes, normal routes weren’t open to them, and what worked for a regular person wasn’t an option. It could be as simple as going to the hospital when you’re sick or living a normal life without constant fear.

“Agreed.”

“Wait, what? I thought you had written him off.”

“Things aren’t always black and white in my world. There are unimaginable levels of gray that vary on a case-by-case basis. Harris, for example, falls into the gray area. He has done legally ambiguous things, but who hasn’t when push comes to shove? I don’t condone what he tried to do, but I understand the reason, which places him in the gray area.”

“Why are you telling me this?” This wasn’t exactly going how he thought it would.

“Because since you arrived, I’ve noticed a shift in Harris. He isn’t all doom and die; he’s making plans and thinking ahead.”

“Not so willing to die for the cause.” Woodley was happy to hear that.

“Exactly. Even with the previous plan in place, I believe he would have fought tooth and nail to survive. Which is in direct odds with his ‘fuck it’ attitude. I believe that this change is due to you.”

“You give me too much credit. Harris doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to do.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that. You have a larger effect on him than you believe.”

“Why are you telling me this?’

“Because I know how difficult it is to believe what the guy says most of the time. However, this new version has me questioning whether we’ve truly seen the real Harris prior to this. As for me, I’m finding myself giving him the benefit of the doubt more often of late, and I think you should as well.” Brick picked up his mug. “Again, I owe you one for what you did. I won’t forget it.”

Brick left the kitchen, leaving Woodley with more questions than answers. Was Harris serious about having a future with him? Or was he being gaslit? Only time would tell.

***

Harris

He was chasing his own fucking tail. Nothing was happening. Nothing. At this point, Harris seriously considered walking into the dive bar to order a beer. This shit was getting old fast. It seemed that the group had gone silent. How long could this go on?

“I say we throw a flash-bang through the door and watch what slithers out,” Stryker suggested across the comms.

“We could disguise ourselves as part of the fire department performing standard inspections in the area,” Fletcher suggested.

“Or SWAT,” Shaw said. “I always wanted to drive a BearCat down a city street.”

“Hell, I would be willing to levitate the contents of the entire bar, so they think they have ghosts and go running,” Harris added.

“There’ll be no ordinance use, impersonations, leisurely drives, or hauntings,” Brick stated through their shared mics. “But I’m not opposed to going in silent to look around the back of the bar after they close.”

“Finally, some action,” Gunner said. It was obvious their patience had been tested.

“You’re a sniper. Hell, you’re used to waiting around,” Harris joked.

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