Page 42 of Harris

The mood in the rental was grim. Apollo and Griffin had returned to their own people to tell them the news, leaving with a new meeting time planned for the next day. There wasn’t much conversation, and most of the team was lost in their thoughts, spending time with their partners or on calls with those left in Fire Lake.

Even though this team had never met Robin, it didn’t change the fact that one of their own in this fight had paid the ultimate price. It could be any of them at any time, and that was a fact no one could deny.

Woodley rolled over, and Harris pulled him closer into his arms. It was after three in the morning, and neither were sleeping.

“How are you doing?” Woodley asked.

“I can’t get the vision of Robin on that table out of my head.”

“Yeah, neither can I,” Woodley said. “I can’t imagine what Apollo’s people are going through.”

“This division of the group has no conscience. They need to be stopped.”

“That’s the plan, but I must admit sometimes I feel like we’re in a no-win situation. That it doesn’t matter how hard we fight, people are still dying.”

“I understand your frustration, but we are making a difference. We’ve already saved several test subjects and shut down multiple locations. We can’t allow them to deter us from pushing forward no matter how hard it sometimes feels.”

“I know you’re right, and I refuse to stop, but all I want to do is blow that fucking bar to high heavens along with that house,” Woodley admitted.

“Same, but we need to ensure no one else is being held in that secret back room in the bar first. Then we burn them to the ground.”

“I’ll bring the marshmallows.”

Harris pulled Woodley even closer and kissed his temple.

“What’s that look about?” Woodley asked.

“What look?” Harris asked.

“The contemplative one where you’re staring off into space. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. Can’t a guy just think?”

“Not you.”

“My sister said the same thing not too long ago. Why are you two joining forces against me?” Harris chuckled. “I feel outnumbered.”

“You’re not answering the question, smart-ass.”

“Fine. I was thinking how it would be if you weren’t in my life.”

“What?” Woodley asked while putting some space between them. “Planning on finding out?”

“No. In fact, I want you to move to Fire Lake permanently. You could work on the team, or maybe Elias would hire you for the local department, but I’m unsure how many calls they have for a detective.”

“You want me to move to Fire Lake?”

“Yes. Like the other team members, we could build one of those cottages on the lake house property. Or we could work something out with Brian at the ranch. It doesn’t matter where we live just as long as it’s in the same place.”

“This coming from a man who never wanted to commit to anyone. You’re sounding quite domesticated.”

“Yeah, well, you can say I’ve seen the light. Besides, what do you have to go back to Oregon for? In Fire Lake, you don’t have to hide who you are; people accept you.”

“So, I should move for convenience?”

“Are you intentionally making this difficult?”

Woodley grinned. “Maybe.”

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