Page 53 of Rules of Engagement

"I thought that too but I don't see a connection between any of them and Solomon, or this city, in the last six months. I'll keep digging though."

"Thanks. Call me when you have more information. Any new names?"

"A couple. I'm working on them too," said Lucas. "I would ask how Solomon is but I already got into a network I normally don’t have access too, so I already know."

"Lucas!"

"I know, I know," he said, "but I thought it was okay under the circumstances."

"Everything okay?" Lily wanted to know after I hung up.

"I think Lucas hacked the hospital network and read Solomon's file."

"So very wrong!" said Lily. She got up and stood at the foot of the hospital bed and looked down at Solomon. "How does he do it?"

"I don't know. Computer stuff is not my forte."

"No, I meant how does Solomon manage to be hot even when he’s unconscious?"

"It's one of his many skills," I said, looking at him with the kind of longing I usually reserved for cake. When my eyes began to sting, I had to force myself to turn away. Otherwise, I would have climbed back into bed with him and slipped into a demi-sleep that I wouldn't emerge from until he stirred. The idea was comforting, but, practically, I was hungry and needed the caffeine Lily had provided if I intended to investigate further today.

"Do you want me to take you anywhere today?" Lily asked.

"I need to drive to Fort Charles. I made an appointment with Solomon's old buddy, Captain McAuley. As soon as Anastasia and Damien get here, I'm leaving to go." I pulled a face, realizing the issue with that. I sat down, annoyed at my lack of foresight. "I don't have my car! I've been driven around since we got here."

"You aren't going with Maddox?"

"No, I thought it might be hard for him since Solomon and I were working that case at Fort Charles when Maddox and I split up."

Lily raised her eyebrows and her mouth formed an O. "Did you tell Maddox you were going without him?"

"No. I didn't mention it at all. I'm going to go there and back, somehow, before he even knows I'm gone."

"Now's probably not a good time to mention this," said Lily. She raised her finger and pointed behind me. I swizzled my seat around and looked out the window. Maddox stood there with the officer. He waved.

"Give me your car keys, and distract him while I run," I said as I held out my hand.

"No."

My hand wavered in the air. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. Take Maddox with you. He's not a monk. He's dated since you two split up and he can cope. You're still friends. Plus, he's got a gun and I don't want anyone to shoot you."

I flapped my lips and wondered what to retort. When I decided she was right, I settled on, "When did you get so grown up?"

"It crept up on me, but it doesn’t happen every day, I swear," Lily replied with breathy alarm. "Please don't tell anyone else."

I crossed my heart as I got up and stepped around Lily, leaning over Solomon to kiss his cheek. "When I come back, you're going to wake up," I whispered to him. His ventilator clunked. I swallowed my fear and turned away, walking outside to meet Maddox.

"Am I too early?" he asked.

"You're just at the right time," I told him. "I need to clean up and as soon as Anastasia and Damien get here, we can go."

"Do you have a plan?"

I nodded. "I'll fill you in on the way."

~

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