Page 150 of Beyond Protection
"They're taking you to surgery. You're going to be fine. And when you wake up, I'll be there. Okay?"
He tried to speak. The mask muffled it.
I leaned closer.
"Don't—" His voice was barely there. "Don't leave."
"I'm not leaving. I'm right here. I'm staying right here."
His fingers squeezed mine. Once. Weak but deliberate.
They were already moving him. I walked beside the gurney to the surgical suite doors.
"We'll update you as soon as we can," Dr. Randall said.
The doors swung shut.
Eamon disappeared behind them.
Michael pulled me away.
The waiting room was too bright and too quiet. Ma occupied three seats—reserving territory. Claire sat beside her, spine straight despite the hour. Marcus stood by the window. Matthew and Miles had claimed chairs near the coffee station.
They all looked up when we entered.
"He's in surgery," I said. "They don't know how long."
Ma stood. Crossed to me and pulled me into a hug.
"Sit down. You're shaking."
I was, but I hadn't noticed.
She pressed coffee into my hands. "Drink."
Claire stepped up close to me. Didn't say anything.
"They caught her?" I asked Michael.
"Yeah. Processing her downtown. She's still talking. Explaining her preservation protocols."
"Fuck."
"Found her car two blocks over. All her equipment was inside. She was planning a full extraction."
I closed my eyes. Saw the gun swinging. Saw Eamon moving.
"He didn't hesitate," I said.
"What?"
"Three years ago, he froze. Got someone killed. Tonight, he didn't hesitate. He saw the gun, and he moved."
"That's what matters," Michael said. "The moving."
The clock on the wall read 11:20 PM.
Ma returned with a granola bar. "Eat."
