Chapter seven:

That needle better not get within a foot of me! Smoke said.

What's going on here, Jack? Sidney said. What the hell is in there?

Something new, Jack said. He pointed to Smoke. You agreed to this. You better settle yourself.

I didn't agree to any injections! Screw this! Put me back in prison.

Jack! Sidney said, stepping in front of him. What is it?

A vaccination.

No one is giving me any shots! Standing taller than the rest, hands cuffed behind his back, Smoke squatted down and drove his shoulder into the agent on his left. The man teetered over but held on, dragging the three of them down in a heap.

You're going to regret that, Jack said. He stepped around Sidney and pointed the stun gun at Smoke. I don't have time for this.

Sidney shoved his hand aside. Jack misfired. The taser prods buried themselves in one of the agents. He jerked, spasmed, and writhed on the floor.

Dammit ,Sid! What did you do that for?

This isn't protocol!

It is. Read the file. I tell you it is. He shoved past Sidney and drove his toe into Smoke's gut.

Oof!

Settle down, hot dog! Take your medicine! Jack said. He put his knee on Smoke's neck. Cyrus!

Smoke jerked and writhed.

Behind Sidney, Cyrus had tased him.

Give him more juice, Jack said. He's still squirming.

Gladly, Cyrus said, squeezing the trigger.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

Smoke screamed out, Aargh! A second later he collapsed on the floor, disheveled and coated in sweat.

Whew! Jack said, getting up. He ran his forearm across his brow. What is that made of? He helped the agent who'd caught some juice from his taser. Sorry about that. He let out a heavy sigh. Agent Shaw, I'm letting this incident go. But if you ever act in subordinate again, I'll black mark your file.

But Jack-

He stepped up to her.

But sir!

He reached into his pocket and grabbed a handkerchief. Get in line, or I'll withdraw my consideration.

Sidney started to say, Yes, Sir, but held her tongue.

You go right ahead, Sir. This entire incident is way out of bounds.

No, you're out of bounds, Sid.

I'm not the one who lost control of the situation. That's on you, not me. That's no way to treat a person. He's a decorated veteran.

He was a decorated veteran. Now he is a ex- con vigilante hot-dog idiot.

She glanced at Smoke. Cyrus was driving the needle into him. Hey!

Back off , Sid, Jack said. Tohms! Yo Tommy! The man she'd met outside came in. What the hell are you doing out there? Didn't you hear the racket?

Er...

Never mind, Jack said. Just help the Muldoon to the car. He's shaken up. Right. Tommy said. He glanced at Sid. There was a bit of sympathy in his eyes. He mumbled as he passed. Cyrus is a mn a- hole.

I heard that, Cyrus said.

Good, Tommy replied. He helped Muldoon back outside, closing the door behind him.

Jack raised his palms up. Let's start over. The vaccination. I had to do it. Orders. And that's all I know. It's a vaccination.

Is there something wrong with him? Sidney said.

Well, I'm just assuming it's for your protection... and his.

Smoke groaned on the floor. Cyrus locked an ankle tracker on him.

Who's keeping tabs on him, Sidney said, me or you?

Check your phone? Cyrus said. There's an app you need to download.

Twenty four seven location. Just don't let your phone go dead. Don't use it like the last time, either.

Shut up, Cyrus.

Listen, Sid, Jack intervened. This is a strange case. I have my orders. You have yours. Execute them, and I'm sure it will make sense after everything hashes out. Got it?

Sure, I got it.

Good.

So, Sidney said, is this headquarters?

He pointed to a peg on the wall. Those are the keys. You can work out here, or you can work out of his place.

I'm sure she would like to take him back to her place. Cyrus snapped his briefcase shut. Probably why she took the assignment. She always had a thing for damaged guys.

Cyrus get.going, Jack said.

Agent Tweel departed with a frown, slamming the door behind him. That left only Jack, Smoke, the other agent, and herself in the room.

Get the car warmed up Danny, Jack said.

That left only three. Sidney, I'm sorry for how this went down. You're my best. You know that.

But I can't have you questioning me in front of the other's. Not like that. Respect the chain.

I know but-

No, the only butt I'm going to have is yours if you cross that line again.

Capisce?

She nodded.

Good. His eyes slid over at Smoke and back. I don't know what to think of all this. He's all yours though. Read the file. Stay away from the office. Don't hesitate to call. In two weeks this will all be over. Things will be back to normal.

You say that as if you don't think we can bring this guy in.

Well, the odds are against you. I'm told no one has ever brought one in. And by the look of things, I don't see that changing. He squeezed her shoulder. Good luck, Sidney.

She could feel his heavy gaze on her back as he headed for the door. It sent a chill through her. She didn't turn. Goodluck, Sir.