Seth tries to do his job the best he can. Yes, he’s the head of the company; yes, his meetings include playing poker; and yes, it works out fine. This time is no different, even though the news is more worrying than usual. But he’s going to take it one step at the time and be just fine. It’s more of the same in the end -- talk to these people, arrange that meeting, and don’t panic anybody. The stakes are higher, but it’s nothing he hasn’t done before. And he gets to spend time at the fire station with Connor. Seth should be good.<br><br>And there’s nothing out of the ordinary on Connor’s end. It’s a normal day, spent doing normal things, with the normal people. He happens to love his life and, though some things could be better, they could also be way worse. Connor is satisfied, and nothing is going to change that.<br><br>Everything is going according to plan. There’s no reason to believe that anything has to change. Right?

Out of Nowhere

“Is now an okay time to ask a few questions?” Bruno asks Seth, ignoring Connor and earning himself another strike.


“He’s on heavy-duty painkillers,” Connor says calmly.


“Doesn’t mean he can’t speak,” Bruno says challengingly. “He’s a witness unless his story changed.”


Connor just stares at Bruno. They seem to rub each other the wrong way and Seth knows on whose side he is. But when Seth opens his mouth to tell them they should come back at a later time, Bruno backs down somewhat.


“We need his help,” Bruno says. His eyes shift and he’s talking to Seth. “This is time-sensitive. If you’re on pain killers this won’t count in court anyway.”


There’s an awkward pause. Seth looks up to find them looking back. There’s a guilty cast to Connor’s expression that makes Seth realize the pun. He rolls his eyes.


“Ah, right.” Bruno coughs. “Can you tell us what happened in your own words?”


Chapter 17