By the time Ethan stepped out of the consultation room, the night had fallen for the second time he was there. The hospital corridor stretched ahead in a wash of pale light and shadow, white coats moving with purpose, the world continuing in its relentless forward motion while his thoughts kept circling the same point.
Someone had taken Leon, and the same someone had nearly killed Maverick to do it.
And this wasn't new.
He stopped near one of the tall windows overlooking the city. Beyond the glass, winter pressed against the world; streetlights burned dim halos into mist, and the night breathed with the muted intensity that suggested important things were happening somewhere, unseen, unfelt by most.
His hand hovered over his phone.
