Page 69 of A Matter of Time

“No.”

“No?”

“It’s a long story, but I refuse to go into protective custody. I would never leave you.”

Silence.

“Boss?”

He took a breath. “Tell me what’s going on with you right now.”

So even though I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to say, I spilled it all. “I have a slight concussion, but apparently it’s not nearly as bad as the last one Detective Kage had.”

“Pardon me?”

“Never mind. Mostly I don’t wanna put any of you guys in danger by coming in.”

“We have a security guard in our building who checks everyone in and out, Jory. I’ll expect you back here Monday morning.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. When have you ever known me to say something I didn’t mean?”

Never. “Okay then. I’ll see ya Monday.”

“Actually, I’m having dinner at Adagio’s tonight at six thirty,” he said crisply. “Come by briefly so I may look at you, all right?”

“What’s with the early dinner?”

“Theater tickets, if you must know,” he said curtly.

“Oh.”

“I’ll expect you.”

He just wanted to see me with his own eyes and make sure I was in one piece.

“Okay. Thanks, boss.”

He hung up, and I rolled over and went back to sleep.

When I woke back up, Sam Kage was in a wingback chair that was now beside the bed, and he was typing on his laptop.

“What are you doing?”

“Typing,” he replied without looking up.

“You’re funny.”

“Make sure you tell everyone, because no one believes me.”

I laughed at him, and he looked up from the screen.

“Feel better?”

“Yes.”

“You look better. Your pretty gold color is back.”