“You didn’t answer my question” Deb said, when she pulled back. She elaborated, when Mike frowned. “Beth. Is she okay?”
Mike’s eyelids fluttered shut, and Deb was alerted immediately.
“What is it? Did something happen to her?” Deb urged, starting to panic. “Mike, tell me!”
“I’m sorry, Deb” Mike sighed said, and he took her hand again. “The FBI found her, in her motel…There was nothing we could do”
Deb nodded, in understanding. “Can you…can you leave the room, please?” she asked, softly, nearly whispering.
“Deb” Mike pleaded. “Don’t do that. Don’t shut me out again”
Deb responded in turning away from him again, and freeing her hand.
Mike sighed and stood. “Alright, then. I’ll give you some time alone” he said, and he left the room. In he the corridor, he met with Claire. She looked exhausted. “Hi, Claire” he greeted her.
“Mike” she said, crossing her arms. She glanced at the closed door behind Mike. “How’s everything in there?”
“She’s awake” Mike started.
“Really?” Claire said, with slightly raised eyebrows. “That’s…that’s a relief. You know, Ryan’s still…” her voice trailed off, but Mike understood. “Max is with him now”
“Max?” Mike frowned, confused.
“I’m sorry. Maxine, his niece” Claire clarified. “Listen, I was just going to get some coffee. Care to cadastrar-se me?”
“Actually, I’d rather stay here” Mike said slowly. “But I wouldn’t say no to a cup, even it is disgusting”
Claire cast him a faint smile. “You got it”
Five minutos after Claire had walked around the corner, another door opened, and a young brunette came walking out. She headed straight for Mike and leaned against the wall, seguinte to him.
“I swear I’m going to kill them” she muttered, with a look at Mike. Then she looked ahead. “I don’t care if I lose my job over it. I’m just going to shoot them in the head, one por one”
“You’re a cop?” Mike guessed.
Max turned back to him, and rubbed her forehead.
“I’m so rude” she mumbled. “I’m sorry, you have no idea who I am” she said, obviously. She stepped away from the wall, and reached out her hand. “I’m Max, I’m Ryan’s niece” she introduced herself, as Mike shook her hand. “And yes, I’m a cop. NYPD, to be exact. Sort of runs in the family, I guess”
“My name’s Mike” Mike said.
“Yeah, I know” Max nodded. “Uncle Ryan’s told me all about you. He, eh, he told me you had this sad cachorro, filhote de cachorro look”
“I don’t have a sad cachorro, filhote de cachorro look” Mike grunted, defensive.
“Yeah, you kind of do” Max argued. “Hey, I get it” she said, raising her hands. “I know what you’ve been through. You’ve earned your sad cachorro, filhote de cachorro look”
They heard footsteps and a moment later, Claire returned with two cups of coffee.
“I see you two have met” she said, handing one of the cups to Mike. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about-”
“It’s fine” Max interrupted. “I, eh, I need to go anyway. But I’ll be back later. It was nice to meet you, Mike”
“Sure” Mike replied vague. He decided he had given Deb enough time alone, and not caring if he was being rude towards Max and Claire, he walked back in.
Deb wasn’t lying in her bed, but retching sounds led him to the bathroom, where he found Deb sitting on the floor, her legs tucked underneath her, leaning over the toilet.
Without a word, Mike knelt behind her, and pulled her against his chest. He kissed the back of her head, and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
“I’m sick, Mike” Deb said, with a weak voice. “I can’t stop barfing”
“I’ll get you a doctor” Mike said. “You’ll be fine, I promise” he added.
And so a doctor came. He held a clipboard in his hands, and he smiled mischievously.
“I can assure you, Ms. Parker, that you’re not sick” he started. “You’re pregnant”