The others had drifted out and were standing in the drive. Now that the time was almost here, the mood was a pulsing mix of anticipation, fear, excitement. Everyone looked unusually polished, like a group about to go on job interviews. The girls all had on trousers this time instead of dresses; the need to draw their weapons with a complete lack of fumbling had trumped fashion. Alex himself was wearing grey trousers and a dark blue shirt. He’d considered a tie but decided against it – he’d never worn one in his life and wasn’t going to start now, on what might be his last day ever.

Wesley was flexing his arm. “Are you sure you’re okay?” asked Alex in an undertone. Though Wesley claimed his injury was healed now, Alex wasn’t convinced.

“I’m fine,” said Wesley. He glanced sideways at Alex; raised an arched eyebrow with a slight smile. “So don’t go hassling me ’bout it, all right?”

Alex was painfully aware that Wesley was one of the best shots he had – but if he wasn’t fully functioning yet, no way did he want to send him in there. “Wes, if you’re not sure, you’ve got to tell me now.”

Wesley’s brown eyes flashed. “Listen to me. I am sure. Don’t do this to me, man. You know why I’ve got to be there today. You understand better than anyone.”

“Yeah, I understand,” said Alex quietly. He felt the same way; what had happened to his own family was half the reason he was doing this. “But if your aim’s off—”

“Then maybe I die,” broke in Wesley. His voice was low, fierce. “And maybe I don’t care much if I do, and maybe I’d rather be there trying than anything else in my whole sorry life – okay?”

Alex let out a breath. The harsh truth was that he wasn’t in a position to say no to someone who was willing; even injured, Wesley could be a tremendous asset. And more than that, he didn’t think he really had the right to tell the guy he couldn’t come, when it meant so much to him and he was aware of the risks.

“Yeah, okay,” he said finally. Relief swept Wesley’s face; he nodded wordlessly.

Trish cleared her throat. She was standing to one side; from her pained expression Alex could tell she’d heard some of their conversation. “So...are we almost ready?”

Alex glanced at his phone, checking the time. “Almost. I’ll just look through the house again, make sure we haven’t forgotten anything.”

“I’m sure we haven’t,” said Kara, clambering out from the van.