Which explains why the investigator found it melted into the lock. On the outside.

Laura wants clarification. Cooper went in through a back door?

Yep. Room next to the kid’s. He knew what he was doing. If the roof hadn’t collapsed, it would have been straightforward, another snatch-and-grab.

They breathe, the two of them, and Avril clutches Laura’s wrist.

He should have waited for backup and PPE but the fire was gaining, he had clear evidence of life in danger, and he used his judgment. Training. He nods vigorously. Always the training. Proud to say it.

And relieved you won’t get hung out to dry, Avril thinks.

Of course, there’s the issue of him being there alone in the first place, he adds, frowning at the file. Ben Storer has been cautioned. There’ll be no further action.

He’s up and shaking their hands, making assurances, expressing sincere regrets. Already moving on. It’s clear Cooper’s future lies outside his jurisdiction now.

When he’s gone, Avril looks at Laura. Quiet, just sitting there. Stunned. She takes her mother-in-law’s hand again and squeezes it.

So.

Laura squeezes back.

So.

32

Avril

Avril rests a hand gently beside his face while he talks to her in a wheeze of words punctuated by rushes of air as his hand lifts on and off the opening in the tube. Miraculous. And she remembers a conversation from yesterday.

The thing about miracles is that they make you hungry for more, she’d told Pascale. One miracle, then another, and soon you’re expecting them, taking them for granted. I’m scared I’ve used up all my share.

She’d spoken lightly but Pascale knew. She knew.

Cooper’s saying, in little bursts, that he doesn’t like having the pressure suit taken off, something they do once a day to bathe him and apply new dressings.

Because it’s painful? she suggests, rushing in to complete the breathy explanation.

He’s momentarily irritated and she admonishes herself. Let him speak, for god’s sake. He’s short on breath, not words.

No, he manages. The pain—here he falters, and leaves a space, just moves past it. Because this—he makes the gesture of patting the suit, here, here—this … my skin.

She has to turn her face away.

Laura’s on the other side of the glass. Coop’s seen her, too, and lifts a hand to wave.

Look at Laura, look at that smile.

Laura waves back and then gestures to Avril, holds up a bakery bag.

Back in a while, babe. She leans down for a kiss—the kiss without touch she always gives him.

Uh-kay.