“Oh yeah, doing much better. Thank you for asking. Just glad to be back at work, y’know? Got stir crazy in my apartment. Too sick to enjoy being off, y’know? But how’ve things been here? Anything interesting going on?”

Spire’s frown deepened. “No…nothing interesting. Same boring assignment.” He shrugged. “I caught a couple trying to get freaky in the Grey House on Monday. Called the cops, but they had run off before they got here. That’s been about it.”

I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or upset by Spire’s calm demeanor and lack of disquiet. Had he really not seen any weird shit lately? And if not, why not?

“Hmm. Good deal. So nothing odd or strange? Seeing or hearing weird stuff or what not?”

A thin line of anger flashed across Spire’s expression. “Look, man, is this some kind of joke? Why are you asking me all this stuff?”

I felt a surge of panic. Either he really didn’t know anything or he was trying to bait me into telling what had happened to me. Regardless, I didn’t trust him, and I worried that if I kept asking questions and acting freaked out, he might report me. Say I was acting crazy or like I was on something. So I gave up and started backing out of the guard station, still trying to smile.

“Nothing, nothing. Just trying to make conversation and doing a bad job at it. Probably need to go get some sleep.”

His anger seemed to fade to concern. “Yeah, you look like you’re still sick. You sure you’re okay to drive home by yourself?”

I waved the question away as I headed toward the exit. “I’m fine. Just got to get my energy built back up is all.” Pausing, I looked back for a moment to where Spires stood. He was so young-looking, all alone by himself in this place. “Hey, be careful though, y’know? And call for back up if anything does happen.”

He nodded. “Sure, I will. And take care of yourself, Jack. Hope you feel better.”

****

After a day of troubled sleep, I went back and switched off with Spires. He seemed okay, though he kept giving me odd looks as he packed up his bag. As for Oscar, he was late, and again I was considering calling him when he walked in with a wave and a wan smile. I was relieved he was okay and that I’d get to talk to him face-to-face.