Doug Stark was extremely high on painkillers, so when Agent Franks sat down next to his hospital bed, his first thought was that he was hallucinating. Only Franks just sat there, staring at him in typical Franks fashion. You’d think that a hallucination would actually bother to do something interesting. Franks was dressed in hospital scrubs and Stark hadn’t even known that they made them that big. He was also wearing an ID badge that had a picture of a doctor that was obviously not Franks on it.

“The docs said I’m going to be pooping in a bag for at least six months because of you, jerk.”

“It wasn’t me.”

Stark’s voice was extremely raspy. “You’re not imaginary, are you?”

“No.”

Stark repeatedly pushed the call button.

“No one is coming,” Franks stated.

Stark gave up. He’d just gone through a few surgeries. He was in no condition to do anything useful. He didn’t even think he could shout loud enough to get help. “There was a man on the door. Where’s my guard?”

“Good try. There were two.” Franks nodded at the bathroom. “In there.”

“Did you . . . ?”

“No.” Franks actually looked a little offended, like he had room to get offended, as if after killing a building full of agents, offing a couple more would hurt his reputation. “They’ll wake up.”

Maybe it was all the drugs, but he couldn’t work up enough emotion to freak out about Franks showing up like the angel of death. “Are you here to finish what you started?”

“I was framed.”

“But I saw you.”

“You saw what Stricken wanted you to see.”

“Stricken?” The drugs were slowing his brain down, but that couldn’t be right. Stricken was his benefactor. They were political allies. Stricken had pulled strings so Stark could get this job. “Huh?”

“Idiot.” Franks sighed. “There’s no time for this.” He stuck a Post-it note to Stark’s forehead. “Here.”

“Hey.” It covered one of his eyes. All he could see was neon pink. It was rather degrading.

Franks stood up. “Pass that on.”

“You could have just sent me a text or something. Jeez, man.” Wow. I really am stoned. “What’s the deal?”

“I got in here but you’re still alive. That should prove something. Call off your dogs. I’ve got work to do.” Franks opened the hospital room door, glanced quickly in each direction, and then stepped out without saying another word.