“I suppose deep down I’m hoping for some kind of relationship after I’ve come through with the goods.” He looked upward. “Of course, he may blow me off anyway. I’m prepared for that. But I don’t want to give him ammunition. Can you change the subject?”

“How are you feeling?” Decker asked.

“I have a several tubes in my arm, a tube up my dick, I’m nauseated, and I can’t move. I hurt almost everywhere and the few places I don’t hurt, I’m plain sore. But other than that, I’m perfect.” He forced a smile. “I believe it was you who said no whining? Something about no one wants to hear me bitch?”

Decker changed the subject. “I have an assignment for you if you want it.”

“Thanks for the sympathy.” The kid looked up. “What?”

“Are you able to use your iPad?”

“Yeah, of course. First of all, I’m right-handed and I got hit on the left side. Second, both my hands are fine. What do you need?”

“Once you’re out of here, I still want you looking through the libraries for pilfered items.”

“Why? The case is obviously beyond a stolen book or a few stolen antique maps.”

“If Moreau and Latham were improvising with their own petty thefts, they had to fence their wares somewhere. We both saw the books and the maps in Goddard’s gallery. Not unusual for him to have things like that, but if we could find him holding stolen goods, we’d at least have a connection.”

“I would think he’d want to chuck anything that would tie him to them.”

“When it comes to chucking valuable things, people are funny. That’s why we find things like bloody clothes, bloody shoes, and murder weapons. Not to mention photographs and texts and phone numbers in cells. People don’t cover their tracks that well. And even when they do, they slip up. We need to check as many angles as we can think of. Are you in or out?”

“I’m in.” A beat. “Only because you’re still using the pronoun ‘we.’ ”

“Of course it’s a ‘we.’ ”

The kid gave a genuine smile. “I’m up to it.”

“I’d also like Rina to come sit with you. I’ll have an armed cop watch both of you. And she can help. She also knows how to shoot.” A pause. “You’ll all have to go together to the restroom.”

“She’s already seen me with a catheter. I’m beyond embarrassment. I’ll gladly do whatever you need. You might as well exploit me while you can.”

Decker patted the kid’s arm, and then he slumped in his chair. “We both could use some rest.”

“Go home.”

“Not a chance.”

“I could probably get a cot in the room if you want.”