“Lost your sense of humor, Bryson?” asked Ray. “I think we both want the same thing—Abby’s departure. I told the FBI agent to handle that and to keep my presence here a secret.”

A smile creased Nichols’s face. “You’re a wise man, Ray. Usually.” He stood. “I will, of course, have to ensure the agent doesn’t make a return visit.”

“Of course.”

“And the hospital staff will be keeping close watch on you. We still can’t allow you access to the Grid. You know that.”

Ray nodded. “Do me a favor, will you? Keep Abby safe—safer than you have to date.”

“I will. I’m glad we’re on the same page regarding Abigail, Ray. I only hope you come to see the larger issue my way.” Nichols glanced around the room. “I hate to see you living like this.”

Ray stood. “It’s not permanent, Bryson. Not even eternity lasts forever—not your kind, anyway.”

37

Abby was curled in the chair, reading her book, and I was just shaking off the vestiges of an afternoon nap when Ben Steele burst through the hospital room door. “Abby, your grandfather is alive!”

Abby leaped out of her chair. “He is? How do you know?” Her eyes shot toward me. My stomach churning, I feigned astonishment.

Ben glanced at me, then answered Abby. “I just got back from meeting with him earlier today. He’s been at the mental health center the whole time.”

Her cheeks had gone rosy with excitement. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine. There’s never been anything wrong with him. Nichols had him committed there for…safekeeping.”

Abby bolted for the door. “Let’s go. I want to see him.” “No, Abby, you can’t.” Ben put his hand on her arm, guiding her back toward her chair.

Abby looked bewildered. “Why not?”

“Because they won’t even acknowledge that he’s there. The hospital director takes instructions from Nichols. You’d never get past the foyer.”

“How did you get to see him?” Abby asked.

“An employee who didn’t mind losing her job.”

“So are you going to arrest Nichols?”

Ben shook his head. “It’s not that simple.”

“But isn’t what he’s done against the law?” Her words were edged with frustration.

“Yes, of course. But Nichols has friends in high places. Very high places. It doesn’t serve their interests to see him charged with anything.”

“But this is the United States,” she cried, throwing up her hands. “If someone commits a crime, don’t they go to jail?”

“They should, yes. But it doesn’t necessarily work that way if you’re powerful.”

Abby looked angry, ready for a fight. “Agent Steele, I don’t understand. Why don’t you just go to the head of the FBI and tell him what you know? They can’t hold my grandfather against his will.”