Klein nodded. “We just need you to concentrate on healing, Jon. No one can get to you here, so you don’t have anything else to worry about.”

Smith tried to sit up, but the attempt wasn’t as successful as he’d hoped. He motioned to Randi and she helped ease him forward. A few extra pillows kept him there.

“I’m still not clear on how we got out of the trunk. Your guys just started shooting on a public road?”

Klein’s irritation was immediately visible and Randi retreated again.

“Not only a public road, but a crowded public road. Randi discovered you were alive and went after you without telling me. By the time I found out, I didn’t have the luxury of anything subtle.”

“You sent Jon to Japan,” Randi said, defensively. “You implied he was dead.”

“I implied that because I believed it to be likely.”

“What you believed doesn’t make any difference. How could I be sure you didn’t set him up? That you weren’t setting me up?”

Klein let out a long, frustrated breath. “Randi, you’re as talented as anyone I’ve ever worked with, but without trust this relationship isn’t going to work.”

“You’re lecturing me about trust? I notice you were having me watched.”

“And where would you be if I hadn’t? In my experience, trips that start in car trunks rarely end well.”

“Fred’s right,” Smith said. “And he walks the walk, Randi. He’s always been there for me. And frankly he’s always been there for you, too.”

“The past is no guarantee of the future.”

“If you want guarantees, you’re in the wrong business.”

Her face tightened as though she’d just swallowed something toxic. “Fine. I screwed up and I apologize.”

Klein nodded. “Apology accepted. Now let’s put it behind us and start fresh.”

She crossed the room and offered her hand. “Deal. But if you ever decide to cross me or Jon, make sure you finish the job.”

He held her hand in his grip. “And if you ever decide to cross me, I suggest you do the same.”

She gave an almost imperceptible nod and it was done.

“Now that we finally have that out of the way,” Smith said. “Could someone tell me what the docs said about my prognosis?”

“Sorry,” Klein responded. “You should have a full recovery but it’s going to take time and a fair amount of work. There’s a medical rundown in the folder on the table next to you. You’ll understand it better than I would. Having said that, I don’t need a medical degree to know that you were lucky as hell.”

Smith nodded. “The bolt got slowed down by a boat hull before I got hit. If it hadn’t been, it would have gone right through me.”