Rory shook his head. “I don’t know. He mentioned a pop.”

“A pop?”

“‘The last thing he hears before his world comes crashing down, will be a pop.’”

“A gun, does he mean a gun?” Morris demanded.

“I don’t know.”

“Come on, Rory.”

“Look, it’s not easy finding a way in.”

“There’s one in your face and one in your ass.”

“Oi!” Hamish grunted. He flashed an angry look at Morris. “None of that talk.”

She rolled her eyes, then studied her nails.

Hamish turned back to Rory. “Does he want to kill me?”

“I asked, but he didn’t answer. But … I think that’s where his head’s at.”

Hamish grunted. “He said a big bang. What if he doesn’t mean a bomb, but a gun?”

“He’s been involved with both illegal firearms, and bombs,” Morris mumbled, “it could be either, but if he wanted you shot, surely…”

“Surely what?” Hamish asked.

“He would’ve got someone to do it.”

Rory bit his lip. “I get the impression, whatever he’s planning, he wants to do it himself.”

“Sebastian’s after you,” Morris said, “you’ve got to go into hiding.”

“No—”

“But William—Inspector. You’re in danger.” Morris pushed off from the door and rushed over.

“I’m not in danger yet.”

“He’s threatening your life.”

“He’s still got eight months left.” Hamish argued. “It’s enough time to gather evidence against him. The second he steps out of those gates, we’ll arrest him again.”

Morris pulled a pained expression, then looked at Rory. “Surely you can see this is madness.”

Rory shrugged. “It’s the inspector’s decision. He’s got to own his choices.”

Hamish pressed his lips together and bobbed his head.

“Both idiots,” Morris hissed.

She turned around, then rushed out of the room. Hamish got to his feet and called after her, but she didn’t come back.

“Find out all you can, Rory. My life depends on it.”

“Yes, sir.”

****

Rory hurried through the wing to the gate that led to the yard. He sat down on a bench and clutched his side. The inmates were playing soccer again, the shirtless against the shirted. Rory leaned back and watched them play. They hooted, they celebrated, and sometimes they pushed their chests together and started a fight. The guards outside beat their batons on the wall and threatened to take the ball away.

The fighting ceased, and they were kicking the ball around as if the ruckus hadn’t happened.

“Hey…”

Rory glanced up at Ollie’s voice. “Hey, you all right?”

“Not really.”

He sat down and curled forward. “I’m a horrible person.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Did you see Teddy last night?”

Rory lowered his gaze. “You didn’t know he’d react like that. It’s your cell, too, and if you weren’t comfortable with them there, you had a right to say so.”