“Then I’d deal with the fallout. But the thing is, at a moment like that, you don’t have time to work out the details of what’s wrong and what’s right, or how what you’re going to do makes you no better than them. You just want your payback.”

“Except they’ve had a lot of time to think about it.”

Joe nodded. “And maybe all that time just makes it worse. Makes it build up to a point where you just don’t care about anything anymore except bringing the hurt to those who hurt you.”

“So, what are we going to do?”

“Try to stop it.”

Cassie shook her head. “You know that’s suicide.”

“Can’t not try.”

“You’re not going without me.”

“Didn’t expect I would. Something like this, everyone has to make their own stand and we have to respect their decision, even if we don’t like seeing them put themselves in the line of fire. But I’ve got to tell you, I was hoping you’d stay someplace safe for the duration.”

“Then why did you come to me first?” Cassie asked.

Joe smiled. “I had to see my girl. Isn’t that what knights do when they go into battle?”

This was so Joe. Keeping it light when everything was so dark and pressing down on them.

“What about Lizzie?” Siobhan asked. “And Jilly?”

Con nodded. “And what happened to Geordie?”

Joe turned to the musicians. “They’re all some place I can’t get into. If this hadn’t come up, I’d still be there, banging on the figurative walls and trying to get in—you can put money on that. But this . . . “ He waved a hand to the window he’d made into the between. “This can’t wait.”

“You made it sound like you won’t survive,” Andy said.

“The odds aren’t good,” Joe told him, “but I’ve got enough Cody and crow in me that I’ve got a chance. And see, the thing is, we don’t deal with this, there won’t necessarily be a world for Jilly and the others to come back to.”

“But they’re safe enough for now, right?” Siobhan asked.

Joe couldn’t hide the unhappy look that came into his eyes.

“I won’t kid you,” he said. “It looks bad. But a friend of mine got in there before the place closed down on us, and if anyone can help them, it’s her. Honey got in,” he added, turning to Cassie.

“So, what do we do?” Con asked.

“There’s nothing you can do,” Joe said, “except sit tight, and if you’ve got a god, send up a prayer for all of us.”