AVA WAS STILL SULKING WHEN WE GOT UPSTAIRS. SHE WALKED RIGHT by Mahoney, who was waiting in the front hall. Ned pointed at the kids as they went by, counting on his fingers. “Three?” he mouthed at me.
“Don’t ask,” I said. “Also known as Ava.”
“Good night, Also Known as Ava,” he called up the stairs.
“G’night,” Ava said without turning around. But at least she talked.
“Good night, Mr. Mahoney!”
“Good night, Jannie. Good night, John-Boy. Good night, everyone!”
Jannie and Ali liked Ned just as much as I did. Once they were gone, though, he dropped the “Uncle Ned” act and his face turned serious again. I hadn’t spoken with him since the raid at the motel, three nights earlier. I think this was the first time I ever saw him when he wasn’t clean shaven and raring to go.
“How are your guys doing?” I asked.
“They’ve been better. Totten’s already home, but Behrenberg’s going to be in the burn unit for at least two more weeks,” he told me, shaking his head.
“How about you?” I said. “You holding up?”
Ned shrugged. “I’ve been spending most of my forced time off at the hospital with Behr’s wife. But they’re putting me back on tomorrow,” he said.
“Is that a good thing?”
“Sure. Nothing worse than sitting on the sidelines. I need to be in on this, or I’m going to go crazy.”
I could have guessed Ned would feel responsible for what happened. I’d probably feel the same way, for better or worse.
“Listen, Ned, if you ever need to talk about—”
“Thanks,” he said, “but I’m already seeing one of the Bureau shrinks. She’s pretty good, actually. A lot better-looking than you, too.”
I was glad to see the trademark sense of humor wasn’t dead, anyway.
“Well, how about I pour you a drink, then? I’ve got some good Scotch I think even you could appreciate,” I said.
“Actually—” Ned took a step toward the door. His keys were still hooked on his finger, and he had that look in his eye. The one that said he’d never really left work behind.
“I was wondering if you wanted to go for a ride,” he said. “I’ve got something you might be interested in seeing. This is good. You want to see it.”
I nodded. “Of course I do.”