Gabriel and Greystone followed the nurse into the medical suite. Slash stood nearby, her pistol in hand. Bulgrov was dressed and sitting in a wheelchair. Like the nurse explained, he looked out of it.
“Is he coherent?” Greystone asked.
“I’m okay,” Bulgrov said, his thick accent slicing through the air. “We work.”
“I’ll take him into the conference room and meet you there,” Gabriel said.
Greystone addressed the nurse. “We’ve got food, if you want something to eat.”
“Sure.”
“Slash, I’ll relieve you,” Gabriel said.
“Thanks,” Slash eyed Bulgrov. “Behave or he’ll shoot you. He’s crazy, like me.”
Without waiting for a response from Bulgrov, Slash left, leaving the door open.
Across the room, the doctor exited the surgery center. “Our patient did well,” she said to him and Greystone. “Recovery will be slow. The bullet in his thigh shattered against bone.”
Gabriel didn’t care if recovery never happened. He didn’t trust Bulgrov, didn’t like him either.
“Doc, thanks for tonight,” Greystone said. “I’ll walk you out.”
Once they left, Gabriel unholstered his gun.
The nurse eyed Gabriel’s firearm. “Can you put that away?”
“No, I can’t,” Gabriel replied. “Push him.”
The nurse rolled Bulgrov to the hallway outside the kitchen.
All conversations ceased when Gabriel stood in the doorway. “Bulgrov is ready to work.”
“Does he want something to eat?” Halston asked.
“No,” Gabriel pushed back. “He helps us, then he eats.”
Silence.
“There’s the Gabriel I know and love,” Sydney said. “Do you want to torture him first?” Biting back a smile, she rose. “Let’s do this.”
“I would have no problem making him pay for what he’s done,” Slash interjected. “G, you want to join me?”
Gabriel swept his gaze across the room. Halston’s parents were visibly concerned. Teddy was too busy eating. Caroline was shifting her attention between him and Slash. The only one hecouldn’tread was Halston. Her neutral expression gave nothing away. A true master of disguise.
“Nurse Baker’s staying,” Gabriel said. “Do we have food or did Teddy eat it all?”
The group laughed.
Caroline rose. “Come on in Baker.”
After the nurse entered the kitchen, the team said hello to him before filing out.
“Can I get a glass of water?” Bulgrov asked from his wheelchair in the hallway.
“I wouldn’t give him any,” Gabriel replied.
More silence as the team regarded him.
