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"I've been trying to remember, but they drugged me when I got in the van, and when I escaped, I was so high, nothing stuck in my brain. I can't remember streets or buildings. I just remember the water and the smell of fish."

He perked up at that comment. "There could have been a fish restaurant nearby."

"It's possible," Jack said. "There are bits and pieces coming back to me, but it's frustrating. It's like my memories are close but just out of reach."

"With time, they may come back."

"Maybe not fast enough," Jack said with a note of despair.

He didn't want to push Jack, but he had to. "Did they say anything to you after they got you out of the hospital and into the warehouse? Did they threaten you? Did you see anyone besides Dr. Levitan?"

"The nurse that I assaulted when I escaped. I think her name was Brenda. She had been in the Waverly lab, too."

"Good. What else?"

"I told you they were wearing masks at the warehouse."

"Do you know who took you out of the hospital?"

Jack shook his head. "I had never seen him before. He said he was taking me home, but then he put me in the van, and I saw one of the male nurses from Waverly. I don't know his name, but he was around to administer meds and take blood. Big, stocky guy, looked like a football player. He injected me with something. Damn," he suddenly swore. "This is driving me crazy. I can't remember, and I have to remember."

"You have to give yourself time," Evan said forcefully. "A calm brain is much smarter than a chaotic one."

He smiled at words that Evan had used many times before, especially when new people joined the team. It was one of the first things Evan had ever said to him, when he was jumpy and filled with adrenaline on his first mission. "You really were a hell of a leader," he said.

Evan shrugged. "I tried."

"I have to get going," he said. "Can I count on one of you staying with Jack today and tonight?"

"We're all staying," Gary said. "TJ brought more food, so we're good. If anyone tries to come after Jack, they're not getting through us."

He believed that. "In that case, Evan, I'd like to show you something."

"Okay." Evan got up and followed him to the kitchen.

He opened the closet, showing him the stash of weapons inside. "In case you need firepower," he said, rattling off the code for the lock.

"Good to know," Evan said, committing that code to memory. "Are you expecting trouble?"

"Always. You taught me that, too, remember?"

"You were a fast learner, Tyler, one of the best I ever worked with. But you've got a new team now, so we're your backup."

He nodded. "I appreciate that. I can't believe you got TJ to come here."

"I didn't try that hard. I just told him Jack was in trouble. TJ made the choice to join. No one would have blamed him if he wanted to sit this out, but he didn't. That's not who he is, not who any of us are." Evan paused. "Jack told me about his kid. The one at NYU. Blew me away with that information."

"That was a shocker," he admitted.

"It may turn out to be a good thing. Jack wants to be a better man for his daughter. We have to help him get there."

"Keeping him alive is the first step. I feel better knowing you're all here. I'm sure Jack does, too."

"One for all. All for one," Evan murmured.

"Always."

Chapter Twenty-Three