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I didn’t say anything.
“That doesn’t go away just because I like him now.” Robin rubbed a hand over his face. “I told him on the pier I might never stop being angry with him.”
He picked up the towel again.
“Here’s where I’ve got to,” he said. “I’ll never see it the way you do. But you’re happy. I’ve been watching you with him these last few weeks. I’d have to be a real piece of work to want that undone because I’m still angry on your behalf about something you’ve forgiven him for.”
“I haven’t forgiven him.”
Robin looked up.
“I haven’t,” I said. “I’ve decided. That’s different.”
“Yeah,” he said. “That I can work with.”
Venom left at lunchtime the next day.
Before they went, Dutch stood at the end of the pier with his helmet under his arm and said to Robin, “I’ll put it to the table Friday of next week.”
“And?”
“I’ll tell them what I saw. You’re going to be a nightmare, the lot of you. Nick’s going to say something to me at some point that’ll take a year off my life.”
“Probably.”
“Founding members. No prospect period,” Dutch said. “I think it will win. You’re a good team, Robin. I’ve seen enough to know that.”
Robin held out his hand. Dutch shook it.
Then he came over to Sparrow and me and put his hand on the back of my head one more time. “Come back for a weekend,” he said. “Indira and the others would like to see you again.”
“Soon.”
“Good.” Then, quietly enough that nobody else heard, he said, “You looked happy last night. It’s good to see.”
Dutch stepped back, nodded to everyone on the pier and raised a hand. Colt, Holden and Handful got on their bikes. Dutch joined them, and the four of them rode up the harbor road together.
Chapter 25
❧
— Glitch —
Dutch called while I was putting shelves up in the garage. I set the drill down.
“It’s Friday but you’re not in the room for this one.”
“The vote?”
“The vote.”
“Okay.”
There was a pause on the line. “That’s it?”
“Dutch, I don’t care that I’m not in the room. It’s the right call.”
“I had a whole speech ready.”
