The naked edge

6

The stairs felt cold. Cavanaugh tried to assure himself that was why he shivered. Footsteps scraping, the group descended from the fortieth to the thirtieth floor, where he surprised Jamie and Eddie by opening the door.

Eddie looked puzzled. "You said we were leaving the building."

"The others don't need to know."

Cavanaugh glanced inside and made sure that the softly lit corridor was empty. After they went in, he held three fingers in front of Jamie. "How many?"

She told him.

"Blurred?"

"No."

"Headache?"

"Yes." Jamie wiped blood from her nose.

"We need to wait and see if it's a concussion."

"How will we know?"

"If you throw up or feel sleepy."

"Sleepy? At this hour? Imagine that." Jamie turned toward Eddie. "We haven't been introduced. Jamie Travers."

"Eddie Macintosh. Are you an operator? You must be new. I haven't seen you around."

"She's my wife," Cavanaugh said.

"Wonders never cease."

"And yes," Cavanaugh said, "she's an operator."

"Haven't seen you around, either. I heard you left the business."

"I tried. But now I'm back."