You More Than Anything In The World

“Nicely done, Jack. I ought to talk to Mr. Graham about giving you a bonus.”

Ethen clapped Jack on the shoulder after praising him. He was more than pleased to see the pile of rubble that had moments ago been Justin's mansion. He even took pictures of it with his phone and sent them to Benjamin, who had gone back to the hospital after leaving the police station.

All this had happened within an hour, and by the time Benjamin got back to the hospital, Arissa was still sound asleep.

He did not have much of a reaction when he saw the pictures Ethen sent him. He had expected nothing less.

Presently, Jack looked at Ethen and pointed out somberly, “I was just doing what I do best. It's nothing, really.”

Ethen chuckled. “Now that we've done our job, shall we go get a drink?”

Jack hesitated. “I haven't seen the kids for a while. I want to go to Yaleview.”

He had been dispatched elsewhere after he returned from Rutaceae Village. Today was the first time he had been summoned back in a while.

“I don't think the kids are at Yaleview right now, so you won't be able to see them even if you drop by,” Ethen said, smiling.

While they packed up and got ready to leave Justin's compound, Jack asked curiously, “Where are the kids then?”

Having left two men in charge of keeping an eye on Justin's every move, Ethen left to grab supper with Jack. “Mr. Watts brought them back to his place, and they'll be staying the night there. Looks like you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see them.”

Jack sighed. “Guess so. I mean, it's not like I could barge into the Watts residence and demand they hand the kids over, right?”

He packed up the weapons he usually carried on his person, then patted his chest and said decisively, “Come on, let's go get a drink!”

Ethen's eyes twinkled with mischief. “Put the drinks on your tab tonight and I'll put a good word in for you with the boss.”

Jack cast him a sidelong glance. “Ethen, you earn more than I do, and this is my first time back in Dellmoor after so long. Are you seriously expecting me to buy you a drink? Shouldn't you be the one giving me a grand welcome?”

Chuckling, Ethen was just about to say something when he got a text from Benjamin: Nicely done.

His eyes lit up at this, and he excitedly showed Jack the text as he said, “Look, Jack! Mr. Graham just praised us! How about we let him buy us drinks instead?”

Jack did not mind. All he wanted was a drink after a long day. “Talk to him and see what he says, not that it matters as long as I get to drink.”

Ethen gave Benjamin a call. It took a while for Benjamin to answer, but as soon as the call got through, Ethen said sheepishly, “Mr. Graham, it's all thanks to Jack that we pulled off the operation this time. Since he only just got back to Dellmoor, should we give him a warm welcome?”

Benjamin had no objection to this. He thought Jack deserved to blow off some steam after all the hard work he had done outside of Dellmoor. “Go ahead and put the bill on the company's tab.”

Ethen chuckled and gave Jack a knowing look. “Thanks, Mr. Graham. We'll be going for drinks now!”

Jack wanted to speak to Benjamin, but before he could ask for the phone, Ethen hung up.

“Mr. Graham doesn't have time to hear your report. He's busy keeping Mrs. Graham company. If it's nothing important, you can wait until tomorrow to talk to him about it.”

Jack was driving. “It is something important. It's almost time to assess the recruits on the island, and I have a ton of things to tell Mr. Graham!” he snapped.