Cole clutched his arms to his chest. The company hall seemed to expand with every step he took toward Reid's office. Was he going crazy?

He knew he couldn't go back. Since the awareness settled in, that became impossible. For better or worse.

When Cole reached the door, a murmur of voices came from behind it, suggesting Reid wasn't alone.

Where he would normally have hesitated, no such thought occurred to him. Not today. With a firm pull, he let himself inside.

The rays from the window behind Reid's desk nearly blinded him, silhouetting two familiar figures. The owner of the office, and someone Cole had yet to meet in person until now. Someone who only bothered reaching out to most of his employees through the television and the newspapers. His boss.

The man’s eyelids hung heavy, and his lips always cut a straight line. There were no emotions in his eyes. Somehow, a vein was always visible on his temple, like everything irritated him or was just about to make him snap.

This was so much bigger than Cole. Why did he ever think getting involved would be a good idea?

They had been mid-conversation before Cole barged in.

“You haven't taught this man to knock before entering, Reid?” his boss said.

It shouldn't annoy Cole that the guy didn't even know his name. It really shouldn't. He didn't have the time, and so many people worked here. Who was he to expect that?

Even so, it was another push, telling him that what he was about to do was justified.

“He doesn't usually barge in like this. I'm sure it must be something important,” Reid said.

Why was he defending him? What was he trying to gain with that gesture?

“I see,” his boss said. “If that's the case, I'll leave you to it.” Despite his polite words, they carried a searing venom.

“I'll get back to you later,” he continued, as he picked up the hefty bag standing on the floor by Reid’s desk.

The moment his footsteps receded into the distance and the door clicked shut, Reid slammed his hands on the desk.

“Yes, Cole? What is it?” Reid had lost his professional tone. He sounded downright sleazy.

“Why was Aleksei at the event? What was that all about?” Cole asked.

Reid squinted. Perhaps he was surprised that the tracker wasn't mentioned. Shouldn't that have been expected from a loyal employee who wanted to keep his job?

“Out of all of them, he was the safest one to involve in some way with our company. Not the brightest,” Reid said with a scornful edge. “The others were too much of a risk.”

“Why did you tell me about these people?” Reid continued. “I'm sure you're aware of how nosy we can get.”

“I just thought I'd be helpful and locate any potential threats for you… To prove I'm worth keeping.” Cole said. He hadn't thought it through at the time, had he?

“You should’ve realized by then that it wouldn't have mattered anyway,” Reid said. “Also, it looks like you've gotten pretty close to them. Am I wrong? A tragic, but all too common mistake.”

“Was it all a warning? To scare me?” Cole asked. “What about the tracker?”

Cole finally being direct left no dent in Reid. He didn't waver for a moment, shattering what little hope Cole had left that there were any signs of humanity behind those cold, unblinking eyes.

Reid stepped out from behind the desk, closing the distance between them.

Too close.

“I can't let you get involved with people like that. I need to ensure you're completely loyal to the company and its values.” Reid spoke in a near whisper. “And… to me.”

Cole recoiled, drawing in a deep breath.

“Why would you need that thing to know?” Cole's voice pitched. Was he in over his head here? Had this been a mistake? Every step of the way?

Reid's smile broadened. Cole must have looked like an idiot standing there, shedding all professionalism. Or… had he been giving all his thoughts away?

“Why don't you call your, ahem, friend, and see what he thinks?” Reid said.

Cole's eyes widened. This sicko. He was serious. “What did you do?” 

“There are currently three people on the move. You could say they're… checking in on him,” Reid said.

Cole went silent. Every worst-case scenario sifted through his mind.

“Hey—Cole,” Reid snapped. “Get out of your little daze and back to work. We've wasted enough time.”

Cole saw red. A ripple passed through his arm, the muscles jerking with a will of their own. When he came to, his fist had been intercepted midair by Reid, who tightened his grip around him.

A bead of sweat ran down Cole's temple.

“Is this your resignation?” Reid said, eerily calm. His fingers dug into Cole's skin, either intentionally or from the pressure of having to restrain him.

“See it however you want. It's not like anyone’s letting me stay after this.” Cole yanked his arm back.

“No one saw. No one needs to know…” Reid said.

It was impossible to comprehend why his staying mattered so much to this man. But something more obvious needed addressing first.

“Stop lying. I wouldn't be surprised if you had mountains of blackmail on me. Not just from right now,” Cole said.

“So stay,” Reid said.

Reid lunged for his arm, but Cole stepped back just in time.

“I can't,” Cole said.

With the most polite run-walk he could muster, Cole hurried out of the office, only looking back for a second before slamming the door shut. That man looked about ready to crush the world in his hands. He didn't even need to display any real anger to make Cole think that. A crack in the facade was unsettling enough on its own.

Cole stopped by his office, grabbed everything he needed, and threw on his outdoor jacket. When he reached the exit to the building, he already had his phone in his hand, pushing the door open by the shoulder.

The breezy afternoon air brushed against his face. It was off-putting to be out on the street this early. He always worked until the last minute. Now there was nothing.

He couldn't hesitate any longer. He had to call him. “Ilya? Please… pick up.”

No response.

Of course.

Giving up was not an option. Onto the next person.

“Evely—”

“Where is he? What did you do?” she cut in.

“I, well… I hoped you knew something,” Cole said.

An exaggerated sigh came from the other end. “Let's meet up at Aleksei's place.”

“Is he okay with that?” Cole asked.

“You don't have to worry. He's been calling me, like, every five minutes,” Evelyn said.

“Alright. I'll be there,” Cole said.

“You're lucky Ilya likes you. Or you'd be on the other side of this,” she said, hanging up.

Had Ilya been talking to them about him? Or had she pieced something together?

Either way, this was his chance to make it right.

“Get me a bottle. I don't care which.” Evelyn stretched out across the couch.

They were all back in Aleksei's apartment, sitting together in the living room. Evelyn had a bag lying beside her.

Aleksei got up and headed over to the end of the room, where his open kitchen was. “You're becoming more like me.”

“Sometimes I wish I were,” she said.

Cole sat quietly on the same couch, not sure where to put his hands, what to say, or when to speak.

Aleksei rummaged through the cabinets before procuring a fancy brownish-red looking alcohol with a blue label. A brandy.

“Cognac. Want some of this? It was a gift from Ilya.” Aleksei shook it gently.

“No, no. Something cheap. Savor that one,” Evelyn said.

“Ah hah, so you do care,” Aleksei said.

“Whatever,” she said.

“Isn't this a little irresponsible right now?” Cole asked.

An uncharacteristic frown twisted Aleksei's expression. He shoved the bottle back inside and pulled out another clearer-looking spirit. Probably vodka.

“I know. Just… let me vent out my frustrations this way. You'll prefer it over the alternative, I promise,” Evelyn said.

When Aleksei came back, he deliberately got onto the armchair near Evelyn and not the couch. He grabbed the bottle opener that lay on their living room table, popped the lid off, and took a large swig. “What she said.”

Evelyn pulled the bottle out of Aleksei's hand and chugged from it as well. She shook her head, dulling the overpowering taste, before placing it back on the table.

It was all so suffocating. Cole needed air.

“Alright, let's focus. We have to figure out what to do,” Evelyn said.

“Excuse me, I need to… use the bathroom first,” Cole said.

“Uh, okay. Be quick,” she said.

Cole left the living room in a hurry.

It didn’t take him long to locate the bathroom. Once inside, he closed himself off, not bothering to turn the lock.

Grabbing the rim of the sink with both hands, he stared into the mirror as he noted the everlasting bags under his eyes.

Who was he to be some kind of heroic rescuer?

There was a soft knock at the door. Then a pause. Then… a sigh.

It opened. Cole had to fight to pry his eyes away from the reflection glaring back at him.

Evelyn stood there, the bag slung over her shoulder by its thick, nylon strap.

“Why isn't it locked?” she asked.

“Why are you checking on me?” Cole asked.

“So my guess was correct. You didn't actually need the bathroom,” Evelyn said, rubbing her arm. “We should get moving.”

“Am I really, you know, allowed to act like some kind of hero here?” Cole asked.

Evelyn squinted. “So what do you plan on doing? Nothing? I don't know if that's quite the moral choice you think it is.”

“You're right. It's just… how am I supposed to make it up to all the people I've indirectly hurt?” Cole asked.

“That's way too big a question for me to answer. Especially right now,” Evelyn said. “You can do one good thing today. Then figure the rest out later. Alright?”

With a heavy breath, Cole curved his lips up a bit, giving her the faintest of smiles. But a smile nonetheless. Topped off by a brief nod.

“Great. I'm glad I didn't need to pull this guy out,” she said, reaching into her bag before retrieving a snub-nosed revolver.

Cole's eyes widened as he held his hands up in mock defense. “Whoa, hey.”

“I’m joking. Obviously,” Evelyn said.

“Uh-huh. Still, I didn't expect that from you,” Cole said.

“Ah, well… uh, we definitely need it for this situation,” Evelyn said, placing it back in her bag. “Don't get me wrong. That doesn't mean I wouldn't mind if they were all taken away.”

“I'm suddenly glad I didn't get the police involved,” Cole said.

Of course, depending on how it played out, they were going to get involved anyway.

“I'm willing to take the risk for Ilya,” she said. “What about you?”

Finally, an easy question.

“Let's go,” Cole said.

Evelyn smiled, turning her head as the sounds of footsteps got closer.

“Eavesdropper,” she said.

Cole stepped out of the bathroom.

At the end of the hall stood Aleksei. “We're doing a whole lot of talking about going, and a, uh, whole little of… going,” he said.

“I'm sorry. You're right,” Evelyn said.

“I'll try calling Reid,” Cole said, getting his phone out. It was worth a try, but he didn’t have the highest hopes.

“Hello?”

“Stop being a coward,” Reid's voice came through, but what really caught his attention were the grunts in the background.

“What do you—”

He hung up.

Cole glanced at the others.

“Soo?” Evelyn leaned in.

“That wasn't very helpful,” Cole said. “I think he might be in the same place as Ilya, though.”

“Tell me if this is a stupid idea, but shouldn't we go to his apartment, just in case? They might not have had time to move him somewhere,” Aleksei said.

“Or didn't want to,” Cole added. “You're right, Aleksei. Good thinking.”

“That was really not… that great of an idea. Pretty obvious…” Aleksei muttered, but Cole caught the tiny smile.

“Right, then. We’re off,” Evelyn said.