'Yes,' Quinn said. He started for the building, Orlando directly behind him.
'Where do you think you're taking him?' Sophie asked. 'He should be in a hospital.' 'I can't take him to a hospital.' 'Why not?' 'I just can't.' They reached the entrance to her
apartment. 'Wait.' Sophie put her hand on Quinn's shoulder. 'I can't do anything for him.'
'You have an extra bed, don't you? That's all I want. Someone else will come to take care of him,' he said.
Sophie didn't move.
'Sophie, please,' Quinn said. 'Open the door.'
She pushed past them and pulled the door open. 'What are you getting me into?' 'Better if you don't know,' Quinn said.
They settled Nate in Sophie's guest room, then Quinn retrieved some water and some towels from the bathroom. He started to use them to clean up Nate's wounds.
'Let me.' Orlando reached for the towel, then nodded toward the door that led back into the living room. 'Your friend out there probably has a few questions,' she said, her voice flat.
Reluctantly, he nodded, then let her take the towel.
He found Sophie sitting at her kitchen table, an open bottle of wine and a tumbler, half full, keeping her company. Her hands were clasped in front of her, almost like she was praying. But her eyes were wide open, staring at them, or, rather, staring through them.
He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down. A closer inspection of the glass revealed the rim was dry. She had yet to take a drink.
She lifted her eyes to meet his. 'What's going on, Jonathan? Who is he?'
'I told you. He's a friend. A colleague.'
'And the woman?'
'The same.'
'Colleagues both? People you work with?'
He hesitated. 'Yes.'
'This doesn't seem like bank business.' She was referring to his cover. 'Sophie –' He was interrupted by a loud, short buzz coming
from the living room. Sophie looked over her shoulder toward the sound, then turned back to Quinn. 'Someone's at the front door,' she said, surprised.
'It's okay.' Quinn rose and headed for the door that opened to the landing at the top of the stairwell.
'Who is it?' Sophie asked.
'Help,' Quinn said.
Dr. Garber was Quinn's medical contact in Berlin. He had been in the business for a long time and was a specialist at this type of work. A late-night call for immediate assistance at some out-of-theway location. No notes taken, no records kept. Only the care of the patient, and the exchange of cash. Quinn had called him on the drive over to Sophie's.
The doctor spent half an hour with Nate while Quinn, Orlando, and Sophie sat in the living room, the only noise coming from the TV Sophie had turned on. The two women didn't even look at each other. They seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. As for Orlando, Quinn could almost feel her nervous tension. He knew she wanted to keep moving, keep looking for Garrett. Sophie was not only tense, but seemed confused and scared as well. There were several times Quinn wanted to say something to her, but he always stopped himself. His words would be meaningless, and liable to provoke Sophie more than comfort her. Instead he listened idly to the droning voice of a newscaster reciting the day's news: concerns over a proposed industrial facility in Dresden, preparation for an EU conference in Berlin, and an update on a story about a German tourist killed while on vacation to Central America.
When Dr. Garber finally came out of the guest bedroom, Quinn stood quickly.
'Without doing any real tests, I don't know exactly what they gave him,' the doctor said. 'Something to keep him under control, I'd guess. Not for the pain.'
'Will he be all right?' Quinn asked.
'With some rest,' Garber said, 'he should be able to get around soon. But I wouldn't count on him being one hundred percent for quite a while.
Along with the facial lacerations, one of his ribs is broken. At some point he dislocated his shoulder, too. It's been reset, but there's much tenderness and inflammation around the joint. I have left some medication on the table next to his bed.'
'When can we move him?' Quinn asked. 'Two days,' Garber said. 'Two days?' Sophie shot up. 'He's not staying
here two days. Take him to the hospital if he needs so much help.' 'Sophie,' Quinn said evenly, 'I told you that's not possible. I know I'm asking a lot.' 'I don't understand. No hospital? If he's your
friend, you would take him there.' 'He's safer here,' Orlando said. Sophie glared at Orlando. 'You, I don't know
who you are. Don't tell me what's safe or not. Don't
even talk to me.' 'Sophie –' Quinn started. 'Who is she?' Sophie pointed at Orlando. 'Is she
