Paint the town blue

Chapter XLIII

Esteban's POV

That evening, when Mark and I helped our fugitives escape, we ourselves finished all the preparations only closer to the morning, so after everything I took him to the railway station, from where he went home, so I went to my place. I was driving by detours, and on one of the roads I threw another "burner" into the nearest river - I no longer need it.

Only now I didn't have time to come home to rest and sleep, so I stopped by just to take a quick shower and take a more efficient and fresh look. I wouldn't want anyone at the station to ask strange questions about my appearance.

By 8 a.m., I was already at the station and doing my business in the office. Judging by the time, a fire should've already started in the house - it's good when you have knowledge of chemistry and you can arrange not only a loud explosion, but also a quiet, all-consuming conflagration. The second option was just right for us. So I was sitting in my office, reading another request for expertise in the case of grievous bodily harm, and waiting for some news.

Closer to lunch, I left the office and went to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee, where I met Alex and Liam. They were sitting together and discussing something with a not very pleased look. When I was about to leave the cafeteria, they noticed me. I didn't really want to approach them, but once they called, it would be rude to just turn around and leave.

I went over, sat down at their table and put the mug on its surface. Liam stared at me as if he was trying to see something suspicious in me, but thanks to the specifics of my job, I have long learned to suppress or hide my emotions. Liam, I'm not one of those books that you'll be able to read.

"How was your weekend?"

"As always, at home. And your?"

"Frooky ate something, I had to take him to the vet. Everything went well, but it took me some nerves."

"Frooky? Who is this?"

Alex took out his phone and showed me a picture of a cat with a very unhappy expression on his face. Just like Liam's now. I've heard that Alex has a whole zoo at home, but I've never heard the names of his animals.

He briefly talked about his trip to the vet, adding at the end: "Actually, that's why I didn't get enough sleep and this is my... fifth cup of coffee in the last eight hours."

"You know that too much coffee is bad for the body, right?"

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to function today. I couldn't even think of a reason for--"

There was a stirring under the table, and then Alex exhaled painfully and looked at Liam with displeasure. He seemed to be calmly drinking coffee, but with the fingers of his free hand he lightly tapped on the table. Annoying.

"The reason for what?"

Alex exchanged glances with Liam, and Liam rolled his eyes, then waved his hand as if letting the guy talk. Albon turned the mug with his coffee in his hands, then sighed and said briefly:

"Anyway, we're on Max's trail."

"Really? And what's the trail?"

"Phone numbers. However, one of them has been inactive since Friday."

"And where did you get them?"

"Rather, it's where you got them."

Liam finally decided to get involved in the conversation. I looked at him in surprise and took a small sip of coffee from my mug, and Lawson just grinned. He began to bombard me with his suspicions bordering on accusations again, and I sighed wearily and leaned back in the wooden chair, listening to him. The profiler began to list the reasons why he thinks I was involved in Max's escape and Charles's kidnapping, and I was completely calmly sipping my coffee, which got on his nerves. He mentioned my acquaintance with Mark, and the phone that Alex found on my desk – my only failure, I admit.