Chapter Twelve

Rollie paced back and forth in the waiting room. He didn't know how long it had been since the ambulance had brought Angie in but the waiting was interminable. To top it all off, he had no word either on his dad except that he was in emergency surgery. Rollie felt as if he was about to jump out of his own skin.

Leo, Mira, Francis, and Elena showed up at the hospital and joined Rollie in the emergency room waiting room as he waited for news. Mira offered to go upstairs and check on Dingo's condition for Rollie, who she knew, couldn't drag himself away from potential word on Angie. But before that Mira determined to go out and buy a change of clothes for Rollie, who was still in his damp clothes from his jump in the river. She didn't want him catching pneumonia on top of everything else he was going through.

Rollie was grateful for the change of clothes, not that he felt the cold or dampness anymore. All he felt was the fear that had gripped hold of his heart.

Rollie sat on the couch in the waiting lounge, his knees bouncing up and down as he chewed on his lip in nervous energy. He felt like a caged animal as he struggled to hold back the tears. He glanced up and spotted Elena approaching him.

"That bastard," Rollie said quietly as Elena sat down next to him. "That bastard, in one shot, tried to take away my past, my present, and my future. Oh God!" he cried as he wiped away the tears.

"I'm so sorry Rollie," Elena said quietly. "Has there been any word on Angie?"

"None," Rollie replied, looking at her with pain in her eyes. Elena could almost feel an accusation or reproach in his glance. "I brought this on." Rollie said calmly.

"What? No. No you didn't!" Elena insisted.

"Yes." Rollie shook his head. "Yes I did, Elena. I brought Loubar into Angie's life-"

"Well, then, so did I" Elena pointed out.

Rollie chuckled. "No. You don't understand. Angie...she's never really been happy about the work I do for the police. We've fought about it before. She was afraid but I couldn't see things from her perspective." Rollie picked at the fabric on his pant leg. "I insisted that I could help and because I did, and because we're a team, she decided to help as well. Unwillingly at first but...."

"It was Angie's choice."

Rollie laughed bitterly as he wiped away some tears. "The irony is that, most of the stuff we do to help the cops...it's Angie, her computer work and her brilliant brain. I couldn't do it without her." Rollie sighed deeply, as he tried to keep the tears at bay. "The irony is she wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for me. If all we did was movie effects she never would have met Loubar."

Elena didn't say anything; she didn't know what to say. If what Rollie was saying were true, then she was just as much to blame as he was. Was it wrong of her, Leo, Frank, and Mira to rely on Rollie's help so much? And if it was then weren't they all, collectively, responsible for this? Elena rubbed Rollie's back as he continued to shake and look down at his hands.

Mira returned to the emergency area with news on Dingo. She told Rollie that his father was out of surgery and was in critical condition. The knife wound had punctured an artery and was close to Dingo's heart. The doctors told her he was lucky to be alive considering the proximity of the wound. Dingo was in the intensive care unit and would be there for at least 48 to 72 hours.

Rollie looked up as he saw Lucinda running down the hallway towards them. She ran over to Rollie as he stood and she threw her arms around him.

"I just heard what happened on the news," Lucinda cried. "I was with her a few hours ago. How? Why did this happen?"

Rollie couldn't talk. He tried to tell her it was Victor Loubar but the words caught in his throat and all that came were tears.

"How's Angie?" Lucinda asked as she cradled his face.

"I don't know," Rollie finally spoke. "I haven't had any word and...she's pregnant, Luce-"

"I know."

Rollie looked at Lucinda in surprise.

Lucinda led him to the couch and they sat down. Lucinda took one of Rollie's hands in hers as she turned his face to her. "Oh honey," she cried, as she looked deep into his eyes.

"Angie was so happy, Rollie. And excited! She told me she wanted you to be the first to know but when she found out she...she couldn't sleep. She was too excited. So, she called me up at 2:00 a.m. and told me about it. Oh Rollie, she wants this baby so much."

"Was she scared?" Rollie asked as the tears came.

"A little, but normal scared you know? Like, was she going to be a good mother? And what if she doesn't know what to do? But these are normal things to be worried about." Lucinda smiled and wiped away a tear. "She was a little scared of Loubar...." Lucinda admitted, "but really Rollie, she couldn't contain her excitement. Angie was glowing."

Lucinda's words brought a smile to Rollie's face, the thought that Angie was happy about the baby and not scared.

"Mr. Tyler?"

Rollie looked up to see the doctor standing in front of him. The others gathered around to hear the news.

"Doctor? How's Angie?" Rollie asked, his worry showing on every inch of his face.

"She's resting comfortably. As you know she lost a lot of blood and while we were in there we had a scare with her blood pressure dropping. But she came through" The doctor assured Rollie. "She has several bruised ribs that will be very sore for the next week or so but she was lucky there are no breaks. We've wrapped them to help with the pain. Ms. Ramirez also has multiple bruises and contusions on her arms, legs, and back but no broken bones. And she has several cuts at the bottom of her feet, the interns are removing the glass now," she added quickly. "She's sedated and will probably be out all night. You can see her if you like."

"And...the baby?" Rollie asked anxiously, dreading the answer.

The doctor's face grew serious. "I'm afraid she lost the baby, Mr. Tyler. I'm so sorry. There wasn't much we could do. The fetus was too small and delicate to survive the fall down the stairs. I suspect the fetus was in distress even before the plunge into the river. I understand she fell down some stairs before she fell into the river?" The doctor looked to Rollie for confirmation. Rollie nodded his head and the doctor continued. "We had no hope of saving the fetus and we had to concentrate on Ms. Ramirez's life. I'm very sorry for your loss Mr. Tyler. But, Ms. Ramirez is young and she's strong and healthy. I see no reason why you two can't try again when you're ready. I'm very sorry." The doctor squeezed Rollie's hands before leaving. She told him that he could check with the emergency nurse to find out Angie's room number, as they would be moving her to her room soon.

"Rollie...." Lucinda whispered as her arm went around his shoulder.

"I need...I need to be alone right now." Rollie pushed her hand away. "Just leave me alone."

Rollie weaved his way down the corridor, not really knowing where he was going. He felt numb. No. He wanted to feel numb. He didn't want to feel the pain in his heart and the emptiness it brought with it. Rollie didn't know how someone could feel so much pain and still feel empty inside.

Somehow, Rollie found his way to the ICU ward. After asking the nurse, he was pointed in the direction of his dad.

Rollie saw his dad lying on the bed. He had tubes in his arms and tubes on his chest linking him to machines monitoring his heart. He had an oxygen mask on and his face and his body was very still. It was hard for Rollie to see his father like that; it brought home the seriousness of his situation. Dingo was always filled with nervous energy. That was one of the reasons he was always on the go, never in one place for very long. Rollie's Mum used to tease Dingo by saying he had fire ants in his pants.

Rollie touched his father's hand, being careful not to disturb the tubes running out of his hand and up to a nearby IV. "Dad? I'm so sorry Dad. I'm so sorry that this happened to you. God! I would give anything for this not to have happened. I'm sorry to disturb you now but...I need you dad." Rollie wiped away the tears. "Angie...Angie was pregnant, Dad. Did you know? She lost the baby. We...we lost our baby. I didn't even know! I wish she had called me. I would have come home, really, I would have. The entire reason I did this was for us, so that we could have the kind of life we both dreamt of and deserve." Rollie cried. "But...it's all my fault. Loubar won. He won again," Rollie sobbed bitterly. "He took our baby's life and he almost took yours and Angie's. Please, Dad. I'm so sorry for everything, but please, you have to fight. You have to. I swear I will make it up to you somehow. You can't leave me Dad! Please, I need you!" Rollie cried and cried, unable to stop the tears from coming now. He felt empty and broken inside. He had never felt so alone.

Rollie rejoined the others in the waiting room after spending some time with his dad. Lucinda told him that Angie had been moved to a room and she gave him the floor and room number. Mira and Elena tried to urge Rollie to go home and get some rest but he refused, saying he wanted to be with Angie when she woke up and they knew they it was pointless to try and change his mind.

"You can't go home anyway," Leo informed him.

Rollie looked at him quizzically but didn't ask why. He really didn't care at this point.

"Why's that?" Lucinda finally asked on Rollie's behalf.

"Technically, the loft is a crime scene. The CSI's are still there gathering evidence. You won't be able to return until later today or tomorrow sometime." Leo answered as if Rollie had asked the question. "I'm going to go over later and make sure the place is locked up tight before they leave."

"You can stay with me, Rollie, at the apartment," Lucinda suggested. "There's plenty of room."

"Thanks Luce, but if I can't go home I'd just as soon go to a hotel." Rollie shook his head, fighting off the depression that was threatening to engulf him. He didn't really feel like being around anyone right now, no matter how well meaning. He just wanted to be near Angie. He had to be strong for Angie. "Thanks for being here you guys. I really appreciate it and I'm sure Angie does too," Rollie rubbed his hands over his face, "but you should go home. There's nothing anyone can do right now. Thanks." Rollie smiled weakly as he left them and walked towards the elevator.

"Rollie." Lucinda called after Rollie, he sounded so brokenhearted. It brought tears to Lucinda's eyes. She started to follow him but Mira gently touched her arm.

"Lucinda, don't. Give them some time. There are some things we can't help them with," Mira advised her.

"But...." Lucinda protested.

"Come on, Lucinda. I'll give you a ride home," Francis offered as he made the same offer to Leo.

"Okay," Lucinda agreed, her gaze still in the direction that Rollie had gone.

Rollie slept in a chair in Angie's room. During the night one of the nurses had brought him a blanket to ward off the chill. The nurse had offered to bring in a cot for him to sleep on but Rollie refused, saying he was fine sleeping in the chair.

Angie was sedated and slept through the night. The nurses came in several times during the night to take some blood and to check her blood pressure. Rollie was always awake when they came in. The nurses always smiled and said that Angie was doing well. But Rollie knew she wasn't doing well and perhaps wouldn't be doing well for a long time.

Rollie drifted off to sleep sometime before dawn as exhaustion finally claimed him. Angie hadn't stirred at all during the night, not even when the nurses came in to check on her.

Rollie was awakened in the early morning hours by the sound of muffled sobs. He immediately threw off the blanket and was by Angie's side in a second. She had one hand on her tummy, as her sobs grew deeper and deeper. Rollie sat on the bed.

"My baby!" Angie cried. "My baby's gone isn't it?"

Rollie gathered her up to him and held her tight. She felt so tiny in his arms. "Shhh, sweetie. There was nothing they could do-" Rollie cried.

"Noooo!" Angie wailed. "It's all my fault," Angie sobbed into his chest. "I'm being punished for saying I didn't want children. I didn't mean it! I swear I didn't mean it but God took my baby anyway. I'm sorry, Rollie. I'm sorry-"

"Hey." Rollie cradled Angie's face in his hands, tears streaming down his own face and his own voice cracking with emotion. "You are not to blame for this. You are not!" he reiterated. "God did not punish you. God would never do that. This is not your fault do you hear me? Angela, this is not your fault." Rollie stroked Angie's hair as she cried into his chest.

A nurse came in after hearing Angie's cries and quietly asked Rollie if he thought she needed a sedative. Rollie shook his head no. He didn't think that Angie needed to be drugged up. It wouldn't erase the pain they were both feeling and it wouldn't make things any easier or any more bearable.

Angie continued to sob into Rollie's chest for a long time. He held her tight and cried his own tears as he rocked her back and forth in his arms. Eventually Angie fell asleep against Rollie's chest. He didn't want to let her go so he moved onto the bed and lay down beside her, pulling her close to him. Rollie didn't know if, or what, Angie remembered about Loubar but he wanted to be right there with her when she did.

Angie slept for an hour. Rollie stroked her hair as her head rested under his chin. She awoke finally to the sound of Rollie's strong heart beating as her head rested on his chest. She moved her head slightly and looked up at Rollie. She saw the sadness in his eyes and it brought tears to her own. She knew then that she hadn't been dreaming, that this wasn't a nightmare.

"Rollie," she whispered.

"Hey," Rollie answered quietly as his arms tightened their grip around Angie's shoulders, showing her comfort and love.

Angie's hands went up and wiped away the tears that rimmed Rollie's eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Angela," Rollie whispered as well, his voice breaking with emotion. "Please don't say you're sorry. You did not do this. You did not deserve this. This is not your fault," he said sternly.

Angie looked up at Rollie, unconvinced. She felt so empty inside, all her dreams now gone. Angie lay her head back down on Rollie's chest, as her hand caressed his chest and tears began to spill out of her eyes again.

Rollie took her hand and raised it to his lips, kissing it softly.

"I wanted our baby so much Rollie," Angie spoke softly as if she were trying to convince him of something that wasn't true. "I was so happy," she sniffled. "I couldn't wait to tell you. I knew you would be sooo happy." She smiled weakly. "I wasn't scared- well, just a little but about mundane things. I worried that I wouldn't be a good mommy or that I wouldn't know what to do...." Angie sniffled back tears. "I was just beginning to show." She cried as she ran her hand over her stomach. "A little bump where our baby was...." Angie's voice trailed off and she paused for a long time. She wiped away fresh tears with her hands. "I was so scared when I saw him in our bedroom," Angie cried, her voice sounding so incredibly small. "I didn't know what to do. He could tell. He could tell that I was pregnant and you should have seen the perverse joy it brought him." Angie paused again as her breathing became labored.

"Angie, you don't have to continue...."

Angie clutched Rollie's arm tightly as her eyes seemed to be in a far off place. "He...he...." Angie's voice broke.

Rollie moved slightly so that he could see Angie's face. "Angie? What did Loubar do?" Rollie's eyes were intent on Angie's and his voice was hard and demanding.

"He tried to...rape me again with our baby inside me." Angie cried, her voice small, as she continued to look at a far off place.

Rollie closed his eyes tightly as he took in Angie's fear and pain. He swallowed hard and hugged Angie tightly.

After a time, Angie began to speak again. "I was so worried about you. I thought if he was here then he must have done something to you. I didn't know what to think. I didn't want to think that you were dead. I managed to grab hold of the lamp and I hit him with it. I ran for the door. I called for Dingo but there was no answer. I...I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to fight with him. I wanted to protect our baby but when I looked into his eyes, I knew-" Angie rose up and looked at Rollie, "I knew he was going to kill me this time, Rollie. I swear! I could see it in his eyes and I was so afraid." She shuddered at the memory. "I ran for the panic button but he was right behind me. I couldn't get away fast enough. I tried so hard. I hit him but it wasn't enough. We struggled and I lost my balance and I fell over the railing...." Angie started crying again.

"I know. I saw the security tapes." Rollie pulled her close, her body shaking in his arms. "It's okay. You're safe now," he tried to assure her. "I know, Angie. I know you were scared and why. I also know that you wanted this baby and loved this baby so much already. You were fighting for our baby to live and those are good mother instincts, Angela. You went through so much, Angel. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you. I'm so sorry," Rollie cried.

Angie looked up at Rollie, her sadness mirroring his own. "It hurts," she whispered.

"Yeah, it does." Rollie whispered back.

Angie was taken for some tests and the doctors told Rollie that it would probably take a few hours. Rollie went out into the waiting area and spotted Leo standing there with Elena and Mira.

"How's Angie?" Mira asked as she handed him a cup of coffee.

"She's...she's...I don't know," Rollie admitted. "She blames herself for losing the baby. And Loubar...Loubar was going to rape Angie again, Mira."

Mira shook her head in disgust. "Oh my God, that poor girl."

Rollie's jaw clenched. "Yeah. Angie says she shouldn't have fought with Loubar, as if that would have changed anything or that God is punishing her for saying she didn't want to have children. I don't know...." Rollie sighed. "I don't know if I'm reaching her."

"Give it some time," Mira advised him. "Give yourself some time as well. You're both hurting and I know you. You will both look for ways to take the blame but the only one to blame in this is Loubar."

"Speaking of whom," Elena interrupted. "Rollie? Would you like to join us for a meeting on the Loubar situation at Midtown?"

"Not really." Rollie looked at Elena. "Why?"

"Because we're trying to piece together some information that's coming in on his escape and on his past," Elena informed him.

Rollie had to admit he was kind of interested but more than anything he wanted to be here for Angie when she returned from the tests. "Angie will be gone for a couple hours," he admitted.

"So, is that a yes?" Elena pressed him.

"I really want to be here when she gets back-"

"I'll stay," Mira volunteered. "You go ahead. Maybe what you learn about Loubar will shed light on why he hated you so much."

"I doubt that any light can be shed anywhere where Victor Loubar is concerned." Rollie grumbled. Victor Loubar was darkness, a shadow, a disease over everything he touched. Rollie decided to go with Leo and Elena for an hour or so and asked Mira to call him the minute Angie returned from the tests.

Rollie, Leo, Elena, and Captain Van Duren all sat around a table in an interrogation room at Midtown South. A Scotland Yard counterpart of Elena's, by the name of Winston Eckart, joined them.

"Lady and gentlemen." The agent began as he handed out a thick folder containing Loubar's file. "First of all, let me begin by expressing my condolences on the loss of your child Mr. Tyler, and my regret at the bungling of the numerous law enforcement agencies that have had Victor Loubar in our sights and failed in our mission to apprehend him and bring him to justice over the years."

Rollie was taken aback by the apology. He certainly hadn't expected it from any law enforcement official especially considering that none had ever been offered before. "Thank you, Mr. Eckart."

"Before we get into Loubar's past, which may or may not shed light on his violent history," Eckert began, "I want to assure you all that there will be a judicial inquiry at the earliest convenience in London regarding Loubar's escape from custody."

"Do we know how that happened?" Elena asked.

"We are slowly piecing things together," Eckert answered. "It would seem your suspicions about some of the Aberdeen police were correct Elena."

"What suspicions?" Rollie interrupted as he glanced over at Elena. He didn't remember her telling him about any suspicions.

"I didn't like the fact that they were interrogating Loubar," Elena answered as she held Rollie's gaze. She knew she should have told him but he had so many other things on his mind. "He was ours. Loubar was just there to be held over until transfer to London. Then, when they brought him out while you were still there- well, alarm bells went off. I believe some of the officers were working for either Loubar or McKay and were in on his escape. It may have been a bonus for him to see you because I don't think the officers knew of your involvement or what it might mean to Loubar. It wouldn't have mattered to them either way. But to Loubar it mattered a great deal."

"How did he escape?" Leo asked.

"He had a blade concealed in the sole of his shoe," Eckert answered. "We believe the officers that were working for Loubar may have slipped him the knife during the interrogation that Elena mentioned. Six officers were accompanying him on the trip to London. Two of the officers were his accomplices and he killed four of the officers with their help. Once he escaped, he caught a private flight at Aberdeen airport and transferred in London. By then, he was wearing a disguise. We've managed to pinpoint his disguise as one, Albert Wayburn-"

"Bloody hell!" Rollie exclaimed.

"Do you know this man?" Eckart asked as he handed Rollie a surveillance photo.

Rollie studied the picture. "He's an old friend of mine and Angie's who recently retired from doing special effects," Rollie answered. "He just recently worked for Angie on a movie while I was away. He was in some of the photographs we saw at Loubar's place in London, remember Leo? How did Loubar know about him?" Rollie shook his head and looked at Leo. "Loubar was just flaunting his cunning in our face."

"Go on," Elena encouraged Eckart.

"Well, that's about all we've managed to piece together until he showed up at your loft." Eckart replied.

"We've managed to ascertain how Loubar gained entrance into the loft," Captain Van Duren offered. "By reviewing your security tapes, Tyler, we've seen how Loubar came in after your father returned. Angie had come home sometime earlier and called out to Tyler Sr. There was no answer. She went upstairs and to bed apparently. Dingo returned a short while later. He noticed one of Angie's shopping bags on the lounge table and, we assume, surmised that she was upstairs asleep so he didn't turn the lights on. He apparently had forgotten something in his car and went out to retrieve it. On his way back in Loubar jumped him from behind. Tyler Sr. didn't stand a chance. Loubar plunged his knife into your father and dragged his body under the stairs. Then, he went upstairs. You know the rest," the Captain concluded.

Rollie paled at the recounting of how his father had been stabbed and how Loubar gained entrance into his home. Rollie told them of what the security tapes didn't show: the struggle between Loubar and Angie in the bedroom. He told them of what Loubar tried to do to Angie, how he tried to rape her and how she got away. The security tapes only picked up the fight once it left the bedroom. After Loubar's first attack on Angie and his filming of the encounter, Angie was adamant about not having cameras, even security cameras, in their bedroom.

Leo, Elena, Captain Vanduren and Agent Eckart all hung their heads and offered their sympathies to Rollie.

"He knew about the baby, Leo." Rollie looked at his friend with haunted eyes, tears forming in them but stubbornly not coming forth. "He knew and he was going to rape and kill Angie anyway."

"I'm so sorry, pal. Damn it!" Leo slammed his fist on the table in an unexpected outburst. Leo wiped the tears from his eyes. "I know it's cold comfort, Rollie, but that son of a bitch is never going to hurt you or Angie ever again." Leo cleared his throat as he regained his composure and continued. "Loubar was shot four times, once from the shot you fired from the gun I gave you, once from my gun, once from Detective Sanchez and another shot not accounted for in any of the police issued weapons-"

"So what does that mean?" Rollie asked, glancing around the table.

Elena placed a surveillance photograph in front of Rollie. "This man was seen arriving at the airport that morning. He's a hit man based in Brussels. The information we are receiving confirms that he was hired to kill Loubar and it appears that he followed him from London. He arrived in London just before Loubar escaped from Aberdeen custody. Loubar's contacts could not take any chances of him ending up in custody and implicating them in any of his deals."

Rollie bit his fingernail as the news sunk in. "Is that it?" he asked finally, showing no emotion at learning that Loubar's terrorist friends had finally put him out of everyone's misery.

Eckart looked at Rollie. "All except what we've been able to piece together of Loubar's past," he paused. "It appears that Victor Loubar began his killing spree when he was just 15 years of age."

"15?" Rollie shook his head incredulously.

"Yes. Even as a young boy in Toulouse, France, Victor Loubar displayed a violent and terrible temper, a fierce competitive spirit, and an appetite for revenge that should have sent alarm bells off with his parents, teachers, and social workers. Instead, because he displayed brilliance in the arts, and inventiveness in electronics and gadgetry his behavior was excused as genius. When he was 15, a young boy who shared similar interests but without the violent tendencies, befriended him. This boy was truly brilliant, possessing a natural God given talent whereas Loubar apparently always felt he had to work at it," Eckert continued. "Despite his friendship with the boy, Loubar began to be jealous of the attention his new friend was getting. He resented the boy's accomplishments. During the school's annual science fair, which Loubar had won the five previous years; his friend came in first place. Loubar came in second. Most people would not react the way Loubar did. They would have a natural reaction, which is to be happy for the other guy, even disappointed, and then move on. Life goes on. Not for Loubar. It appears he simmered with rage that the honor that was cheated from him. One day after school Victor Loubar waited for his friend to leave. He followed him home. Then, during the night he broke into his friend's home and murdered not only his friend, but also his friend's parents and the family dog. He smugly left a scrawled message on the bedroom mirror that said he was the best and no one should ever forget it. He left the country and began his life of crime in earnest. "

"Bloody hell!" Rollie exclaimed in shock.

"That's not all," Elena remarked. "This 15 year old friend of Loubar's, the one that had bested him and paid the price for it...looked amazingly like you, Rollie, when you were younger." And with that she threw a picture of Loubar's first victim on the table in front of Rollie.

Rollie studied the photograph. He wasn't his twin but there was an amazing likeness to himself when he was younger.

"We feel that it was no accident that Loubar sought you out. Somehow, he came across your face in something you had done either for a movie or for Leo. He researched you. We've found evidence of that. He had newspaper clippings, photographs, and surveillance tapes of you. We believe that it was no mistake or happenstance that Loubar chose to impersonate you when he framed you for selling the smart grenade. You reminded him of his earlier nemesis and, worst of all, you were another natural genius. We believe this stoked his hatred of you even more," Elena paused. "Loubar had spent years building up a reputation as a ruthless killer and a master of disguise. Until you, he had never failed. And then he failed again and again because of you. Oh, how he hated you!"

Rollie grimaced at the thought. He had hoped to gain some insight into Loubar's psyche but all he found was more of the same dark, twisted madness. Loubar was violent and hateful right from the beginning and his parents and others had excused his behavior because of his perceived genius. It sickened him because his reign of terror could have been prevented if Loubar had been sent to a criminal asylum. Instead he left behind a long legacy of violence and innocent victims.

Rollie ran his hands over his face as he took everything in and it was draining him. "I've had enough," Rollie announced as he rose from the table. "I've got to get back to the hospital."

Rollie left the room with Elena trailing after him. She caught his arm.

"Rollie, you haven't told Angie about...about what happened have you?" Elena asked him.

"Bloody hell, Elena, I've sort of had other things on my mind-"

"Good. Don't."

"Excuse me?" He stared at her incredulously. He couldn't believe she was bringing this up now.

"You heard me, Rollie. You can't. I know that you think-"

"You don't know what I think," Rollie replied angrily as he pulled his arm away from Elena. He didn't need Elena to remind him of his betrayal and his guilt. He just couldn't deal with all of that right now. "I have to go. Angie needs me."

"Rollie!" Elena called after him but he kept right on going. She stamped her high-heeled foot in frustration.

Meanwhile, back in the interrogation room Eckart, Leo, and Captain Van Duren were finishing up.

"That's unfortunate," Eckart exclaimed as he, Captain Van Duren and Leo finished up in the Captain's office.

"What? That he had to get to the hospital?" Leo asked, amazed at the insensitivity of the suits.

"No, of course that's perfectly understandable." Eckart allowed. " It's unfortunate that I didn't get to give him his reward-"

"Reward?" Leo interrupted.

"Yes, Detective. Victor Loubar had bounties out on him by many countries including your own. Mr. Tyler will never have to work again."

"I'll be damned!" Leo laughed, knowing Rollie and Angie never did any of this for any reward. Still, that something good could come out of this for his two friends was small consolation.