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said.
    “Time heals all wounds, Jack. You should know
that by now.”
    “Time heals most wounds, Mike. That’s what
this is all about. Something that happened a long time ago.”
    “If you could let it go, it would heal.
That’s all she wants.”
    “I know, but since that happened, with Ted
turning against me, and being forced out...Mike you’re the only
person I can trust.”
    “I appreciate the vote of confidence,
brother, but she’s your wife.”
    “I didn’t say it made any sense, I’m just
telling you how I feel.”
    “Well maybe a few days, or even a week or two
will changes things. In the meantime, we’ll get your apartment set
up, and I’ll teach enough about cooking so that you can
survive.”
    “Trace already tried. A cook, I am not.” Jack
answered.
    “What? You burn water?” Mike asked.
    “No. I don’t burn it, but I can make it taste
bad.” He said, as a grin came to his lips. Mike’s eyes brightened
when he saw the smile creep across his brother’s face. Jack would
be okay, he thought. Not happy, for a while a least, but he was
strong and he would make it.
    It was a relatively short drive to the
neighborhood that his precinct was located in, and Jack turned into
an apartment building only three blocks from the station. This
particular apartment complex had been Tracey’s idea. She knew that
he would want to be close to work. That she had suggested it was of
some comfort, no matter how small. He drove into the underground
parking area, and eventually located his parking space. Slowly he
pulled to a stop, put the car in park, and slumped over the wheel.
He did not want to do this, but he had no option. Mike nudged him
silently and flipped his thumb towards the rear of the car. Jack
nodded and got out slowly. He stretched as he headed towards the
trunk. As they lugged the boxes from the car to the elevator, he
wondered about small things. How would he be able to sleep tonight,
without her next to him? What would it be like, to not be able to
kiss the kids goodnight? What would he do about dinner? Suddenly
thousands of simple things began to overwhelm him, because without
Tracey, he didn’t know if he could carry on.
    Luckily the apartment came furnished. He knew
that there was no way that he could have gone out and actually
picked out furniture. Though it was plain, it seemed so foreign to
him. One by one, he began to unpack his boxes. Near the bottom of
the first box, he came across a picture of the whole family. He
knew that he hadn’t put it in the box, though if he had seen it, he
would have. It was Tracey that had put it there. As he held it, and
stared at it, he began to cry. Tears dripped onto the glass of the
frame. Mike passed through the living room, and saw him. He
hesitated, and started towards him, but stopped instead, and left
him alone with his grief. He knew that this was a part of the
healing process, and here, his interference could not help.

Chapter 4
     
     
    “Enter.” Atwater said, as he responded to the
knock at his door.
    “Sir.” Ted said, as he poked his head through
the partially opened door.
    “What Truman?”
    “Have you got a moment?” Ted stepped into the
doorway, as Atwater put down the file in his hand.
    “Go.” Atwater replied. Ted opened the door
fully and entered the General’s office. He turned back and motioned
behind him. A reluctant Doctor Morgan sheepishly entered behind
him, followed by his assistant, Phillips.
    “Sir, it appears as though we have made some
significant progress.” Ted began.
    “Oh yeah? On what part?” Atwater asked
sarcastically.
    “It’s the profile, sir.” Phillips spoke up.
Ted nodded.
    “Yes. The profile.” Morgan chimed in
quietly.
    “What about it?”
    “Well…we seemed to have isolated the issue
with the most recent-” Morgan began.
    “We believe we’ve found the problem, sir.”
Ted said. “Phillips?”
    “Yes, sir.” Phillips said, as he stepped
towards the desk. “The last profile was