Trust

Outside in the hall, Garret listened to everything Ron said. Nothing rang a bell or sounded remotely familiar - not even the name. It had to be bogus. But the question was...had he really acted out of being clueless, or did he know more? Was he a new Agency operative who was just good at lying, or was he really that innocent, just simply believing the lies of the Agency? The answer could bring life or death, and Garret wasn't so sure it was worth the risk.

Kirk nodded as Ron talked, seeing how easy it would be to believe the missing persons case. Why wouldn't Ron have believed the urgency of the situation? There had been no indication it had been a lie. Kirk would have done the same thing. "Well, if you're expected to make a call tonight, I recommend doing it, but telling your contact you hit a dead end. Which...in reality, you really have. There is no missing person."

At that, Garret rounded the corner, his arms still crossed, and his face showing his displeasure as he approached the three. His attention went first to Ron, then to Nate. "And what's to say he doesn't make that call, but instead, gives away my location?"

Kirk stood, frowning. "Look, I'd stake my reputation on this guy, okay? He's telling the truth."

"And I'm supposed to believe you?"

"Yeah... you are." Kirk stood a little taller.

Seeing the physical challenge, Garret took a step closer, letting his arms slide to his sides in a ready position. "And why is that?"

"I have no reason." Kirk knew good and well that he was going head-on with a man who could tear him limb from limb - he'd already hurt Ron. But he wasn't willing to let fear get in the way. He might not have seen Ron for years, and he might not have even liked him all that much at times, but no one could convince him that he was willingly a part of the Agency. "So you're just going to have to take my word for it."

"Your word means nothing to me."

"Only because you don't want it to."

Feeling the tension rising, Rick dared step a little closer. "Hey, Nate, how about we take this conversation elsewhere? Before my infirmary is torn to shreds?"

Garret glanced at Nate as well. In his eyes was anger. Tiredness. Stubbornness. And terror. If Ron was lying, Victoria was as good as dead.

Kirk motioned to Ron. "Come on." He'd let Garret and Nate work this out, but for now, he was getting Ron out of here. Leading the way slowly, he took Ron to the main floor and found an empty cubicle with two chairs to sit. Straddling one backward, he studied his old friend. "I believe you, ya know. It's just hard for the folks around here. They've been blindsided one too many times. They don't even trust me right now 'cause I've been pressuring them about the way they do things. I trust them though." He paused, silently asking Ron to trust him as well. "I know they'll make the right decision."


Back in the infirmary, Garret continued to look at Nate for answers. He didn't trust Ron - or Kirk for that matter - one bit. He could just as easily break Ron's neck and be done with it. Then he'd be the missing person instead of Garret.