“How are they handling everything?” she asked.

“‘Bout as well as can be expected under the circumstances, I guess. It’s not every day a fucked up serial killer shoots your kid.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “I’m sure it has to be a nightmare for them. Especially after losing their son.”

“Tell me about it. Her dad keeps goin’ on about how Constance was s’posed ta’ be a partner in ‘is law firm, not an FBI agent,” Ben added. “Her mom is kinda quiet though… Just stares off inta’ space a lot.”

“Everyone deals with their emotions differently, Ben.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“So, how is Constance doing anyway?” I asked.

“Hangin’ in there,” he replied. “You knew they upgraded ‘er from critical ta’ serious, right?”

“Uh-huh.” I nodded. “That’s pretty much all anyone would tell us though.”

“Yeah, well the docs are optimistic right now, but she’s still kinda out of it. She’s been conscious enough ta’ talk a coupla times but nothin’ that makes sense. Then she just drifts off again. Prob’ly ‘cause of all the painkiller shit they got runnin’ into ‘er veins. I honestly dunno if she even realizes what’s goin’ on at this point, but I figure after lunch I’ll go sit with ‘er awhile anyway. That’ll give ‘er folks a chance ta’ rest too.”

“I thought they were only letting immediate family members in to see her?” I said with a questioning note in my voice.

“Yeah, that’s what they said the first time I went in,” he grunted. “But I got a fuckin’ badge.”

“I thought you were still suspended?”

“Yeah, for a few weeks yet, but the hospital doesn’t know that.”

“Uh-huh, I should have figured.”

“Ben,” Felicity asked. “Since they won’t let us see her, can you keep us up to date on how she’s doing?”

“Yeah, I’ll do that.”