45

Bing got off his phone at last and headed for him. “You’re only supposed to come in to use the gym for your physical therapy.”

“Reporting back to duty, sir.” Jack winced when his side brushed against an open drawer.

“Like hell.” “I’m all healed.” “Bullshit.”

“Healed enough.”

Bing’s gaze turned to steel. “I’m the captain. Keeping my men safe is my top priority. Go home.”

“I could be useful on this case,” he said reasonably.

“Like a screen door on a submarine. You were one of Brady’s victims. Your sister was one of Brady’s victims. Can you say conflict of interest?”

Frustration tightened his jaw. “You can’t keep me on sick leave forever.” “I can try. I sure as hell am not gonna lose you again.”

A few moments of charged silence passed between them. Jack broke it first. “What happened to me wasn’t your fault.”

“One of my men went missing, and I couldn’t find him.” Bing dropped into Joe’s empty chair at the next desk, the fight going out of him. “You still look like death chewed on you bef