"I just talked to Joan. Annie is going to Hong Kong to track Henry. In order to use CIA resources, I'm going with her."
"Then I'm going, too." Auggie replied.
"That is not a good idea." Calder stated.
"You needed me to get this far, you'll need tech help once you get there."
"Don't even pretend that this is a rational thought process. If I just needed a tech guy, I'd take Barber."
"Barber isn't read in on Annie. I've worked hard to keep him in the dark."
"You've proven over and over that you can't keep your emotions for Annie in check, Anderson. I'm not putting myself at risk with Henry Wilcox so that you can repair whatever is broken in your relationship."
"Calder, if Annie doesn't succeed, we are both screwed. I have just as much riding on the success of this mission as you."
"And less to live for if it fails."
Auggie stood silent for a moment. "Despite what you seem to think about us, I'm willing to let Annie go, if that's what she wants."
"The fact that we are already talking about you and Annie rather than how to get to Hong Kong is reason enough not to take you with me. But the fact that we are both standing right here outside Henry Wilcox's house is proof enough that you are going to go out and do stupid shit whether you are involved in my mission or not. So I guess you leave me no choice."
"How soon do we leave?"
Calder rubbed his face. "It will take a few hours to secure the jet. Come on, I'll take you to your apartment to pack."
Calder stood in Auggie's apartment while the other man got a pre-packed bag from the closet. "Were you planning a trip?" Calder asked.
"Nothing unusual about having a go-bag." Auggie replied as he walked to his bathroom. "Don't pretend you haven't been through all of my stuff."
Calder watched the man open his bag to add a toiletry kit and some tech devices. "When this is all over I'll come help you repair these holes in the wall."
"Aren't you charitable." Auggie replied.
Calder kept his go-bag in the small trunk of the Jaguar, so all they had to do was drive to the airport from Auggie's apartment.
"Now that I know about Helen Hanson, this all makes sense." Calder explained as he drove.
"Really? In what way?"
"My guess is she started following Henry around the same time Annie stopped leaving her toothbrush at your place. Am I right?"
Auggie shot a dirty look toward the driver's seat. "Arthur brought her in. I had nothing to do with it."
"So you've got practice at pretending your lover was dead, don't you?"
Auggie closed his eyes and took a deep breath, determined not to let Calder see him get emotional. "Up until a few months ago I thought Helen really was dead. I'm getting the very special privilege of losing her twice."
"Man, I do not envy you." Calder said. They drove the rest of the way in silence.
