Or in other words, the people John saved receives news from no one.


So, because I was a bit short on time yesterday, here's everything I wanted to say but didn't:

1) the usual English-is-not-my-language,-pleased-don't-burn-me-at-the-pit-if-there- are-mistakes
2) This story basically is an oversized funeral for John, whom I adore
3) I'd like to do something for Root too, but I don't see what yet, so I can't say for sure
4) F*** it, John's not dead. I don't believe it. That's what's great when a character dies at the very end of the story. You can pretend it never happened, and it doesn't really disrupt canon. Still, I'm giving him a funeral, because the guy deserves it. There's merit with the secret staying secret, the legend of the Man in a Suit staying an urban legend, I know, but still...


James and Henry Wheeler

The Machine had spent thirteen seconds calculating whether or not to include the Wheelers in her list. They hadn't been aware, at the time of James Wheeler's number, of the intervention that had saved his life. The number himself had never seen John Reese, and his son Henry had certainly not understood what had really been going on with the two men at the corner. They had no idea.

But the Machine eventually decided that she'd include the two, if only because they were the very first for John Reese. They were the first two people he had saved with Admin's help, and maybe that made them matter more than many others whom the Team had saved. Symbolism. Humans were strange that way.

The Machine didn't mind. Their unique view of the world was what made humans worth saving. Admin had taught her that.

So James and Henry Wheeler would be present.

One morning, three days after Primary Asset n°1's demise, James Wheeler received an e-mail. He was still at home, and it didn't seem to be related to his current cases. The attorney frowned, but opened the e-mail nonetheless. There was no subject indicated. It came from an "Ernest Thornill". No one he knew, from what he could say...

A date only in the e-mail itself; a date he had no trouble recollecting. The day before Hansen was discovered to have plotted against him. James Wheeler tensed a bit.

His eyes went to the two attached files. An audio document, and a picture, apparently. He hesitated a moment, then looked quickly at his son, busy eating his breakfast. He decided to put on the earphones, just in case it wasn't something he wanted Henry to hear. It wouldn't be the first time he received anonymous tips by e-mails.

His heart missed a beat as he recognized the very same file that had possibly saved his life, and put Hansen behind bars. He forced himself to listen until the end, but it was all there was. He didn't understand. Was it a threat? If it wasn't, then what was it?

He closed the file, and hesitated before opening the second one. He was a bit wary, but he needed to know.

The picture of a good-looking but expressionless man with grayed hair appeared. James Wheeler frowned again, not having expected that. It took him a moment before he could focus on what was next to the picture.

An obituary, to the name of "John Reese, aka the Man in a Suit".

Wheeler senior jumped a bit when he heard his son's voice, just behind him.

"Dad, I know that guy..."