Heller smiled kindly before refilling the two mugs back to the rim with the steaming coffee and wandering over to the table. He rubbed his face with one hand as he peeled his jacket off with the other. Kim tried not to laugh, it was weird seeing the Secretary of Defence in such informal attire. But the house was warm, too hot in fact, but it was necessary for Jacks recovery. Sarah wouldn't have anything less, and despite the discomfort they were only too happy to oblige.
Heller had stopped over the night before with Kim's permission and would probably stay until he got to speak to Jack. He was sick with worry, his concern making any biter taste disappear from her mouth. He had after all, also been the person to help her despite his orders not to. He had risked a lot for her father, and despite that he was sat by his bedside worrying still, his job temporarily on hold. Palmer had agreed to deal with the political side of this, as best as he could, with Mike Novick at his side diligently working to clear his name.
"Listen sweetheart, you don't have to worry about that," he said taking a fatherly tone. "At the time it was important nobody knew of my own involvement. But now its out, the government know, so nothing you say will get us into trouble."
Kim smiled shyly feeling slightly embarrassed before taking the drink from him and retaking her seat at the table. They were both exhausted. Heller reclaimed his seat next to her as he yawned, they had been going at it for a few hours now. They had started with what had happened from the beginning, right to her arrival at the prison. Once they finished Heller put a fresh tape in the recorder and put her mind at ease about getting anybody who had helped into trouble.
He had wanted to get to the important part first, the confession, while it was fresh in her mind, but decided it was best to do this chronologically. Besides, she was still hurt over what she had witnessed, if she could build up to it, Heller hoped it would prepare her for the unease and pain retelling the events would have on her.
He popped a fresh tape in the recorder sat on the table before dropping yesterdays newspaper over it. They both knew it was there but he thought covering it would make Kim more at ease. Sighing he turned to her as he switched the recorder on quietly.
"You ready for this?
"Yeah… What do you want to know?"
"Tell me what happened when you first saw you father, what condition was he in, what happened from that point onwards?"
He smiled reassuringly as he saw her eyes begin to wonder as she started to pick at a nail. This was going to be harder than either of them had first considered.