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You constantly put your friend's lives on the line. Have you ever considered that maybe your friends do favors for you because they feel like they owe you something?
It was this thought that caused Magnum to be in his current and unfortunate predicament. He was laying on his back, eyes closed, and bleeding out. All he could do was hope that he was found by the people he was trying to protect.
Thomas Magnum was working on a case that went from recovering stolen property to accidentally discovering a drug smuggling ring based on the island. This case had eventually led him to the conclusion that he needed to visit a warehouse by the marina where the drugs were possibly being hidden and waiting for delivery.
Even though he was a SEAL, Magnum knew it would be unwise to go there alone. He entered the study of Robin's main house on the estate and found Higgins, busy working on her laptop.
"Hey Higgy," Thomas said easily.
"What do you want, Magnum?" She said without looking away from the screen.
"Why do you think I want something?" Thomas asked. "Maybe I just wanted to see how you're doing."
Higgins stopped typing and looked up at him. "I know you too well to believe that, otherwise you would've just texted me. Also, I know you're working on a case, so I assume your presence means you want my help."
Magnum paused a moment before giving her his trademark grin. "Well, when you put it that way… yes, I'm asking you for a favor. I need to go to a warehouse by the marina to investigate a potential headquarters for drug smuggling, and I need some backup."
Higgins raised her eyebrows. "You're asking for backup? The famous Thomas Magnum wants help taking down a few drug dealers? I must say I'm surprised; I thought the person the White Knight is loosely based off of would be a little tougher. Maybe Robin's book is more fictional than I thought."
Magnum quirked his brow, slightly amused. "It's just a precaution. Trust me, I can handle them, but I thought it wouldn't be a bad thing for some extra assistance. Plus, you could probably take a break from whatever you're doing."
Higgins pressed her lips into a thin line. "Well unfortunately for you, I'm busy doing my job. I have a lot to do, so you are on your own."
"Oh, come on Higgy," Magnum said. "You'd rather be on the computer all day than investigating a warehouse?"
"It doesn't matter what I prefer Magnum," Higgins said dryly. "I have a job to do; the job Robin hired me to do. I don't get to decide if I want to work or not."
Magnum thought for a moment before replying. "So you would rather come with. Come on Higgy, you could spare an hour or two."
"No Magnum, I actually cannot," Higgins said, looking right into Magnum's eyes. "I'm sure you can handle it by yourself, you even said it yourself that you can."
Thomas sighed, regretting pushing Higgins to the point of her harsh British tone amplifying her irritation. "Alright, I hear you loud and clear. Maybe I'll text Rick and T.C., see if they can tag along."
"Or you can handle it by yourself like the private investigator you are," Higgins replied, now obviously annoyed and upset. "You are always asking people for favors, and because of this, you constantly put your friend's lives on the line. Have you ever considered that maybe your friends do favors for you because they feel like they owe you something?"
Thomas prided himself in controlling his emotions and responses, a skill that helped tremendously when he and his friends were P.O.W.s, but it took every ounce of effort he had to avoid showing Higgins that she hit a sore spot. She said one of the few things that can really affect him.
After taking a deep, shaky breath, Thomas did his best to keep his expressions neutral. "You're right, Juliet. I'm sorry for bothering you." He turned and left the study.
Once she heard the door leading to the driveway open and shut, Juliet closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "What the bloody hell, Juliet? Why did you say that?" she asked herself.
She didn't mean to be so harsh and flat-out rude. It's not Magnum's fault that she had to deal with the stress of her expiring visa in addition to all of her majordomo responsibilities. The truth of the matter is Juliet does enjoy helping Magnum with his private investigator business, and she did wish she could've gone with him, but she had too much on her plate to leave the estate.
Of course, she didn't say any of this to Thomas. Instead, she was short with him and she said something that she never truly believed, let alone meant to ever say aloud. She sighed as she pressed her hands to her face. "I can't believe I did that."