The End of the Game - 5
Reese drove out to where Peck's father had lived in a normal little house in a normal little street. Normal sounded really good at the moment, he thought wryly. There was a car parked in the drive which Reese looked over; it was a rental car, probably from the airport, and he suddenly thought that Peck might not even realise that he was in danger if he had been here all the day. Out of habit he entered the house cautiously with no noise and made towards the living room through the kitchen.
Reese froze, gun in hand, as he heard a familiar voice speaking into a phone on the other side of the partly open door. "Job's done Mr. Thornhill, he won't be talking" "Yeah, I'll take his laptop. There're some papers too, want me to bring them as well?" "No, of course I haven't read them" "Sure, I'll put everything in an envelope and drop that off with the laptop" "It's a pity this place isn't in the precinct's area then you could arrange for me to run the case" "Hmm, I didn't realise Reese knew the guy. In that case it's better that I don't get involved. Thanks for the warning"
An electronic voice sounded in Reese's earpiece "LEAVE. NOW" it commanded. He quietly left the house and drove away. He went to one of the city's dead zones where the Machine could not see him and sat for a long time. For the first time he understood Finch's fear and dread of what the Machine could do, might do, and now apparently did do.
What did it mean that Lionel was doing the Machine's wet-work? Why not Root? Maybe she did it too. Maybe her and Fusco's prickly relationship – his stupid nicknames and her disdain – was just a cover for them both. What did it mean that ANYONE was killing for the Machine? Had Samaritan quietly absorbed the Machine (or infected it in some way)? Did the Machine know that he knew or had it ordered him away from the building to stop him finding out? Did it know that he had reached the room and overheard everything? So many questions and no damn answers!
His brooding was interrupted.
"Reese, get back here. We've got more trouble" said Shaw in a strained voice.