Chapter VI

Red, Liz, Abe and Johann had just returned to base. They were going back to their lodgings, when Manning appeared in front of them: "I hope you have an explanation for this output without authorization."

"Of course we have, Dr. Manning" Johann spoke up, stepping forward.

"S ... sir I did not think you was with them ..." Tom said, his voice a bit 'shaky.

Ignoring an apology from the head, Krauss continued, "We paid a visit to Prince Nuada, to check that he wasn't planning something to get back the crown."

"... And do you find out anything?"

"No."

"Ah ... well ... now I gotta go, I'll ask ... ... I was planning on ..."

"Go, Dr. Manning, we don't want hold you!" Johann answered.

"Yes ... sir!" said the agent, who went off in a big hurry.

"Wow! Johann! I like you more! You kept that ass-kisser in the dark!" Red exclaimed excited.

"It is better to be discreet for now! Tell you all when we are certain that the BPRD has hooks with the HDC." Krauss said, flattered.

Two hours later, at the library, Red surprised Abe sitting at the feet of the chimney, intended to read a book of poems, the same he and Nuala were reading that day.

"More heartbreak are hovering in the room ... isn't, Bloom?"

Abe sighed: "I miss her, that's all."

"But let's go! She' s not gone forever! She is dealing with the girl!"

"I do not think it is prudent to talk about what has happened tonight, someone could feel and relate to Manning.."

"You're right.."

After a while, Abe looked up from the book, and asked to Red, "Tell me, how is Liz?"

The huge red demon snorted: "Well ... a little sick every so often, she is a bit cranky, but overall is good ... now she is sleeping."

"And you, how are you, Red?"

"Well ... I'm a bit ... confused!" He replied sitting next to him.

"Confused?" asked Abe.

"Yes ... well, I'm happy! I' ll become a father! But I wonder what kind of father I would be ... I'm nothing like Professor Broom, I would not be at his height.."

"You are very different from him, it's true!" Abe confirmed, "but being different does not mean being worse ... In short, he was proud of you, I do not see why you should not be too ..."

Red chuckled, "I say so ... But you're the one who most resembles him. temperamentally, I mean."

"Sure, sure," said Abe. "But appreciating classical music or meditating Nietzsche all day does not mean knowing how to educate their children better than those who prefer beer and hot dogs. I think you should reassure you.."

There was a moment of silence. Then Red resumed: "What worries me is the outside world. Now I understand that the most important thing is my family, but I do not know if it will be the same for my children. In short, I will teach them to distrust of all people because there are psychopaths around that are ready to kill them or play at small chemical with them! "

"Well ... I can not answer to this question ..." Abrham said, surrendering to a question too difficult, which only time would answer.

They stood in silence for long minutes, then Red looked up on the stereo that was found beside them. Following his gaze, Abe did the same. Then they began to look with an air of complicity.

"Are you thinking about what I think?" Red asked with a wink and handing a beer to Abe.

Five minutes later, in the BPRD echoed a familiar music, and were heard, almost background, two out of tune voices singing: "I can' t smile without you".