"Hey Lionel, I have a job for you."
Ignoring the annoyed groan on the other end of the line, John looked across the street. After he had brought Svensson to one of their safe houses, it was now time to get some help.
"Believe it or not, but I've got enough on my plate already, or do you think I work my ass off as a hobby?"
"For some people, it's supposed to come down to the same thing."
"As it seems to be the case with you. When I look at your gunned-down record of the past months only, it seems as if you're confusing your job -whatever that exactly is supposed to be- with a firing range training."
John smiled. Apparently, Fusco was in a particularly good mood today.
"While we're on the subject..."
"Oh please no. How many persons do I have to clear this time before I´ll receive a call about a shooting?", he heard the Detective's almost resigned voice.
"None. I thought to be nice this time by leaving the two gentlemen in question tied up but only slightly injured on the second floor of the Loggia building."
"What have they done?"
"They attempted to kill of a Swedish investor. I don't know the background myself yet, but I'm working on it."
"I'm certain of that."
"And when you're done with that, your next move is to keep a watch on the same Swedish guest. His name is Arvid Svensson. I'll send you his location data."
"And why don't you do it yourself? Usually, you appear to be the wonder boy who gets everything right."
Aiming his gaze at LabTech, John frowned.
"I'm busy with something else right now. Let me know if things get tough though", he cut the connection.
Sending the Detective Svensson's whereabouts, he switched the line back to Finch. As discussed with the Swedish representative, he would take his place today. After tying up the two men, who apparently were not up to answer his questions about who had ordered them, he had obtained the most necessary information about the upcoming meeting.
"I'll still need your help, Harold. It would be convenient if you let me know the relevant key points of the presentations data in good time. I hope you have access already", he asked his partner.
"I'm ready, Mr. Reese."
Taking a last breath, he entered LabTech's reception area, ready to pass in a role that admittedly made him more uncomfortable than a minefield with an unknown number of opponents.
Ignoring the questioning glances of her colleagues, Danielle struggled with her breath. After running back to the office, she sat down behind her desk in relief.
No sign of Svensson yet. Will be back from the IT department soon, she found a note from Hayley.
With a pretended glance her agenda, she tried to appear as inconspicuous as possible. Admittedly, she still wasn´t able to tell what had made her risk her life for someone unknown and yet it was like a natural reflex that she couldn´t suppress. Unable to judge whether her decision was related to her own rescue and thus the good example set by John and Mr. Finch, or whether she was suffering from common helper syndrome, she brushed back a few loose strands of her hair. Last but not least, she had to admit, it was that fulfilling feeling that made her want to change jobs in the medical or social fields for a long time already. In a try to gather her thoughts, she didn't know how much time had passed, when Brianna suddenly walked into the office with ...John?... at her side.
"I think we can go straight to the meeting room. The others are awaiting us already", she let him know, pointing to the entrance of the conference room.
In an attempt to fight against her overturning thoughts, she tried to put on an as neutral facial expression as possible, as they walked by her desk.
"Is the coffee ready?", Brianna asked.
"Strong and hot, just like you need it for a big project meeting", she finally managed to regain the professionalism she had trained over the past six years.
"Very nice. This is Mr. Eriksson, by the way. Due to an unforeseen sickness, Mr. Svensson wasn´t able to make it, so today he´s his deputy."
"Awesome. Welcome to LabTech then", Danielle smiled her routine business smile like countless times before.
"My pleasure", John remarked in a no less professional manner before her colleague turned to him again.
"This is Ms. Benson. The good soul of our company if you will. If you are in need of anything, she will be happy to take care of it."
"That's good to know."
"Very well, then we can continue", Brianna gestured in the direction of the meeting room.
Giving John a last questioning glance, he confidently followed the scientist.
Danielle frowned. While wasn´t able to understand what exactly he intended, she remembered Mr. Finch´s words in which he once stated that none of his co-workers decisions were arbitrary.
"Sorry, the IT wasn't manned and apparently there aren't any extension cords longer than this", Hayley stormed back in, gesturing the wire length with her arms.
"Who is that by the way?", she asked with a sudden curiosity, when her glance fell to the meeting room.
"This is Mr. Eriksson. Today he is standing in for Mr. Svensson, who must have come up with a cold or something like that."
"I´m fine with that. Based on Svenssons photo, this guy is definitely better to look at. And if I saw correctly, he turned back to you", her colleague stated with a conspiratorial grin.
Rolling her eyes about Hayley´s imagination skills, Danielle leaned back in her chair.
"Bri let him know that I'm in charge of the coffee. He probably just wanted to remember the person who would keep him fed after the long, jet-lagged flight."
"Apparently, you've been single for far too long if you don't at least dream that a handsome guy from far away Europe might take the tiniest bit of interest in us", Hayley shook her head reproachfully.
"So it's us now?"
Unable to hold back a smirk at the obviously misidentified motive for John's reaction, she reached for the daily mail.
"I don't know what you dream about at night, but this is definitely no dream", she held out the unopened envelopes to Hayley.
"Spoilsport!"
Returning to her place with the pile, she suddenly paused to turn back once more.
"BTW, what was going on earlier, when you ran out of the office like bitten by a Tarantula?", her colleague asked with an honest confusion in her voice.
Danielle paused before another smirk crossed her face.
"Well, maybe I was having some kind of speed date", she replied in a mysterious tone, before making her way to the copy room.
