14
The sun was sinking toward the eastern horizon, casting golden rays through the windows of Harry's sitting room. They were segmented by the blinds over the windows, leaving bands of light on the floor.
Harry sat on the sofa with his arms around Claire, holding her close and breathing slowly. What an i***t he had been to think that he could bring his daughter on a mission like this. Why would he even agree to go? He was an utter failure as--
“Dad,” Claire said, her voice muffled by his shirt. “Let go. I'm okay.”
Blinking tears out of his eyes, Harry pulled away from her. “Okay?” he mumbled in a hoarse voice. “How can you possibly be okay after what you saw this morning? Jesus, why did I bring you--”
Claire looked up at him with a stern expression, her large, dark eyes surprisingly f
