The precinct door shut behind me, sealing away all the noise with it. Leaving me in what felt like the cold, clear air of the morning.
For a moment, I just stood there, the city moving around me, people hurrying to work, and traffic rumbling. The normalcy of it all pressing in from every side in a pleasant familiarity.
I let it wash over me, letting the chaos and calm blend, reminding me that the world was still turning, that there was more to do.
I took out my phone, unlocking it, the screen lighting up, thankfully there wasn't any new notification. No secret, cryptic messages or cries of help. Just everything a regular phone should have looked like.
I opened my phone app and at the top was Anthony's name.
I pressed call.
It rang twice before his voice came through, bright, clear, steady.
"Boss."
"Anthony," I said, letting out a small breath. "How are you holding up?"
He chuckled, a low, warm sound.
