"All set, Mr. Denby?"

"Yes, I believe I am ready to find my way home," he replied hoarsely to the nurse.

"You really shouldn't drive just yet. Is someone coming for you?" she asked as she held out more papers for him to sign.

"The finest transport of the free world."

"Good. Now, here's your antibiotics, and these are for pain. You might try sleeping with your head and shoulders propped up for a couple of nights. If you should develop a fever again, you get right back here on the double."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Harry thanked the other nurses as he left, and gingerly made his way to the hospital lobby. His sides still felt as if he has been hit with baseball bats for two days. Just carrying his small bag left him breathless and wincing slightly.

An attractive brunette bustled past him, laughing and carrying a large bunch of flowers toward the reception desk. Her dark curls hung down her back like chestnut ribbons. Feeling even heavier with thoughts of Diane, he slowly lowered himself into a chair and waited for his cab to arrive.

"You sure this is where you want me to drop you off?"

Harry slid out of the back seat and kicked his bag onto the curb. "This is the place. How much do I owe you?"

"Fifteen, pal."

Harry tossed the cabbie a twenty and shut the door. The cold was a shock and he shivered reflexively. Then as the cab pulled away, he picked up his duffle and made his way to the front door of the fifteenth station house.

On the way over in the cab, Harry decided to tell Diane about Grace. He had to learn to confide in someone. He had to learn to trust.

As he walked inside he got a mixture of greetings and glancing looks. His reputation was hovering somewhere between infamy and notoriety, and most simply didn't know what to make of a man like Harry Denby. Friend or foe? No one was really sure.

Eyeing the long flight of stairs, he left his bag at the front desk as he began his climb to where he hoped she was.