I’m sorry, I should’ve told you, but I thought it wasn’t relevant. Would you… please… inhale, damn you! Riley took a deep breath, primarily so he could hiss, “You thought it wasn’t fucking relevant? Are you a fucking moron?” McClane was clinging again, nervous little claws stinging and burning under Riley’s skin as they burrowed into his bones, raking against nerve endings as they went. For once, Riley was too distracted to complain about it. He was so mad he hardly noticed the discomfort. We’re out of the area, miles outside any feasible search grid, the alien argued. There’s no technology here advanced enough to trace my molecular signature, so they can’t find me. He shifted along Riley’s back, causing the muscles along his spine to twitch uneasily. Also, in my defense, I was distracted. “Oh, I’m sorry,” Riley whispered harshly, “was that my fault?” The waitress glanced over at him with a tiny frown.
