"We needed to find our own work," he answers, looking from Root to Patrick Brady, his gaze sliding over the man as if he doesn't really see him. It's a simple tactic, but it always works, pretending as if a person is simply part of the scenery. It's how nearly everyone looks at everyone else and John had perfected it long ago. He doesn't want Patrick Brady, but still sees as he receives a text message and looks down at his phone, then curses under his breath and shoves his phone back into his pocket.

With a calm, easy smile, John turns his own phone toward Root to show her the text Brady received.

Four more days.

"Looks like there's a deadline on what he owes this month," he says casually.