"I know that," snapped Mello, who had actually been so convinced of what he'd thought Matt had said that it seemed he could still hear the echo of his friend's voice saying the words. He got to his feet, giving Matt a black look and rubbing his chin, mostly for effect. "There's going to be a different plan when I get home," he said. "Come on. Night's not over yet. Maybe we can find you some ice."

He scooped up the flashlight and the bag with the lighter fluid from where he'd dropped them, touched his coat pocket to make sure his gun was still nestled there. When he went to retrieve his chocolate mints, he took a peek into the mini fridge and came up with a bottle of water, which he tossed toward Matt. "Better than nothing." It was also as much of a gesture of apology as he could bring himself to make.

He'd slipped up, but Matt hadn't called him on it yet. Best to keep moving and hope he wouldn't have time to think too hard about what Mello had blabbed in his frustration.