It took him a moment and then he shook his head. "No, I sent her to the States to meet with Congress." It had been a last minute change because he hadn't felt comfortable leaving, not when things seemed to be going wrong all over, and she was a capable woman. It was a blessing that he had sent her. She carried so much information about Overwatch with her.

All the same, so many good people lost. Maybe some of the spies that had created this situation too, but just... so many people he knew the names and family lives of. So many people he had been charged to protect.

He had failed.

He made a sound like a wounded animal when Gabe's grip tightened on him, when the reasonable refusal was given. He wanted to go back, wanted to help, wanted to be Strike Commander as he had been for over twenty years. "Too many witnesses... they wouldn't risk shooting me." Except they would. If it was true that someone wanted him dead, no amount of publicity would stop that shot. "I should be there... I should be helping..."

He pressed his forehead to Gabe's shoulder, momentarily hiding his face from view.