i could tell that he was n't breathing . `` it 's being handled way above my pay grade . '' there was a curious tattoo of a beautiful , multicolored swallow . i 'd only been gone about an hour or so . she clutched jack 's hand as she wiggled into position . `` as a matter of fact , i hurt her pretty badly . `` you 're in rare form tonight , '' nick said . i suppose i could have let him come back , but i just was not ready . 