"Old dogs can't learn new tricks," he said, but even as he said it he was stepping out of his shoes, emptying his pockets, casting his jacket aside rather carelessly and folding up his sleeves. He seemed to be considering the ring on his middle finger for a moment while he took his watch off before he wriggled the plain silver band off and placed it on the edge of the bench.

"Please be gentle. I've been told I hit like a girl," he commented with a soft laugh even though it wasn't true. They might not have sparred with each other before, but there had been many a competent Spade who gave Michael valuable parting gifts over the years. Even in this day and age, one (unfortunately) didn't get to be Jack without being able to hold his ground far better than impressionable youths more than half his age, lest it gave them wild ideas about murdering him in his sleep.