Tempi appeared behind her with a dish towel over one shoulder.“That means she needs something but doesn’t want to be a bother.”
I blinked.
Britta nodded like Tempi had just solved a case.“Definitely.”
“I’m fine,” I said.
“Sure,” Tempi replied.“Everybody says that five minutes before they pass out or cry in the bathroom.”
“I already slept for eleven hours.”
Tempi winked.“Then you’re due for the crying in the bathroom.”
Wheels glanced at me.“You planning on that?”
“Not currently.”
“Good.I don’t need Tempi dragging me away from you again because I was too close.”
Tempi pointed at him.“Because you were.The girl should be able to pee in peace.”
“I was guarding the door.”
“You were guarding her bladder.”
Britta laughed and disappeared back into the kitchen.
Wheels shook his head and guided me toward the hallway with a light touch at my elbow.It lasted maybe one second.Long enough to point me in the right direction.Short enough that I could pretend I didn’t notice.
I noticed.
The hallway off the main room stretched toward the back of the building.Wheels pointed as we walked.“Office is there.Twister uses it when he needs quiet, which means almost never because nobody here knows how to shut up.”
“Does he actually get quiet?”
“Twister?”
I nodded.
“Yeah.That’s when you pay attention.”
“I noticed.”
His gaze flicked to me.“You did?”
“When he moved earlier, everyone stopped talking.”
“Smart woman.”
“I inspect buildings for a living.I notice when the room shifts.”
“Fair.”
We passed the office, and I glanced inside.It was small, with a desk, a chair, a filing cabinet, and stacks of papers that looked only slightly more organized than a controlled disaster.A framed map of Wisconsin leaned against one wall.I had a feeling my papers would be added to that mess before the day was over.
Past the office were more rooms.Some doors were open, others shut.
“Storage,” Wheels said, pointing to one.“Security room is next.Not fancy.Couple monitors, cameras, radios.Swift spends too much time in there.”
