The Unchipped

Chapter 27

Commander Falcon removed her favorite shoes. They were a low-heeled, stylish black number that worked well with her uniform and could be worn all day. It had taken almost three months to make them part of herself, almost as comfortable as bare feet on carpet. Alas, where she was going the heels would dig in too deep. She retrieved the sneakers from under the car seat where they were kept for such an occasion. They were black as well, but obviously not meant to be worn on duty. It couldn't be helped. Losing the extra half-inch of height was also a minus, making her feel less than normal. It forced a mental adjustment to reestablish the power she desired to project.

Falcon stepped out of the black security force car after instructing it to stay in place. Having it park would interfere with her day and would only be a slight inconvenience for anyone else arriving. The next curb cut was only a block away. "Remain here. Thirty minutes tops," she ordered the four SPs who had shadowed her to the apartment building. They nodded their affirmation and moved to stand next to the two vehicles.

The building was beginning to show its age. The colors had dulled and some of the windows showed the foggy haze indicating broken seals. She had done a bit of research and knew it was due for renovation, though the committees were in discussions for a complete rebuild. Better to tear it down, she thought. An inconvenience for the residents, but better for the local area and thus the country.

The elevator arrived quickly and dutifully hauled her up the seven floors. Falcon could feel an increase in the heat when the doors opened on the top floor. She turned right and headed to the end of the hall as the online plans indicated. The restricted door to the roof opened after a quick override via her tablet. A lackluster cement staircase led upward to an equally drab door. Opening it revealed something she hadn't expected, plywood boards laid out along the roof creating a path toward the HVAC units. They weren't on the aerial photographs she had viewed earlier. She sighed, regretting the time lost changing her shoes.

Falcon followed the boards and the sound of someone working ahead. "Miss Lenning?" she called out. No reason to scare the woman.

"Sorry," an exasperated voice returned. "I know I promised it would only take fifteen minutes, but I didn't realize the gasket on the enclosure had failed. There's water damage and...I don't...have..." Miss Lenning paused, halting her words when her eyes finally recognized the commander. "I'm sorry ma'am, I thought you were the super." She stood straighter, a five-inch flat electronic panel in her hand. Her brown hair was tucked under a ballcap, and a rolled towel was draped around her neck.

Falcon smiled softly, "No need to apologize. I should have announced myself." Lenning was a rarity and her cooperation was necessary. "It's hot enough to fry an egg. How do you get any work done up here?"

"Got to eat, ma'am," Lenning replied. Her tone did not lend itself toward cooperation. She completely ignored the veiled compliment and returned to her work in the open box mounted on the side of the AC unit.

Falcon found the lack of attention infuriating. It took a lot of willpower to swallow her pride and attempt a cordial conversation again. "I understand you were once a sister, Miss Lenning?"

Lenning turned toward the commander, placing the electric panel roughly on top of the AC unit. "Are you rescinding my labor license? I'm always on time, and all my work is top notch. I've done nothing to warrant any kind of scrutiny." Her eyes dropped to the boards on the roof. "Please, ma'am, I've got a son."

"Ah, yes, Toby is six if my information is correct," Falcon said. She would have preferred cordial, but fear had its uses.

"I'm all he has."

Falcon smiled again, this time with less warmth. "I'm not here for your license, Miss Lenning. I'm doing a bit of research and I believe you might be of some help."