Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 36

The rain resumed, a misting encore from last night. Mud-spattered people cursed the rain, while others, sporting bandages and weary eyes, slumped under the damp weather. En masse, the Devi party dashed to the laundry tent, an extension of the local Dime Wash. Volunteers in bright neon vests passed out flimsy ponchos to those waiting in line. Will took the one offered to him and tossed it over the luggage Louis lugged behind him.

Will took a sideways glance at the blond, trying to get a look at his left hand but Louis had it shoved in his jacket pocket. It was still unnerving to see Louis' eyes; he couldn't decide if he missed the shades or not. The dark circles under them were more pronounced, and a wrinkle had started to dent into his forehead. Had that been there yesterday?

Ram bade everyone to wait in the entrance with the lines of people while he searched out Mary in the back. Massaru, holding the packed basket, let his wife take the only seat available while Louis and Will lingered at the entrance, keeping a lookout in case Sandra did find a way to follow them. Mostly injured people being led to a medical station.

Louis' face hardened as he talked low to Will. "People have lost their homes, some lost family members, and these people are concerned that the whites stay white?"

"It's a creature comfort. It makes the chaos seem a little more bearable," replied Will. He gestured to the volunteers handing out canvas bags of bottled water and donated t-shirts and shorts to the mudslide victims while they changed in hastily strung up changing rooms. "They're a mess, literally. After a day of being cold, hungry, and lost, wouldn't you want something warm and clean to change into."

"I've had to make do without creature comforts at certain times," said Louis.

"Not all of us are former soldiers."

Ram emerged from the back room with Mary in tow, and looking no less frustrated.

Mary was a short woman with long brown hair and a determination of a computer guided missile. Very much like Rachel Except her determination was making sure washing machines kept working and the detergent didn't run out. Meeting her boyfriend's father while damp and frazzled hadn't improved her spirits.

"Hi, I'm Mary." She grimaced apologetically, shaking Massaru's hand. "Sorry we're not looking our best."

Massaru pulled Mary hand into a quick hug, surprising her. "You are helping people. To me, that is everyone's best look." He stepped back and smiled. "What can we do to help?"

Mary and Ram brightened.

Louis leaned towards Will. "What did he mean, "we"?"

"We're going to get our hands dirty."

"In a Laundromat?"

"Okay, we're getting our hands clean."

***

The smell of peppermint alerted Nate before the knock on his office door did. Though his nose leaked like a sieve, he could smell things now. He'd take the improvement.

"Hey, Franklin," greeted Nate. "Got the addresses?"

Franklin moved the candy cane to the side of his mouth, talking around it like a gangster in a black and white movie. "Yep. Not that hard really." He held up a handful of papers. "I also got a list of previous orders."

"Thanks." Nate handed him the bomb analysis. "Could you get both of these to Cetz's office? I'm still working on an outline for Meg and Teeg."

"Sure." Franklin paused by the doorway, a grin that made the candy cane tilt up. "You sound better; not so stuffed up. Did you take my advice about the bottle of peppermint extract?"