Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 50

Will whipped back his arm, almost hitting Agent Justin Cowl in the face. And wrenching his stretched shoulder in the process. "Shit."

Justin stepped back, hands raised. "Jeese, jumpy much?"

Will huffed, leaning back against the building as he massaged his arm. "I have good reason to be. What do you want?"

"Checking on you. Not good policy to let someone as banged up as you out into the field. I'm guessing you, Red, and short-round are poking around for Ms. Pearl."

Will shifted, as if to get to his feet, but thought better of it and sank against the brickwork, letting the ache in this back and abdomen subside for another few minutes. "How did you know I'd try to find Sandra."

"Cause that's what stupid people do."

Will glared at the agent towering over him.

"That and word got passed down from Watch One what you were doing," added Justin. He held out his gloved hand, staring at Will with a raised eyebrow. Will could feel the judgment in the other agent's expression like a fresh downpour of rain. He took the proffered hand and hauled himself up, keeping a hand braced on the building as his knees wobbled.

He could take judgment, but he couldn't take failure. Not now.

"If you're here then you can help us search for Sandra," said Will, heading towards the next basement window. "We think she never left the building. Could be with Paro in the basement."

"If she stayed then that gives us reason to evacuate the area," said Justin. At Will's puzzled look he continued. "You didn't stick around long enough for me to tell you. We found traces of an explosive compound in Ms. Pearl's car. We have reason to believe she has a bomb on her."

"Shit," Will breathed. Not another damn bomb, his arm still stung from the last one.

"A whole heap. And you and your friends might walk right into it."

Will tapped the SkySprecht on his ear. "Cetz, you getting this?"

"Just did," said Cetz. "Hang tight I'm still talking with Watch One about bringing in a bomb squad."

The com clicked, Cetz going to a different frequency and Will grimaced. "I hate hanging tight."

"Hang all you want," said Justin. "I'm still on the clock. You were checking out the basement windows, right?"

"Yeah."

"Fine." Justin knelt at the next window, mud and gravel peppering his black jeans.

Will frowned. "I thought searching for Sandra was what stupid people did?"

"Never said I was one of the best and brightest," replied Justin, wiping grime from the window. "Besides, we can't do anything until we find her. Might as well do it your way."

Will nodded, sinking his chin into his popped collar as a breeze chilled the sweat and rain on his skin. His hair stuck to his neck and ears, his throat scratching with every swallow. Now that he gave himself a moment to assess his body, he could feel a cold coming on. Great.

"Didn't think you would help out someone with Watch Two," said Will.

"At the rate you're going, won't be long before you ask for a transfer to Watch One," said Justin. "Unless you're eager to check out Watch Three. I hear they're still working out of a converted warehouse in Florida."

"Oh, God no," said Will. His heart went out to the remnants of Watch Three, but he had no inclination to join them.

Eyes slits, Justin peered through the clean patch in the window. "Well, this is against fire safety regulations. Someone put either a slab of wood or shelves in front of this window."