Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 58

The problem with 10 AM flights out of San Francisco was getting to the airport an hour before takeoff to get through security and find the right terminal and gate. Getting out the door and hour before that to get through traffic. And waking up an hour before that so three people could take turns in the shower without their nerves fraying like cheep floss.

As a result, Beni, Reese, and Will looked like half stuffed voodoo dolls waiting at their gate for their flight to board. They had arrived with 45 minutes to spare and the flight had been moved back an hour. The explosion two days before had caused chaos for SFO and they were still rearranging flights.

"May air traffic control be well rested and stress free," said Reese in prayer.

"Amen," said Will and Beni.

The trio slumped in their seats, Beni's head resting on Reese's elbow. Reese had weakly offered to fetch blintz from the food kiosk down the terminal. Beni and Will nixed the idea, neither wanting a heavier sugar crash. Will couldn't nibble anything more substantial than crackers and Gatorade. Beni opted for sleep.

Reese snoozed, slumped over like a wobbly vine, likely dreaming of the box of glazed sourdough donuts packed in his checked luggage. Will hung in the space between hyped up and too tired to sleep. Mid-yawn, Beni's cell went off, making the trio jerk awake.

"Hell... hello?" said Beni, eyes an annoyed squint. Her nose scrunched, like she smelled something rotten. She held out the phone to Will. "It's for you."

Wary, Will took the phone as Beni and Reese slumped back into semi-sleep. "Hello?"

"Heeey. Dude. Hi," said a slurred voice.

Will frowned. "Who is this?"

"It's Justin. Ya know, dude with the body and attitude."

"Oh..." Will's frown left a dent between his eyebrows. "How did you figure to call me on Beni's phone?"

"Yours got trashed right? Figured you'd be with either short round or Red." Justin snorted, proud. "I'm smaaaaaart that way."

"Did you drunk dial me?"

"Not drunk. Just feeling good." Justin certainly sounded "good".

Will rolled his eyes. "You're on painkillers."

"Yep. Bullets hurt."

"It was one bullet," said Will. He eyed the check in desk, wondering how long until the flight attendants called them to line up. And excuse to hang up would be good right now. "Calling me while strung out is a dumb move."

"That's what Quinn said. Like I always make bad decisions. I don't always. Just sometimes."

Will rubbed at his eyes with a yawn. "Would you mind getting to the point of your call? I'm not in the mood for small talk right now."

"Look, I spent the better part of last night stuck in a BT chamber with Louis. My eyes hurt, my leg hurts, kicking bastard. So I want you to be straight with me."

Will blinked hard, not expecting Justin's tone to turn. And the news about Louis at Watch One. Apparently Louis didn't receive a warm welcome. A BT chamber couldn't have been a good night for either of them. Why Will worried about Louis's mental health in the first place was beyond him. "Okay. What about?"

"Is the Watch using Louis as a guinea pig?"

That was a surprise, and too close to the truth. "What makes you think that?"