Soon as we opened the suite door one of the guys was already standing there waiting for us.
Never said a word.
Just started walking.
Z grabbed my hand again before we followed him.
Took us down another hallway.
Downstairs.
Long walk through the house after that.
Place somehow felt even bigger in daylight.
Guy finally stopped outside a set of double doors near the far end of the house.
Knocked twice.
Opened the door.
Office was massive.
Older guy sitting behind a desk at the far end of the room.
Probably somewhere in his sixties.
Never stood up.
Never introduced himself.
Just looked at Z and asked where things stood with her part of the project.
Could tell immediately she was tense again.
Said she’d secured almost everything he asked for.
Except one final piece.
Told him she’d exhausted every source she had trying to find it.
Said most people wouldn’t even talk to her anymore once they figured out who she was probably working for.
Room went quiet after that.
Guy finally looked over at me for the first time since we walked in.
“Who are you?”
Another pause.
“This meeting was for her.”
Felt my jaw tighten the second he said it.
Think Z noticed immediately.
Reached over and rested her hand on mine before I could say anything.
Small gesture.
Enough to tell me to let it go.
So I did.
“I’m the specialist.”
“What you need doesn’t even exist anymore.”
“Only way you’re getting it is if somebody fabricates it.”
Another pause.
“I’m that somebody.”
Looked over at Z for a second.
“That’s why she brought me here.”
Then looked back at him.
“This is OUR meeting.”
Room went quiet again after that.
Then I told him we were leaving.
Both of us.
Going back to my shop.
I’d build what he needed there.
He’d get it when it was finished.
Could tell immediately he didn’t like hearing that.
Just sat there staring at me for a few seconds.
Couldn’t tell if he was angry or impressed.
Maybe both.
Finally leaned back in the chair.
Said if we left, we’d be watched the entire time.
Told us whatever I built better work.
And it better be done quickly.
“Or there will be consequences.”
Another long pause after that.
Then he looked over at Z.
“Pack your things.”
Looked back at me.
“Leave before I change my mind.”
Soon as we stepped back out into the hallway Z walked fast.
Did my best to keep up.
Could tell she wanted as much distance from that office as possible.
Finally looked over at me.
“How are you gonna do this?”
Looked back at her for a second.
“I’m not really sure.”
Another couple steps.
“Hoping it’s somewhere in the doctor’s journal.”
Think that gave her some pause.
We went straight back upstairs after that.
Packed our bags.
Didn’t take long.
One of the guys downstairs had us in the car almost immediately after that.
Driver kept glancing back at us the whole ride to the airport.
Think that’s why she never slept.
We boarded the plane a little while later.
Sat down.
Cabin lights dimmed not long after takeoff.
She looked over at me for a second.
Almost like relief finally hit her.
Rested her head against my shoulder and fell asleep.
Don’t think she moved the entire flight.
Somewhere around three hours in I finally fell asleep too.