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Erin asked, "Do you want me to show you around, or do you want to look on your own? I've got keys to everything there on the table for you, and the alarm master codes are on that piece of paper." She nodded at the sheet in front of her on the table.
"I'd like to look around and then ask you questions. Can I look at your house too?" Wiz glanced at but didn't make eye contact with either of them.
"Absolutely. Ryan and I will be here when you're done. There shouldn't be anyone else around today, unless there's a delivery I don't know about."
"Okay." Wiz backed to the wall, slid off the backpack, and pulled out a tablet, then started flicking her fingers along the surface.
Ryan watched her for a while, then made himself look away. Although it was hard to tell under the baggy clothes, he was fairly certain she'd lost weight, but she didn't have any to lose. Her eyes looked dead, with dark circles underneath, and her deep bronze skin was dull. She was so alert, nervous, maybe even outright scared. Those evil people who attacked and ignored her needed to pay and pay big. Ryan kept his eyes on the equipment on the table, trying to keep his body relaxed, until the door to the garage opened and closed. He let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
Erin twisted to stare at the closed garage door. "Dang. Poor kid. She looks like one of those pit bulls they rescue from dogfighting. Wanting to trust so bad but can't do anything but growl because someone has hurt them over and over."
"Yeah." Rotten slime, taking away something beautiful and bright because they were insecure losers. His fist clenched, Ryan pounded it on the table, once. Then he breathed, counting four in and four out. He had to control his anger—otherwise, he'd make Wiz even more nervous. Gradually, he packed the fury away, breathing slowly and deeply. When he could speak again, he turned toward Erin. "Good call on telling her we'd stay here. I think that will allow Wiz to relax as much as she can in a strange place."
"That's what I figured." Erin peered out through the front window, half-rising in her seat. "Wonder what she wants me to do with the van? It's pretty new."
"You'll have to ask her, I guess. But don't ask until she brings up the subject. When she's doing a job like this, Wiz gets very focused and doesn't want to do anything else until she's done. It will probably be a very late night."
"Great." Erin chuckled. "If it's late enough, we'll pull an all-nighter. It'll be like old times. We've certainly got the right stuff to get us through." She waved a hand at Izzy.
Ryan snorted and got back to work on the last electronic gadget. He wasn't sure what these things did, but Wiz had sent him the schematics, so she obviously needed them. They'd finished when the connecting door opened.
Wiz stood behind the coffee shop counter. "Where do you want me to start?"
Erin shrugged and held up both hands, empty and open. "Wherever you want. You're the expert. But there will be people here tomorrow, so maybe you should start here?"
Wiz nodded sharply. "Okay. I'll do the coffee shop first. I need the stuff on list two. I want it all on the table. Take list one to the garage and list three to the house. Ryan, I'll stay in your apartment if you stay in Erin's house."
Ryan smiled. "Sure, Wiz, whatever you want. The sheets and towels are clean. You're welcome to use anything up there."
"I'm going upstairs. Put the list three stuff on the kitchen table in the house, then come back here. I need to look at a few things before I know if it’s better to start here or not."
"Sure, Wiz." When the door closed behind her, Ryan grabbed list three and piled everything into boxes. After taking list one equipment to the garage, Erin returned with a handcart. They wheeled the rest to the house, carefully placing it on the kitchen table. Ryan made sure they locked the door.
Erin raised her eyebrows. "Wiz will think someone might have come in if we left it open?"
"Yeah." The bottom of the ocean was too good for her attackers. She'd been such a bright, vivacious person. She shouldn’t have to change so much to survive.
Erin sighed. They walked back to the shop in silence and let themselves back into the coffee shop.
Wiz popped in from the garage, keeping the counter between them. "It will be at least four hours before I'm done with your shop. If you have shopping or something to do, now would be a good time. Ryan, do you need anything from your apartment?"
"No, Wiz, I don't." He shook his head. Everything he needed was at Erin's.
"Good. Don't go up there." Her tone was fierce.
Ryan slowly held up his hands, the real one and the grasper. "I won't, Wiz. It's yours as long as you're here."
"Okay." She edged back toward the garage.
"Wiz?" Erin took a single step.
"Yes?" Wiz gripped the countertop.
"Would you like some dinner when you're done? I make a mean homemade pizza." Erin smiled gently.
"She does, Wiz. It's delicious." His stomach rumbled.
"In the outdoor oven?"
