“Who’s Carnac?” Jenks asked, and Rachel waved him to silence, whispering that he was her cat and that he looked like Rex.

“I’m sorry, Bill,” Peri said. “Jack got drunk and hit his head.” Stick to the truth when you can. “I went out to get him something. He was okay when I left.” And lie when you have to.

“To the mall?” Bill asked, making Peri glad she’d asked Rachel to stay in the car until the drone had left.

“Yes.” Peri didn’t like how Rachel was looking at her, as if she should be scared. “I left a note in case he woke up. I thought one of those wraparound ice bands you can get at the sports store would help. Why is he in Opti Health?”

“Because you were gone and he’s got a lump on his head,” Bill said dryly, and Rachel flushed. “He’ll be fine, but I’d feel better if he stays here for observation tonight. You and Jack are my best team. I’m not taking any chances.” He hesitated, then added softly, “I’m looking at a rather interesting video from the mall. Are you compromised, kiddo?”

Peri’s eyes flashed to Rachel, the woman looking ill in Jack’s coat and her clubbing dress as she sank down into one of the cushy chairs. If Peri said she was green, Bill would have Opti forces in her apartment in five minutes. If she said no, then he’d assume everything was okay. “No,” she said, eyes fixed on Rachel’s. “I’m more worried about Jack than a mall fruitcake. Honest, he was okay when I left. He gave you the accelerator, didn’t he?”

“Mall fruitcake!” Jenks exclaimed, and Rachel stood, taking him into a distant corner of the living room, whispering for him to be quiet.

“I’ve got it, yes,” Bill said, and Rachel went white. “Right in my pocket. I’ll deliver it to Event Horizon first thing tomorrow. No need to come in unless you want to check on Jack.”

“Phew. Good.” Peri waved her hand to try to tell Rachel it was okay. “I’m glad to get that thing out of my responsibility. Event Horizon had it behind six locked doors and a CO2 detector. Soon as I get this spilled wine cleaned up, I’m coming in. You going to still be there?”

“I will be if I know you’re coming,” Bill said, but Peri was distracted by the sight of a sexy redhead in a clubbing dress arguing with a flying man shedding green dust. “I’ll have them put a cot in for you.”

“Thanks, Bill. You’re the best.”

“See you soon, kiddo.”