“If you see Bill, tell him I need to talk to him,” Harry said, eyes still down as he fiddled with a knob. “Something’s wrong with the electrical system. We might have mice in it again.”

Or little winged men, Peri thought as she turned away, forcing her pace to slow when all she wanted to do was race down the hall.

Rachel waited at a drink kiosk, looking out of place with Peri’s purse over her shoulder. “Your security is lousy,” she said as Peri joined her, and the two walked as one down the deserted hall.

“That’s because there’s nothing here,” Peri said, miffed. “It’s an infirmary, not headquarters. That’s two buildings over. Getting in there is another story.” But this was still an Opti-only area, and unease began to rise in her.

The clatter of Jenks’s wings gave her bare warning, but she still started when the pixy rejoined them. “Relax, Rache,” he said saucily as he landed on her big hoop earring. “The hard part is over.”

“I don’t like the smell of hospitals,” Rachel muttered.

Jenks launched himself from Rachel, landing on Peri’s shoulder. “She spent most of her early life in and out of them,” Jenks said in a loud, conspiratorial whisper.

“No kidding.” Peri gave the uncomfortable woman a sidelong glance. “You’d never know it now.”

“Shut up, Jenks,” Rachel warned, reading the small placards on the doors they passed.

“I just think Peri ought to know who you are before it goes bad,” Jenks said, tone merry. “And it will go bad. Otherwise, why risk continuing to help us? You all think I’m just good at fixing stuff, but I’ve got eyes and I know people. Peri will do anything for the underdog. That’s us, Rache.”

Flushing, Peri lifted her chin, not comfortable with how well he was reading her or that he wasn’t above manipulating her for their benefit. But if the truth be told, it had been Rachel standing before her balcony, wondering where she was, that had done it. That confusion couldn’t be faked. It was something Peri lived with. Identified with.

“You’re not helping, Jenks,” Rachel said more firmly. Relief crossed her, then a tight tension. “B-2. We’re here.”

Peri motioned Rachel back until she knew if Bill was in there as well. Nodding, Rachel held the bag with the wine and glass to her chest, Jenks again on her shoulder. The fake accelerator was in Peri’s purse. If they were lucky, Jack would know where the real one was. Taking it out, she dropped it in her pocket for faster access. She went to knock, hesitating as Rachel and Jenks whispered, and then Jenks flew off.

“Where is he going? Someone might see him,” Peri all but hissed.

“I doubt it.” Rachel looked up and down the deserted hall. “He’s looking for his cat.”