Uneasiness swirled in my stomach as I steadied the ladder for Logan. I hated having to trust uppers. I trusted Riley, but he was different. Or was he?
“Thanks for your help,” I said to Riley as Logan climbed the table.
“How soon can you get me those names?”
I needed to take Logan back, then go to Domotor’s hideout. “Four hours give or take an hour.”
“I’ll meet you in our room during my break.” Riley grasped my sore elbow to help me up the table.
I yelped and he let go.
“Sorry.” Riley watched me rub the tender spot.
“Must have bumped it.”
Logan called for help. His legs dangled from the vent. I pushed him into the air shaft. When his feet disappeared, I reached for the vent.
A click slide sounded.
“Get down,” Riley ordered.
I didn’t hesitate. He pulled the step ladder from the table, folded it and leaned it against the wall. In two strides he sat at the computer and whispered, “Stand behind me, follow my lead.” He rested his fingers on the keys.
The door opened as I reached Riley’s chair. We both glanced at the man entering the room. He stopped short when he spotted us.
“Hi Dad,” Riley said. “You’re back early.”
CHAPTER 15
The surpriseon Riley’s father’s face transformed into a smile. He had the same build as his son, but his thinning hair was brown and cut short. Riley’s blue eyes must have been inherited from his mother. His father’s brown eyes and beak nose gave him a friendly and inquisitive appearance.
“I see we have a visitor,” he said as he stepped into the room and closed the door.
“Dad this is Ella, the student I’ve been training,” Riley said. “Ella, this is my father, Jacob.”
“Hello Ella, I’ve heard so much about you.”
I shot Riley a look.
His father chuckled. “Don’t worry. Nothing bad. Riley says you’re a quick learner and coming from him that’s high praise.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Something happen?” Riley asked his dad.
“No. I had to work through my breaks, so my supervisor let me leave a little early.” He glanced at the clock. “Shouldn’t you be reporting for duty? Or are you training Ella here?” He smiled broadly with a gleam in his eyes.
Riley stood. “No. We need to go. Just need to get…something.” He strode into the bedroom.
Jacob stepped closer to me and whispered, “You’re as beautiful as Riley claims. I hope you’ll visit us again.” He winked.
I smiled and wondered what the real Ella looked like. Riley returned.
His father spotted the ladder along the wall. “What’s this?”
“Oh. Maintenance was testing air flow again. They must have forgotten it. I’ll return it on my way to work.” He grabbed the ladder and turned toward the door.
“Wait,” he father said. Jacob stared at the ceiling. “They forgot to cover the vent, too. Hand me the ladder.”
