He’s nodding when I finally close the door. I slide down it and sit on the cool tile. The sensation against my overheated skin is bliss. My head falls back onto the door with a thud.
“London?” He’s right outside the door still.
“I’m fine, Miles. Go back to bed.”
The words tug at my chest, sending my heart into a spiral for the second time. I shouldn’t get used to his bed, or his apartment. This is only temporary, me helping a friend. Being a good crewmember and coworker.
Nothing can happen here.
Nothing.
Schmiddy sends me in as he follows behind, rake in one hand, fire extinguisher in the other. The flames of the warehouse fire have been snuffed out, but the electrical is dodgy as hell.
Schmiddy’s radio squawks.
He ignores it.
I make a path to the back of the building, through the slurry of ash and water from the hoses. The mess isn’t even the worse part. Every electrical item that the warehouse stores is ruined. The place is a total write-off.
The smoldering electrical fumes, even fucking worse.
I’m thankful for my rebreather as I pick my away through the aisle of debris to where the control panels are supposed to be located.
The power was cut, but we have to have a visual that there is no current or anything awry before calling the scene.
“Tennison, check this out,” Schmiddy says, and I turn around the find him trying to open the box on an Apple iMac.Typical.Just like this fucker to loot.
Hope it electrocutes him.
“Schmidt, do you respond? Over.” Hammond bites out over the channel.
“Are you going to answer him?” I ask, making sure the rake is between me and the captain this week.
“Nah, let him stew. Man ought to loosen up. Takes everything way too seriously.”
“You’re kidding, right?” I frown, wishing I could shove this rake where the sun don’t shine on this guy.
“Not a bit. Or is that your type, London? The bulky, serious ones do it for you?”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Feisty little piece, aren’t you.”
“Keep that shit up and find out just how much.”
He simply laughs and sets the laptop box down. “Tell you what. You scout out the panel for me, and I’ll let the insubordinate talk of yours slide.”
“We’re supposed to do it together,” I say, annoyance lining my tone. It’s not a point to argue, it’s a safety risk to separate, especially with electrical.
“Ain’t that the truth.” He picks up another box, shaking it until it rattles.
Goddamn child.
“Fine. Then you answer Hammond.”
He scowls at me. “I give the orders, remember.”
Not wanting to be in his orbit a second longer, I trudge my way to the back of the warehouse. I find the panel and check it over. Finding no signs of life, or current for that matter, I turn back.
