By the time I got up, splashed some water on my face from the sink, and left the bathroom, I didn’t feel miraculously better, but I did feel steadier.
Because I knew for a fact that at least one person felt I had worth.
One very important, accomplished person, at that.
And that was enough.
8
Tobias
Today mattered.
“Ben,” I said without turning as I adjusted the angle of one of the monitoring displays in the new office I’d prepared for Cove. “Has the badge arrived?”
“Yes.” His voice carried easily down the hallway behind me. I heard his steps slow as he approached, though he did not enter the room. “It’s been activated for gate access, interior entry points, and the aquarium wing,” he continued. “Limited security clearance otherwise, as requested.”
“Good.” I paused. “Did you confirm his departure?”
“Yes.”
“And the temporary override for early arrival?”
“Yes.”
I nodded once.
Ben waited.
He had worked with me long enough to recognize when silence meant I was thinking and when it meant I expected additional information.
This was the latter.
“He left his apartment on time,” Ben added. “Traffic is minimal this morning. He should be here shortly.”
That was acceptable.
I adjusted the display again, though it did not require adjusting.
Ben watched me for several seconds before speaking again. “The previous caretakers didn’t get an office.”
“He’s different.”
Ben hummed quietly, which was his polite version of calling me out on bullshit.
He was different, though.
He was mine.
Or he would be.
Soon.
“Has his badge been labeled correctly?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“With his name?”
