That made sense. I took a breath and turned back to the wall screens, now showing the two scan results. Other than minimal differences because of weather and temperature fluctuations, the scans looked identical. “Nothing out of the ordinary.” Nothing that warranted a new scan.
“Surprised me, too. I had a ticket all ready to go.”
“How was the second floor?” Riley asked.
“That blasted lamp burned through three bulbs. I had to disconnect it. Couldn’t find anything wrong with it.” Rick shrugged. “Added it to your schedule for tomorrow, Adri. For now, though, you two pack up and get some rest. Day-shifters’ll be here soon.”
Riley yawned. “We’ll be at the café, right, Adri?”
I nodded. Even on busier mornings, it was my favorite place to be. And not just for the coffee.
“Rain check. I want to see my kid before she drives back home.”
“Okay. Tell her I said hi.” Riley grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. “Come on, Adri, let’s get us some coffee before we fall asleep.”
Before she fell asleep, she meant. We took the elevator, but instead of the lobby, we exited into the underground parking space. I stepped out into the smell of fuel. “Where are we?”
“I know you like the sun, but that’s way too bright for me after working all night. Come on.” She crossed the space without looking back, veering between parked cars, leaving me no choice but to follow her.
Flickering lights made me pause.
“Probably just a wonky bulb,” Riley said when she noticed me staring.
I wasn’t sure about that. There was something off about the rhythm. It was too constant for a wonky bulb. “Does that happen often?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again with a frown. “Now that you mention it… not really. Not here. Maintenance is pretty on top of it.”
“Maintenance. Not IT?”
“Light bulbs aren’t usually our problem.”
“Hmm.” She had a point, but I still left a note for Maintenanceandthe IT day shift.
A flight of stairs—Riley bypassed the elevator—later, and we entered the café through a side entrance. Bubbly and expressive, like the petite blond at the engagement party, Riley greeted the barista—Jasper—as if they were friends. He smiled when he noticed me and called Sam to the front for my espresso.
“Sit,” Riley said. “I’ll bring them over.”
While I settled into the corner booth, she chatted with Jasper, twirling her asymmetric patchwork jeans skirt that she’d proudly told me her mother sewed. Jasper’s cheeks reddened as he fumbled his way through making Riley’s flat white, then took a theatrical bow as he placed the cup on the counter. “For you, beautiful.”
I couldn’t see Riley’s face, but I was certain she was rolling her eyes as she told him he was a goof—whatever a goof was supposed to be.
“Only for the best customers.” His voice hit a trembling high note on the last syllable.
“Flattery won’t earn you a tip,” Riley replied as she turned—swishing her skirt—and carried our coffees over to the booth.
Only then did I notice Sam standing behind Jasper. I raised my hand in an awkward wave. He nodded at me and disappeared into the back of the café. If I’d stayed at the counter, I could have said something to him. I envied Jasper’s courage. It was too late now.
I turned to Riley. “How’s your chandelier project going?”She’d shown me images of the authentic Art Deco chandeliers she’d claimed as her personal project.
“Slow. The glitches are keeping us pretty busy. I had at most half an hour to spend on coding the light flow, which won’t mean anything if I can’t hide any hint of the LEDs when the replica finally arrives.” She crossed her fingers, a much-used gesture among Niren, too.
I admired her for trying. Building a replica incorporating LEDs from the start would have been easier. “Still no word?”
“Oh, I got word. But their string of apologies doesn’t make it arrive any faster. Delivery truck broke down two states over. A replacement truck is being arranged.”
“Good morning.” Sam set down a plate with broken pieces of cake.
“On the house. Jasper knocked the cooling tray off the counter, so we can’t sell it—but I know you never mind, Riley.”
