Page 90 of Fanning the Flames

Kade tugged on his right ear. “Where’s Sadie?”

“My sainted girlfriend is at our warehouse dealing with the insurance company for the truck,” Joan said. “And contacting our suppliers to cancel orders.”

She could handle it, and was good at stuff like that, and Joan wanted to show her she trusted her. Sadie was totally right about needing to be cut some slack.

“I’m sorry about your food truck,” Kade all but yelled. “I really liked your sandwiches.”

“Thanks, buddy,” Mark said, glancing at his phone.

“I’m going upstairs to change.” Darlene narrowed her eyes in typical Darlene fashion. “I trust there won’t be any issues leaving you here alone?”

Everything inside Joan wanted to conjure a great big fireball just to spite her. “No problems,” she said instead. “We’re waiting on Perry.”

Mark tapped his sneaker toe against one of the metal suitcases sitting next to an angular armchair. “We brought our outfits so we don’t have to borrow renaissance faire costumes again. Should we put them on?”

Joan held up a hand. “I don’t want to go full Spark unless we have to. It’ll draw too much attention.”

“I will defer that decision to Flight,” Darlene said.

The Super duo walked to the large staircase. Mark started to follow.

“Dude,” Joan muttered.

“Kade might need my help. He’s wounded.”

“Quit trying to make Zee jealous.”

He waved his hand. “Relax. I’m going to pee,” he said, and headed past the stairs.

Joan checked her phone—not to police Sadie, but just in case she’d reached out with any questions. It was so thoughtful of her to handle all the crummy phone calls and emails for a food truck she didn’t even own.

Sadie had said it’d be good training for what she’d be facing at her café. And besides, stopping these assholes from destroying the city kinda took priority over filing a claim that’d be tied up for months.

Footsteps clomped closer until Perry appeared…with Gus. Which wasn’t all that surprising. The former Hero wore a cotton olive-green jacket and loose jeans, her hair in a ponytail.

“You decided to come back?” Joan said.

Gus nodded once. “There’s still work to be done.”

“I’m sure the Supers appreciate your help.” She wasn’t sure whether or not that was true. Judging by Gus’s pursed lips, she wasn’t sure either.

Perry swapped his sunglasses for his regular glasses. “Does Sadie need anything?”

“She has access to everything. She’ll be fine.”

“Are we meeting in the conference room?”

Gus shook her head. “I’m not sitting on my duff waiting for the next attack. We’re going out to gather information.”

Ward came rushing down the stairs with his trusty tablet. He looked like he’d slept in the same clothes at the conference table for days. He probably had. “Oh hello, Ms. Amazing Woman. I just wanted to make sure it was you who accessed the building.”

“It was,” Gus said. “And don’t call me that. Gus is fine.”

“Yes, Ms. Gus. Mr. Flight is waiting for you all upstairs.”

“Tell him to put his cape on and meet us down here.”

Poor Ward. His loyalties were pulling him every which way. “Mr. Flight has some video he wants to show you,” he said. “And he was already on patrol today.”

---