My gaze swept the downstairs area. It was small, cluttered, and smelled of dust and mold. There were shelves everywhere, all packed with boxes, old and new computer parts, and ancient-looking monitors of varying sizes.
Of course, mold and dust weren't exactly good for computers or the various other bits of electronic equipment scattered about, but I'd learned a while ago that this area was little more than a ruse. The expensive items were all kept upstairs.
"I wouldn't have bothered," I said. "She's going to take one look at this area and have a heart attack. Your normal state is positively pristine compared to all this."
"Oh, she knows exactly what I'm like, but she likes me to make an effort on a personal level when she's visiting." His gaze scanned me pensively. "You look as if you need Coke, painkillers, and food—and not necessarily in that order."
"One and two would be good," I said. "We haven't got time for the third."
"Then I shall run ahead and get them ready." He paused, his gaze falling on the disks I still clenched in my hands. "They for me?"
I nodded. "I need them copied quickly so I can return them before they're missed." And before I was missed. Rhoan might have said he'd given up resisting the inevitable, but I suspected that wasn't entirely true—not when it came to my chasing down leads without his input.
Stane took the disks and gave them the once-over. "You're lucky I never throw anything out. They stopped production of these disks at least ten years ago."
"Not surprised. I just hope they're okay—they've been stored in a shed for a while."
"As long as the container was airtight and out of direct sunlight, they should be all right. They have a long life span." He pushed to his feet. "I'll see you both up there."
I watched him bound back up the stairs and wished I had half his energy.
"You could," Azriel commented, "if you didn't push yourself so much."
I gave him a somewhat wry look. "The lack of sleep isn't entirely my fault, buddy boy."
He nodded in agreement. "But I was not aware it would affect you so. Next time I shall be more cautious."
I raised my eyebrows and tried to ignore the sudden jump in my pulse rate. "I thought you said there would be no next time."