It made perfect sense that Second Wind would have picked up where he’d left off. Second Wind was him, in all the ways that mattered to the world. Tapestry was oblivious to the fact that he’d made a copy of himself. On top of that, he’d been with Rose for the past few weeks, and while they weren’t quite in a relationship, they’d been seeing each other regularly.
Malcolm considered all of this, and still felt a weird, confusing sense of jealousy. Had she and Second Wind done more with each other than just kiss? Of course they had. He reminded himself that it was ridiculous for it to bother him, but his emotions seemed to have plans of their own.
She pulled back, and Malcolm just stared at her. Was he imagining it, or was there also a change in Tapestry’s demeanor? She seemed more relaxed, and there was a lightness about her expression and smile that reminded him a little of her great granddaughter, Melanie.
“Are you okay?” asked Tapestry. “Did something happen?”
“No!” Malcolm said, quickly. “I’m fine. Just… a little tired.”
“I’m sorry about what I said last night,” said Tapestry.
“What you… said last night?” Malcolm repeated slowly. Tapestry gave him a weird look.
“Yeah,” she said. “I may have been overreacting a little. But I still stand by my point, Malcolm.”
Which was…?
“Uh.” Malcolm shrugged. He was having the absurd realization that it was actually quite difficult to pretend to be himself. “I mean, we both made good points. Didn’t we?”
What he knew he should be doing was taking the conversation elsewhere, or even ending it entirely. But Second Wind’s behavior had stirred his curiosity. Malcolm was living under a new identity now, but it didn’t stop him from feeling like he was being affected by the choices and decisions of his old one.
“Vanderbrook needs you, Malcolm,” said Tapestry. Her voice was quiet and serious. “It needs Wind Runner. You’re so much more appreciated than you know.”
She gave him a starry eyed look. Malcolm couldn’t help but wonder just what Second Wind had said, or done, to endear her to him like this. And then, Tapestry was kissing him again. He let his hands slide up the sides of her body, feeling her breasts pushing against his chest. He’d missed her. God, he’d missed her.
It took an immense force of will for Malcolm to pull back from her. Yes, he had missed Tapestry, but he reminded himself that she had not missed him. Second Wind had been there for her, would continue to be there for her, and would be back at literally any minute.
“Sorry,” he said. “My mind is still, uh, focused on work right now.”
“Of course,” said Tapestry. “That’s fine.”
The flush in her cheeks contradicted her.
“So…” said Malcolm. “Have you heard anything new about Multi since we last spoke?”
If the question was a weird one, Tapestry didn’t let it show. Second Wind’s recent behavior had left Malcolm wondering if he was getting all of the information he needed from his copy. Clearly, there were things being kept from him, and some of them might be less innocuous than the current state of Second Wind’s love life.
“My contacts have been coming up dry,” said Tapestry. “We still don’t know where he’s getting his weapons from. Or more importantly, his explosives.”
“If I had to guess, I’d say he’s probably making them himself,” said Malcolm. “That’s the kind of guy Multi was. Maybe we could check out some local electronics stores?”
Tapestry nodded.
“I’m also going to investigate Terri’s Tavern tonight, the monster bar,” she said.
Malcolm furrowed his brow.
“Uh, seriously?” he asked. “Do you think that they would react well to that?”
“They let you and Savior in,” said Tapestry. “Without too much fuss, from what I hear. And unless things have changed since the last time I went to a bar, pretty girls have an easier time getting by bouncers than two bachelors.”
“Fair enough,” said Malcolm. “But seriously, when was the last time you went to a bar? 1945? 1950?”
Tapestry looked at him like she couldn’t believe he’d just said that. Malcolm grinned at her, accepting her playful punch on the shoulder. A smile crept back onto her face, and she sighed.
“I’m glad to see your sense of humor is coming back,” she said. “Though I don’t think it would behoove me to dignify your question with a serious answer.”
“Of course not,” said Malcolm.
“Anyway, beyond Multi, I’ve also heard rumors of a gifted woman who has been picking up men from bars and leaving them dead in their bedrooms,” said Tapestry. “So I’ll have a chance at killing two birds with one stone. Three, if I find out anything about the Gifted Vigilante.”
Malcolm kept his internal reaction from showing on his face. He slowly nodded.
“I guess,” he said. “Though I don’t think that guy should be our top priority. He doesn’t seem all that evil, really.”
“It’s not about good and evil,” said Tapestry, stiffly. “He’s not playing by the rules.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to hunt him down and kill him,” said Malcolm. “We have Multi to deal with right now, as our top priority.”
“But this guy is powerful,” said Tapestry. “You’ve seen what he can do. He’s a renegade. I already gave him a chance to surrender. Now, it’s time to take him down.”
“Okay, Rambo,” said Malcolm. “Good luck with that.”
“You’d better hope so,” said Tapestry. “You’ll be my backup.”
Malcolm chuckled. He was about to say something when he realized that it was already late-afternoon. He took out his phone and checked the time.
3:50. Ten minutes before Rose’s meeting with Brenden. I’d just barely make it in time if I left now.
Despite what he’d said to her the previous night, Malcolm suddenly felt anxious about letting her go to the meeting alone. It wasn’t jealousy. Or rather, it wasn’t entirely jealousy.
He was worried for Rose, for what might happen to her when she started to remember, but also for her physical safety. She didn’t have the memories to confirm that Brenden was who he said it was. It could very well be a trap.
“I forgot something,” said Malcolm. “An appointment I have to make.”
Tapestry frowned at him.
“What is it?”
“I’ll explain later,” he said. For once, it felt a little nice knowing that it would be Second Wind fumbling for an excuse, and not him. Tapestry looked a little annoyed, but she didn’t object, leaving the apartment alongside him and saying her goodbye.
CHAPTER 17
Malcolm reached the motel in time to see Rose walking up the stairs toward Brenden’s room. She didn’t usually travel during the day, and it was clear from her miss matched outfit that fashion sense had been at war with practicality.
She wore a black sweatshirt with the hood pulled up over her head, her face barely peaking from the shadows. Underneath she wore a short grey skirt over black leggings. Her hands were clenched within the sleeves of the sweatshirt, and her shoulders were tensed.
He hesitated, part of him wanting to call out to her. Another part of him realized that he didn’t have a place in their reunion, unless his goal was to make it weird. So instead, Malcolm took up a spot on the roof of one of the buildings across the street. Brenden had left the curtains open, and he could see him sitting on the bed, waiting for Rose to knock.
Great. So instead of being a third wheel, I’ve decided to go full on stalker.
He reminded himself that he was just looking out for Rose, that she had invited him along, and focused on what he needed to do next. Wind manipulation provided Malcolm a couple of less obvious abilities. By stilling his mind and focusing on small vibrations in the ear, he could use the wind to listen at a distance.