It's a bloody shambles, Grissom Montag lamented silently as he surveyed the damage to the northward face of the apartment building.
"Got that right," Phil said as he walked up behind him.
Grissom whirled around. "Dammit, Smith, stop trying to read my thoughts or all the telekinesis in the bloody world won't save your ass!"
Phil stepped back and held up a hand. "Easy there, Griss. Couldn't help it. That was a loud thought."
"Can't you put your fingers in your ears or something?" the mercenary asked.
Phil smiled. "Wouldn't help. But I'll try harder not to overhear you if it upsets you. How's that?"
Grissom relaxed. "You're lucky I got some last night." He looked back at the Hummer Phil had found deep in the caverns beneath La Perdita. "Got anything good in there?"
Phil thought a moment. "Just the new computer."
"Computer?" Grissom raised an eyebrow.
Phil nodded. "An IT contractor owed me a favor, so I collected on it and had them build us a computer core to run the new security systems."
Montag looked at him curiously. "Owed you a favor?"
"Before I came here," Phil confessed, "I was hiring myself out as a... security contractor, you might say."
"Is that so?"
Phil nodded. "I did a handful of jobs aimed at guarding against industrial espionage and sabotage. These were for Fortune 500 corporations, some of them. Not only did I manage to make a fair amount of pocket change, but... well, let's just say that some of those corporate bigwigs are greatly indebted to me."
"Anyone I know?" Grissom asked.
"I'd love to tell you," Phil said, "but I never discuss any of my work in detail."
"Not a good idea," Grissom said. "If we're going to buy into this MBL business, we're going to have to share at least some information."
Phil shrugged. "Fair enough. I've got a shipment coming in at noon, and I may need a hand getting things transported here."
"A shipment?" Now that got Montag's attention. "Shipment of what, exactly?"
Phil smiled. "You'll find out at noon. For now, I'll just tell you that we need to get the motor pool ready for new arrivals."
Grissom nodded. "We're going to have to start working in the basement levels anyway." He motioned to the Hummer. "Bring that computer in here, and I'll put it and all the valuable stuff somewhere safe. We'll clear out the motor pool sublevel, and then we can head to the dockyards and pick up your shipment, whatever it is."
"Sounds like a plan," Phil said. "Want me to move your tools in there too?"
"They're in my truck," Grissom said. "Let me get you my keys."
"Thanks, but I don't really need keys," Phil said with a mischievous grin as he headed for the Hummer.
Grissom shook his head as he watched the telepath go. He doubted that anyone would be able to figure him out in the near future.
