Chapter 17: Her Master's Wedding, Part 17, The 'Facility'

"Everything in place?" Michael leans back against the wall, arms folded, watching as I fill the racks, shelves, cupboards and drawers he so carefully built.

"Almost."

"Where is she?"

"Upstairs, lost in a good book."

"Engineering?"

"Tolkien, I think."

He nods. "I suppose we can rely on that when it's raining."

I stand back, admiring the display. "You're sure she doesn't know?"

His face splits. "I've certainly not told her. I'm looking forward to seeing...."

".... her face?"

He winks. "Oh, yes."

"I see you made up the bed too."

His mouth quirks. "Yup. Did it myself.... I'm not about to ask any of the hotel staff to make this bed."

"Perhaps not," I agree. Then, I eye-point toward the concealed exit. "The bolt-hole?"

He sobers. "I think that's a discussion for another day, don't you?"

"Sure. Who exactly knows about it?"

"Right now, only you and me. Perhaps Charlotte has an inkling, but I've not discussed it with her. It didn't need to be pretty, just secur