“That’s an interesting definition of practical.”
The corner of her mouth moved.
Luke glanced at his watch.
4:34.
He could still leave.
Maybe.
“What happened?”
“Pressure warning came on. Then vibration.”
“Rear passenger side.”
“Yes.”
“You have the wheel lock key?”
She stared.
“The what?”
Luke sighed.
“Pop the trunk.”
She did.
He found the spare beneath the cargo floor.
Full-size.
Good.
Jack.
Good.
Wheel wrench.
Cheap, but workable.
Locking lug key.
Missing.
Luke searched a second compartment.
Nothing.
“Check the glove box.”
The woman returned to the front.
Luke’s phone vibrated in his trouser pocket.
He ignored it.
She came back holding a small black socket.
“This?”
“Yes.”
Luke crouched beside the tire.
Water immediately soaked through both knees of his charcoal trousers.
The woman stared.
“You’re ruining your clothes.”
“Already committed.”
“You’re dressed for something.”
“Interview.”
Her expression changed.
“When?”
Luke checked.
“Twenty-four minutes.”
She looked horrified.
“And you stopped?”
“You were standing beside traffic in a thunderstorm.”
“You should go.”
“I probably should.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
Luke loosened the wheel lock.
It refused to move.
He braced the wrench beneath one hand and pushed.
Nothing.
“Whoever installed this used an impact gun like they were sealing a submarine.”
The woman crouched slightly.
“Can I help?”
“Not unless you have a breaker bar in that handbag.”
She looked at the small structured purse.
“I have a laptop charger.”
“Close.”
Luke repositioned the wrench and drove his weight down.
The lug cracked loose.
He almost slipped.
The woman reached instinctively toward him.
He caught himself.
“I’m fine.”
“You nearly fell.”
“Interview nerves improve balance.”
“That sounds medically questionable.”
“Most of my expertise is mechanical.”
The woman looked at him more carefully.
“What kind of job?”
Luke worked on the next lug.
“Maintenance operations supervisor.”
“Where?”
“Carter Aerospace.”
Something flickered across her face.
Luke did not notice.
His attention was on the wheel.
“Big facility outside Cedar Falls?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know much about the company?”
He laughed.
“Enough to want the paycheck.”
She smiled faintly.
“That honest?”
Luke glanced up.
“Do interviewers prefer lying?”
“Usually they prefer enthusiasm.”
“I’m enthusiastic about paying my electric bill.”