It’s a useful skill to have. The ability to blend in wherever you are, to look perfectly unassuming and not stand out.

Gritted teeth over the crystal: “One sec— distract ‘em if you have to—”

Astrid’s still working on the wall. It had been a matter of checking and double-checking her instructions, trying to remember which one she and Desi had hollowed out for this purpose, and then wrestling with the brick to dig it out; it’s wedged in more tightly than they left it, a little warped from the rain and the elements. Too-aware of the ticking clock, she pries her fingers around its edges, tries to tug it loose to get at the prize behind.

Cool. Be cool, Astrid, she reminds herself. Careful is quick.