"You invented something that could be used for evil?" I leaned in toward Tris, not expecting her to be so forthcoming. 

"Of course," there was so much light in Lady Tris's eyes when she spoke, I was almost worried, "Anything can be evil if it's used incorrectly. I find it's a very relative term. The Kraken had an engine based on a self-winding watch. So long as the winds favored, you'd never have to land. I let O'Hara carve whatever he wanted on the front, and so it became the Kraken. It was my intention that it be used for long vacations, we could make it to far off places without a need for cities. Somehow the military got wind of it. Why use it to see mountains when you could use it to raze them? I destroyed it."

There was a flicker of something dangerous behind her eyes but in a flash, it was gone, "While Edward is gone I want you to know if you ever feel in danger you can call me. Hell, you can call me when he is here, too."

I wanted to laugh, in danger what could she mean? Then it struck me that this conversation was as much about her learning about me as it was about me learning about her. I smiled with mutual admiration. "I will."

"In the meantime, I need to rest. The ferry leaves early tomorrow and I should like to catch it."

"Good night, Tris."

After sleeping all day I was in no place for rest. Instead, I pulled out an old journal and started the task of piecing everything together. In the center, I drew the university with spokes for S.E.B. Under 'B' and 'E', I wrote Edward and Beatrice. I didn't have concrete evidence but they were the best candidates. All three were connected by the university. The doctor and the mystery friend were connected by the lab and possibly the military. That was where Beatrice stopped being involved and the other two became more suspect for causing the Great Collapse. I was just a little girl when the Great Collapse happened there was no way the doctor couldn't have been involved. 

So the three of them meet at the university, I pieced together, think up some life-changing invention. It's prototyped by the military, maybe mystery friend can't make it work without the other two, he goes rogue and tries to figure it out on his own, and causes the Great Collapse. The last piece I need for our mystery friend is a motive.

I stopped writing, satisfied by my conclusion. Part of me was worried that I was painting the doctor and Lady Tris in a favorable light because they were family and a friend but 'S' was a mystery still. Maybe his actions were why the doctor wanted to find him so desperately.

I couldn't allow anyone to see my far from masterful composition so I slid it under the mattress for safekeeping and found the will to doze off.

*

The next morning I woke long after Tris had gone. She left a mess of blankets and note on the counter in her wake.

Ellowyn,

I thoroughly enjoyed our visit, perhaps we can do it again sometime. I was serious when I mentioned taking our one of the airships out to see the mountains. 

I fed your tiny beast. If he claims that he has not been fed do not believe his lies.

I said you could come to me if you needed me and I meant it.  I can be reached at my house, or on the airship.  In case of an emergency, you can contact Liz at the shop. 

If Liz can't find me, I don't want to be found. 

Yours,

Lady Beatrice Lane

I displayed the note on the icebox complete with all three of Lady Tris's phone numbers. I was grateful that she was just a ferry ride away for the extent of my time alone. So Everett was at the greenhouse but it wasn't the same as having the doctor home. 

As much as I was sure Lady Tris had fed Capricorn I knew him well enough to top off the bowl before leaving. 

"Capricorn. I'm heading to the shop." I called out to him. He was uninterested in saying good-bye and instead nestled himself further into the blankets Lady Tris left strewn about the couch.

* 

The click of the key in the front door of the shop was a foreign but welcoming experience. I don't know that the doctor or I ever locked the door when we were home. I expected the place to be dusty and dismal but it was like we never left. Our days away felt like years. In the back workshop, the doctor's cot was occupied only by a newspaper. The workbench held a nearly finished leg, suspended in the air.

"Home sweet, home," I said to myself beginning the long process of re-plating the limb. I wrapped it in brown paper and stashed it under the wooden portion of the counter, marking it for pick-up by one a Donovan O'Malley.

"'Ello, miss," a man tipped his hat coming into the shop, "Is the doctor in today?" He was a jolley man, round and bearded with rosy cheeks. A younger version of myself may have mistaken him for Santa Clause.

"He's visiting family but I can help you with anything he can."

"If you're sure Miss."

I rolled out the repair kit and a chair for him at the counter. It reminded me of my earliest memories in the shop. From the times I used to wander about, wind-up toys in hand to him satiating my curiosity by showing me some of his inventions.  When I was old enough he would sit across from me just like this and show me all the interworkings of his arm and leg, teaching me proper maintenance.

"Little Ellow?" He exclaimed with sudden recognition, "I thought that was you. 'Aven't see you since you was a little tot. I've been retired for a while now. No need for regular maintenance."

"I'm afraid I don't remember you," I responded, feeling a twinge of sadness in response to his excitement. 

"I wouldn't expect it, you were just a wee thing." he smiled, rolling his wrist and flexing his fingers, "thank you miss."

"Happy to help."

And with that, I was alone again.

How does the doctor stay in here all day alone? I thought to myself, flipping through the channels on the radio looking for a voice to keep me company. 

"Breaking news, The warring states of the Old Country-" I flipped the channel only to have it continue.

"Enter talks with the President-"

"Prime minister-"

"Looking for concessions-"

Today was not going to be a day for music it seemed.

The bell to the shop rang again and in came a familiar face. I remembered him picking up a shipment from the doctor, he was a duke of some sort from the Old Country. He wasn't convinced I was able to be a mechanic as a girl, that part was memorable at least.

"I hope that you are not taking what is on the radio too seriously, our leader only looks to take back what was ours." 

I nodded, unsure of how to respond to his comment. I thought it best to turn the radio to avoid future comments as politics were far from my area of expertise. 

"Ella Von Heikenroter," he kissed my hand, "Can you point me in the direction of your father? I have a business proposal for him."

"I'm afraid he's out but I can take a message. If you'd like." I withdrew my hand, dreaming of the moment he was gone so I could scrub it in the sink. Be like Lady Tris, I thought, firm and bold.

"But of course, the warring states are looking for a man like us to help us in our sacred mission to take back our homeland. We believe he is perfect for the job."

"And what might this job be?"

The duke leaned on the countertop speaking softly, "I heard a rumor during the first war that the New World had a scientist who could turn a man into a machine, undying." He slid a business card to me, branded with an eagle holding a symbol of the state, "He will call me," the duke added saluting me before he took his leave.

I examined the card on both sides before determining the card needed to be someplace safe. Like under my mattress next to my journal. Men who wanted undying machines were not men he needed to associate with. Although if I was correct 'S' may have been perfect for the job. 

The bell rang once more and an old man stumbled in. Something about the way his body swayed about put me on edge, alert even. Maybe it was his aged mannerisms combined by his youthful face, no doubt the results of a rough life. His white hair made its way into his beard around his face, making him look like an unkempt lion. His eyes were too large and glossy like marbles, darting around the room without noticing I was there.

"Can I help you, sir?"

His eyes shifted through the room once more before settling on me, although they seemed to focus beyond where I stood. "I'm sure you can." He grinned a mouthful of too many yellowed teeth, "The man who owns this shop, Dr. Von Heikenroter, is he available?"

"I'm afraid he's visiting his parents for a few days, I'm more than able to assist you in any way he can." Steady Ellowyn, you can do this.

"You're the Fair orphan, aren't you," he stated abruptly, grinning from ear to ear. the hairs on my neck stood on end as I reached for the phone under the counter and lifted it, dialing '0' for operator. My eyes never left him.

"I'm afraid you must have-"

"It's those blond curls, you look just like them." he turned his back on me, in a motion fast enough to snap his frail body in two. Suddenly he was interested in the wall displays. 

What would Lady Tris do, I thought. I left the phone receiver end up and marched to the door, "If you are not going to purchase anything then you need to go." My heart pounded in my chest, as much as I tried to look brave this bone-thin man terrified me. He knew me, or of me at least, in a way that many didn't

"Maybe you aren't the Fair orphan," he hung in the doorway, too close to me for comfort, "Either way it's a shame what happened to them," I took to holding my breath as he reeked of alcohol,  "Well when he gets back, be sure to tell the good doctor old Silas stopped by to see him. I'll be in the old house." He stopped again on the sidewalk, continuing to look just past me, "Tell him it was a success."

I continued to hold my breath as he passed, doing my best to look brave, even though my hands trembled. As soon as he was a few doors down I slammed the door and locked it, rushing to the phone where the operator panicked on the other line.

"Ellowyn? Doctor?" She called out.

"I'm sorry to have scared you."

"Goodness dear," she took a sharp inhale, "I was this close to patching you over to the police. Is everything alright?"

"It is, I had a drifter stop in. I got him to leave on my own," I added.

"Goodness, do you want me to patch you over to the police? Because I can patch you over to the police."

"I think I'm fine, I called just in case," I respond with a forced laugh.

"You're all alone aren't you? I heard you came back with a lady."

"Oh she's a family friend, the doctor is still visiting."

"Didja hear that girls, that woman ain't nothin' special," She called to the other operators, slipping into a less formal tone, "Anyways I should go before the boss finds out I was chatting and holding up the lines. You take care of yourself."

The line went dead.

I crumpled to the floor and listened to my racing heartbeat in my ears. Silas for the letter 'S'. It was a success. Find me in the old house. What if he had been down there the whole time, watching Everett and I from the shadows? How long had he been watching even before that? I could see why he was no longer a part of the doctor and Lady Tris's lives after the war, there was something off about him. I needed to tell someone maybe Everett. No definitely Everett. And maybe Lady Tris.

I tended the store for the rest of the day with the door locked. Only unlocking it for friendly faces, playing it off as if forgetful me forgot to unlock the door before I reached closing time.

I flipped the door sign to closed and glanced around the street for any sign of Silas before taking my bike back to the house. Being on the second-floor unit, I didn't usually lock the street access door, only locking my own door on the second floor. Today I locked both.

I nested myself with the phone out of view of any windows and dialed the number for Beatrice's line in the airship. She lived and breathed work, it would be the best place to reach her.

"Hello?" she answered with suspicion.

"Tris?"

"Ellowyn, you sound out of breath, is something the matter?"

I twirled the phone cord around my fingers a few times, "I met Silas."

She snorted, in the way you do when you're annoyed but still feel the need to laugh, "It's really a shame he's in town. I tried to call the shop but the line was busy."

"Silas wanted me to tell the doctor that it was a success and to meet him in the old house." I returned to the original subject of our conversation.

Her breathing shifted through the receiver, "You have enough sense not to pass along that message don't you?"

"Of course. I know what he's up to I've seen it-"

"Why don't you invite a friend over for the night," There was something in her voice, a shade half between pleading and demanding.

"The only friend I really have here is Everett. That would be improper."

"Impropriety is a matter of opinion. Unless you're telling me he's less than a gentleman?" I could almost envision her raising her eyebrows and pressing her lips together into a hard line, "you do understand what I'm saying don't you?"

"I think so?"

"The doctor and I will be home tomorrow. Stay safe. Call me back if you have any more concerns."

"Wait Tris-" the dial tone sounded, and I was alone again. The thought of having the doctor home was a relief but I couldn't imagine he was feeling better of one night in the country. 

"Greene's Greenhouse, Everett speaking."

"Hi, it's Ellowyn."

"Just couldn't stay away could you." He teased.

"Ha ha," I responded dryly before delving into my purpose," I think I solved our mystery. How would you feel about bringing over some noodles and going over my case notes?"

"Well Holmes, I'd enjoy that very much."

"Go on and let your self in when you get here."

"Are you feeling alright, Ellowyn? You're sounding rather listless."

"I can explain once you get here," I rolled the cord between my hands. 

"I'll be there faster than you can spell 'Capricorn is a bad cat'."

This time I had the chance to be the one to hang up. I wasn't alone even as Capricon decided I was more interesting than the couch. "You are a bad cat sometimes aren't you?" I cooed, scratched behind his ears, "If you weren't a thief we wouldn't be here." 

While I waited for Everett I checked the locks on all the windows and drew the blinds. Silas needed me to contact the doctor, so he wouldn't do anything to me. I was too valuable to be harmed. Plus I was locked in a second-floor apartment. I was safe I just needed to convince myself. 

On my notes, I added Silas to 'S' along with a picture of the abandoned house. It was now just a matter of finding his Icarus sun. It had to be something with the invention he shared with the doctor. Maybe he wanted to be able to do it on his own. That would explain his meticulous note-taking in the lab. He needed the doctor to help him but after the war, the doctor was all done. That didn't however, explain why he needed to scavenge the wreckage of the great collapse, or worse, cause it. 

I absentmindedly rolled the pencil across my bottom lip, maybe Beatrice knows more than she's telling me. Or maybe she just couldn't talk over the phone.

"Special delivery" I jumped, my surprise to quick to be soothed by Everett's presence and Capricorn's chirped greeting. "You look white as snow, and that isn't a compliment. Did something happen?"

I let out a dry laugh, "Thank you Everett and yes."

"Sorry," he locked the door behind him and set the noodles on the counter, "so tell me your conclusion, master detective."

I passed him the open journal as a guide. "After my trip to the library, I realized that S.E.B. is three people. And based on the conversations I've had with the doctor and lady Tris, they are 'E' and 'B' respectively." I pointed, "They had another friend, one that approached them with the idea of connecting medicine to mechanics. I had the displeasure of meeting him today, 'S' for Silas."

Everett stopped mid-bite and searched my face brows knitted, "but are you alright?"

"Just a little shaken up. He didn't look well and he wanted me to tell the doctor to meet him in the house. He said it was a success." I shook my head trying to shake off the image of his cold eyes and yellowing teeth, "He knew about my birth parents and it was really. . . unnerving."

Everett pushed a carton of noodles my way, "Eat."

I didn't have much of an appetite after eating a hearty helping of anxiety for lunch but I ate while Everett looked over my work intently. "You have the Great Collapse under Silas' name," he tapped the paper twice.

I couldn't look at him, "I said I found things in the lab."

Everett tilted my chin so I had to meet his gaze. I wondered if for a moment this was how Beatrice got her scar. It would start off as a sweet gesture then he would stop being a gentleman as quickly as he started. I had always considered dishonesty to be a deplorable trait, the worst a person could have. I understood if he was upset. I expected to find anger in his eyes, instead, I found them glossed over, saddened.

"There are a lot of big, complicated feelings that come with being the only one to live through a tragedy. It's terrifying Ellowyn. Waking up with a metal arm is terrifying. When I think about it, I can still feel the aching in my bones after coming-to in the hospital half dead, with a new arm. To read that someone could've done it on purpose terrifying. But you don't need to keep it secret because I already lived it.

 I think we both knew already my arm came from someplace else." He held my face in both hands, one warm one cold, "There is no record of this procedure in any hospital. They pulled me out of the wreckage like this. And if I'm being completely honest, I don't think they put me under very well because it took me a long time to decide that getting this arm wasn't a pain-induced fever dream."

I felt the tears I had been holding on to start streaming down my face, big and hot. Everett wiped them away with both thumbs.

"You can't cry," he nudged the food closer to me again, "you'll get tears in the noodles and the lord knows they have enough salt already."

Everett's humor was usually enough to make things better but not today. "He's killed people and he's been in my shop. He probably knows where I live." I cried, the fear reaching my core.

"Hey, hey, hey." Everett ran his hands up and down my arms, "what if I stay downstairs? In the doctor's apartment so I'm close if you need me."

I shook my head, "Can you stay? I'll risk my reputation. I wish I could describe him to you, there's something wrong with him. Lady Tris even suggested I get a friend to stay. She wouldn't talk about him on the phone I tried."

He nodded continuing to search over my face with his eyes, "The couch looks just my size and I'll be out before the neighbors have the chance to see me leaving."

"Thank you," I sighed, wiping away another wave of tears.

"Look it's perfect," he sprawled out where Lady Tris had been the night before, his legs dangling off the end of the couch. 

"Thank you Everett," I repeated, slipping into my bedroom.

Even with Everett on the couch a few feet away I couldn't help but image Silas appearing from around the corner, or sliding out from spaces where a human wouldn't fit. It was reminiscent of the time I decided sea monsters were going to crawl up from the bathtub drain. That, however, was a little more understandable, I was six. 

This fear, however, was much more real.