Ace woke with the first gray light of dawn filtering through the motel room's dusty window. The memory of yesterday's success – turning $100 of broken items into $800 cash was fresh, it warmed him briefly. He now had $986.35 in his pocket and $411.50 in the System. It was more money than he'd held in years. But the warmth faded quickly, replaced by the cold pressure of the System's countdown. Twelve days left to stop Deke. And a new task: Find a secure workspace within seven days.
He couldn't work out of Room 7 anymore. It was his home, his only refuge. He needed separation. Somewhere to store tools, work on projects, and plan without Deke's thugs breathing down his neck. Somewhere Big Mike's warning wouldn't echo every time he opened the door.
