Page 20 of Hustle

Calmly, but moving with purpose, I exit onto the street and start heading in the direction Evi mentioned. She’s inside, with two coffees at a corner table.

Fuck.

Suddenly, I’m so angry that that I could break something, and that’s completely unlike me. I have this situation in hand. It’s a game, it’s a dance. Why can’t she just trust me to take care of her? Damnit, not her exactly, but this situation.

Her eyes are hard when they meet mine.

“Seamus, I don’t want to get into a pissing contest with you, but your bud Ms. Peggy? Definitely dirty. I was outside her office when she called up to the planning board and asked what they wanted her to do since we’re here about the files.”

Damnit. Instantly, icy cold anger of a different kind floods through me, redirected not at Evi but at the corrupt system that seems to be hampering us at every turn.

Ironic, I suppose, given what my family does, but I’m determined to make this right, come hell or high water.

“Thank you, Evi.” Admiration smooths out my voice, as I take the seat across from her. “This is good information. I’m going to make some calls and we’ll have those files before….”

Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a manila folder and slides it across the table to me. Next to the coffee that is made perfectly the way I like it, even though we haven’t done it in years. Nearly black, with just the right hint of cream.

“Where did you get these?” My voice is almost a growl.

“Don’t worry about it,” she says too quickly.

This. This is why I should have listened to my instincts back at city hall.

“Evi, there are cameras everywhere,” my voice is rising, despite my attempts to stay calm and in control.

Her face reddens a little, but she doesn’t back down. “Don’t you think I fucking know that, Seamus? I’m not an idiot.” She drops a couple of dollars on the table and stands up abruptly.

“Go through your channels, Seamus. But you might want to take a fucking look at what’s in the folder and consider some other avenues.” I don’t like the emphasis on avenues, but have to concede she’s not wrong.

Having these in hand for even an extra day gives us a major advantage, and nothing’s stopping me from getting copies of the documents through legitimate requests as well to cover her tracks. Our tracks.

“Evi, sit down and we can discuss this calmly.” It’s the wrong thing to say. But I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to keep her here. As much as her strategy pisses me off, as much as I hate her relationship to risk, as much as frustration and admiration war with each other, the strongest thing I’m feeling is just a desire to spend a few more minutes in her company.

No matter how many missed client minutes and dollars it costs me.

“I’ve got places to be, Seamus.”

Something in my face seems to lower her guard. “Some of my art is going to be in a show at the ICA and I need to meet with the curator.”

The Institute of Contemporary Arts? Wow. That’s a seriously big deal. I know she’s talented, but being featured in a collection in a gallery like that?

Evi McCallum is playing with the heavyweights of the art world.

“They’re doing an exhibit from some tattoo artists globally, and they have a couple of my pieces in the show.” She’s not quite looking at me.

“Evelyn, that’s amazing,” It really is. How did I not know that she was so well regarded? She gives me just the tiniest smile, like she can read my thoughts.

“Always full of surprises. Call me after you read those files.” And then she’s gone.

Once again, I’m left in her wake.

Full of surprises indeed. Fuck me.

6

Evi

It’s been a good day, despite all the bullshit going on. It’s been a few days since Seamus and I hit city hall. He’s sent me texts and emails, but nothing personal, which is fine. Or not.

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