Page 9 of Only the Hunter

“If I cancel, won’t they ding me?”

She looks from me, to her phone, and back again, indecisive. Torn between breaking an agreement with an Uber driver, and hopping in a car with a friend.

“Evie Thompson. I haven’t seen you in years. Isn’t that worth a hit to your Uber rating?”

She taps her phone. “The pickup time just extended. I hope that doesn’t mean traffic’s bad.”

She’s basically muttering to herself.

“It’s kismet. Get in the car. Let me take you home.”

She smiles at me. It’s a wide smile, happy. There’s also a degree of incredulity. Like she can’t believe it’s actually me.

After tapping her phone again, presumably canceling the driver, she climbs in, and I check the side and rear view. After her seat belt clicks, I pull onto the street. At this time of night, traffic is light.

“Where do you live?” she asks as I take her in. “When did you move here?”

Ignoring her questions, I ask, “What happened to your face?” The bruises are worse than I expected.

“Oh,” she brushes a hand over her face, like she’s forgotten massive bruises darken her eyes, cheeks, and nose. “I was in a wreck. It’s…” She exhales and relaxes into the seat. “That’s why I needed an Uber.”

“Ah.” I’m already headed in the direction of her place, but I shouldn’t know where she lives, so say, “Want to enter your address into the nav?”

“Oh, sure.” She leans forward and taps away. “How have you been? Where are you living?”

“I’ve been good. Moved into NoMa a couple of weeks ago. What about you?” I make a show of reading the address she just entered. “Capitol Hill. Fits.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She’s still smiling her friendly smile, her question more teasing. “Never mind.” I don’t see her roll her eyes, but I’d bet money she did. “Do you still see Scott?”

“See him? Not recently. Speak to him? All the time.”

“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me you live here now.”

“Yeah. It’s been what? Eight years?”

“Ten. My college graduation party. You came.”

That I did. Actually, her law school graduation. She started undergrad early and finished early.

“You were one of his few friends I liked, you know. What’re you doing these days? Are you still in the military? Oh my god. You’re here in DC…are you NSA? Scott said that was your goal. Did you make it?”

She sounds so excited at the prospect I can’t help but chuckle. That’s the way she’s always been.

Cheerful. Upbeat. Loyal. Even when we were kids and Scott and I played Monopoly; she rooted for me like I was the hometown team.

“Not yet.” I flick the turn signal. “It’s a process. I’m working for a private outfit. Moving here’s part of the process. And you’re a big shot these days. I keep track of you, you know?”

“You do, do you?”

“Your brother talks about his little sister a lot.” I glance at her. “I’m proud of you, Evie.”

“Not little anymore.” She says it like she’s not happy about that fact and glances out the window. “Over thirty and all.”

The joke lands flat.

Whatever she’s talking about, it isn’t her age.

“Well, you’re not looking forty in the eye either, so.”