Page 105 of The Pleasure of Panic

“Jordan,” Ix says, looking at his watch. “I got shit to do, OK? So can you get to the fuckin’ point already?”

“You remember that day?”

“Nope,” he says again. He’s pissed. But then again, when isn’t Ixion pissed off at me?

We’re sitting in my office. Darrel Jameson is in the chair off to my left, Ixion is sitting in front of me, and the new guy, Finn Murphy, is standing at the door, looking out the window, keeping watch in case Wells Senior decides to see what I’m up to.

It’s not like I’m hiding this little side business from my father. I’m not. He’s well aware of the whole Your Game business.

But he’s not aware of this game. The one I just played with the FBI.

He has his suspicions though, and I’d like to keep him out of it. Consequently… Finn Murphy takes point at the door.

My phone buzzes and Eileen’s voice comes through the speaker. “Jordan? Sorry to bother you, but you have a call on line—”

“Not now, Eileen. Tell whoever it is I’ll call them back.”

“Sure,” Eileen says. “OK.”

“That day,” I say to Ix. “That day you came in accusing me of playing a game? I’m assuming you were talking about this.” I throw my hands wide. “Right?”

“Dude, I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“The game, man,” I say, leaning forward over my desk like this will make him understand me better. “The FBI, Finn Murphy over there. Issy Grey, and Chella, and Senator”—I whisper the last part—“Walcott.”

Now Ixion is squinting at me. “Did you kill that guy?”

“Kill him? Jesus fuck! I’m a goddamned lawyer! Why do people think I’m a criminal?”

Ix kinda laughs at that. And that laugh says, Where should I start?

“Well,” I say. It’s my turn to be confused. “What the fuck were you talking about that day? You seemed pretty pissed off. I assumed it was because Evangeline heard something she shouldn’t when she was hanging out with Chella.”

“The game you’re fucking playing with me and Augustine, asshole.”

“You and—Jesus!” I laugh. “Augustine? Shit, I gave up on her.”

“You brought her here,” Ix says. “You brought me here to get her here.”

“Well, that was months ago, man. I’m over her.”

“Are you over me yet?”

The question lingers in the room. Darrel looks kinda uncomfortable. Finn peeks over his shoulder at me.

My phone buzzes again. “Jordan?” Eileen says through the speaker.

“What?” I ask, gritting my teeth.

“She’s refusing to be called back.”

“Who?” I ask, annoyed behind belief.

“Oaklee Ryan? Do you know her? She’s not a client.”

I look over at Darrel and he nods, indicating her game is still in play.

“Tell her I’ll call her back in ten minutes.”