"I'll explain everything. But I can't risk being seen out here," said Eve. "Where's Gabe?"
"Waiting for us at the house. I came alone."
At the house?
"The car's right this way." Zoey pointed beyond the archway where a red Volkswagen Jetta was parked with the emergency lights on. "Let's uh...we should go before I get booted." She kept her distance from Eve, staring at her with a look of confusion, distrust, and fear.
Eve's heart sank. It was the same look she'd seen in the faces of those kids on the playground in elementary school. She'd spent years hiding, hoping she never would give anyone a reason to look at her that way again.
"Eve?" said Zoey. "We should go."
"AJ and another friend are with me. Is that okay?"
"With you? Where?" Zoey asked, looking left and right.
“They’re standing next to me. Invisible.”
"Right. Okay,” she said, still regarding Eve with a wary expression. “Yes, it's fine. Let's hurry."
Eve grasped AJ's hand and, with Mauricio flanking her on the other side, they followed Zoey to the car.
"Eve," he whispered, "why didn't you tell me we were meeting up with your girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend," Eve shot back in a shrill whisper that drew a sideways glance from Zoey. "I mean, sort of. It's complicated."
Once they seated themselves inside the car and buckled up, Zoey peeled into the rush hour traffic. She almost clipped a moving van on her right side as she switched lanes and made a hasty turn.
They sat in silence for a while as she weaved through traffic along the narrow streets, jamming on her brakes here and there or otherwise honking at slow drivers. Realizing she'd forgotten about Zoey's erratic driving style, Eve held onto the door and tried not to look terrified.
"I'm sorry," Zoey began. "I can't process...with you looking like this."
"I should've warned you."
She erupted in nervous laughter. "What could you have said? 'Hey, I have a slight case of Caucasian, don't be alarmed'?"
"I know this is a lot."
"Understatement of the fucking century. I don't even...how is any of this possible? There are invisible people in my backseat. And you went from looking like Erykah fucking Badu to Amy fucking Adams. None of this makes sense," she yelled, speeding up to pass a slow-moving SUV.
It was Eve's turn to laugh now. She bent over, holding her stomach as the laughter convulsed her body. She laughed so hard she coughed and choked a bit. "I've missed you. I've missed you so much. I think about you every day."
Zoey swerved to change lanes again and turned down a neighborhood street, away from heavy traffic. "Don't."
"What?"
"Don't say that. Not looking like this. It's too—it's weird, Eve."
No longer laughing, Eve fell silent and looked out the window. This was going to be more difficult than she'd anticipated.
"I'm sorry. I missed you, too, Eve." Zoey paused and glanced at her. "Are you...stuck...like this? Looking like this? Or is it some kind of temporary disguise?"
"It's temporary." Eve continued staring out the window as Zoey cruised along a quiet neighborhood street. Bare tree branches canopied the street, and all the houses sat on expansive lawns.
Zoey pulled into a driveway of a modest two-story home with a wraparound porch, decorated with two comfortable looking rocking chairs. It reminded Eve of a more decadent version of her family home in Indiana.
"This place is beautiful, Zoey."
She frowned, turning off the car and unlocking the doors. "It wasn't so beautiful to grow up in."
As they got out the car and headed to the porch, she recognized the house from photos Zoey had shown her in college. "Why are we stopping at your—"
Before she could finish, the front door swung open, and out came Gabriel wearing faded jeans and a leather jacket. He stopped at the steps and waved at them but paused when he saw Eve. A familiar look of confusion settled on his face, and Eve was amused by his attempt to try to play it off with an awkward smile.
"I thought you were picking up Eve," he said, kissing Zoey on the cheek.
"Yeah. I did," Zoey said.
"Wait...huh?" His gaze swept from her to Eve.
Zoey stepped nearer to him. "Let's get inside."
***
Seated on the bar stool in the kitchen, Gabriel downed a glass of water as though he'd run a marathon. Eve stood next to Mauricio and AJ, both of them now visible. She exchanged glances with Zoey who was standing beside Gabriel and scrutinizing the three of them. Gabriel looked at them and shook his head before taking another gulp of water.
"Babe, I think something extra was in those gummies we got from Landrien," he remarked, massaging his temples.
Eve closed her eyes for a moment, fixated on her normal appearance, and opened her eyes when she heard gasps from Zoey and Gabriel. She looked at her hand and was relieved to see it had returned to its soft brown.
"I need to sit," said Gabriel, staring transfixed at Eve.
"You are sitting," Eve replied.
Zoey's eyes were wide with disbelief as she cautiously approached Eve. "How...?"
"I don't know how. It's just something I can do," Eve replied, closing the space between her and Zoey. In a flash, they were enveloped in one another's arms and sobbing uncontrollably, smothering one another with kisses.
Gabriel hadn't moved and merely watched in silent amazement.
Eve met his gaze and extended her hand for him to join them. Within moments, Gabriel's kisses replaced Zoey's, and tears dampened his face. As she held them, she realized she'd forgotten the safety and peace of being in their arms. This was home.
"Um..." said AJ, clearing her throat. "Can I ask why the hell you two are in Philly?"
They wiped their faces and turned to AJ.
"We're wrapping up my mom's estate," said Zoey, drying her face and sniffling.
"When did she pass?"
"The day after Christmas."
"Oh, Zoey. I really am sorry," said Eve.
Zoey shrugged with a nonchalance that raised eyebrows. "I wish she'd just gotten the dying over with years ago. Would've saved me a lot of time and money."
"Come on. That's pretty harsh," Gabriel said, casting her a patient look.
"It is what it is."
Eve regarded Zoey with pity and empathy. She reckoned she'd feel the same way once her own father finally died, and she hoped it would be sooner rather than later. "Well, anyway," said Eve, remembering her manners. "This is Mauricio, a...colleague of mine."
Mauricio shook their hands and introduced himself. Gabriel used this as an opportunity to lead them from the kitchen and into the den.
As they arrived at the den, Mauricio nudged Eve and whispered, "Complicated, huh?"
She smiled. "The official term is 'polyamory'. Technically," she said. Her next words caught in her throat, however, when she saw a woman with short-cropped dark hair sitting near the sofa. She turned to Zoey and Gabriel. "Zoey, I didn't think I needed to tell you not to involve anyone else. I don’t know what SPI is willing to do to keep this under wraps. I don’t want anyone getting hurt."
"I know. I should've mentioned she would be here. I asked her to come and listen because I thought she might be able to help."
"Help how?"
The woman came forward and locked eyes with Eve. "I'm a civil rights attorney," she said.
Eve frowned at Zoey. "You invited an attorney?"
"I had a strong feeling you might want one, and Landrien Moriset is one of the best. Believe me."
Eve ran her hand over her head and looked from Zoey to Landrien. "Wait. Did you say Landrien? As in the same Landrien who, when we were dating senior year, you decided to—"
"Yeah," Zoey mumbled, turning red and glancing at Gabriel. "That Landrien."
Eve chuckled, feeling a rush of jealousy. "Any of your other exes here I should know about?"
"Look," said Zoey, rolling her eyes. "I'm worried about your s
afety, Eve. They literally kidnapped you. I mean, lucky I stopped by the next day or Mr. Pebbles—"
Oh my God, how did I forget to ask about Mr. Pebbles? "What happened to him? Is he okay?" asked Eve, leaning forward.
"He's fine, Eve. We have him. Well, he’s with our neighbors while we’re here. But he would've been in your apartment for days without food and water if I hadn't dropped by the next day to check with you before the party. And I only dropped by because you weren't returning my calls and texts, which is totally unlike you."
Eve sat on the sofa, while AJ and Mauricio sat opposite her in two lounge chairs. "Thank you for taking care of Mr. Pebbles."
"He's a good kitty. Although he's pissed on all of our throw pillows so far," said Gabriel, smiling. He sat next to Eve, and Zoey sat on the other side of her.
That sounds like Mr. Pebbles.
"If I may interrupt again?"
Everyone turned to Landrien Moriset, who was still standing.
"My understanding is that you have some extraordinary abilities. Is that right?" asked Landrien.
"Yeah..."
"You're not the first person I've met with abilities. I've seen some interesting things in my time, so I'm inclined to believe almost anything is possible. That said, I would simply like to offer my observations about your legal options here. If I may?"
Eve locked eyes with the woman, not sure why she felt an impulse to trust her. "Sure. Go on."
"If you don't mind telling me what's happened to you, I'd be happy to help you."
"Help me sue them?" asked Eve, amused. "What good is suing when these people literally have the power to do whatever they want to us?"
"First of all, I don't know who 'these people' are—Zoey didn't give me all the details. But if these people violated your civil liberties—"
"My civil liberties? That's cute. I guess you could call torture by a rogue federal agency a 'violation of my civil liberties'."
"Torture?" Zoey looked at Eve with wide, shocked eyes. "SPI tortured you?"
"Based on what you've said, Eve, what happened to you is likely illegal under current law, and the agency needs to be held accountable for its actions. As I said, I'd be happy to help you."
"And what's your fee?" asked Mauricio.
"Fee?" Landrien smiled. "No fee, other than the attorney's fees I'd receive from opposing counsel if I win, assuming this even turns into a case. This would be pro bono for you, as a favor to Zoey."
Eve scoffed. "So, because Zoey is a friend of yours, you're willing to take a case completely free of charge?"
"Yes, she is, Eve,” Zoey replied. “Just like her husband is helping me wrap up my mom's estate, free of charge. That's what friends do."
Eve shifted in her seat. "Friends, right."
"And from what I understand," said Landrien, "you engaged in minor criminal conduct at some point. Is that right?"
Eve gave a slight nod and averted her gaze. "Yeah, I mean I don't know if bank robbery is considered 'minor'."
"So you actually did it?" exclaimed Gabriel. "We read about it in the Tribune and didn't believe for a minute that it was true."
"I can explain..." Again, Eve shifted in her seat and looked at her hands.
"No need to explain right now. But you're right, bank robbery's not minor," Landrien said and paused. "Can they prove you did it?"
Eve looked at the attorney, not sure she understood the question. "Excuse me?"
"Is there any evidence they have or could obtain connecting you to the alleged robbery?"
"Um," Eve began, combing her brain. "No."
"How sure are you?" she pressed.
"Ninety-nine percent sure," said Eve.
"Then I know a criminal defense lawyer who could help you with that if and when it becomes an issue. Because," explained Landrien, looking at the whole group now, "if you do sue, every nasty, illegal, or nearly illegal thing you've ever done will be used against you. Make no mistake: nothing about this lawsuit would be easy. It might even put your life and freedom at greater risk. So you need to decide if the greater good is worth the potential cost to yourself or the loss of your own freedom."
Silence swept over them, and they all exchanged uncertain glances with one another.
Landrien handed each of them a small business card that said Moriset & Granger, LLP. "You can reach me anytime at that cell number. It's up to you the course you decide to take. I'll hold no hard feelings if you decide not to call me."
Eve offered a halfhearted smile. "Thank you, Landrien. I'll hang onto your information."
Slinging her purse over her shoulder, Landrien gave the three of them a nod before turning to Zoey and Gabriel. "Zoey, Jordan will call you tomorrow, since he has a few more questions regarding your mom’s will."
"Sure," Zoey said. “I’ll be glad when it’s all over.”
Gabriel rose. "Let me walk you to the door."
Once Landrien and Gabriel departed, Eve turned to Zoey.
"Look, my bad for not warning you about Lan—"
"Yeah, I'm sorry for getting jealous."
Zoey grinned and touched her nose against Eve's nose. "I kind of like when you're jealous."
"You always did like a little drama." Eve planted a kiss on Zoey's lips. "Speaking of, I need you to do me a big favor."
"Sure. What?"
"I wrote an account of what happened to me," said Eve, taking a deep breath. "I need you to use your old journalist contacts to get it published. Can you do that?"
She held Eve's hands between hers. "You bet your ass I can."
10
When Agent Olivia Yu parked, she shut off the engine and stared at her hands on the steering wheel. She closed her eyes and did the breathing exercises that her therapist had recommended for stressful moments. "All right, Liv. You'll be fine."
After brushing her hair behind her ears and checking herself in the mirror, she stepped out of the car. "You're going to be fine," she muttered. "You've dealt with this douchebag for years. This is just another day."
Olivia Yu wasn't the type of woman to cower in the face of conflict. Part of her welcomed conflict. A little conflict kept things from becoming too boring. Yet Agent David Grobeck represented more than a pleasant bit of conflict to spice things up. He was something else, she'd concluded.
In the time she'd been working directly under him, she'd realized that there was something wrong with the man, something missing. The terrors she'd watched him inflict upon other people haunted her, and so she spent most of her time blocking out and trying to forget what she'd witnessed on the job with him.
Of course, she admitted, some things, no matter how terrible, had to be done for the sake of national security and the safety of everyone. If one person had to be tortured to protect a million, then so be it. Torture, she told herself, was a necessary evil sometimes and should be reserved for extraordinary circumstances.
David Grobeck, it seemed, had other ideas.
"Agent Yu," he greeted her as she walked into his office. "Shut the door behind you." On his desk, there were four folders neatly stacked one on top of the other, a cup holding pens, a stapler, and a bottle of hand sanitizer. Staring at his computer monitor, he spared only a glance at her.
She watched him rub sanitizer on his palms. Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest. "I've been informed that Eve Cooper is in the Philadelphia area at this time. Is that right?"
"Yes, sir," she replied, sitting in the chair in front of the desk. "That's right."
"But we don't know precisely where. Correct?"
"Correct, sir."
"Once she escaped, it was your idea that we hold off on aggressively pursuing her. Correct?"
"Yes, sir."
"Because you assumed she would keep you in the loop and perhaps, inadvertently, become a more useful asset to us. Is that right?"
She held his gaze. "Yes. We want to help other trainees learn how to manage their ability, but it’s been a struggle. Why? Because we're not
one of them. But she is, and she has a gift for teaching. That's why I recruited her. It's why we promoted her to instructor immediately."
"She's rejected that path, Agent."
"Yes, sir. But I believe that if she thinks she's doing it—teaching the trainees—to resist us, she's more likely to embrace it as a...calling. Imagine a team of fully trained individuals with their abilities working for us."
"Yes, but there's a question I should've asked before I ever accepted this little proposal of yours—your proposal to let them all fall into her clutches. What's to say they'd be willing to return to SPI? What makes you think they'd come back to work for us?"
She smiled. "Most of them are young and not from money, sir. To a poor person, nothing is more tempting than money and job security. If that weren’t the case, we'd have no military."
"Touché," he said, nodding.
She waited for him to go on, but he merely stared at her with an inscrutable expression. "As I was saying, we need her. You've seen it yourself, she's a good teacher, and her cloaking ability is quite evolved. Furthermore, the trainees trust her because she's one of them. If we give her time to—"
"They're calling it 'fading' now."
"Sir?"
"They're referring to the ability not as 'cloaking' but as 'fading'."
"Oh. Right." Although somewhat confused, she didn't bother asking him about the source of this information. "As I was saying, if we give her time to train them and then we can bring her back in—"
"I don't disagree that we need her. And your proposal was...novel. But I'm shutting it down, effective now."
"Sir?"
"Your current assignment is to bring her in. So the question, Agent, is do you feel you have control of the assignment?" He stared at her with icy eyes.
She lifted her head higher and replied, "Yes. Yes, sir, I do."
"Interesting." He placed his elbows on the desk. "You see, I know you're not being honest with me. You're trying to save face and save your professional reputation. Because your reputation is on thin ice right now. Very thin."
Agent Yu responded with an unblinking stare.
"You've lost control of your assignment, Agent. You don't know her exact whereabouts, and you have no workable plan for how to apprehend her. Do you?"
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