Cornered: Episode Two of the Sister Planets Series Read online

  Jacob is oblivious to the shade I’m throwing. “Yeah, The Red Hand has her doing other things. I see her a lot when I’m over at Norah’s.”

  “I bet you do.”

  He turns and looks at me with furrowed eyebrows. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means exactly what it means. I bet you do see a lot of her.”

  Jacob shakes his head. “Are you trying to say something?”

  “For someone who you see a lot, it’s strange that she would miss you.”

  “Where you eavesdropping on my conversation? What’s your problem?”

  “You’re the one leading on two girls at the same time. I may have eavesdropped, but don’t make me sound like the one with a moral failing.”

  “Moral failing? Is knowing more than one girl a moral failing?”

  “It is when you’re making out with one and screwing the other.”

  Jacob’s voice gets high and pitchy. “Who said anything about sex?”

  I stand up and shout in his face. “Are you serious? Girls don’t ‘really miss’ someone they’re friends with. I refuse to be the other woman, Jacob.”

  He stands up, too. “Oh, I forgot. You’re the girl who knows everything. Let me tell you something, Maverick. You don’t know Naomi. I’ve known Naomi for years. When you’ve been around me and Esau as long as she has, then you get to have an opinion. And, as much as you think you know me, you don’t. We kissed four seconds ago. That doesn’t make you an expert on my life.”

  “And until you’ve been a woman, don’t tell me how women think and act,” I shout. “I’ve been stabbed in the back too many times. You two are just like everybody else. You’re selfish. You’re stringing me along to get what you want because you think I’m someone you can use. Don’t you dare for a second think I won’t stand up for myself, Jacob. You don’t get to treat me like I don’t matter.”

  He’s not saying anything, which makes me want to keep talking.

  “If you want her, then be with her. Whatever. I won’t share, though. If I’m interested in a guy enough to be kissing him, then I’m being exclusive. If you think for one second that means you can screw around with someone else, then whatever this could have been is over.”

  He still doesn’t say anything. Instead, he heads for the door.

  “You don’t get to leave!” I shout.

  I recoil. Scarlet screamed those exact words at me when I walked out on her during a fight. I hated those five little words. And they just came out of my mouth.

  Jacob reaches the elevator and hits the button. “I’ll send someone else to pick up your instruments for cleaning. From this point on, our relationship is a professional one.”

  He turns and looks at me. “Whatever you think is going on with Naomi and me, you’re wrong. And whatever you thought was going to happen between the two of us—it isn’t anymore.”

  The elevator doors open, and he steps inside.

  I storm off to my bedroom so I can despise myself in the comfort of my own bed.

  Chapter 9

  Henry’s decreased the tint a bit on the windows so I can see what’s around me this morning. I’ve got a coffee in one hand, the other resting on my lap. Mika, still enormous and bald, sits directly across from where I am, his seat turned to face me while he reads a paperback edition of Animal Farm.

  I like him.

  Esau sits next to me. His hands move back and forth, then make typing motions as he works on something projected on the inside of his glasses. He hasn’t said a word all morning.

  I’m ambivalent toward him.

  Jacob sits across the cab with his briefcase, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. He’s wearing a pair of fake glasses that make him look smart as hell. Like an accountant I want to see with his shirt off but also punch in the face.

  Our kiss and subsequent fight are still fresh in my memory. My engines rev a little just thinking about it. Which is weird. I’m confused about how he makes me feel. Thank God we’ve both just decided to ignore each other.

  I look at him a little longer. With the glasses, I see the resemblance between the brothers. My brain drifts to the thought of kissing Esau.

  That shuts me down.

  I reach down and even out a crease in the dress I’m wearing. It’s white and looks amazing against my dark skin. Everything I’m wearing today is beautiful. My bag is a marvel of both fashion and engineering. I don’t know how so many pockets and compartments can fit in such a tiny white package. My red heels and lipstick give me a pop of color. I’d look straight up sexy if I didn’t have to wear my grandma gloves to cover up the scrapes on my forearms.

  The drive takes a little while. We all sit in silence. I wonder if everyone else is as nervous as I am or if they’re so used to situations like these they’re bored. I honestly can’t tell by any of their expressions.

  Henry’s got some talk radio show on. Domingo Zimmerman is being interviewed, blathering away about Greenstreet and his VP bid.

  “He’s corrupt,” Zimmerman is saying. “Absolutely corrupt. The man’s in bed with the worst kinds of people. Greenstreet is shady, and he isn’t fit to lead us as a nation here on Earth. I know President Hawkins personally, and he would prefer myself to Greenstreet for his second-in-command spot. I can run this country better than Greenstreet. Ask anyone.”

  “We did,” the host said, “and right now Greenstreet is polling higher than you are. Thoughts?”

  Zimmerman scoffs. “That’s just because he’s shiny and new. You just wait. Everyone will find out the kind of person he is, and his campaign will tank. Just watch.”

  “Henry, would you switch stations, please?” Jacob asks. “I can only listen to this dickhead for so long. Especially this early in the morning.”

  “A turd with hair,” Mika mumbles while reading his book. “That’s what I’ve always thought Zimmerman looked like.”

  “Would anyone be opposed to classical music?” I ask before taking a sip of coffee. I stare daggers at Jacob. If he disagrees with me, I’m ready to strike.

  He stares off without any indication he’s hearing our conversation. Part of me is disappointed.

  When no one objects, Henry switches to a classical music playlist. As soon as the tune hits my ears, it relaxes me. I almost slip into the In-Between. I put my coffee in a holder, close my eyes, and lean my head back.

  “Oh yeah. This is good,” I murmur.

  “What is this? Beethoven?” Henry asks.

  I scoff, but I’m surprised to hear Mika scoff with me. “For God’s sake, Henry. Beethoven didn’t write every piece of classical music.”

  “Shut your fat face, Mika.”

  “They’re playing old movie music,” I say. “This one is from Pirates of the Caribbean. Seen it?”

  Henry shoots me an exhausted look in the rear view mirror.

  I keep talking. “It’s good. One of Johnny Depp’s iconic roles.”

  “Who?” Jacob and Henry both say.

  Mika closes his book. “Come on guys. Really? Johnny Depp? What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Secret Window? Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street?”

  “Don’t forget Sleepy Hollow and Edward Scissor Hands,” I add.

  Mika raises his eyebrows. “Really? You’re going to add those to his best-hits?”

  “Shut up. They’re fantastic movies.”

  Mika sighs. “We’ll agree to disagree. I’m just glad you know who he is.”

  “How do you two know this stuff?” Henry asks.

  “I don’t know about Mika,” I say, “but when you have Scarlet for a grandmother and could never afford a Net Mirror upgrade, you watch a lot of old movies and listen to even more old music.”

  Mika nods. “Same, minus the crazy grandmother.”

  The music changes. Mika and I gasp with delight at the same time.

  “The Lord of the Rings!” we both say.

  “I have heard of that one,” Jacob chimes in.

  My original plan was to pretend l
ike Jacob didn’t exist this morning, but I can’t help myself. “Congratulations,” I say, “you’re a part of the ninety-nine percent of people alive who have heard of The Lord of the Rings.”

  Jacob crosses his arms and sulks.

  “Aww, did I hurt your feelings?” I tease. It’s straight out of a second grader’s playbook of insults, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t effective.

  Mika laughs. “I think you did, Mav!”

  Jacob turns back to us. “Shut up! I hope you feel good about how much of your lives you’ve wasted watching a Net Mirror.”

  I feign insult, trying to pretend I don’t care about his accusation.

  The car gets quiet again, and I let myself slip into the In-Between. The music settles me. My head is clear for the first time in ages. My emotions settle to the bottom of my soul, and I breathe deeper than I have in a week.

  Someone says my name, and I ignore it. Then someone shakes my shoulder. I reluctantly emerge from my peaceful cocoon to find Jacob staring at me.

  “What do you want?”

  “I was saying we’re almost there and should go over this morning’s plan one more time.”

  I collapse back into my seat. “We’ve gone over this a thousand times.”

  “Let’s make it a thousand and one. What’s the purpose of today’s meeting?”

  “To explain how I came to be Merkatz’s stooge.”

  “And …”

  “Not to say the word ‘stooge.’”

  “What else?”

  I sigh. “Be charming and attractive. Give him reasons to keep me close. Make him feel like we’re allies even though I’ve supposedly been spying on him. Make it sound like it’s just part of doing business.”

  “Good. We should be able to manage this.”

  I point at Esau. “What’s C-3PO here going to do while we’re inside?”

  “He and Henry will be on standby with the car. We aren’t going to risk it being tracked or broken into while we’re inside.”

  “What’s he working on?”

  “Not sure. He’s been like this all morning. He and Norah chatted yesterday, so I’m guessing it’s something for her.”

  “Can he hear us? Or is he ignoring us?”

  “If I had to guess, he’s got a set of Invisibles in.”

  “Old-school earwear. Nice.”

  Five minutes later, the car stops. Henry turns around to face us. “We’re here.”

  Mika puts his book down and pats me on the knee. “You ready?”

  “We killed it last time. What have I got to be nervous about?”

  He winks. “That’s the spirit.”

  He reaches over and opens the door before lending me a hand to get out. I throw on a pair of skinny sunglasses and make sure my hair is still on point. Then I take his hand and step out of the cab. September has finally brought some cooler weather after months of humid heat.

  The sound of crunching gravel coming from behind me makes me turn and look. Another black car has pulled up. The door opens, and Norah steps out.

  “What’s she doing here?” I hiss.

  Jacob gives me a disapproving look. “You wouldn’t have gotten in the car this morning if she’d been with us. We’re not idiots.”

  I scowl as she approaches us. She looks unhappy already, so I don’t know if she’s pissed at me, Jacob, Mika, or the whole situation.

  She walks to us, then right past us. All she says as she zips by is, “Come on, let’s get inside.”

  Chapter 10

  Mika and Jacob flank me as we follow Norah and make our way to the front doors. There isn’t a security detail waiting for us like there was the night of the party. As soon as we set foot on the landing, the translucent hologram of a woman pops up between us and the closed doors. She’s smartly dressed, hands clasped behind her back.

  “Good morning. How can I help you?”

  “This is Norah. I’m with Ms. Maverick Martinique. Senator Greenstreet should be expecting us.”

  The hologram smiles and dips her head. “He is. Please walk through the entrance so we can verify your identity.”

  She disintegrates, and there’s two large clunks as locks disengage within the door. It swings open, and we walk through the entrance.

  None of us have problems walking through the lobby, which thanks to Esau I now know to be a giant scanner that will incapacitate a person if they shouldn’t be there.

  The polite hologram appears before us on the other side. “This way. The senator is expecting you.”

  We’re walked to the same room Mika and I were taken to the night of the party. I’m greeted by the same spooky tapestry, the same gaudy furnishings, and the same snobbish senator.

  Greenstreet is drinking what I assume to be coffee in a large red, white, and blue mug. He slowly pivots toward us as we enter.

  Traitor. Traitor. Traitor.

  “Well, well,” he says as he sets down his mug on a side table next to the enormous leather couch and struts over to us. His movements are calculated. He’s spent time thinking about this moment.

  He extends both of his hands to Norah first. She takes them and they kiss each other pretentiously on the cheeks.

  “Norah, always a pleasure. Won’t you introduce me to your friends?”

  “I believe you met Isaac the other night at the party.” She motions towards Mika. He has his arms crossed and makes no effort to greet Greenstreet.

  “Yes, but I don’t believe we were formally introduced,” the senator says. He’s watching Mika and doesn’t attempt to approach him. Smart man.

  “And this is Justin Walsh. He’s a promising junior lawyer at the firm who’s helping me with Don’s matters.”

  “Good morning, senator.” Jacob reaches out to shake hands.

  Greenstreet takes it, his crooked nose upturned. “A little young for a protégé. isn’t he Norah?”

  “That’s how I like them,” she says brusquely. “And of course, you know Maverick. May we be seated?”

  The senator’s jaw tightens, but he manages to smile. “Of course, please.”

  Norah, Jacob, and I sit. Mika stays right where he is.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t come to the party, Michael. Don’s death still causes unexpected problems to occur, and that night was an all-hands-on-deck situation. Congrats on the bid for the vice presidency.”

  “Of course. And thank you.”

  The senator’s clipped responses make me nervous. I glance over at Norah and Jacob. Neither seem fazed.

  “Did Maverick explain anything to you that night?” Norah asks, knowing full well that I bit his head off instead.

  The senator’s gaze shifts to me. “Our conversation was short, but she made a few things inescapably clear.”

  I grin.

  “She also extended the invitation for me to figure out for myself how she and Don are connected. I have to say, even with my resources, I’m finding that to be a difficult task.”

  I exhale.

  “The only definitive thing I’ve uncovered is a safety deposit box with both your names on it. While that may prove you knew each other, it doesn’t explain how you met. That’s what interests me.”

  He’s looking at me when he says this. I know he wants me to answer, but that’s not part of the plan.

  Norah speaks up for me. “That’s what we’d like to explain to you today.”

  The senator chuckles, and Norah stops speaking.

  “You’re going to let them talk for you now?” Greenstreet asks, still looking at me. “Can’t say that I blame you. Hothead that you are.”

  I know he wants a response from me, and I try my best not to give him one. But a frown appears on my face for a fraction of a second. A smile appears on his a second after that.

  “Well Norah, please elaborate on our situation here. Who is your client in relation to Don Merkatz, and why was she spying on me?”

  “I wouldn’t call it spying.”

  “And what would you call it?”

 
; “Observation.”

  Greenstreet’s fake smile gives way to a scowl. “I don’t know why that phrasing would make me feel any better about the situation.”

  “Spying implies nefarious intentions,” Norah says. “Maverick simply reported back to us about things she saw that might affect Don’s decision making.”

  “And? What did she conclude from all her observing?”

  “Professionally, a loyal and mostly trustworthy business associate. Politically, a clever and resourceful legislator. Personally, someone with a bit of a dependence on alcohol and an interesting sexual appetite.”

  She turns to me. “Does that sum it up succinctly, Maverick?”

  “It does.”

  Greenstreet crosses his arms and leans back in his seat. “That’s a little hard to believe after our last conversation.”

  I give a soft shrug. “Don’t confuse passionate truth telling with the inability to see past one’s feelings.”

  Greenstreet’s still watching me. He directs his gaze back at Norah, but not without smiling first.

  “Well, enlighten me. You said you’d explain Maverick’s involvement.”

  Norah doesn’t let a heartbeat pass before she starts talking. “A couple of years ago when you and Don were first partnering, your misstep with the Texas Energy Union had him concerned.”

  Greenstreet rolls his eyes but doesn’t interrupt.

  “That on top of your nearly disastrous affair forced Don to take precautions. If he was going to work closely with you, he didn’t want to burn up on entry if you crashed.”

  I’m doing everything in my power to keep my face nonchalant, but I’m about to explode with questions. An affair! With whom? When? How?

  Greenstreet’s not looking at me. He’s locked on to Norah, who’s still talking.

  “So, he found someone you wouldn’t expect to be watching and asked them to keep tabs on your behavior. Not necessarily your comings and goings. There are other ways to monitor that. We needed a fly on the wall.”

  Greenstreet sits, arms crossed, staring. He draws a deep breath and, on the exhale, says, “But she was my choice.”

  “What’s that?” Norah asks.