Page 96 of Black Bird

She quieted, staring him down and narrowing her eyes. It was several moments before she spoke again. He could see the wheels turning in her pale head. “You know, if we do nothing … I’m dead anyway. I’ve been a pincushion for three years. My friends stopped coming around. My teachers don’t check on me anymore. The next time anybody sees me I’ll be in a box. Screw it. If my mom and dad are cool with it, then I’m in.”

“That’s the spirit.” He winked.

“I have one condition, though.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, if you want people to do this trial … I’m sure there’s something in it for you. It must be really important for you to take the time to come up here and talk to me. So …” She shifted and turned her body toward him, propping her elbows on her lap and resting her chin on her palms. “I wanna meet him.”

“Meet who? Brent?” She nodded and a soft smile graced her pale, chapped lips. This child was so sick. He was a monster. “I think I can arrange that.”

“Big wig politicians shake hands on things when they make big deals like this, right?” She extended her small hand. “Let’s shake on it.”

He reached out, taking her cold fingers. They shook hands and she grinned. “You’re something else, Anne. It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”

“Call me Annie. We’ll need to be better acquainted if I’m gonna marry your kid.”

Conrad chuckled, nodding his head. “Well then, Annie … welcome to the family.” He stood, turning to a small bookshelf in the corner and plucking out a thick novel. He peeled the dust jacket off and replaced the book. “Here,” he said, handing her the paper. “Slip that around your book. Mom will never know.” He gave her a sly wink.

“Now why didn’t I think of that?” She grinned, fitting the dust jacket over the book. “Genius. I guess it’s true what they say.”

“What’s that?”

“Politicians are good liars.” The cunning little girl winked back at him, and something stirred in his gut.

“Well, you can be sure I’m not lying when I say I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Annie.” He dipped his chin and adjusted his tie, stepping out of the door Gretchen opened. Cameras continued to flash as they made their way down the hall.

“What a kid.” Gretchen smiled as they neared the elevator.

“Indeed,” he agreed.

CHAPTER 15

THE BENEFIT

Brent stood in front of his mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves and straightening the black bow tie at his neck. He couldn’t shake off how nervous he felt. Couldn’t determine whether it was because of what could possibly happen at this event … or because of the woman he was about to go pick up. As if she sensed exactly that, his phone started ringing. He slid the call open and put in on speaker, sitting it back down on the bathroom sink.

“I was just thinking about you,” he said, immediately regretting it and wincing at how stupid it sounded.

“Oh, yeah? Were you thinking about all the ways I’ve probably come up with to nail your balls to the fancy podium while everybody watches?”Sarah said with zero sarcasm.

“That’s nice, Sarah. Is this how we’re gonna be all night?”

“It is if you’re not gonna refrain from saying stupid shit like that.”

“Fair enough. Should I just be the quiet escort all evening?”

“Well, I don’t think you’ve ever been capable of that, Brent. Let me be clear. I will never … ever … date you again. There’s not even the slightest chance. If you think that me seeking you out for this is anything short of settling the debt between us, then feel free to leave the benefit as soon as you’re able to get me in the door. Are we on the same page?”

Brent paused his fiddling with his hair and tuxedo and stared down at the picture of them in happier days as the call duration ticked by. “Yeah,” he breathed. “Yeah, we’re on the same page.”

“Good. So what time are you picking me up?”

“I’m leaving in about twenty minutes. I should be there right at six.”

“Mm’kay.”

She hung up without saying another word and his breath slowly left his lungs. He hated this feeling. How had this gone so wrong? How did he let it? Brent tried to muster up all his remaining dignity on the drive over to Sarah’s apartment. As he pulled up, the street was filled with cars parked in any available spot. The art gallery beneath her place was having some show, and the entrance was crowded. He decided to circle the block and texted her that he was there.

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