Page 2 of Capitol Matters

A ramp led down to an overhead door that was slightly below street level to accommodate the height of a truck bed. Metal rails coated in grimy, chipping yellow paint lined either side, and it was there I perched. I had barely enough time to get comfortable with my cigarette nipped between my lips and a smoke ring dissipating into the sky when headlights cut through the shadows.

The van turned to reverse down the ramp. I swung my legs, waiting until Vinton’s face appeared in the driver’s window. Before it rolled all the way down, he started swearing.

“Fitch fucking Farrow, what do you think you’re doing here?”

I blew a stream of smoke toward him as I slid off the rail. Risky business getting too close. Judging by the sweat glistening on his temples, he was steamed, and would roll the van over my toes given the chance.

“It’s my last night of freedom,” I explained. “Capitol gig starts tomorrow, and I’m gonna miss you guys.”

In the passenger seat, Donovan pitched forward. Hisforehead creased over dark eyes. Definitely not because I let slip last night that I didn’t plan to sit this job out. Or that he thought he’d talked me out of it, because I’d let him believe as much.

Vinton’s scowl deepened. “When Grimm finds out about this—”

“It’ll all be over, and it won’t matter anymore,” I supplied. “So, stop bitching and enjoy the extra set of hands. If you think about it, I’m like two people when it comes to moving shit.”

The window rolling up muted Vinton’s grumbled response, and the van continued its slow descent toward the loading dock.

I polished off the cigarette as the vehicle parked and the side door slid open. I expected Avery, ready to tackle the matter of security, but got Ripley instead. He barreled out of the van, walking toward me with a haste that might have been intimidating if his hazmat suit hadn’t swished comically with every step.

“Where’s Maggie?” he demanded as soon as he came into range.

“Back at the motel,” I said. “I saw her to your room and everything.”

“And you trusted she’d stay there?” The British accent did nothing to mask his rage.

I raised my hands in surrender. “I gotta tell you, man. I don’t think you give her enough credit. Maggie’s a smart girl.”

“Smarter than you, but that’s not saying much, is it?” He shoved back the hood of the hazmat suit then moved quickly to the zipper.

Avery and Donovan had unloaded and watched as Ripley hurriedly removed his outer garment. He wadded it into a ball then flung it at me.

“Enjoy the job, you relentless ass. Now give me your keys.” He extended an open palm to me. “I have to go.”

Vinton rounded the van toward us.

“You’re not going anywhere, Vaughn,” he told Ripley. “We need you most of all. Andyouleast of all,” he added to me. “Let’s just get this done fast, and we’ll all be happier.”

Ripley stared at me, his bicolored eyes narrow. When I made no move toward my pocket and keys, he sniffed and turned away.

Following his lead, everyone except my brother approached the building. Donovan hung back, shifting to stand beside me and watch while Avery went to work on a wall-mounted breaker box.

I propped my hands on my hips, then bumped my shoulder into Donovan’s. “Call it now,” I said. “How long before they need my help?”

Rather than answer, Donovan shot me a sideways look. “Tell me you’re not here checking up on me.”

Swaying back, I feigned shock. “Would I do something like that?”

“I’ve been doing this stuff for weeks,” he retorted. “Without you.”

“Yeah, and it’s boring as hell.” I blew a breath upward, ruffling the blond locks that had fallen across my forehead. “Besides, it’s kinda nice, isn’t it? Working together? One last hurrah?”

My smile failed to lift his mood.

“You’ll still be around,” he said. “It’s not like you’re moving to the Capitol or anything.” He folded his arms and faced forward with his features drawn.

“Hurry up, boys!” Vinton called from the door beside the loading dock.

Ripley’s hazmat suit lay on the ground at my feet. Such a precaution was wasted on the walking disease but may not have been a bad idea for me. I squinted at it, considering, until I decided I would rather die than be caught wearing the human-sized rubber.

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