Page 22 of The Echo of Forever
“Oh yeah?”
He nodded, the four plaits in his head moving too.
“Yeah. We do cyber security. But I want to branch out now that I’m eighteen.”
I could practically feel Oliver making mental notes on the kid. He dealt with the new rejectors and helped them get accustomed to their new normal. He decided who we invested in.
“Branch out how?” he asked, unable to keep silent when intrigued about something or someone.
“I can hack into anything. Almost caught a charge at twelve.”
He showed us all thirty-two teeth, clearly proud of himself.
“I’m better now, though. They can only catch me if I want them to.”
Damon’s eyes moved between the two of us before he stepped closer.
“I heard you were looking for someone,” he whispered. “I can help.”
Oliver and I looked at one another, the quick exchange enough for us to understand.
“Alright,” Oliver said, pointing to the reception desk. “Go over there and fill out some paperwork for me. Stop by tomorrow and we’ll test those skills.”
He ambled off to do as told, and we watched him interact with the girl manning the desk. It didn’t take long for her smile to stretch.
“Little nigga is personable. We could use that around here.”
I nodded.
“Any other prospects?” I asked as we continued on our journey to check on businesses within walking distance.
Once a month, we made our rounds; it was important to foster community and make them feel safe and secure in their decision to reject. New or old.
“Haven’t had the chance to dig through the folders yet, but there’s always a bright one in the bunch. Might’ve just met him, but we’ll see.”
We couldn’t be there for everybody, but we did our best. The better we treated them, the more loyal they were. And loyalty was important in this city.
“I need to make a run, but I’ll meet you back at the compound,” Oliver said after we made a handful of stops.
I eyed him closely, but didn’t question his movements.
“Be careful. And don’t make me come looking for you.”
He waved me off and slid into his midnight blue Range Rover. I watched until he turned the corner, then went back to the office.
The door was already slightly ajar when I pushed it open. Cluing me on to an unexpected guest.
“You should really up your security.”
Her voice was soulful, almost like silk. But I ignored it and her altogether, understanding this was a game of cat and mouse we were playing now, except I wasn’t the fucking mouse.
She was.
“I have a question for you,” Forever went on once I took a seat.
She’d taken up residence behind the wet bar and, from a quick glance, made a drink, too.
“I’ll answer if I get to ask one back.”
