Page 106 of Only the Wicked
“Does that matter?” The words come out sharper than intended.
“In my experience, yes.”
“But Nana, she’s been pretending this whole time. Everything between us—” I stop, unsure how much to reveal. “I trusted her.”
“Oh, honey. That sounds painful.”
Why did she lie? Because she actually thought I might leak information that would get people killed. And then she slept with me. My free hand, the one not holding the phone, squeezes into a fist.
“Oh, Rhodes.” She says my name with a gravity equal to grief.
“What?”
“I promise you; you will find someone who wants you for you. Not for your money or what you’ve accomplished.”
“Oh. No. That wasn’t it.”
“Then what was it?”
How do I explain this to Nana?
“There are rumors about me. Or, I guess, about my company.”
“I can see how. I have trouble understanding what you do, explaining to my friends, that’s… I might be starting those rumors come to think of it.”
I scratch my jaw, amused. “Funny,” I say, knowing she’s making light of the situation. “No, um, she was hired to investigate me.”
“Are you in legal trouble?”
“No.”
“Good. I know you’d never break the law.”
I bend my neck to the side, stretching the muscles. She’s always had faith in me.
“But now this girl, this lady friend?—”
“Sydney. Her name is Sydney.”
“Did she investigate you for personal gain?”
“No,” I’m quick to answer. “Not… You know how I’ve told you my system can decipher large amounts of data and can find relevant information.”
“Like finding a needle in a haystack.”
“Exactly. Well, my company isn’t the only source of needles. But a needle out there hurt some people she cared about, and Syd’s trying to find the source of that needle.”
“Oh, well, you should help her. If people she cared about were hurt…”
“But she used me to get information.”
“Which damaged your pride, your ego. That’s painful. Did she hurt you in any other way to get it? Put you in danger?” I pause, thinking of her concern for my safety, her genuine worry.
“No. Actually, no.”
“Then help her.”
“I’ve offered.” I stormed out, but I did offer.
