Part 19
The Previous Night.
Nepotism doesn’t pretend he doesn’t see her. His head follows as she walks by, keeping her securely in view, making sure she doesn’t talk to anyone. When she’s gone, he glares at me again. “What did the Old Priest say?” Nepotism asks sharply, waiting a moment, like he thinks I will answer. “If we cause any problems, so much as a peep, we’re gone.” He shakes his head and looks away. “I’m surprised nobody came looking after you did an episode on the Piscean Knights. Those guys will kill you dead.”
“You’re killing me,” I say, ambling toward the road. I pause on the sidewalk. “I think I’m going to head home.”
“Oh, you’re kidding,” he moans with an unmatched fury. “You don’t want to converse with the Green Man? He’s very green!”
“Naw,” I deflect. “I’m pretty tired.”
“Well, do you at least want to grab some food?” he grunts. “Let’s go to Meaty Boyz! It’s great for what ails ya’!”
Not so much great at this hour, but the best you’ll find. Sausages soak in heated oil all day that develops a thick film of bacteria pads that rarely break before the bars start disgorging revelers. Meaty Boyz does 90% of its weekly business between midnight and 4am. Each sausage could stop the heart of a moose, but there is enough alcohol in my stomach to kill any infection. “Yeah, yeah, let’s go get some grub,” I mutter, steering us across the street.
“Did you see Eva Lorraine following us?” Nepotism asks as we hit Main Street and turn right toward downtown. “I don’t like her, she’s up to something.”
“You’re fucking paranoid,” I grumble, hands shoved in the pockets of my jacket, eyes on the pavement. Of course I saw her pass us three times driving slow. I pause at the end of the bridge and lean over the rusty green guardrail, staring down into the river.
“I would have thought so by now too. I’ve given up waiting for you to learn.” Nepotism walks a few paces past me before stopping sharply and turning on his heels to glare. “I think you should stay at my house tonight.” He shakes his head and narrows his beady little eyes. “Something has to be up if she’s making herself this obvious. I don’t want to find her picking through your guts for swallowed coin when I come to pick you up for breakfast tomorrow.”
“You’re nuts.”
“And you’re thinking with your dick.” He smirks. “Have you hooked up with her yet?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen her.” I’m lying. It’s the first time I know she knew I spotted her. I watch my boots on the concrete.
“You’re convinced she came out here because she’s so madly in love with her little Dr. Filth. You’ve been telling yourself all night she came from Metro City to get her hands on you.” He grins, knowing before I even speak that he’s right.
“Shut up, dude.” I’m having a hard time walking straight without the guardrail. “I told you, it’s over. I don’t want anything to do with Eva anymore. She’s a wanted terrorist.”
“So report her,” Nepotism says. “That could get both of us reinstated to the Superhero Gang.” He throws his arms wide as he walks with me. “You’re hoping you can reform her! Make her one of the good guys! Maybe you can erase the memories of your crimes. She should be easily swayed from her revolutionary cause. Don’t forget she started a citywide panic for you. You might be erased if you even talk to her.” He giggles. “Is that really worth it for a piece of ass?”
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