Page 129 of Hard Heart

I checked my watch. Flora’s flight was due to land at four thirty, and Ari planned to escort me to the airport along with Driftwood and Keychain, and undoubtedly one of Jerry’s friends would bring up the rear. Everyone except Ari had promised to keep a discreet distance, or as discreet as they could be with aftermarket exhaust pipes that made your eardrums weep. I’d introduce Ari as a friend, which wouldn’t alarm Flora. We planned to keep the visit low-key—a day at Maymont and a trip to the art museum, maybe brunch at Brambly Park.

Six months ago, I’d been thrilled at the idea of seeing my sister.

Now, I couldn’t wait for her to leave.

There was a knock at the door, and I stiffened, then relaxed. If Eight were outside, someone would have shot him by now.

“Ari’s here,” Heidi said, checking the peephole. “It’ll be cool meeting your sister.”

“If you’re going to do the nasty with Jester while we’re gone, can you at least put a sock on the doorknob?”

“What? No!”

“You say that like you didn’t spend three hours grinding on his lap last night.”

“It was slow at the club. He was just helping out.”

“Sure, you keep telling yourself that. I thought you liked him?”

“That was before I realised he’s keeping a live anaconda in his pants. How will I walk afterward? How does he walk?”

I patted her on the shoulder. “You’re going to have to work that one out for yourself. Preferably next week, when Flora’s gone home. I have enough on my plate without my sister being corrupted.”

“Okay, okay.”

“And don’t mention Levi, or Blackstone House, or murderous psychos with above-average glutes in front of her.”

“Have fun at the airport.”

Flora’s flight was delayed, not that she minded. She’d been upgraded to business class, and she’d sent me twenty photos from the lounge and another half dozen from the cabin before a flight attendant reminded her about airplane mode.

“You think we have time for another coffee?” Ari asked.

I checked the time on my phone just as it buzzed.

Flora

Waiting for my suitcase, can’t wait to see you!

“She’s at baggage claim.”

“I’ll get an espresso.”

“Late night?”

“Zach’s in Australia for that opening round of the World Surf Tour. I was going to travel with him, but now I’m here, so I was watching online.”

“I’m so sorry. If you need to go…”

“Zach understands why I have to stay. He and Levi were friends, and he’s sick over how this has turned out.”

“I just want it to be done. I became a lawyer because I wanted to make the world a better place—don’t laugh—but the more time I spend actually fighting the legal system, the less I want to be a part of it.”

“But you’re playing an important part in helping to fix the flaws.”

“Flaws that shouldn’t exist in the first place.”

“We’re never going to live in a utopia. Human nature makes sure of that.”