6. Eva

6

EVA

E va blessed her small size as the flashlights swept harmlessly over her hiding place, and it was only a few moments before she could creep out and resume her mission.

She heard some commotion from the factory floor that made her pause, but that wasn't her objective.

Frank Wilson's office was near the front, and it was a comfortable, sprawling room with couches and bean bags. It wasn't as ostentatious as Eva expected. There was a popcorn machine, and a cooler full of drinks. A number of flamingo statues cluttered his desk.

Antonio had told her that security would be minimal once she was in, but Eva still moved into the room cautiously. There were guards on rotation and she didn't want to catch their attention.

The file cabinet by the desk was locked, but Eva had no problem opening it; faery lock picks were foolproof.

The filing system , on the other hand…

Eva thought that the first folder being labeled "Accounting" was a good start with the alphabet, but the next one was marked "Finances" and then "Fashion," followed by "Zoo Project" and "Other Stuff." It wasn't that she had expected a folder conveniently labeled "Next Year's Project," but it would have been nice.

After a frustrated exhale, Eva started rifling through folders.

The tabs were just the start of Frank's thorough disorganization. Within "Accounting" were receipts (to be expected), reviews (perhaps misfiled?), and love letters to Anita, which Eva paused to read despite herself.

"My darling baker love,

You are sweeter than any of your confections,

like sugar and chocolate.

My tongue craves you.

Your skin is better than icing.

And best of all is your laugh,

infectious like a head cold,

but twice as much fun."

The spacing implied poetry, but Eva couldn't make it scan or rhyme and she gave up after a few pages. She put the letters back in the folder where she'd found them and told herself that she didn't want anyone writing such drivel for her.

Such tender drivel. Eva wasn't sure how she would feel about being compared to a virus, but Frank's sincerity was clear.

She shoved aside her weak moment of yearning and went to the next folder. Somewhere, hopefully she would find the document she was searching for.

What she wasn't looking for was company, but company found her anyway.

When the door to the office popped open, Eva had a moment of terror that turned to relief. Eva would know that silhouette anywhere, with its familiar, trustworthy muscle and that particular length of arm and leg. It was a form with curves in all the proper places for snuggling up against, strong and safe.

It wasn't a security guard, it was Margo.

"What are you doing here?" Eva hissed, before she could stop herself.

"I should ask you that," Margo growled back.

Margo's growls were never terrifying. It was more like a kitten purring. "I-I-" Eva looked around. She'd been caught breaking into not only Wilson Kinetics, but Frank Wilson's personal files. "It's just that… well, it's kind of a long story."

"Eva, I don't know what kind of trouble you're in…" Margo's voice was low and gentle. She had come around the desk.

"I'm getting myself out of trouble," Eva protested. She didn't want Margo to think she was helpless and weak. Margo, of all people.

"This looks like you're digging yourself deeper into trouble," Margo snapped. "You can't just break into Wilson Kinetics!"

Had she disappointed Margo? All of Eva's troubles seemed to crash down onto her and she felt her eyes fill with tears.

No.

Eva wasn't sure if it was pride or fear that drove her. She was grateful that the room was too dark for Margo to witness her frailty, and mad at herself for being so awful at everything. "You shouldn't have followed me!" she cried. "I don't want you here! You're going to ruin everything !"