Evan Price Smiles
Chapter 02 - Evan Price Smiles
Evan Price had perfected the showroom smile.
He was thirty, white, slick dark hair, white shirt, black tie, black pants, and a face that became pleasant whenever wealthy people looked at him. His smile made nervous buyers feel important and poorer people feel lost. He liked both effects.
When Noah entered, Evan’s smile sharpened.
The boy did not belong.
That was Evan’s first thought, and in his world, first thoughts often became policy. Noah’s damp sneakers touched the marble. His backpack straps were worn. His T-shirt had a small tear near the collar. He stared at the black sedan not with admiration, but recognition.
That bothered Evan.
“Can I help you?” Evan asked.
Noah swallowed. “I’m looking for Mr. Whitaker.”
Evan laughed lightly, as if the request were cute. “Mr. Whitaker doesn’t take walk-ins.”
“My father told me to ask for him.”
“Your father buys cars here?”
Noah’s jaw tightened. “He fixed one.”
Evan looked him up and down. Behind the velvet ropes, a woman in silver earrings whispered to her husband. A few guests turned. Poor people became entertainment quickly in wealthy rooms.
“What’s in your hand?” Evan asked.
Noah closed his fingers over the key fob.
“Something for Mr. Whitaker.”
Evan stepped closer, blocking him from the sedan. “Back away from the car, kid.”
“I’m not touching the car.”
“You’re close enough.”
Noah looked past him toward the front glass entrance. Somewhere in the city, Arthur Whitaker was supposed to exist. Noah had imagined an elderly man with answers, someone who would look at the key and say his father had been right to trust him.
Instead, there was Evan’s cologne and a room full of people waiting to see him humiliated.
Noah took one step to the side.
Evan slapped his hand away from the key fob.
It was quick, public, and cruel.
The silver fob nearly slipped from Noah’s grip.
Guests gasped softly, then pretended they hadn’t.
Noah stared at Evan.
Fear rose in him, but pride stood in front of it.
“I was told to ask for Mr. Whitaker.”
That sentence made Evan’s smile vanish for half a second.
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Because Evan knew exactly who Arthur Whitaker was.
And he knew the old man was supposed to be late.
