Everlyn #7
“Y-you don’t understand. This is business between her and me. My company is paying her to clean up this mess. Every day this pipe stays unfixed, and we’re paying them, we lose more money.
“And she keeps calling the city council and my boss, telling them we have to replace what constitutes miles of main sewage pipeline. Do you know what that’ll cost?
Not just in materials and workers, but also in overtime and all the other stuff.
It’s millions. We can’t afford to do that on her say-so.
One section failing doesn’t mean it all will,” he protested.
“Say not every part of it fails. Even one or two more will cause damage that we can’t mitigate.
It’s toxic, and what will you do if it gets into people’s water supply?
Sure, the city’s water is treated, but even then, harmful bacteria can still get through.
And think of the people who have well or spring water.
What about livestock, pets, and crops? Have you ever heard of sewage sickness, sewage poisoning?
” When Everlyn paused to wait for an answer, he shook his head.
“It’s caused by either inhaling the dangerous sewer gases, which are things like methane or hydrogen sulfide.
Or exposure to harmful bacteria that cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, fatigue, and eye and throat irritation.
If it becomes severe enough, you can lose your sense of smell, fall unconscious, go into respiratory distress, or even die.
It’s more serious than an awful smell and loss of money,” Everlyn snapped.
“We can’t bankrupt the city on a maybe happening!
And you’re scaring people. The word is getting around, and we’re inundated with calls.
They want to know when this location will be fixed.
Will there be more? What are we doing about it?
It’s fearmongering, and you have to stop fucking telling people that shit! ”
Reeves’s voice rose until he was yelling. I stepped one foot closer, and he shut up.
“I haven’t told anyone outside this worksite about this other than Zephyr. And I don’t see him running around the county telling people. Maybe you should ask your employees who they’re talking to,” she informed him.
“And if you think the city doesn’t have the money, or that people are calling and bugging you now, wait until more sections rupture.
When it occurs, the city won’t have enough money to cover the lawsuits it’s facing.
As for hurrying up and fixing this, we’re working around the clock.
A temporary diversion line had to be built and installed.
We’ve done that. At the same time, remediation has begun.
But you coming out here every other day screaming at me and the workers isn’t helping. ”
“You’re not here every day! I was out here on Sunday, and you weren’t anywhere to be found,” he said snidely.
“Watch the tone,” I snarled, reminding him.
“I never said I was here every day. This site isn’t the only one I have, nor is all of my work done in the field. However, the foremen have my number and can reach me day or night, seven days a week, if they need me. They’re very experienced at this type of work and know what they’re doing.
“But I won’t have you or anyone out here harassing them.
If you come out and raise hell again, I’ll have a restraining order placed against you so fast your head will spin.
And if you think I won’t, try me. I’m done playing nice with you.
” Everlyn’s unspoken fuck around and find out was in her voice.
“You can’t do that!”
“Oh, but I can. And stop acting as if you’re the one paying these men and me. It’s the city. You manage the sewage plant, nothing more. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do. You need to leave. And Mr. Reeves, no more unannounced and unapproved visits.” She came to her feet.
I knew he wanted to blast her, but he was afraid to do it in front of me. He’d pushed the envelope as it was.
“No worries, Everlyn, I’ll make sure before I leave today to give all your people my number in case he comes around. And I’ll talk to the club and have my brothers and sisters swing by whenever they get a minute to ensure he doesn’t drop in and end up acting the fool,” I assured her.
“Why are you and your club poking your noses into this? What is she to you?” Reeves asked as he slowly came to his feet.
I don’t know what made me say it, but I opened my mouth, and the words came out.
“She’s my girlfriend, and only fools with a death wish mess with a Prowler or those we care about. Now, you heard the lady. Get lost and don’t come back unless invited.”
His face went white, and then Bishop Reeves scrambled for the door.
He almost fell down the three steps to the ground.
He was in a hurry to get away. I went to the doorway and watched him run to his car.
It wasn’t until he was pulling away that I looked back at Everlyn.
She stood there, studying me. I raised my eyebrow at her as I waited for her to speak.