Chapter 55
THE MINUTE I LEAVE the party, I google the name Loxton.
Then I text Metcalf: Check out an artist named Graham Loxton. Big chip on his shoulder. Says Ben owes him, cheated him out of $$. THREATENED BEN. Loxton said he “knows” stuff.
I should have stopped there. But no. Feeling cocky about my accidental discovery, I stupidly add: Also check out man named Lou (Lewis? Louis?). Recently fired. Angry because—? May be someone we could turn.
I assume that, since it’s Saturday night, I won’t get a response till Monday. I should have known. Metcalf would never postpone a chance to berate me.
He texts back: Loxton: Will do. But Lou/Louis/Lewis? 40,000+ in the tristate area alone. Surely you can dig a little deeper, Elinor. The proper spelling, at least.
I can practically feel my blood pressure shooting way beyond the range of my beta-blocker. Not good.
I take a deep breath and count to ten. Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do when you feel the urge to grab an ice pick and puncture someone’s colon?
I count to ten again. Then again. I get as far as thirty-four before I realize I need to do something more effective.
I text: Listen, asshole.
Nope. Too ladylike.
I delete and start again: Listen, motherf—r. Better. Much better. I’m sick and tired of taking your s—t.
He answers: Cute. What is this? Are we playing Mad Libs?
Me: Yeah. The I Hate Your F—g Guts version. If you’re so dissatisfied with the way I’m doing my job, WHY AM I STILL HERE?
Him: Okay. I hear ya.
Me: Really? I don’t think you do. You’re tone-deaf and people-deaf. The way you’ve been motivating me? You probably call it Tough Love. To me it feels like Easy Hate. No wonder everybody at the FBI detests you. Well, maybe not everybody. Just the people who’ve worked with you.
Him: Keep going. I’m enjoying this.
Me: Really? I guess that proves what a sadist you are.
And what does that say about me, that I put myself in this situation?
Him: Okay. I’m sorry. Happy now?
Me: No. “Sorry” doesn’t even begin to cut it.
Actually, I’m thrilled that he went even that far. I was expecting either Elinor, you’re overreacting or that classic male-to-female put-down Honey, you’re being too sensitive.