28. Eva
Eva
I hand Archie a tablet with an episode of Bluey playing—he doesn’t need to keep listening to us argue, and I’m sure as hell not done yet.
‘Where’s Gregor?’ I snap. Surely he’ll know what to do. He’s been our boss and mentor now for four years.
‘Taking a call outside,’ Matteas says.
I run my fingers through my hair, combing out the knots. It’s in need of a good wash after I rushed to pack a few things up for Archie and me before leaving Cobal Gully.
‘How’d you know they were coming?’ he asks.
This is the question I was hoping to avoid.
I should’ve warned them sooner. I don’t want to admit to Matteas I could’ve warned them the night before, right after Sam came over.
I don’t want to tell him I answered many of Sam’s questions, throwing Matteas under the bus, in the hope I’ll come off looking innocent at the end of this.
I don’t want him to know I spent the whole evening working up possible contingency plans for Archie and me if Matteas got caught or killed.
Matteas is the love of my life and my reason for doing everything I’ve done, but I can’t bear the thought of Archie ending up alone.
In the end, my warning wasn’t given until right before the police moved in.
‘Heard it on the police radio in your office,’ I half lie.
He doesn’t question it but he does eye me suspiciously.
I should have put the radio on the moment Sam left.
But I’d gone back and forth with my plans countless times and left it too late.
Yes, I fucked up. Majorly. But I know he’d do the same.
We’re both selfish. We have to be in this type of work.
Of course I put myself and Archie first. ‘I’m going to speak with Iris,’ I say, and Matteas throws me a ring of keys.
When I unlock the door, Iris is sitting on the floor, her legs tucked up, and gently rocking back and forth.
‘Hello Iris,’ I say, entering the filthy room. I look around for somewhere to sit but settle for standing.
She glances up at me, her face streaked with tears. ‘How could you?’
I get the impression if she had the strength or energy, she’d launch herself at me right now like a feral cat. Thankfully, she hasn’t moved except to glare daggers at me.
‘You have a child. How could you do this to other families?’
The corner of my mouth twitches up in a half smile. ‘Life isn’t fair, Iris. I should know.’
She shifts her legs, reaching out for the wall next to her, then slowly rises to standing. I take a small step back, still cautious of an attack. But she’s swaying on the spot, she can barely keep herself upright.
‘You’ve got no idea the meaning of fair,’ I snap.
Iris shakes her head. ‘Did he actually abuse you or was that a lie?’
I can’t help but laugh at her naivety. I really got her good. ‘That bruise you saw was from a kid who got a good kick in before I threw them in the back of my car.’
She flinches. ‘Did you even lose a baby?’
I stalk over to her, our faces centimetres apart. ‘How dare you!’ I hiss, pressing a pointed finger to her. ‘That sweet angel of ours is the reason we’re all here.’
I storm out, locking the door behind me.
In the hallway, I lean against the wall, working hard to steady my breathing.
Losing our baby was the turning point for the rest of our lives.