Free Disruptor by Sonya Clark

forearm, hand hovering inches
from her elbow. But he didn’t close the distance, as if sensing her
trepidation. “Get some rest.”
    Then he was gone. She thought about checking
out the fridge, despite how much she’d eaten earlier. Another cup
of coffee, maybe read the rest of that newspaper, if she could find
it. Pick out a book, or maybe just sit and stare out the window at
the city in all its daytime splendor. Ultimately she decided to
take his advice, went back up to the guest room, and slept.

Chapter
10

    The Old Corinth neighborhood in the West Side
of Point Sable might as well have been called HipsterTown.
Gentrification, hot yoga, organic markets, and vintage shops
defined the area. A few tech start-ups could be found, companies
still too small to afford offices downtown. Kevin parked across the
street from the tiny headquarters of a game and app company and
crossed against the light to meet his college friend.
    Zoe Linwood waited for him outside a coffee
shop with a cup in each hand. Kevin kissed her cheek in greeting
and took the offered café mocha. They talked for several minutes,
exchanging news since they’d seen each other last. After some brief
hesitation, Kevin told her what he wanted.
    Zoe pushed a lock of her dark blue bob behind
her ear. “You’re shitting me, right? I haven’t done something like
that in years.”
    “But you’ve still got the contacts, right?”
He cocked his head and grinned. “I know you do for at least some of
your old college financing methods.”
    She pursed her lips. “Exotic hallucinogens
are one thing. Something that might attract the attention of
Homeland Security, that’s a different thing altogether. The deep
web’s a little more complicated to navigate since the feds did
their drug crackdown. People are more cautious. Things are more
expensive.”
    “You know money is no object for me. Can you
do it?”
    Zoe stared at the plastic lid of her coffee
cup for a long moment. “I don’t want the details. But if I knew the
details, would I be willing to take the risk?”
    Kevin debated how much to tell her. He
trusted her, or he never would have come to her for this. But he
wasn’t just risking himself, he was taking a risk on Dani’s behalf
as well. “The person I’m trying to help, she saved my life.”
    “Then she’s good people in my book. But I am
going to charge you a twenty percent facilitation fee.”
    Kevin smiled with relief. “I’d expect nothing
less.”
    “Get me a couple of good pictures, head
shots, and the details she wants. Name, birth date and place, all
the usual stuff. I’ll call you and ask you out to coffee and you
bring the stuff. Do not email me, do not leave voice mails talking
about this.”
    “Relax. I remember the drill.”
    “This isn’t a fake ID bumping up your age by
a few years so you can buy tequila. You’re asking for a totally new
identity.”
    “She’s in trouble, and I owe her.”
    Zoe nodded. “Okay. I just want you to know
this isn’t a small thing you’re asking for. And that it’s a good
thing you’re loaded, because this is not going to be cheap.”
    “I’ll pay whatever it takes. You know
that.”
    Zoe threw away her cup in a nearby trash can.
“So did you lie to the cops about what happened that night in
Cabrini, or is something else going on?”
    “I thought you didn’t want details.”
    “Ha. I don’t. I gotta get back, I’m on a
deadline. I’ll call soon.” She stood on tiptoe and embraced
him.
    He kissed her cheek again and spoke into her
ear. “Thank you for not asking a lot of questions.”
    “Just don’t get in over your head, okay?” She
stepped back and met his gaze.
    Kevin placed a hand on his chest and gave her
his best insouciant smile. “Hey, would I do that?”
    Zoe raised her eyebrows. “Is she
beautiful?”
    He thought of how much he’d struggled to keep
his eyes on her face when he’d walked in on her wearing only a
towel. Of the lump that formed in his throat when he