Page 31 of The Hardest Hit

Evan found himself smiling involuntarily at his cousin’s cheerful tone.

“Nothing. Well, nothing big. I have a question.”

“Well, I have lots of answers. Some of them are even accurate.”

Evan laughed. “Why are you such a dork?”

“Years of practice,” said Aiden. “What’s your question?”

“How do you file a public records request, and can people find out if you have?”

“Pretty easy and yes,” said Aiden. “Most government agencies are required to make available for inspection and copying nonexempt ‘public records’ in accordance with published rules. Most of them have online public request portals or official channels through to process such an order, but you can also mail in or fax a request.”

“Fax?” repeated Evan in disbelief.

Aiden chuckled. “I know, right? But apparently those are still a thing. But as for the second part of the question, the answer is sort of. Public records requests are also public requests, so they can be asked for, but no one usually does and there is some argument to be made that they should be kept private. Also, it depends on the jurisdiction and agency in question. Why? Are you planning on making a public records request?”

“No,” said Evan quickly. “I was more wondering if I could tell if someone had made one on me.”

“Difficult,” said Aiden. “Most of your work is covered by private business and the SEC. I don’t think anyone could come up with much on you. Why? Did you see that creepy photographer dude too?”

“Yes,” said Evan, startled. “You too?”

“Yeah, but I’m not telling Jackson. He’ll flip a bagel.”

“A bagel?” Evan repeated. “I swear I only understand about half the things that come out of your mouth.”

“It’s something Jacks says. I find it so stupid that it’s stuck in my brain I can’t stop saying it. But my point is, I’m not telling him. The Nazis can shove it out their ear. Besides if this idiot gets too close, I’ll just have Ella beat the shit out of him. Nothing is more hilarious than watching my tiny girlfriend stomp on someone’s nards.”

Evan snorted. “More like she’d just have her security take care of it.”

“That is also funny,” agreed Aiden. “Anyway, just ignore him is my advice. Haters gonna hate, but they don’t have anything on you.”

“Yeah,” agreed Evan.

“Although,” Aiden hesitated, “I don’t know, Ev. Maybe you should listen to Jackson about driving to work instead of taking the train.”

“Fuck off,” said Evan, as pleasantly as possible.

Aiden sighed. “Just putting it out there.”

“Well, take it back in,” said Evan.

“Fine. Anything else on the public records front?”

“Nope. But thanks.”

Evan hung up the phone with a frown. If Aiden was right, he could try to get the report on the plane crash without anyone knowing about it. But he wasn’t convinced it was worthwhile. He found himself flipping open Olivia’s text again. His thumb hovered over the keypad. Was another text too much?

Thinking about wine for tonight. How do you feel about a Caymus Cabernet?

Her response was almost instantaneous.

Ooh! Do you have a 2018?

Then another immediately after it.

That’s probably too expensive for dinner wine.