Chapter 4: Smith Capital

I can’t remember the last time I went to Baker twice in one week. I worry I’m getting sucked back into my old life, but that’s not what’s happening—I’m simply trying to do my job by helping the ludds. And if it manages to fix things between me and Leo, even better.

After our conversation last night, Leo told me to meet him in Baker today. I don’t like going to Baker in the evening, but the sooner we figure out what’s happening to the ludds—if anything is happening at all—the sooner I can work on a different project.

The bus passes the cemetery and takes me four more stops before I get off. This is the farthest I’ve gone into Baker since I moved away. My family’s old apartment is just a few blocks away, and I have to consciously stop those memories from spilling out. Some are good, but most aren’t. Growing up isn’t easy for most kids in Baker, and I wasn’t an exception.

I follow the directions Leo gave me and end up at an apartment complex that’s somehow even more rundown than where we used to live. The building is one solid slab of gray concrete, small windows evenly spaced across the six floors.

Voices float from around the corner, and I can tell one of them is Leo’s. He lets out a barking laugh, which surprises me. I haven’t heard Leo laugh in years. It’s strange that there’s an entire part of him I don’t know, a part he keeps hidden from me for whatever reason.

I turn the corner, making sure to crunch the gravel loudly under my feet so that the group is aware of my presence. I don’t want Leo thinking I’m spying on him. He already thinks I’m too invasive.

Leo turns in my direction, and for a moment I see a carefree smile on his face, his eyes bright. He looks happy, like he did before Dad died. But the look fades when he sees me. He’s suddenly serious and somber. I hate that he doesn’t smile like that around me anymore.

To his side stands a tall and skinny man with obsidian skin. The man nods at me, and I nod back. He has glasses and long, black locs that are piled on top of his head.

“Evening,” he says with a smile, his voice low but friendly.

“Hi,” I say back, unsure if I should introduce myself. I’m sure Leo’s already told him all about me.

“This is Evers,” Leo says, “he’s going to help us tonight. He’s also been looking into the missing ludds, and he’s got a possible lead.”

“There’s a guy in the neighborhood,” Ever begins, as if he’s known me forever. “His name’s Lum. Me and some guys were at a bar last night and heard him bragging about making some easy money. He was pretty wasted, but it sounded like he might know something.”

“What did he say?” I ask. I don’t know Evers, so I’m uncertain I can trust him. But if Leo thinks he’s reliable, then it’s worth a shot. Besides, I don’t have any other leads. Evers glances at Leo, who nods almost imperceptibly, then looks back at me.

“He said he just had to give some guys information about a few ludds around town. Ludds who ‘wouldn’t be missed’ were the words he used.”

“What do you think?” I ask Leo. I want to get his opinion before chasing shadows with someone I’ve never met before. Leo shrugs before answering.

“I know Lum,” he says. “He exaggerates when he’s drunk, but I think it could be something.” Evers nods in agreement.

“Okay,” I say, my mind made up, “let’s go visit him.” Evers smiles, like he’s pleased he was able to help.

“This way,” he says, headed toward the street. “He lives just around the corner.” Leo and I fall in behind Evers. ‘Just around the corner’ ends up being a few blocks away. We pass plenty of people on our way, and Leo and Evers greet each of them with a smile and a wave. Everyone in the neighborhood seems to know one another, and not just casually. They ask about each other’s families, about how they’re doing.

I recognize some of the people walking by, but most are strangers. A few give me second glances, but most see me and start whispering to whoever they’re with. I moved out of Baker nearly a decade ago, but I don’t remember it being this close-knit. Maybe that’s because I was too busy taking care of Leo or worrying about Dad, though. Who has time for friends when you’re barely keeping your head above water?

We eventually make it to a line of dilapidated rowhouses, and I expect Evers to knock on one of the doors facing the street, but he slips into a narrow alley between two of the buildings. Leo follows and I pick up the rear, cautiously moving forward. The alley is tight, barely wider than Leo’s thick frame. Streetlights flicker overhead, and for a moment I wonder if Evers is taking us somewhere secluded so he can rob us. But he stops a couple feet later and turns to our left to knock on a splintered wooden door.

A few seconds pass then the door swings outward, forcing Evers to step back so it can open all the way. A deep voice from inside says to come in. Evers steps through the entrance and Leo follows, but the room on the other side is so cramped that I can barely fit inside. I don’t remember people living like this when I was still in Baker. Has it gotten worse, or was it always like this?

The front room has a musty couch pushed against the far wall and a cracked TV sitting across from it. The walls are chipped, and exposed brick peaks out from behind the faded plaster. There are doorways to the left and right of the couch, and I can see a small kitchen through the left one. The right doorway is covered with a flimsy curtain that has so many stains I can’t tell what the original color was.

Lum, I’m assuming, stands hunched in front of us, cradling a small baby in his arms. His face is pale and haggard, splotchy black stubble spread across his cracked cheeks. His eyes are hollow with dark bags under them; it looks like he hasn’t slept in days. I notice an empty baby bottle wedged between two couch cushions and about half a dozen crushed beer cans poking out from under the sofa.

“How’s it going, Lum?” Evers asks with his friendly smile. The baby stirs and Lum begins to rock back and forth to calm it down.

“It’s been better,” Lum says flatly. “What do you need?” A fit of coughing breaks out in the room behind the curtain, and I realize there’s another child in there. Lum glances behind him, worry etched into his face. He waits until the coughing stops.

“Sorry,” he says. “Kara’s been sick the last few days. I’ve been keeping a close eye on her to see if I need to buy some medicine.” I look down at the beer cans again and wonder how much medicine that could’ve bought.

“No worries,” Evers says, his tone still friendly. “I’ll talk to May and see if she can bring something by.”

“Thanks,” Lum says, “I’d appreciate that.”

“Look,” Leo says, a bit more roughly than I think he intended, “the neighborhood’s been noticing that some ludds have gone missing”—Lum flinches at this—"and we heard you might know something about it.” Lum stares at the floor and his rocking intensifies. The baby squirms, and he slows down.

“I don’t know any more than anybody else,” Lum says. His words are so practiced that it’s clear he’s lying.

“Are you sure about that?” Leo asks. He takes a step toward Lum, who moves back. “Because Evers says you might.” Lum gulps but doesn’t look up. He shakes his head rapidly, his greasy hair flopping in his eyes.

“Lum, this is serious. Something’s happening to the ludds, and I know you’re involved.” Leo’s hands ball into fists as he steps closer to Lum, whose back is now firmly pressed against the wall. “You can tell us now, or me and my friends can swing by later, and you can tell us then.” At this, Evers steps forward and gently grabs Leo’s arm until he backs away. I want to be shocked to see Leo threaten violence, but part of me isn’t surprised. In Baker, I’m sure violence is just a normal way to get things done.

“I don’t know much,” Lum says, finally looking up. His eyes are wet, and deep worry lines cut into his brow. He repeats what Evers heard him say at the bar, and Leo tenses up.

“Who was asking about the ludds?” Leo asks. Lum shakes his head, and Leo takes a step toward him. Lum flinches and shrinks into himself. I hate seeing Leo act like this, but I want answers.

“I don’t know,” he says, “I swear. I don’t know their names, but I’m pretty sure they worked for Smith Capital.” My ears perk up at the mention of the company.

Smith Capital is the reason Capital City even exists—it was literally named after the company. For whatever reason, when Smith Capital launched the Collective twenty-five years ago, they decided to put the headquarters right where Capital City is now. Before that, it had been an average city like anywhere else. But Smith Capital had chosen here to be its base of operations; getting to rename the city was just one of the many incentives the local government had bribed the company with.

“How do you know they worked for Smith?” I ask.

“I could just tell,” he says, not meeting my eyes. “All those goons are the same. They just have a way about them.” I’m about to argue, but Leo and Evers nod, as if that’s common knowledge, so I hold my tongue. Leo opens his mouth to talk, but Kara begins coughing again, and it eventually turns into a full-blown attack. The cough is deep and wet, like whatever she’s sick with has rooted itself in her lungs.

Evers finally speaks up, stepping in front of Leo so he’s closest to Lum.

“Thank you,” Evers says, resting his hand on Lum’s shoulder. “We appreciate the information. May should be around with the medicine later tonight.” Lum nods and mumbles a thank you while Evers turns around and shepherds us out the door and back down the alley.

Leo doesn’t say anything until we’re back on the street.

“You should’ve let me ask him more questions,” Leo says through gritted teeth.

“You did enough,” Evers says sharply. “We don’t threaten our neighbors, Leo. You know that.”

“But he knows what happened to the others,” Leo says. “I don’t care about his feelings. I want to save our friends.” I realize, for the first time, that Leo knows the people who’ve gone missing. I think back to the homeless man, the ludd whose name I don’t even know. Dozens of ludds could go missing, and I wouldn’t even notice. The thought makes my cheeks burn.

“He doesn’t know any more than what he told us,” Evers says with a tone of finality. “We can regroup tomorrow and figure out what to do next.”

“Actually,” I say, “I think I can help with that.” Leo and Evers turn to me, their expressions curious. “Meet me at Smith headquarters tomorrow,” I say. “I think I know someone who can help.”