Page 29 of Fracture

Zee goes to the door and turns over the sign to the Closed side, latching the door and flipping off the lights in the window. Mallory nods, her corporate smile back in place as she clacks across the marble floor to sit down in the green velvet armchair opposite me.

“I trust this is all strictly off the record,” I say as she opens her mouth to speak.

“Of course.”

“I’m witness to that,” Zee says from the counter.

“And you are aware I’m a lawyer.” I fold my arms over my lap, regarding the woman opposite me with what I hope appears to be detached neutrality. Inside, I’m a tornado of butterflies as I wonder what the fuck Gloria is up to now.

Mallory smoothes her pants over her legs as she crosses one over the other. “Stella, I meant it. I’m not here to cause you any pain, or to dredge up the past.”

“Go ahead then.”

“Gloria Fenton has granted Channel Six a tell-all interview.” Mallory looks genuinely apologetic as she says it. “She’s apparently been working with some college students on herson’s case, and this interview is being touted as a big reveal on information the public didn’t know.”

Zee’s head snaps up to look over at me with alarm, and I dig my fingers into my palm to try and keep myself composed.

“I’m not sure why you’re telling me all this. I haven’t spoken to my stepmother in years.”

Mallory leans forward, closing the distance between us a little. “I wanted to give you the chance to tell your side of the story.”

“And there it is!” Zee storms over to us, eyes full of fury. “Get out of my place. You’re not going to harass my friend after everything she went through.”

“I just want to give her a chance to-”

“Chance nothing.” Zee jabs a finger in the direction of the door. “Get the fuck out.”

Mallory turns back to me helplessly, and I toss my hair over my shoulder. “I have no interest in talking to anyone or in rehashing what happened back then.”

“But if people understood you, Stella-”

“People never understand.” I cut her off as I rise to my feet. “And they won’t understand now. Gloria can say whatever she wants, it doesn’t even matter. That woman is less than nothing to me.”

Mallory reaches into her pocket and withdraws a slim black business card. “This is my number. In case you change your mind. Call me any time, we can talk.” When I don’t take the card from her, she places it down on the low coffee table, and gives me a friendly smile. “I mean it, any time.”

“Fine.”

“I want to help you, Stella.” She gives me a quick nod, before she heads to the door, which Zee is already holding open for her. Zee’s venomous gaze pursues the reporter out into the lateafternoon sunshine, and then they slam the door shut behind her.

“The fucking nerve of that woman,” Zee mutters, shaking their head. “Coming in here like that. How the fuck did she even know you were here?”

I bend down to pick up the business card, running my thumb over the matte surface. “Yeah. Unbelievable.”

Zee stops and regards me critically. “You’re not thinking of actually doing it, are you?”

I shake my head, shoving the card into my bag. “No, I have no interest in talking to the press about all that. It’s done.”

“What do you think Gloria’s up to?”

I shrug, putting my sunglasses on my head. “Who knows with her. I don’t really care. What’s she going to say that she hasn’t already said?”

“Does she know the guys are living with you?”

“I don’t know. I guess.” With a sigh, I fish my purse out of my bag. “How much do I owe you for today?”

“Girl, that shit is on the house, as you damn well know.” Zee walks up to me, their face twisted with concern, placing their hands on my upper arms and squeezing gently. “I know I talk shit, but if you did ever want to go public, tell everyone what happened, I’d be behind you. I promise. I want you to do it because you want to, not because you want to beat your evil stepmother to it.”

“I know, honey. Thank you.”

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