Page 65 of Fire

Sheila waved away her words. “If she’s running long, page me, and I’ll take over.”

Gwen smiled. “You’re the best.”

“One more reason for you not to leave us.”

Gwen laughed. “Still not trying to influence me, I see.”

She shrugged. “What can I say, desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Because Frank didn’t work exclusively for Warner Brothers, his office was located centrally on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, making it only a ten-minute drive from Coleman’s. The building was old—in an even older part of town—but made of metal and glass, so it didn’t show its age. And as Gwen made her way to the elevator, she saw the interior had been kept up nicely, too.

Frank’s office was on the fifth floor. After taking a right off the elevator and walking down a long hall, she saw a plaque with Frank’s name on a set of double doors, confirming she was in the right place.

Gwen took a deep breath and pushed open the door. A receptionist sitting at a U-shaped desk was the first thing she noticed.

She looked up from her computer with a smile of greeting. “Can I help you?”

Gwen stepped up to the desk. “I have an appointment with Mr. Evans. My name’s Gwen Butler.”

“Yes, of course. He said to bring you straight back when you arrived. Follow me.”

The receptionist led her through a glass door and down a hall where she lightly tapped on another set of double doors and poked her head in. “Ms. Butler is here.”

Gwen heard Frank’s voice reply, “Perfect. Send her in.”

The receptionist stepped aside and motioned her in. “Can I get you anything to drink? Coffee. Water.”

“No, thank you, I’m fine.”

She nodded and retraced her steps as Gwen entered Frank’s office.

“Gwen! I’m so happy you’ve decided to come.” He stood from behind his desk and held out a hand.

She took it, receiving a firm shake. “I must admit, you piqued my curiosity.”

“Take a seat.” He waved to the chair in front of his desk. “I have a copy of the contract right here. Take your time reading it.”

She took the single sheet of paper and started reading. She’d worried for nothing. The document was elementary and clearly stated all information she was given regarding the showPorts of Callshall remain confidential.

There was no small print.

She looked up at Frank. “This seems pretty straightforward.”

He nodded. “Of course, this is just the NDA. You come work for me they’ll be a half dozen more pages in the contract you’ll sign.”

“Trying to scare me off?”

He shook his head and chuckled. “Just letting you know, nothing’s a done deal until everything’s been ironed out. I meant to soothe rather than scare. You’re not the first person who’s told me I needed to work on my delivery technique.”

She stood, plucked a pen out of the holder on his desk and signed the contract, pushing it in front of him when she finished.

He beamed. “Perfect. Let’s talk.”

So they did.

Her phone started ringing at five-o-five when she was a few blocks from home. She didn’t have to look at the display to know who was calling. She decided to pick it up for two reasons. A, she knew if she didn’t, Blake would never stop calling. And B, she didn’t want to take the chance of him showing up at her door when she didn’t answer. She figured dealing with Blake over the phone was the lesser of two evils.

She hit the accept button and put the call on speakerphone.

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