Page 37 of Death Game: Supernatural Battle

“You’re enjoying the new job with Tommy then?” I asked her. Tommy’s name left a sour taste in my mouth.

She winked. “I’m not supposed to talk about it. But yes. Tommy is actually on leave, so I’ve stepped into her HR position for a little bit. I’ve been doing some hiring.”

I made a mental note to read the latest report from Churchill without delay. “Anyone I know?”

“Well, get this. There’s such a thing astrouble propertiesin Bluff City. We’re having a hard time acquiring them. So I thought… why nothiresome of them?”

Considering I did the same thing to her, I’d say that was great reasoning. “We have the same trouble list atLive Right, I’d say. I probably know the names of your new employees.”

“Mr Triffz was my first one.”

My jaw dropped. “Mr Triffz? You’re kidding me! That’s the bastard who threw compost at me.”

“All he needed was a battle to fight.” She eyed me. “He wants to take downLive RightandForemost.He thinks they’re secret agents who put old people in homes.”

And now he was working for me.

“When I sold his home to a lovely family from Spain, I helped him find a smaller rental. One thing led to another.”

I absorbed that as best I could. “Anyone else?”

“Mr Trenington. And a Mrs Franger.”

Both off the trouble list. I’d only met the suspicious Mr Trenington. Mrs Franger put on her sprinklers each time I reached her letterbox. “You acquired all their houses too?”

She cackled. “Not so hard, really. Just got to talk to them like they’re people.”

I bit back on my smile. “Sounds like you’re a HR natural.”

“Yeah, but it’s only until Tommy is back.” The older woman sounded moderately miffed. “You know when she’s back?”

Hesitating for a beat, I decided to impart some of the truth. “Tommy and I aren’t in a good place at the minute. I was the reason behind the breakup with her boyfriend. I told Theodore what I thought of him and he took off without telling her where. She’s really angry at me.”

The older woman studied me. “I’ve never known you to be unnecessarily mean. He was hurting her?”

I nodded. “Badly. Without her knowing.”

“Then he’s a fucker. If Tommy has any sense, which I know she does, she’ll come around in time. Never easy to deal with a broken heart, especially if it’s her first one.”

They were words I so desperately wanted to believe in.

“And the pure hunk of god I saw walk in here the other day looked familiar. Strutted as if he owned the place, too, I might add.”

“Who?” I asked her innocently.

She waved a hand in the air. “None of that now. We all heard the screams.”

Ugh.I choked on laughter. “Stubbed my toe.”

Her gaze darkened. “I’d like to stub my toe like that a few times.”

I grinned. “Can’t say I’d mind a repeat.”

She scowled. “You went back there with the guy who wanted you for your money? I mean, not that I blame you. He’s a tall drink of something.”

“He told me he’s not after any of that,” I replied, grimacing. “I’m not so sure. So I’m testing him. Could you do me a favour?”

“Sure.”

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