Page 97 of Back in Black

Audrey stared at Millie. Didn’t she see that Gillian Noode was an innocent woman, not their enemy? “Brett’s met her. But his view is a personal one, since he’s had attention drawn to his past before.”

“And he hated it?”

Glad that Millie hadn’t asked for specifics, Audrey nodded. “He’s still sensitive about it, especially since Mr. Black wanted to highlight the more tragic parts as a sort of human-interest draw.”

“Wow, poor Brett. Figures the SBC would stoop to exploiting one of their own like that. Drew Black is pure evil. I’m glad Brett refused.” She tipped her head. “He did refuse, right?”

Remembering that awful scene, Audrey nodded. “He was willing to walk away from the SBC if Mr. Black followed through in his plans.”

“Good for him.” Full of concern, Millie whispered, “Is he one of those guys who’s managed to turn his life around?”

Audrey shook her head in confusion. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Did Brett used to be a drug addict or something like that? Or has he done time for robbery or something?”

“No!” Audrey couldn’t imagine Brett ever abusing his body like that, or taking from others. “Nothing like that.”

“Then I don’t see how the SBC could use him.”

“It’s just . . . well, his parents weren’t the best, I guess.”

Millie snorted. “Whose are?” She stood, prompting Audrey to do the same. “My mom was a power-shopper who kept us in debt, and my dad spent too much of his free time working on an old junker he kept in the garage.” She moved toward the door. “No parent is perfect, believe me.”

“Brett’s were worse than that.”

“Divorced?”

Audrey looked at her watch again, and Millie was quick to say, “Never mind. You need to go and I need to spruce up my story.” She hugged Audrey. “Let’s talk tonight after you get off work, okay? And if you see Brett, tell him how sorry I am.”

Appalled by that idea, Audrey said, “Actually, it’d be better if you don’t say anything at all.”

Millie smiled. “I understand. Now go change clothes and get ready for work.” On her way out the door, she said, “And have a good day!”

Audrey stood there, a little frozen. There was something in Millie’s eyes, some fanatical light, that left her more than a little uneasy. She put a hand to her stomach, trying to quell the sick feeling, but it persisted.

In a rush, she stepped out the door and over to the landing. “Millie?”

From the bottom of the stairs, the door half open, her friend looked back. “Yeah?”

“Let’s meet tonight with the others.” Audrey licked her dry lips. “Now that we know the SBC is probably going to fire Drew Black, we should come up with a way to really push our point, don’t you think?”

Millie’s smile looked far too staged. “I’m way ahead of you.” She held up the cell phone in her hand. “I was just calling the others for that very reason. Let’s say six o’clock. We’ll see you then.”

DREW saw the crowd of protesters before he finished parking the rental car, and he knew without a doubt why they were there.

Nice.

Gillian could sink her teeth into this tableau with no problem. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction. But with the windows up, the air-conditioning and radio on, and her nose buried in assorted paperwork, she hadn’t yet noticed them.

She was taking this all very seriously, and he appreciated that, but really, it wasn’t rocket science. During their extended flight on a private plane to Las Vegas, and the short drive from the airport, she’d been studying a million and one notes.

“Hey, doll, time to look up and face some reality.”

She blinked over at him. “What’s that?”

Nodding toward the crowd, he said, “Take a gander.”

She twisted in her seat—and stared. Drew figured she was reading one of the many signs held in the air. They ranged fromWe Want Drew BlacktoLet’s Get Back in BlacktoThe SBC Is Drew Black.

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