Page 48 of The Suit

I moved over to the desk, perching on it while I answered his questions, offering him a soft laugh that held a casualness I definitely didn’t feel. “Yeah, could have done without that. But I guess it was inevitable.”

“Heard you had your ass handed to you?”

I rolled my eyes, though if I hadn’t known the speed and efficiencies of the FSJ rumor mill, I would have believed Duke if he’d said he’d heard Maynard’s yelling, “Yes, something like that.”

“Me too, if it makes you feel better. I’ve spent all morning releasing some funds for him.”

“It does actually, and where were the funds?”

“Oh, we have reserve cash in the team which we can tap on occasions such as these. It’s in the CUT name so it can’t be taken. They deposit in advance.”

Jesus. With the secrecy surrounding that team, maybe we were part CIA.

“Great, that should calm him down for a day.”

He laughed, “Yeah, I wouldn’t worry, it’s the holiday weekend. Courts are shut and he’s flying to the islands later.”

There went my stomach again. “Oh yeah, lucky him.”

“Anyway what did you need?”

I picked up a paperclip and started bending it, anything to keep me sounding as distracted as possible, “Oh, I was just calling to update you on the restraining order, but I guess you already heard.”

“Ha, yes.”

“Cool, I’ll let you go then.”

“Speak to you later, Holmes.”

“Sure… Oh Duke?” I caught him just before he hung up, “I heard Maynard talking about a Dainty Lady; you don’t know what that is do you? At least I think that’s what he said.”

There was silence, unless you could hear my heart beating in my ears at a similar volume level to Maynard’s shouting.

“No, never heard of it. Where did you hear that name, Beulah?”

The way he saidmyname made me certain that I’d been correct.

“Oh, when I was walking out of a meeting with them. I thought maybe Maynard had got himself a new girlfriend… just wanted to make sure she was kept out of this.”

I was greeted by silence again.

“No, nope, never heard of it. Haven’t heard he’s got a girlfriend either, but let me know if you find out any more. Anyway, gotta go…”

He hung up, and I finally looked over to Blake whose expression had barely changed from when I’d shown him the email.

“He’s a shit liar.”

I nodded. “Yep.”

“What are you going to do?”

I deliberated for a second. I’d done what I’d been asked to do, and I didn’t intend to give them anything more. “Nothing.”

He stood up, “Okay, what do you want for your lunch today? The usual chicken salad?”

“Yes, please. No olives this time.”

“You got it.”

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