Page 10 of Pour Decisions
“Of course. In fact—”
She holds up one of her aged, boney fingers to stop me. Like I’m a child. Still, it works.
She continues. “Result tampering is one hundred percent against the rules.”
How did she find out so fast? Maybe someone overheard Riggs and I and reported him already. Or maybe he’s done it to every entrant except for Michael just to make sure Michael wins. Except he couldn’t have slept with anyone else last night, I can attest to that.
Doesn’t mean he didn’t do it today, I suppose.
All day, even.
But with whom? All my competition is male.
He could be bisexual. Just because he slept with me doesn’t mean he can’t also sleep with men. Working his way through the entire entrant pool like the disgusting pig that he is. Which means he’s had a lot of sex in the last day or so. Thank god we used condoms.
What an asshole.
To go to such extremes just to make sure your friend wins. And I can’t believe Michael wouldn’t rather win because of his talent and not cheating. I mean, he’s a good winemaker. Not great, but definitely good. And his ideas are innovating. That should be enough for him. The award won’t get him anything if he doesn’t have the chutzpah to carry it through and deliver on what he promised.
At least they will both get what they deserve.
“—I’m sorry to tell you, you’ve been disqualified.”
Wait.
What?
“You mean Riggs is disqualified?” I confirm.
“Well, no, we hadn’t planned on that. So far, you’re the only one with wrongdoings.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Bribing a judge to win a competition is not okay.” Her lips purse, the wrinkles surrounding them becoming more pronounced. Something I doubt she’d appreciate knowing.
“Whoa. Hold up. You think I bribed a judge?”
Barbara nods, her head moving, but her shellacked white hair stays perfectly in place. “Riggs Daley. And I think we both know I’m using the word bribe loosely.”
She emphasizes the word loose with a second nod in my direction. As though I’m loose.
Ohmigod. They think I slept with Riggs to win the competition.
“Barbara, I think there’s been a mistake,” I start.
“No mistake, Morgan. We have an eyewitness who saw you come out of his room this morning in a state of undress.”
“I wasn’t undressed,” I protest.
“Shoes off?” she asks.
I nod.
“Dress unzipped?” she adds.
I nod again.
Who could have seen me? That hallway was empty.
