Page 80 of Bookworm and the Beast
The butler immediately stepped forward to intercept her and turn her around. “This way, madam.”
Claudia looked none too pleased but complied. Bonnie and I walked toward the library as well.
When we reached the door she said, “I’ll see you later,” and tried to pull away from me toward the stairs, clearly intending to retreat to her suite.
“Oh no you don’t,” I said under my breath. Tightening my hold on her hand, I gave her a pleading look. “I want you with me. I need you. Please?”
At her reluctant nod, I relaxed a fraction. Then with Bonnie by my side, I stepped into the snake pit where the queen viper waited.
Bonnie and I took the couch, and I gestured for Claudia to sit in the chair opposite us.
“So, what was it you wanted to say?” I demanded as soon as we were all seated.
Clearly disgruntled at Bonnie’s continued presence, Claudia raised her pointy chin but soldiered on.
“As I was saying, there are things you don’t know about what happened. I did sell your outline to the tabloid, but I was desperate. My dog… Fifi… had cancer and needed some very expensive surgery and then chemo treatments. I didn’t have the money. I thought we would get engaged, that money wouldn’t be… well it wouldn’t be an issue any longer. But you were dragging your feet, Jack. I had to do something. I never thought it would go so far—I thought it would be only in the tabloid, and no one believes those anyway.”
I had to work hard to keep from laughing at the overly dramatic expression of woe on Claudia’s face.
“I didn’t even know you had a dog. You never mentionedFifiwhen we were together. Not once.”
She put on a bad rendition of shock. “That’s not true. Fifi was everything to me. I’m sure I must have mentioned her dozens of times. You just don’t remember.”
“Shewaseverything?”
“Yes, uh… by the time I got the payment, it was too late to help her. I had to put her down.”
My ex blinked dramatically and even managed to produce a tear.
Bravo, Claudia.Those acting classes may pay off yet.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Bonnie interjected, apparently buying the made-up tale. Claudia glared at her in response.
I leaned forward, keeping my tone low and even, though it might have been more satisfying to shout.
“Phillipe wouldn’t help?”
She sniffled. “My… friendship with him didn’t work out.”
“I see.” Obviously, old Phillipe had possessed a more refined gold digger detector than I had back then.
“Did it ever occur to you, Claudia, that you could have justtoldme about the dire situation with Fifi and asked me to help with the cost of her treatment?”
Claudia withdrew a tissue from her favorite Hermes handbag—which she could have sold and easily paid for “Fifi’s” surgery—and dabbed delicately beneath her eyes.
“I know. I know you would have. That’s what I should have done, of course. But I didn’t want you to ever think I was with you for your money.”
My tone was surly and facetious. “Why would Ieverthink something like that?”
“Well, I wasn’t. I loved you. I still do. We were perfect for each other.”
Something occurred to me—a question I’d never thought to ask Claudia when we were together.
“Claudia… which of my books is your favorite?”
For a moment, the guileless mask dropped, and I saw sheer panic. “Uh… it’s hard to choose. They’re all so good.”
“But if youhadto choose…” I prompted.
