Page 91 of Corrupted Empire

“I heard the charges were dropped against your man,” she says. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. We’re both very pleased that the police finally accepted his innocence.”

I can hear the sly grin in Debbie’s voice. “Sure you are, hen. But that’s not the main reason for my call.”

“Oh?”

Clara is watching the scene unfold with interest. She has seen me going from cursing the very ground Debbie Harris walks on, to forming a tentative friendship to outright threatening her livelihood. She’s very curious to see how this plays out.

“Yes, as it turns out, I recently found myself in a wee pickle,” Debbie says. “You see, the paper has been struggling as of late. I was looking maybe at having to lay some folks off, and I really wasn’t keen on the idea.”

“Lucky I’m no longer on the chopping block,” I muse. “I would have been first to go.”

“Lucky indeed. Luckier still that a very generous anonymous donation has been made in my name to both the paper itself and the Finn Striker Foundation.”

My mouth goes dry. The Finn Striker Foundation was what started it all for Gabriel and me. He made a large donation, and because of that, Debbie assigned me to interview him. To be fair, I suppose things started between us when we had sex in a VIP booth two years earlier, but our paths might have never crossed again if not for the Finn Striker Foundation.

“That’s very fortunate for you,” I say.

Debbie laughs humorlessly. “Aye,toofortunate. We both know where that money has come from and what it’s for.”

“Debbie, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I don’t, though I can guess. I told Gabriel I didn’t want to hurt Debbie, and so he’s taken the approach of the carrot rather than the stick. But will that work on a wily old fox like Debbie?

“I think you do,” she says. “I did consider rejecting this donation; however, I believe it would be easier for everyone if I were just to accept it. What do you think?”

I smirk. “Yes, I should think that’s wise.”

“The reason for my call then, Alexis, is to say goodbye.”

Am I detecting a hint of sadness in Debbie’s voice? Surely not.

“We could still do some great work together, Debbie,” I say. “I’m looking to start producing a nonprofit publication for Bellucci Inc. soon. I could use a sharp mind like yours.”

Debbie snorts. “Not a feckin’ chance.”

“Worth a shot,” I chuckle.

“Have a good life, Alexis. And take care of yourself.”

“You too, Debbie.”

The line goes dead, and I find myself blinking away tears. I set my phone on the desk and take a deep breath. What’s wrong with me? Clara leans over and rubs her hand over my cheek.

“It’s for the best, babe,” she says.

I sniff. “I know.”

“Make sure you get all the tears out now,” Sandra chirps from behind me. “Once I get your makeup on, a single tear will make you look like a swamp monster.”

* * *

I’m made up, done up, and dressed. My eyes are outlined in gold and black, and my lips a decadent red. The green dress wraps tightly around my bosom, and the long skirt swishes dramatically when I walk. It also has the added sexiness of a slit high up my thigh on one side.

To top it all off, there was a necklace hung inside the garment bag that I didn’t see before because I didn’t try it on. The string of diamonds twinkles on my neck, bold and beautiful. I couldn’t even guess at the cash value of such a luxurious piece of jewelry.

I can’t stop staring at myself.

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