Page 3 of Villainous Mind

“Do you have a moment, sir?” I asked, sticking my head into his office.

“Miss Bardot, come in.” I felt his eyes look me up and down as I took a seat in the chair in front of his desk. I made sure my black leather skirt was slightly shorter today and left the top two buttons open on the cream blouse I wore. “You look different. Not so dark and brooding.” He ran a finger along his salt-and-pepper mustache. “How can I help you?”

I held in a smirk at his comment, having opted not to wear my usual all-black. “I have a story I would like to pitch you,” I said.

“Youhave a story for me?” He set his empty teacup down. “This I’ve got to hear.”

“Um, yes.” I bit my lower lip. “It’s about the missing girls in Wales.” I stood up. “Here, let me get you another cup.” I walked over to a side table and poured him another tea from a china teapot, bending over just enough to emphasize my backside.

“What about the girls, Miss Bardot?”

My mother used to tell me I was coldhearted. She was right. I am. Not necessarily out of vengeance this time, but perhaps more necessity.

I carefully relayed Sam’s tale, setting the fresh cup in front of Granger, then sat on the edge of his desk.

“It’s interesting,” he said, watching as I crossed my legs. “Where exactly did you hear this information?”

“At the funeral for Sir Leonard Payne.” I leaned forward and straightened his tie, running my fingers down the black silk. “I was hoping you would let me go to St. Ishmaels and dig around a bit to see what I can find out.”

“I thought you were a secretary,” he said, running his hand over my thigh.

“I graduated from Goldsmiths in journalism.” I pushed myself off the desk and sat on the arm of his chair.

“Impressive.”

“If I find there is a story, then maybe you will give me a chance.”

His hand moved under the hem of my skirt, and I tried not to flinch. “We could probably come to an agreement.” He forced me onto his lap.

“Good, then it’s a deal,” I said.

He kissed me, parting my lips with his tongue, demanding and predatory. My stomach rolled.

There was a knock on the door, and Sam popped his head in. Gallagher looked up. “Give me a minute, doll,” he said, slapping my bottom. “What can I do for you, Atterbury?

The shock that initially covered Sam’s face turned to horror. “It’s nothing. I’ll come back.”

“No, we’re finished here for now.” I moved off his lap, smoothing down my skirt. “Miss Bardot, go ahead to Wales and see what you can find out. Keep me posted on any discoveries.”

“Wales?” Sam questioned.

“Miss Bardot thinks she has a possible break on the missing girls,” Gallagher explained. “If it proves true, this might be her first chance at a story.”

I passed Sam, looking him in the eyes, and shrugged. I didn’t intentionally use him. Just his story. If I didn’t look out for myself, no one would.

“One moment, sir,” Sam said to Granger, following me out the door. He grabbed my arm, stopping me in the hallway.

“Navy, what was that about?” he asked.

“It’s not personal, Sam.”

“I offered to collab with you,” he said. “I would have given you the entire story if you asked me for it. You didn’t need to resort to that.”

“Sam, you’re a nice guy, but you’ve never had to work for anything in your life. You don’t understand what it’s like to claw your way up the ladder.”

“I love you. I would have had your back.”

“Sam, please.”

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