Page 127 of Chandelier Enthralled
A shudder slithered up my spine. “What are you working on?”
“The same as usual. You?”
“An edit, and my own story about drinks being tampered with.”
“Covered that. Last spring.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, realizing my mistake in not checking that detail.
Chloe pursed her lips. “Is it true? You’re related to the Coles.TheColes?”
I looked away. Perhaps that explained her coldness.
“Chad told me,” Chloe said. “Can’t keep anything private around here. We’re surrounded by people who professionally sniff out secrets.”
“I want to make it on my own merit.”
“Sure, but Jewel knows who you are, right?”
“Did she mention what she wanted?”
“I covered for you. Told her you were at a dental appointment. Don’t make me lie for you again.”
“Sorry, and thank you.”
“Look, Willa, for everyone else, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you don’t take it seriously—”
“No, I do.”
“Then act like it.”
I stared at my hands as though it were possible to undo the last twenty-four hours. “My brother…it was a family thing.”
My brother kind of kidnapped me and drove me out into the middle of nowhere to show me what Jewel was capable of.
Chloe could never hear that.
I tried to get a sense of what kind of reception was waiting for me on the top floor. “How did she react to me not being here?” I asked.
“She looked around your desk.”
I swallowed hard. “I was also researching a story.”
She looked unimpressed. “Tell her.”
“Something exciting,” I added, my gut aching over how Chad had betrayed me—even after I’d promised to help him.
“What’s the story?” She looked intrigued.
“A missing person turned up dead.”
She thought on it. “Who?”
“Dean Hersey.”
“The journalist?”
“Yes.”
