Page 117 of Baking and Angels

As they retreated off the stage, one of the helpers met them. “Thank you so much for your work. We’re wondering if you would like to come over and do some quick interviews for us for the broadcast of this event. You know, just a real simple ‘who are you’ and any other color you wantto share.”

“Sure, that would be excellent,” Eleanor said, beaming with her assured win at hand. She stepped in front of Rafferty, making it clear that she intended to go first, and he had absolutely no problem with that. He followed the both of them out of the ballroom, going through a familiar set of double doors that led into the main kitchen, where only a few months ago he had been preparing the dinner for the WinterRose Ball.

No food was being created there today. Instead, it was being used as a sort of set with cameras set up on tripods and light stands brightening the place. Those who had already been eliminated from the competition were there giving their own interviews.

“This way,” the helper said, leading them past to another set of doors that led to the back loading dock area for the ballroom. “Oh, just her,” the helper added when they realized that Rafferty was stillfollowing.

“You can wait here,” Eleanor said, indicating a set of stools set up along the side of the kitchen. A couple of people were already waiting there for their turns to be interviewed.

The door fell closed between him and Eleanor with no further word.

Nothing about that made him feel right, but he went and sat.

He pulled out his phone and checked it for a message from Scarlet, but there was nothing. The worries he had been suppressing leapt to the front ofhis mind.

Why am I just sitting here?he asked himself, then answered.Because Eleanor told me to.

Like she was his mistress or something. That realization jarred him up to his feet. He wasn’t obligated to obey anyone anymore. Also, escorting Eleanor out made little sense. All the equipment for the interviews was here. Did they have additional setups in the docking area?

Needing to confirm, Rafferty stood up and pressed against the swinging door that led to that back area, opening a small crack.

There were only empty tables there and nothing else.

Leaning even more through the doors, he saw two figures moving away down the zigzag of the hallway. One of them was wearing a bluekerchief.

And he did not doubt where they were going.

Leaving the kitchen, he headed the direction he saw the two figures go. No one else was in the back loading dock, so he didn’t worry as he moved. He reached the first bend in the hallway just as the helper let a door fall closed before they turned and walked off the opposite way. There was no sign of the second person.

Rafferty continued forward, undeterred, but to his surprise, when he got to the door festooned with caution tape, he found it empty. The circle inside sat quiet and still in the dark. If he hadn’t known it was there, he would have barely made it out at all. He had been sure they would have been headingthis way.

Stepping back, perplexed, he looked up and down the hallway, his mortal eyes and ears straining for any hint of where Eleanorhad gone.

Lacking direction, he went to the nearest door. To his surprise, it opened into another ballroom. This one was much smaller than the main one where the event was taking place. It was also empty and dark save for a figure standing at the end of the ballroom who Eleanor was walking toward.

Immediately, Rafferty ducked back, not letting the door fall closed entirely, but keeping his fingers between it and the jamb so that he could hear what wasgoing on.

“And there she is,” the clear, boisterous voice of Vassago echoed in the smaller but still cavernous space. “How did the second round go? A success I hope?”

“Of course,” Eleanor said. “And I need to get back for the third round or this whole thing is pointless. What doyou want?”

“Oh, darling girl, none of this is about whatIwant, it’s about getting you whatyouultimately want. Isn’t that right?”

“I don’t believe that for a moment,” Eleanor countered, her voice guarded.

“Ah, yes. Occupational hazard,” he countered, not showing if he took any offense.

He’s here to renegotiate,Rafferty realized a second before Vassago confirmed it.

“Well, then I’ll get right to the point. I need to make an adjustment tothe deal.”

She crossed her arms. “Why? I’m clearly on the brink ofwinning.”

“Well, it’s not that simple, turns out,” Vassago said. “I just learned something that is going to put that all injeopardy.”

“What?” Eleanor asked, her anger growing thick inher voice.

“Now, I just want to clarify that what has happened is not in any way my fault. But do not worry, I’m here to help you,” Vassago said, then looked over his shoulders in a show of checking for eavesdroppers. Not catching the actual eavesdropper nearby, he continued. “You’re going to get disqualified.”

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