Page 92 of Bargain with the Bachelor
Rolling my eyes, I started to walk away from the distasteful PDA, but the sound guy said, “Wait! This isn’t even the good part. Wait for it…”
Within a few seconds, the woman extracted herself from the lip-lock and whispered something to the man. And I got a look at their faces.
It was Margot Bianco and Harry McAllen.
Were theyinvolved? Or was it just a case of being tipsy and desperate at a party? In any case, things had apparently not worked out for Margot with the tie-wearing network executive.
“Here it comes.” The sound tech cranked the monitor’s speaker volume, removing his headphones.
“You greedy bitch,” Harry said, his voice coming through loud and clear. It must have been picked up by the camera’s expensive boom mic.
There was a loud crack as Margot slapped Harry across the face.
“It shouldallhave been mine anyway,” she informed him haughtily. “He left her a ridiculous amount. She doesn’t even like shopping. Andyouwouldn’t have gotten a dime if I hadn’t given you the security code and password. So when I say I want a bigger cut, the only thing I want to hear from you is ‘how much?’ That’sifyou know what’s good for you. The fraud investigators are still sniffing around, you know.”
“If you think you’re going to blackmail me, I warn you, I won’t be going down alone,” Harry promised.
“Hey Hap,” one of the grips called out when Hap came in through the front door. “I think we’ve found your next project for you. Real Housewives of Rhode Island.Lotsof drama.”
“I wonder what fraud they’re talking about?” the sound guy asked.
I didn’t wonder. I already knew. There was no doubt in my mind the two of them were referencing the money drained from Kristal’s trust fund.
The authorities needed to know about this. Kristal needed to know.
My heart raced at the thought of calling her. Someone had to, and this wasnotan instance where she’d be better off without me.
She needed that money.
She needed my help.
Unless she really was involved with Larson Overstreet.
Dousing the burning ball of fury that idea produced, I tried to think logically through my next steps. I didn’t even have Kristal’s new number. I’d have to get it from Cinda. But first… I turned to Hap.
“How can I get a copy of this?”
My friend gave me a strange look, as if I might want to save it for my own personal video collection.
“The video of Harry McAllen and his date? Uh, I can ask Greg to make you a copy and email you the file, I guess.”
“That would be great.”
I headed upstairs to shower and dress, powered by a burst of energy that cleared my head and settled my stomach. “I’d like that within the hour if you can manage it. And Aidan?”
My housemate gave me a baffled glance. “Yeah?”
“I’ll take that toast and coffee if the offer’s still good. I’ve got a lot to do today.”
After a quick breakfast, I drove to Cinda’s business, The Fairy Godmother Cleaning Agency.
It was located on the second floor of a modest two-story office complex in Eastport Bay’s business district.
Just inside the front entrance, her stepsister Olivia greeted me warmly from the receptionist’s desk.
A littletoowarmly, in fact.
“Hunter Bestia, it’s been too long,” she drawled. “We should have a drink sometime and catch up.”
