Page 68 of The Restaurant on Plum Island
“Did I overstep, or was I led into a trap?” Trinity shot back, her eyes widening in feigned innocence. “I was under the impression those questions came fromyou.”
Ethan arched an eyebrow. “And you didn’t think to verify? That’s not like you, Trinity.”
“I...” Trinity faltered, her facade cracking. “There was no time.”
“But you had an entire day,” Ethan pointed out, his tone even yet unyielding. “I think that you knew those questions hadn’t come from me, and you orchestrated it so Stella would arrive with barely a moment to spare.”
“Let me guess, you’ve spoken to that pitbull, Paige!” Trinity spat out Paige’s name. “She’s the one who should be canceled. That woman is horrid.”
“Actually, Paige Garland might be tough and could probably stop a tank with one of her cold looks, but she’s fair and doesn’t put up with nonsense,” Ethan assured Trinity. “And she fights for her clients.”
“You admire her!” Trinity accused.
“While we mere mortals may fear Paige, if she were on your side, you’d have a different view of her,” Ethan pointed out. “But to answer your question, no, I have yet to speak to her.” He sighed. “Which I suspect will be really soon.” His eyes narrowed as he saw guilt shining in their depth. “You know where those questions came from.”
“Alright!” Trinity relented. “I knew those questions didn’t come from you,” she conceded, her voice strained.
“Who did they come from?” Ethan’s eyes bore into her, letting her know she wasn’t going to wiggle her way off the hook.
Trinity’s shoulders slumped. “I’m sure as soon as you speak to Miss Pitbull, she’s going to tell you.” She drew in a ragged breath. “My show’s been hemorrhaging viewers, and the network’s been wavering on renewing my contract.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Ethan was surprised to hear her news, but his expression turned to shock as what she was trying to say registered with him. “Youorchestrated this?”
“I had no choice,” Trinity’s voice was ladened with regret. “You threw this opportunity at me and then put me on a leash with thosebland questions I was supposed to ask Stella. It wouldn’t have spiked the show’s ratings. I needed drama and sensation.”
Ethan felt a rush of indignation. “So you decided to exploit Stella Hart on live TV?”
“Why do you have to make it sound so awful like that?” Trinity’s brow creased, and she defended her actions. “It wasn’t purely selfish.” Her tone was earnest. “Look at the ratings spike from that episode.” She showed him her phone, revealing the surge in viewership. “The viewers rallied around Stella, applauding her resilience. And the buzz? It’s already boosting even more interest in The Cobble Cove Mysteries.”
Ethan frowned, unswayed. “And you think this justifies blindsiding Stella?” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets, shaking his head. “And then there’s the forgery not once but twice.” He looked at her. “That’s illegal.”
“I know you don’t believe me, but I wasn’t trying to hurt Stella. I was trying to give her a spectacular career relaunch.” Trinity met his gaze. A mix of defiance and vulnerability shone in her eyes. “And yes, I had selfish reasons too.” She implored him. “Ethan, I’m fighting for survival in this cutthroat industry. It’s not just about my show; it’s about staying relevant amidst a sea of digital content and streaming platforms.”
Ethan shook his head, disappointed. “When did the chase for ratings eclipse your integrity, Trinity? When did the end justify the means, regardless of the cost?”
A shadow of sorrow passed over Trinity’s features. “That idealistic Trinity you knew? She’s long gone. This industry, this constant battle for viewers’ attention, it changes you. I’m not just up against other talk shows; I’m battling an entire digital revolution to keep my job.”
Ethan stared at her, a profound sadness for what she’d become washing over him. The industry had indeed changed Trinity, but at what cost? He stared at her as she stood waiting for his comment or verdict. While Ethan couldn’t condone what Trinity had done, he did understand where she was coming from, and in her own twisted way, he knew she really did want to help Stella. Trinity may have gone to extremes to save her show, but Ethan also knew she had a big heart, which he was sure was still beating in her chest.
Ethan sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I can’t overlook what you did, Trinity,” he told her as something else dawned on him, and he looked at her accusingly. “Did you orchestrate that little setup in the lobby this evening?”
Trinity bit her lip, and her cheeks pinkened. “It’s already got two hundred thousand views,” she said.
“You were filming us?” Ethan hissed and then gaped at her before going cold. “What do you mean views?”
“I put it on the internet.” Trinity found the popular platform and showed him. “Don’t worry; there are no words. It just shows you all meeting in the lobby, looking like you’re about to have a showdown.” She handed her phone to Ethan. “It’s done to music for the show’s promo tomorrow night. Not that it matters now as the segment has been pulled.”
Ethan’s heart jolted against his rib cage as he watched the promo, which he had to grudgingly admit was very well done. He handed Trinity her phone back. “If you lose your job, you could always go into advertising. That’s an excellent promotional video.”
“I don’t like it when you do that compliment with a scowl,” Trinity told him. “It’s like saying you’re really great, but it isn’t me; it’s you. Goodbye. In other words, you’re going to press charges, I’ll lose my job, and probably go to prison for forgery.”
Ethan sighed. “That’s not what’s going on in my head right now,” he told her. “I have a lot of pressing matters that need attending to.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Let me figure something out.” He frowned. “When you asked me if Paige had spoken to me, was it because she knows about this?”
“Yes.” Trinity nodded. “I have a meeting with my boss tomorrow todiscussthe way forward with this unfortunate disaster, which is what he’s calling it.”
“What time is your meeting with him?” Ethan asked.
“Eleven in the morning,” Trinity told him.
