Page 78 of Best Served Hot
Lena turned back. ‘What?’
Alex didn’t answer immediately. Her brain was going nineteen to the dozen.
‘I hope that’s the silence of someone with the answer,’ Lena pushed.
Alex smiled, thinking it might be. ‘Are they still keeping all the old records in that lockup in Stanton? It’s a keypad lock, isn’t it? Er… Five, nine…Two… Oh, for fuck’s sake, what is it? Five, nine, two… Eight!’
Lena sighed. ‘I’m going there, aren’t I?’
‘I’d go if I could,’ Alex said honestly. ‘But I’m really worried about all this surveillance stuff. He could be on me, too. I mean, we’re probably alright wedged in this alley and anyone that saw that little incident on the street only saw two clumsy idiots colliding. But if anyone’s keeping an eye on me, you’re the safe one. He’s not onto you.’
Lena grumpily acquiesced. ‘Fine. But that place is filthy. You and Nicole are getting my bloody dry-cleaning bill. Do you hear me?’
‘Nicole and I will gladly reimburse you,’ Alex said happily.Nicole and I.Felt great to say it. It felt like hope. Even if there was a mountain to climb before they could see each other again, Alex would put on her hiking boots and start climbing.
‘What am I going for?’ Lena asked.
‘Just one file,’ Alex told her.
Forty-Five
Nicole was standing in front of the large glass building that was home to the bigwigs at Channel Seven, the network ofFoundations. The show was its biggest hit, somehow.
Ethan was in there now, completing his annual contract negotiation with the head of drama, Jonny Knight. The channel boss would be there too, Derek Simon. This was an annual thing, done after the season finale ofFoundationshad aired and they had an idea of the numbers. And apparently, people were eating this season up with a spoon. Nicole would never understand that, but it was what it was.
Nicole wouldn’t be able to get into the building without an appointment, but there was no need. If the past years were anything to go by, once the negotiating party had all finished clapping each other on the back, it was off into cabs for a big fancy lunch.
Lena had told Nicole that Ethan had been looking forward to this date, rubbing his grubby paws together at the thought of all the extra money he could ask for off the back of the current season’s success. That was what irked Nicole about all this. He was doing great. He hadn’t needed to steal. But this was Ethan. He wanted everything. He couldn’t help himself.
And today, he’d get everything he deserved.
Here came the negotiators now, all laughing together as they walked through the swish vestibule of the building. Nicole watched through the glass, hoping they were having a lovely time because they wouldn’t be laughing in a minute.
‘Ha, yes, I know,’ Ethan said as they exited together. He was wearing a hideous double-breasted suit, his fanciest wealthy-man costume. ‘I’m checking out actresses right now to replace Kendall. I think we can do a bit better. We’re talking to Ava Erikson—’
‘Oof,’ Nicole interrupted, and the group spun to her. ‘I know Ava. You don’t have a chance. I think she’s about to get Marvel.’
Ethan’s face dropped. ‘Nicole.’
The rest of the group didn’t look as perturbed. She knew them all from here and there. Jonny, in particular, was a familiar face. ‘Nicole! It’s been an age!’
‘Jonny, yeah. Great to see you,’ she smiled. ‘It’s just a shame it’s not under better circumstances.’
Jonny was confused. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean, I think we all need a chat about my soon-to-be ex-husband.’
‘Who’s that?’ Sarah Kane, Ethan’s agent, asked, interested.
Nicole laughed. ‘Why, it’s Ethan here.’
Jonny, Sarah, and Derek looked at Ethan in shock.
‘Ethan!’ Sarah said, in a horror that belied that maybe this was a bigger surprise to her than to anyone else. ‘I thought you weresingle.’
Ethan slapped a smile on. ‘Well, yes, no, as she said, it’s over.’
‘Recently,’ Nicole told them.
