Read Online Showbiz, A Novel by Ruby Preston - Free Book Online Page B

thought Margolies, remembering their frigid marriage. There were exactly two things they had had in common when they’d met—a hunger for power and the ill-advised infatuation of young lust—neither of which made for a happy marriage.
                  “I just thought I’d check in on you. Figured you’ve been having a rough time of it,” he said, making his best effort to convey sincerity. Candace wasn’t fooled.
                  “Cut the crap. We had a deal. Now Kanter’s dead. Game over. I don’t need you anymore.” She finished off her drink and slammed the glass onto the coffee table.
                  “You wouldn’t even be there if it weren’t for me,” Margolies said , stepping in front of the bourbon bottle as she got up to pour herself a refill. He could see the web of wrinkles across her once-smooth face. The circles under her eyes not quite disguised by makeup. Her once-thick blonde hair was thinning and flat, these days. She had been so beautiful, he thought.
                  “And you wouldn’t be the Great and Wondrous Margolies,” she said sarcastically, “if it weren’t for me and that idiot of yours, Kanter. But apparently he couldn’t take it anymore. Now, thanks to his grand gesture, I’m practically getting a promotion, and you’re screwed.”
                  She pushed past him, grabbed the bourbon off the counter, and took a defiant swig directly from the bottle.
                  “You say I’m screwed?” Margolies turned to face her and pressed her up against the counter. He could see the look of lust that flashed in her eyes. A little late for her to decide she wanted him that way. She always was so easy to manipulate.
                  He cooed to her, “We’ve done okay for ourselves these past few years. We’ve made it to the top like, we always said we would, haven’t we, Candy?” She flinched at the nickname that she had banned as she ascended the ranks at the paper.
                  “We’ve talked more in the past few days than we have in twenty years,” she said, tilting her head back to look him in the eye. She was tall but he was taller.
                  “I think it’s time we discussed a new deal.” He returned her gaze.
                  The moment passed, and she slid out from the counter and got a fresh glass before taking the bottle back to the couch.
                  “Why should I do anything for you?” she asked. “I could ruin you. I’m sure more than a few people would love to know that you were paying off Kanter.” She smiled just a little. “Now it looks like I’m the only one in the world who knows your dirty little secret.”
                  “ Our dirty little secret, you mean. I see you have a selective memory these days, Candace. Must be the booze. If I hadn’t pulled strings at the Banner , you’d still be a two-bit assistant editor. And it was you , need I remind you, Ms. Arts and Culture Editor, who’s on record for hiring Kanter.”
                  “We had a deal then. I don’t need you this time around. No blackmail. No pay offs. This time the public gets to pick the theater critic.”
                  Margolies changed tactics. She was so damned combative, and he desperately needed to get her to cooperate.
                  “I actually think your critic contest is a great idea, Candace. You did good.”
                  She stared at him, slacked jawed. Already through her second drink. Her bourbon-soaked brain was unable to process the compliment. She narrowed her eyes. “You’re joking.”
                  “Not at all. You’ll get public support of your guy. The new critic will take back the power of that position.”
                  “What’s the catch?” she asked suspiciously.
                  He