Read Online Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine - Free Book Online Page B

He was in surgery, so she left the message on his voice mail.
    Her other little problem drove her down the steps to find Pauline. They’d protected each other for years, but lately it seemed their personal crises had multiplied. Even though she
always
vehemently squashed any office gossip about Pauline deliberately getting the switchboard lines crossed—gossip that explained why she was so well informed—Rebecca
knew
Pauline would have the answer she needed.
    “Did Shannon call IU?” Rebecca whispered.
    A grimace of disgust crossed Pauline’s pretty round face. “I don’t know! She used her cell. She’s already gone for the day.” Pauline leaned closer, her red curls falling into her eyes. “She’ll have to write something nice about you, since Mr. Porter told her to. Right? Or should we be worried?”
    “Not to worry. I’m just curious.” Rebecca blew a kiss and hurried back to her desk, before Pauline saw her slight edge of panic. Pauline had enough to worry about, being a single mom with two energetic little girls.
    Rebecca sat mulling over the silly lie that had started her journalistic career. Once or twice she’d thought about how embarrassing it might be if anyone found out she’d lied about her age, but she rationalized that no one cared enough about such things to dig into records.
    If the truth had been revealed any other time in the last fifteen years she would have laughed it off and been charmingly contrite. But given her newly vulnerable state, it loomed like the cannon shot that would knock down her facade, completely exposing her to the world.
    Maybe if she knew if Shannon cared enough to dig up that cannonball she could shore up her defenses. She called IU to thank the alumni director for the coming honor.
    She was told someone from the
Chicago Daily Mail
had already spoken to the director before she left this afternoon on a two-week vacation.
    Her intuition warned her this was not good news, but her common sense told her there was nothing more she could do about it until she accosted Shannon tomorrow.
    The next morning Pauline brought both of them Giant Gulps from the deli.
    “What else can I do to help you?” Pauline whispered. “I haven’t been able to find out anything about Shannon’s column. Except that she’s running a picture of someone in her bra and thong dancing on a bar.”
    “Charming.” Rebecca shook her head and started gulping Coke. “Honestly, I’m just curious, that’s all.”
    “Okay, if you say so.” With a wave, Pauline drifted back to the switchboard.
    After devouring twenty ounces of caffeine, Rebecca pushed herself up and walked past her old office. She peered in. Shannon wasn’t there. The computer beckoned to her, so she stepped inside the door.
    “Rebecca, are you looking for our Shannon?” Tim’s nosy secretary, Maybella, shouted from the end of the hall.
    Damn!
Rebecca poked her head back out and smiled. “Yes. I’ll just wait in here until she gets back.”
    “No. Come back later. You’ll have a long wait. Shannon’s in Mr. Porter’s office on a conference call with Mr. Sumner.” The little note of pleasure was unmistakable in Maybella’s voice.
    When I get this office back, no more chocolates for you.
Rebecca shrugged. “I’ll catch Shannon later.” She strolled away, feeling Maybella’s cold eyes boring into her back all the way down the hall.
    Rebecca forced herself to work at her lonely, pathetic desk until she glanced at her watch and decided enough time had passed and she could stroll over to the executive offices again.
    Waiting like a vulture, Maybella never took her eyes off Rebecca. “They’re still in that important meeting,” she drawled. “Can I take a message? Shannon’s a real busy little lady.”
    “No, I’ll be back.” She stalked away, frustration burning a hole straight through her stomach. Back at her desk, she called Pauline. “Does Maybella
ever
leave?”
    “Only for Starbucks venti double carmel