136 Persecution (1/2)
”Cienna Marshal was found dead in her apartment last evening. The manager of Poseidon's Realm was known to have led a disturbed life. A reliable source reported that the doorman had seen her two days ago, entering the building, seeming to be extremely disturbed and drunk. She was found by the weekly cleaning lady last evening, having committed suicide. The authorities have refused to comment on the matter, but a.s.sure us that the results of the autopsy will be revealed shortly. Despite her reputation, she was known as a highly influential business head of the city and a budding entrepreneur. The mysterious circ.u.mstances behind her death point towards an internal or rather business-related conflict gone wrong. Speculations are being made that she was involved with the infamous Russian arms dealer. No such rumor can be proven as of now, but they are worth considering...”
”Do you think that they actually bought the story?” I was extremely worried about how the media was slowly crawling in on the story.
”Don't worry, Mia. They will only report what we want them to.”
”You seem uncannily c.o.c.ky about this.”
”Tanya is handling it. You don't need to worry about it,” he said as he switched the channel. He was going to change it again when Cienna's face splashed onto the screen once again. ”There you go.” He turned up the sound and concentrated on what they had to say.
”The world of business is shaken up, yet again, by the loss of Cienna Marshal. As the head of several restaurants and night clubs, the woman was known for her ruthlessness. Lately, she was seen in and out of rehab for s.e.xual deviance, alcoholism and substance abuse. Under further study, some very unsettling stories have come to the forefront...” he changed the channel.
”There is something fishy here, Jessica.”
”What do you mean, Ben?” the reported on the screen read out.
”Miss Marshal was found in her apartment two days after her estimated death, yet no one really found out.”
”That's how things work in this world.”
”And no one noticed her absence? I would not believe what is being shown to us, Jessica. We've all seen her body and heard the speculations. I smell a conflict here. I say she messed with the wrong people.”
”That would make sense. The tight-lipped att.i.tude that the police is displaying does raise suspicions, as well.”
”They're all falling for the stories. Let them keep speculating...” I heard him mumble under his breath.
”So, you're basically feeding the stories of her being tied to Luke and then getting him noticed?”
”Yes,” he admitted, seemingly overjoyed.
”And then you're going to sugarcoat the whole thing and clear Poseidon's Realm's name from the bad books?”
”I didn't really think of it at first, but I have the management team working on the issue. They know how to handle negative media. I suppose their motto is, 'all publicity is good publicity,'” he shrugged and then went back to staring at the television.
”Michael...” I called him, trying to get his attention. His head snapped in my direction and a smile spread across his lips.
”Yes?” he breathed and then smiled even wider than before.
”Turn down the television,” I ordered in a low voice. He pressed a b.u.t.ton on the remote, never looking away from me. The loud-voiced seized and all I heard was our synchronized breathing. ”Thank you,” I murmured. I leaned in, cradling his face in my hands and then kissing the side of his mouth.