Part 29 (1/2)

So it was me and an obviously shaken Pamela, the papers in her hand flapping uncontrollably until she threw them on the desk with a loud grunt. Stared at the floor while her nostrils flared in and out. And then she realized someone was watching. Lifted her head and saw me.

”What, Mick?”

I said, ”Um, like, thanks, you know? For all you did for me.”

She let out a breath and looked away. ”You didn't do anything. To be honest with you, I was hoping you had.”

If that's how she wanted to play it, then so would I. Nasty insult, where are you? Cutting wit, come back to me, please. But I barely got wind in me to speak when she said, ”f.u.c.k off out of here, Mick.”

I nodded. Sure, I could do that. And I did.

Jennings was waiting for me in the hall while Octavia spoke to Jack Hardly, one of the Senior Partners, who obviously enjoyed Octavia's company as they seemed very at ease talking. He was a man in his sixties who looked forty. He owned three of Octavia's favorite restaurants, and he sometimes rented Octavia's secret Duluth cabin for weekend trysts no one else needed to know about. So if she wanted Pamela fired, it was a no-brainer.

Jennings whispered to me, ”Didn't see it coming?”

”How long have you-”

”Octavia figured it out while they were booking her for the marijuana, when the first complaint came in. Soon as she posted bond, she had me check with a couple of sources.”

”You guys have police sources?”

”Well, I used to date him. Bad break-up, but we're good now.”

”But what about the stocks?”

He smiled. ”Are you sure you don't want her to explain it to you?”

”The gist.”

Jennings nodded at Octavia as she pa.s.sed along a signal that she was ready. We went to hold the elevators as Hardly walked Octavia to the front door. ”The people who made the complaints forgot who they were more afraid of. Until we reminded them of course.”