Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62710 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
The problem I’m going to run into now is being discreet about my questioning. People know who I am. Every time I walk down the street, I’m stopped and asked questions. They want to know what I know. They want proof. They are desperate for answers to a case that has been the talk of the town for such a long time. Now there has been a boy returned, they’re going to have even more questions.
I hope I can give them the answers.
I make note to try and find time to question the mother of the returned foster boy, in hopes that she might be able to give me something to work with. Of course I already know Bill has something to do with it, but there is so much more going on behind the scenes. Bill would never return someone he stole to sell, so how did the boy return, and who was behind that?
I have so many questions, and no answers.
Picking up my things, I glance down at my watch.
I’m going into the office today, to confront Jerimiah. I want to know why the hell he published my story when he was told not to. I’m done with people making choices for me, and I’m not going to sit back and let him get away with it.
I finish up reading the article and then take my keys and head out to my car. I no longer require Remy to be around constantly, and I’ve been able to move back into my apartment. For now, with Bill thinking I’m working with him, I am fairly safe. He has no reason to hurt me unless I give him reason to, so, for the moment, I’m confident that I can travel about on my own without problem. Remy still comes and checks in multiple times a day, and Leo is always calling to make sure I’m okay.
I don’t feel entirely alone, and that’s nice.
Driving to the office, I take a moment to enjoy the silence of being alone. You don’t truly realize just how good it feels to be alone until that choice is taken from you. When I arrive, I park my car and then head up to the offices where I once worked. It’s not like I don’t have a job here if I want it, but for now, I have chosen to step away. It’s too risky for me to work until this is over, and I’m enjoying my time at the club doing something different.
Stepping out of the elevator, I let my eyes scan the office until I settle on Jerimiah sitting at his desk. I make my way toward him, and watch as he catches sight of me and his eyes widen. He knows, he knows even before I’ve made it to his desk, that I’m onto him. With every step that passes, anger bubbles in my chest. This man nearly got me killed. Pete and I had agreed not to publish that story, and he went ahead and did it anyway.
How he still has a job is beyond me.
When Pete returns from his trip away, I’ll be making it known exactly who went behind his back.
“Bonnie ...” Jerimiah begins, but I don’t let him continue.
“Don’t Bonnie me, pal. I know exactly what you did. The fact that you thought I wouldn’t figure it out is laughable. I want to know why, and you best give me a good answer, otherwise I’m going to take this straight above your head and ensure you lose your job.”
His eyes frantically dart to Pete’s empty office, and then back to me.
“I didn’t ...”
“Cut the crap,” I snap. “We both know you did. Now, I’m giving you the chance to tell me why. You have one minute.”
“It was meant to be my chance,” he blurts, “that job was meant to be mine. Pete promised a promotion, he promised to let me into the writing side of things, and then he went ahead and decided to let you go and keep me where I am. I begged, told him to give me a chance, and he wouldn’t. So, I released that story because ...”
“Because you knew what it would do to my career,” I grind out. “What you failed to realize, is that it also put my life in danger. Did you even stop to consider that?”
“I didn’t ... I didn’t realize until it came out that it would be so bad.”
“Really?” I mutter. “Because I’m certain you’re smart enough to know that a story like that, using the names of people involved, would cause chaos.”
He falls silent, because he knows I’m right.
“It was a mistake,” he tries, once more.
“A mistake that cost me everything,” I snap. “But you know what, Jerimiah, I’m not the same kind of trash you are. It would bring me great joy to see you lose your job, but I’m better than you. So, instead, I’m going to let you sit here knowing that you almost cost a woman her life to get what you want. Each and every step you take now, should be riddled with guilt. If you get that job, you’ll forever know it was because you’re a god damned cheat. If Pete truly wanted you, he would have offered it.”