No in Between (Inside Out #4)(62)

“I called and warned them—fully. I told them how dirty this was getting. The first thing Katie did was ask how you were holding up.”

“Because she’s proper about everything. That doesn’t change what she might be thinking about me, or us. I’m too embarrassed to face her and Mike.”

“Don’t be. They know how the press operates. They had an issue with the press over a competitor-created scandal years back. They know how things are twisted for other people’s benefit.”

“Still—”

He cups my face and kisses me soundly on the lips. “I promise, baby. If I thought it was a problem, we wouldn’t go there.” He steps back and glances at his watch. “I need to get moving so I can get back here at a reasonable time. I’ll ask Mark to walk out with me so I can pick his brain about anything he knows that we don’t. I’ll call or text you if I’m going to be more than an hour.” He disappears into the hallway.

It’s going to be hard to hear the accusations about Chris and Rebecca; my heart aches just thinking about it. I want all of this to go away and I can’t make it happen. Nothing I do changes anything, and I’m left with a clawing sensation inside me—like I’m supposed to do something before it’s too late, but I don’t know what it is, or why.

? ? ?

Three hours after his departure, Chris still isn’t back from the police station. Judging from his numerous text messages, he’s doing a lot of waiting in between a lot of talking, and I have no idea when he’ll return.

Thankfully, inside the gallery things have been calm, though Jacob has warned Ralph and me that there’s a circus outside.

I’m just about to deliver the last of the data I’ve collected for Ralph, when Jacob walks into my office. “Amanda’s safe and at her parents’ place in L.A.” He sets a piece of paper with a number on it down on the desk. “Thought you might want that.”

Relief washes over me. “Oh, thank goodness. But why in the world is she in L.A.?”

“No idea. We tracked her travel data. We have no other details, but I’m guessing someone or something spooked her. We need to know who or what, and people talk more openly to those they trust.”

Understanding, I nod. “I’ll call her and let you know what I find out.”

“Remember you’re all over the news. She’s going to know what’s being said.”

My belly clenches. “I figured as much.”

“I’ll be in the break room in case you need me. I never ate my lunch. You might want to consider joining me and eating yours.”

“Yum,” I say. “Cold pizza.”

“A microwave works miracles.”

“A microwave makes soggy crust.”

“Which is better than nothing.” He disappears into the hallway. My attention shifts to the phone number he’s given me, and I do what I’ve avoided all day: I google the local news. I know from the first sentence I’m going to wish I’d skipped the story, but it’s like I’m transfixed by a bad horror movie, and I keep on reading.

Guilty, or a victim of a sexcapade gone wrong? That’s the question about Ava Perez. Accused of murdering Rebecca Mason, who has been missing for months, she now claims her confession was brought on by blackmail. Those charges were dropped today, but she’s still accused of attacking Sara McMillan and trying to kill her. So who is this Sara McMillan? She works for Mark Compton, said to be the kingpin of a high-end sex club. Ms. McMillan is also dating acclaimed billionaire artist Chris Merit, who is rumored to be a member of said sex club. Both men were allegedly intimately involved with Rebecca Mason, the missing woman who once held Sara McMillan’s job.

I can’t take any more, and I hit Escape and press my fingers to my throbbing temples. But I had to know what’s being said; denial is dangerous. And I’m okay. I won’t be a victim to anyone, including the press. Nothing in this story is unexpected.

Grabbing my cell phone, I punch in the phone number Jacob has given me to reach Amanda. After three rings, a man answers. “Hi,” I say. “I’m looking for Amanda. This is Sara. I work with her.”

“Hold on.”

The line goes silent and I wait for what feels like forever.

“Sara?” She sounds awkward, like she doesn’t really want to talk to me.

“Amanda. Hi. I was worried when you didn’t show up at work.”

“I meant to call you.”

“What happened? I was afraid something happened to you.”

“I know.” She’s silent a moment. “You were right. I was in over my head.”

“What does that mean?”

“Ryan. He’s into all that kinky stuff you guys are into, and I’m just not.”

“There is no ‘you guys’ to this. I told you the news was going to report a sex scandal today. Ava’s people are trying to make me look bad so the DA will drop the charges.”

“I heard she attacked you.”

“She did. I had stopped by Mark’s to ask his advice about something, and she was there with Ryan. She started screaming that she was going to kill me, like she did Rebecca. It was horrible.”

“Oh God. I had no idea.”

“It was beyond horrible. But maybe we can at least get justice out of this.”