Hired for secrets

Indecent proposal

Sofie sat opposite Philip in Elandra's elegant restaurant. They met for lunch and instead of Philip's bedroom suite, he had led her to the sandstone veranda overlooking the rolling English countryside. Sofie breathed a sigh of relief. In this public setting, she could focus on getting the information she needed without getting distracted by their chemistry.

"Before I left last time, you had a strange look on your face," she opened, hoping to get straight to the point by confirming his hunch about her. Then they could discuss how to exchange information, negotiate payments, and she could get on with her story. When it came down to it, all informants were basically the same: give them carrots or sticks and they will talk.

"What look?"

"Like I can give you something you need."

"Hmm." A curt nod acknowledged her observational skills; he had not expected her to interpret his expression so clearly. "Maybe you can, maybe you can't. This isn't about me. It's about you. What do you want?"

He sandbagged her. He knew she wanted information, no need to spell that out. Instead he asked about her motives. Why? They never mattered to anyone in the past. All people cared about was what's in it for them. So why did it matter to him? Did he want to actually sell dirt on MP Kerry? Or was he hired to sound out Kerry's opponents? If so, he wanted to find out what Sofie already knew about MP Kerry and report the details back. She needed to be careful, needed to first find out where his allegiances lied.

"No. You cannot answer a question with a question, Philip."

A sly smile crept into his face, bringing back the confident gigolo.

"Well, Miss Carter, it would seem that I can." The midday sun sparked in his drink and reflected mischievously in his eyes. "And I would argue that my question is more interesting than yours. Because what I want is quite obvious. I told you so last time: I've never been in love."

What? He tried to bait her. How insufferably cocky. He seemed to think that saying he'd never been in love was like waving a red flag in front of a bull. This might work on women with the psychological profile of his clients, used to winning every challenge, but it didn't work on her. Philip had already decided this was a challenge no one would win, and it merely amused him seeing them try.

That was fine by her. Her goal wasn't to get into his heart. She wanted to get into his head. Fortifying his defences at the wrong spot would only make her job easier.

"Ok. You want to know why I'm here?" She looked down at her hands. "When Mrs. Gartner told you she wanted to quit the Club, she mentioned her charity work. That's how we met. I helped her understand that the pleasures here are meaningless distractions to what really matters in life. But she has a hard time letting go and I tease her about it. So we made a bet: If I give into the delights here, I don't get to ridicule her anymore."

"Really? You're a charity worker?"

"Yes. I help the homeless."

It was close enough to the truth. In fact, stopping MP Kerry probably did more for the homeless than the soup kitchen and shelters combined. It would stop a further deterioration of the already meager social support net and prevent more people from slipping into poverty. It also gave her the perfect alibi for why she met with unsavoury characters, or ducked through dangerous alleyways at night.

"And Mrs. Gartner helps too? I didn't think she's the type." He almost laughed at the absurdity. "It's tough work. Good that she has you for moral support. Though I assume it's not mutual. Who supports you when you need it?"

"Are you asking me if I have a partner?"

He's good! He planted the idea, once more, that he was actually interested in her. That this might turn into love.