UNDERCOVER {Competed} 😌

chapter 28

Mercy

Why hadn't Joshua butted out? I wailed to myself as I huddled in the back of the link that was taking us to town. I wasn't going back to the city without my story. As thick arrogant as Jim was,the man wasn't a rapist. Now people think I'd sneaked upstairs to meet Jim,and Joshua had caught us in a sexy position, there after smashing Jim and was trying to cover up for me. Telling the truth was unthinkable so I was left marked as a flirt. At least David wasn't driving today,he and his wife were with the others at the movie premier. I didn't think I could bear to face his disappointments..

But that would change when the story hit the media. Everyone would know my team reason for being upstairs. They'd still think I was a sneak,of course,but they couldn't brand me a trollop.

At least I'd have that satisfaction. Joshua was barely talking to me now. He'd nodded a d grunted throughout our entire packing process and was even staring idly at the window,completing ignoring me. He shouldn't have treated me that way,I now thought. He'd made ms mad. Really mad.
But I had gotten even.

Several hours had passed before it hit me that Jim's presence at the ranch meant that the wedding hadn't happened yet,but as I had feared, Laura's book didn't have the date. So when Joshua went to the shed to pick up his things,I had gone to his dresser drawer and found what I needed. Safe in the trunk,inside my suitcase was a cassette labeled Joe,interview, wedding date.

Although I hadn't listened to the take yet,I knew it contained all i needed.

I scrunched deeper into the corner and cast a baleful glance at Joshua,then patted the pack at my pocket. I had a credit card and the company's telephone line. The story was mine. I had it all worked out. I'll tell Joshua I'll stay in town for a few days,rent a car and prepare for the big day.

Funny,though,with success almost at my grasp,how much I felt like crying.

I sat on the bed in Bates Motel room,turning the unplayed cassette in my hand,lost on the reflections off its plastic case. Joshua hadn't been fooled by my announcement that I wasn't going out that day. With a dark penetrating stare,he told me he'd be staying over,too. If heard a warning in his tone.

Now I dismally considered the strange coincidence that had brought both of us at this point. Of all the men in the world,why had agent Joe accidentally hitched me up with another reporter?

My hand involuntarily clutched the Cadette case and let out a yelp when the corner stabbed my hand. The answer was right under the nose. Why hadn't I seen it before?

Agent Joe knew who we were. He'd known all along,and still put us together anyway. Why?

Slamming the cassette on the bedside table,I picked up the telephone and dialed. When Joe answered,I skipped the greetings.

"Who is Donaldson?" I demanded
"Donaldson, Donaldson," Joe replied breezily. "Let me think darling"

"Joe!"
"Okay,I'll confess. Remember the guy I've been trying to fix you up with?"

Joe seemed to always try yo fix me with someone. "Was that Joshua?"
"Yea. Course he was tied how with some witch-nobody as good as you,darling-"
"Veronica." I cut him short.
"Yea,took his all. She and his best friend. So when you both called about Jim's wedding the same day,well,I have to tell you the opportunity seemed like sent from heaven."

"You shouldn't have done that Joe." I tried to stop it,but the heartbreak in my voice still cane through.

"You two have a love's quarrel?"
"Worse. Its over,and it never really started."
"Work it out," Joe advised. " love doesn't come along very often - believe me darling,I know. You've got to be on the look out for it once its found."

"At the cost of my career?" I asked heatedly. "How can you say that?"

"Work,work,work." He sounded uncharacteristically impatient. "Life is more than work. You and Joshua are alike,noses so buried in your jobs,you can't see all the good things life has to offer. When are you going to learn that the world won't end if you don't become a star?"
"Yes it will," I wailed. Ridiculous of course,but every cell in my body believed it. " if i don't her get story,it'll just prove that everyone was right."
"Are you in love with everybody or just Joshua?"

I grew suddenly mute and looked down at my hand. The solitaire winked up, as though it held a secret. I'd have to return the ring soon,give it back. Give Joshua back. My conflict grew unbearable.

Joe's urgings grew even more so. From the day I had met him in highschool,Joe had been my adviser,the only person who consistently believed in my abilities. I always listened to his advice,usually took it. But now? No,he asked too much.

"I can't talk anymore," I said my voice thickening.

"Mercy,..." But Joe's protest faded into nothing as I lowered the receiver to the hook.

I clutched my midsection and stared at the blank wall of the room,silent tears streaming down my face. At first I didn't fight then,but after a while I sniffed, then leaned forward and picked up the tape.

There in contained my prize. I had only to put it in cassette player and everything I have ever dreamed of would be mine. But when I conceived that dream,Joshua hadn't even been a gleam in my eyes,and the dream had not,in any form,included trading the love of my life for fame and glory.

Who needs the story more?
Who will get it at last?
Let me know your thoughts.
Love
Bee