The Rules of the Red - 2014 Watty Award Winner |✓|

Chapter Nineteen - Part One

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CHAPTER NINETEEN

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“Mr. Talbot,” I said, in greeting, as I sank into the opposite seat at our table. I had finally made it to the Maison. I was late, and a little shell-shocked, but hey, I was there.

“Naomi,” Mr. Talbot replied, with a friendly nod. “Hmm, is that a twig in your hair?”

“Um, yes, yes it is.” I said embarrassed, as I ran my fingers through my hair, plucking out the leaf.

“Well, here are the forms you require,” he said, sliding one of his familiar manila folders to me across the table. I noticed that his hands were gloved, just as mine were. “It’s an excellent copy. And apart from a few, slight changes in the numbers here and there, you won’t be able to tell the difference. So I labeled them for you.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me what any of this is for?” I asked as he stood, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from his dark suit.

“Remember, asking questions isn’t part of my job, Miss Noble.”

“Right. Thank you, Mr. Talbot. Again.”

“No need for thanks. This is what I do. Good day.”

I watched him leave before opening the folder. And sure enough, inside there was the original, Eve’s fake, and the fake that Mr. Talbot’s associate had made. Swiftly, I withdrew the original, folded it, and stuck it inside my purse. Only the two fakes were left in the folder now – mine and Eve’s.

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Sofia arrived shortly after the champagne did. My shoulder had begun to ache miserably in her wake, so I had ordered the alcohol in advance, hoping to smother some of the pain. She approached me now as I uncorked the bottle, wearing a plain, black, dress with sensible high heels and a small, leather tote from Coach. She took Mr. Talbot’s previous seat, regarding me with her large, dark eyes, looking like a business woman that belonged in some glossy magazine.

“You’re here,” I said, pouring two glasses and offering one. “Should I take that as a good sign?”

“Ultimately, I am interested in anything that has to do with the Leadership.” Sofia said, accepting the glass and slightly swirling the contents. “The real question, is whether or not you have anything of value for me?”

“Well I can offer you another Leader – their fate, sealed, in your hands.”

“I have served these Leaders for quite some time now. So why would you think that I would ever turn my back on one of them for you? That would be terribly unwise on my part…”