“Just ask her.” Hillary points to Eva.
“What does Eva have to do with Chatter?”
“Shut yer mouth!” Eva threatens.
“She recently became a majority stakeholder,” Hillary says, then turns to head back to her car.
Ali looks stunned, as does Meghan. The assistant, Jenna, is furiously typing into her phone. Irene stands, mic in hand, looking at a loss for words.
It’s Alistair who comes forward, taking the mic from her. “This suddenly makes a lot of sense. There’s always money in gossip, and she probably used her friendship with Ali Kat and the promise of a top-tier headline to snag herself a place at the top.”
“Which all started that night at the bar,” Jenna says, taking the mic from Alistair and looking at Eva. “Jenna here, PR extraordinaire. With Ali’s bad luck and your close proximity, I knew something was fishy, so I reviewed the footage from Saint Cloud.”
“And I’m sure you saw nothing unusual,” Eva says darkly.
“I didn’t, at first, and you’d have to know Ali in order to realize there was an issue at all. Sure, Ali had some drinks that night. A red one, then a blue one. An orange one. Finally, water.”
Eva looks uncomfortable. “So?”
“Ali Kat is a smart woman. She has to be in order to make it as far as she has in life. She knows her limits with alcohol, and what it could cost her if she’s not careful, so she developed a system. I’m sure you know what it is.”
Eva’s eyes shift, it’s clear she’s been caught off guard.
“Red drink, blue drink, orange drink—water. Always the same, spaced in increments. It allows her to participate and drink at events while keeping safe. Never go past three drinks, and no clear liquors.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong!” Eva snaps. “Ali ordered her own drinks.”
“You’re right.” Jenna’s grin widens.
Eva blinks, forcing a smile. “I don’t know what you’re getting at, but did you hear your friend over there read off the definition of slander?”
Jenna turns to the cameras. “Let me tell you all what happened. Ali’s last drink was water, which she began drinking before going to the bathroom. When she left, Eva ordered an Everclear with a splash of sprite, which is 192 proof. The bartender remembers the conversation well. You told him it wasn’t legal in California, so you had to get your hands on it while you could. Then, you had him dispose of Ali’s water.”
“Yes, I had him take Ali’s water because I didn’t want it sitting around so someone could slip something into it. And yes, I ordered an Everclear for myself because I knew we were leaving soon, and I wasn’t close to where I wanted to be drunk-wise. I can’t help that Ali grabbed my drink. It happens all the time between us. There’s been no crime.”
“Ali’s system is rigid, and she was already tipsy, so she took the drink, and you two chatted. I don’t know what you said, but after a bit, you pointed towards the bartender, and that’s what set Ali off.”
“You think you’re so smart, like some kind of detective, but have you forgotten that I was drinking that night too? I was confused. I can’t even remember what you’re talking about. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Jenna smiles. “Yeah, but there was another odd thing I’d like to discuss…for some reason, you put the Everclear on your own tab.”
For the first time during the entire interview, Eva’s face betrays fear. “So?”
Alistair cuts in. “I had a tab open for you both. Drinks were on me.”
“It was an expensive drink. I felt bad,” Eva says.
“Bullshit!” Ali snaps. “You’ve had me pay for thousand-dollar desserts before. Don’t tell me you blinked an eye at the cost of a cocktail!”
“I’m leaving.” Eva turns, walking towards her car.
“I think-I think we’d better go too,” Brett says.
“Before you do,” Might Be Meghan says. “Do you care to clear the air about a few things?” She points to the cameras.
Rose looks to Brett. “I think we better.”
Brett and Rose begin discussing how they were approached by Chatter, and Ali slips away, running towards Eva.
