“You can stay,” Thomas said. He cocked his head to the side as he looked at me. “Are you here to discuss the same thing with me, Ava?”
Desmond turned to me, and I fumbled as I tried to speak fast. “Yes. Ellie brought it up with me at the café, and I didn’t know what to do, so I came here,” I began while Thomas looked less pleased.
“That wasn’t the right place for her to bring up sensitive information like this,” he said, fingers tapping against the table.
“There weren’t any other people around,” I added. “But more importantly, I have an idea.”
“What kind of idea?” Thomas prodded.
I leaned forward. “We give Bianca the interview that she is angling for. Give her access. Make us more relatable and open so that she can see that we have nothing to hide.”
Thomas sat back in his chair, looking taken aback. I chanced a look at Desmond, who was staring at me, comprehension dawning on his face.
“Who would give this interview?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.
“I’ll do it,” I said, feeling the fear wash off me. I’d be doing the very thing that would aggravate Kyle. Talking about his embezzlement and going public with it. I’d been warned by Kyle to keep my nose out of his affairs, but I couldn’t live in fear of him anymore.
Desmond looked displeased while Thomas looked surprised.
“Actually, that’s a good—” Thomas began while Desmond interrupted him.
“They’ll tear her to shreds,” he said wryly. “All thenewspapers will have a field day if they interview her regarding that embezzlement.”
I drew in a deep breath, and I looked between Thomas and Desmond. “The man who embezzled funds is still out there on the run. If my interview will help draw attention to him and help catch him … then I think I ought to, don’t you?”
Desmond looked back at Thomas this time.
Thomas was considering it, and after a long minute, he nodded. “You can. Go ahead and set it up.”
I nodded, thanked him, and excused myself.
Before I could leave, I heard Thomas ask Desmond, “Now, how much longer do we have before you need to leave for your meeting?” just as the door shut behind me.
Minutes later, when I reached the café, I saw to my complete surprise that Hank was waiting for me by one of the tables.
Feeling flustered, I walked up to him. “What are you doing here?” I asked, and he turned to face me with a smile.
“Well, it’s Friday. I just finished a class in the neighborhood studio two blocks down, and I remembered you’d be here.”
I smiled but warned him, “I have two hours to go in my shift.”
I walked over to his left when I saw Desmond in the distance. He’d followed me to the lobby, and he saw me talking with Hank. The look on his face was one of obvious jealousy.
I turned to Hank as he leaned in closer to me. “Maybe we can catch up later?” I asked.
He smiled at me. “Sure.” He nodded. “Just wanted to say hi. And, oh, Carolyn made me a fantastic drink.” He wavedat her before pulling me close to him for a hug and walking out the door.
I turned to see Desmond looking incensed before he strode back to the elevator.
Darn it.
Cursing under my breath, I took a couple of deep breaths before I asked Carolyn if she could give me a few minutes for a restroom break. The café was not busy, and she was happy to oblige.
I walked to the elevators and hit the button for the nineteenth floor.
When I reached it, the doors opened, and I could see Desmond pacing the long hallway outside his office, his mood dark. Zach’s table was empty.
When I walked in, he turned to look at me. His expression was thunderous.
