I run and run. I run until I get a cramp. The van is long gone, disappearing into traffic.
“Oh my god.” I collapse on a bench, sobbing. Hands shaking, I pull out my phone. “This isn’t happening.” But it is.
Mandy:Help me! They took Pepper!
Randy:I told you to hand her over to the lawyers.
Mandy:But they took her to the pound.
Mandy:You’re my lawyer! Can’t you do anything?
I try to call him, but he doesn’t pick up
Randy:I’m going to dinner. I’ll call you tomorrow.
He’ll call me tomorrow? I can’t wait until tomorrow.
Trying not to pass out, I google “animal control” trying to figure out where they took Pepper. I need to rescue her.
My phone beeps, and a message appears.
Unknown:Time’s running out. You want to save Salinger, or are you going to come to me?
Unknown:Thirty seconds.
“Shit.” I try to call Salinger, not even sure what I’m going to tell him. He doesn’t answer the phone.
Unknown:TIME’S UP.
Fuck.I force myself off the bench. I need to go to the office, to talk to Salinger. It doesn’t matter what he says or how much he yells—I have to come clean to him. Even if he hates me, even if he fires me, Pepper’s been taken. I have to do it for my dog.
The receptionists have already packed up and gone home when I huff into the office and jam my thumb on the elevator button. It dings.
“Oh, Mandy, I was looking for you!” It’s Austin.
He seems nervous when I step into the elevator. I can’t catch my breath. The cramp in my side still hasn’t subsided.
Austin’s shuffling. “So, uh, how’s it going?”
“Terrible, honestly. Austin, I’m sorry—I can’t deal with this right now.”
“Well, it’s kind of important.”
“Can we do it tomorrow morning?”
“See… I don’t know if we can. I mean...” He makes a face. “This is so awkward. I’m so bad at this.”
“You’re a fine investor,” I assure him weakly.
“Er… No, uh, not that. Um, so…” The numbers flash as the elevator takes us up. “So, I heard a rumor about you and Salinger.” His voice cracks on our CEO’s name.
“Seriously? Don’t listen to office gossip.” Especially since Salinger’s about to break up with me then fire me.
The elevator dings as it lets us off on my floor.
“It’s just that…” Austin hurries after me. “See, Scarlett was saying—”
“Scarlett?”
