He fought the urge to laugh as he strode toward the Deputy Director of Domestic Communications’ office. Once there, he asked the receptionist for Birdie.
“I’m sorry, sir, but he’s been in a meeting all day. Do you have an appointment?”
“Tell him Sinclair Develin is here. I’ll wait.”
Her eyebrows jutted into her forehead. “Excuse me. He’s with the Director.”
Sin eased onto the plush sofa. “I’m not surprised, in light of that video.”
The woman scowled, but walked over to the Director’s door and knocked. She vanished inside, emerging a few seconds later.
“Mr. Caraway will be out in a moment.”
Sin acknowledged her with a simple nod.Of course he will.
A short time later, Birdie emerged. Sin had expected he’d look more disheveled, but he shot Sin a pleasant smile, ambled over, and extended his hand. “Sinclair Develin. How’ve you been?”
This wasn’t a social visit. Rising, Sin ignored the handshake and stared down at him. “Let’s talk in your office.”
“What brings you by?” Birdie asked once he’d settled himself behind his desk.
“The video,” Sin replied, hitching a brow.
“I warned Evangeline this might happen, but she was willing to take the risk. The woman is voracious when it comes to—” Birdie held up his hands. “Sorry, I’ll keep this professional.”
Gritting his teeth, Sin waited, letting the silence speak for itself.
“I appreciate your coming over here to offer your services,” Birdie continued. “But I’m in good shape. I’ve admitted my one mistake and confessed my only sin. The Director is very understanding.” He grinned. “Helps to know people in high places,” he said, followed by a chuckle. “Helps even more tobein those places.”
“I’m not here to fix your problem,” Sin bit out. “I’m here for the truth.”
Birdie’s eyes went flat. “Evangeline hired you?”
“We both know that’s not her in the video.”
“I made one mistake, once,” Birdie said and leaned forward. “Alcohol is to blame.” He’d lowered his voice to a whisper. “For all I know, she dropped something into my drink. I should never have gone to that erotic club of hers in the first place.”
More bullshit, more lies.Birdie’s speech sounded contrived, rehearsed even.
“My wife won’t return my calls,” Birdie continued. “But, I’ve got the next couple of weeks to patch things up with her. I’ll buy her a nice piece of jewelry and take her to some warm, tropical island. It is the holidays and I’m off anyway.” His lips curved. “The press will forget about this and the public doesn’t care.”
Sin stood, placed both hands on Birdie’s desk, and glared at him. “Who’s the woman, Birdie?”
“Evangeline Worthington.” Birdie stood and looked him right in the eyes. “You might want to ask her about her little tryst while she was in New Jersey. I’m not her first rodeo.”
As he pushed off the desk, Sin released a low-level growl. “Throwing Evangeline under the bus won’t solve your problem.”
A broad smile widened Birdie’s face. “Like I said, I don’t have a problem. You have a nice holiday now.”
“You do have a problem. You have abigproblem.”
“What’s that?”
“Me,” he bit out. “You havenoidea what I’m capable of.” Before he did something he would regret, Sin turned on his heel and walked out.
Birdie would never admit to lying. Saving his ass meant saving his career.
I will find the woman in the video.
