Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 143

And what I didn’t expect was the caller on the line turned out to be Shirley. My gut was screaming this wasn’t going to be anything good.

All of a sudden, it hit me – the run–in with Hogan and Zachary at noon. If my hunch was right; she was the messenger in this little

game.

I took a moment to brace myself and then hit the answer button. The next second, the buzzing noise unique to bars flooded my

ears.

“Ms. March, feeling any better? There’s a bash at our bar tonight; wanna swing by for a drink?”

Shirley sure thought highly of me. Anyone with a lick of medical sense knew one shouldn’t go near booze with a swollen ankle.

And Shirley? She’d got the smarts, alright. She was just out to ruffle my feathers. I had some hope for our partnership before, so I’d been biting my tongue in the face of her provocations. But things

were different now.

“Sorry, President Stapleton, not gonna work for me.” I declined flat–out, “But thanks for the invite.”

coming. She paused for a few seconds before letting out a sigh, “Too bad, really. Mr. Zade was just saying he expected me to knock

Zade? So, Hogan was

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it, “Ms. March, it’s a kind gesture from President Stapleton. You should make the trip.”

starting to quake. How long did Hogan plan to use

to snap back, but held it in. On second thought, this might still

with Cecilia in the FreeMan thing, fair play to him. But if he

in mind, I coolly said, “Hang tight,

a distance, in the bar’s VIP section, I spotted Hogan sitting dead center. The guy was decked out in a black shirt, sleeves rolled up just

neon glow.

a black sequined dress, light smoky makeup adding to her mysterious, sultry vibe.

she saw me, she flashed a grin, saying,

“I wasn’t aware Mr. Temple

with the connection between Ms. March and

glanced at Hogan, gauging his reaction. Funny thing about her, if Cecilia

Chapter 143