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.”

of straight talk 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 back a few

So, Hogan

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it’s a kind gesture from President Stapleton. You should make the

to quake. How long did Hogan plan to

almost ready to snap back, but held it in. On second thought, this

in the FreeMan thing, fair play to him. But if he wanted to use me against Shirley, he’d better be ready to pony

that in mind, I coolly said, “Hang tight,

the bar’s VIP section, I spotted Hogan sitting dead center. The guy was decked out in a black shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to show off a bit of his solid

neon glow.

him, was all dolled up in a black sequined dress, light smoky makeup adding

grin, saying, “Ms. March, flying

“I wasn’t aware Mr. Temple was

innocence, “I thought with the connection between Ms. March

sneakily glanced at Hogan, gauging his reaction.

Chapter 143