Page 64

‘If he does, it didn’t come from me,’ Alex said vaguely. ‘Anyway, now that the personal crap is out of the way, let’s talk business.’

Leigh rolled her eyes. ‘Of course.’

‘Though it relates to my mother. Tangentially speaking.’

‘What?’

‘You helped me, and then I helped you, right?’ Alex said.

‘Yes…’ Leigh answered wearily.

‘Irepaidthat favour, and I wouldn’t ever say that I didn’t owe you, big time,’ Alex said smoothly.

‘I’ve got a feeling that’s about to be reframed,’ Leigh said.

‘Well, I was thinking that maybe we could keep the spirit of reciprocity going?’ Alex cleared her throat. ‘Hands in the air, I don’t have that name. I admit it. Ivy didn’t pass it along,’ Alex said.

Leigh could hear she was embarrassed to admit it.

‘No?’

‘No. So I’m asking you to give it to me.’

‘Can I put you on hold for a minute? I need to laugh my arse off,’ Leigh replied.

‘Yeah, I know, I know. But the thing is, it’s not… I need it for… semi-personal reasons.’

Leigh raised an eyebrow. ‘You planning to ask her out?’

Alex snorted. ‘Very good.’ She cleared her throat again, and Leigh could hear how nervous she was about this. ‘No, I just… It’s… I need to know… I want toverifythings. Things said in the interview.’

‘For the purposes of?’ Leigh asked.

‘Making decisions about whether I forge ahead in this particular professional relationship,’ Alex said quickly.

‘Oh,’ Leigh said. Then she realised what Alex was hinting at. ‘Oh!’

‘Yeah. I’m just doing some fact-checking. This girl should be able to confirm things. Erin would have talked to her. About the marriage.’

‘Even if I gave you the name, you should know, she’s a clam. I’ve tried numerous times and can’t get her to talk to me. A—’ Leigh caught herself just in time. ‘I mean,the mistressdoes not want to be famous. Not like this, at least.’

‘Jeez, I nearly had you there,’ Alex laughed. ‘Starts with an A? That narrows it down. Could I get a second letter?’

Leigh was chewing it over. ‘I need to think about this.’

‘That’s cool. Can I call you back in two minutes?’

Leigh tutted. ‘Alex, I will callyouback. And it’s going to be longer than two minutes, OK? Put the brakes on.’

‘Sorry, it’s just… I justneedto know.’

‘Well, well, Alex Walker in a moral quandary… Who’d have thought?’ Leigh said, enjoying herself.

‘You can cut that out,’ Alex replied grumpily. ‘It’s just a brand issue. We can’t represent the bad guys, that’s all.’

‘I don’t believe you,’ Leigh said. ‘I think this bothers you personally—which it should.’

‘Thanks, Mother Teresa,’ Alex sneered. ‘Appreciate the guidance.’