Page 19 of An Epic Voyage

She reached Jinger’s suite and knocked on the door.A man opened it, and his gaze raked her body.It wasn’t an interested look, more like an assessing one.She knew from doing her homework that this was Franklin Shepherd, Benedict’s assistant.“You’re Pammy’s replacement?”

“I am.”

“Come in.You’ll find Jinger in there.”He pointed over his shoulder as he angled around her.

“Thanks,” she called out to his retreating form.

Indy glanced at the space.Her suite was elegant.This one was as opulent as a five-star hotel.It would have been ideal, except for the raised voices.She headed to where they emanated and entered a dressing room with a large vanity surrounded by lights, racks of clothes, and a half-naked Jinger.She was snipping at Jordy as he held out an emerald-colored gown.

“No.I don’t like it, you moron.Find something else.”

He replaced it and removed a deep-blue gown that looked as if it cost more than the yacht.

“Are you high?”

Jordy tried again.This one was short and ruby red.

“Yes.That one.”

Jordy sighed, and when Jinger turned around, he rolled his eyes.

Good Lord, she truly was an evil bitch woman from the bowels of hell.Jordy’s nickname was spot-on.

“Get over here, Indigo,” Jinger snapped.

It took everything in her to remain calm.She walked over and placed her case on the counter.Jinger was preening in the mirror with her fake breasts and her pert nipples on full display.How anyone thought those mini beach balls were normal looking was beyond her.

“Hair, makeup, or dress first?”she asked.

“What?”

Somehow, Jinger made a one-word question sound like a put-down.Deep breath.“I asked if you wanted me to do your hair first, your makeup, or if you would rather put on the dress.”

“Dress,” Jinger responded.

Jordy rushed forward and helped her into it, stuffing her boobs inside the bodice before zipping her up.Instead of giving Jinger the option again, Indigo decided to do her makeup next.She opened her case and removed some supplies.

“You’d better apply more to me than you wear,” Jinger sneered.“You look like a walking zombie.”

Indy bit her tongue and glanced at Jordy, who was practically inhaling his bottom lip to keep from laughing.Indy glared at him and reached for some foundation.Her fingers hovered over one that would knock Jinger out for a few hours, but she refrained.Instead, she went about layering on makeup, drawing inspiration from pictures she’d seen of Jinger, and altering the colors to complement the dress.Jordy had been right about the crow’s feet.She also had sunspots she ought to have checked by a dermatologist, but mentioning that was beyond Indy’s pay grade.Instead, she applied the thickest fake eyelashes she had on hand.

Jinger turned to the mirror and examined herself after Indy was finished.“Wow.Very nice.Much better than Pammy.Now do my hair.”

Indy brushed, curled, and teased her bleached-blonde frizz into fat, flowing waves that tumbled glamorously down Jinger’s back.

Jinger gaped in the mirror, swinging her head from side to side.“My god, you’re a magician.I’m stunning.It’s like a professional did my hair and makeup.”

Indy gritted her teeth.“Iama professional.”

Jinger waved a hand.“You know what I mean.”

No, she didn’t.It was a putdown, no matter how you looked at it.

Jinger turned to Indy and clapped her hands.“I want you to work for me.”

Not in this lifetime.Or the next one.

“I’m firing Pammy.You’re hired.”