Page 224 of By A Thread

Subject: Deena Smith, Goodwin Childers Nursing Home.

I turned the pages, skimming quickly. It looked like an investigation into unorthodox and illegal collection tactics. Attached was a formal complaint to the state accusing Front Desk Deena of using harassment and intimidation tactics to coerce families into paying the debts of loved ones even when there was no financial responsibility.

There was a newspaper clipping beneath it. A short paragraph in the police blotter mentioning a nursing home employee under investigation for intimidating families of patients to earn large bonuses for on-time collections. The employee had been suspended without pay.

Well, that explained all the damn jewelry.

“That doesn’t look like any kind of jewelry or flowers,” the woman called over, craning her neck to see what I was looking at.

The last thing in the envelope was an advance copy ofLabel’sMay issue.

Dalessandra, looking strong and fierce, stood with four other women on the cover next to the headline “No More Secrets: Survivors Share Their Stories.”

“Oh. My. God.”

“Well, what is it?”

“A magazine,” I said.

“Huh. Guy thinks you want to do a little light reading? You sure there’s no diamond ring in there?”

I flipped through the magazine to the spread. Dalessandra and each of the other four women had written essays. There was a breathtaking, full-page picture of Dalessandra and her friend Simone… in an embrace?

“I’m tired of keeping secrets. I’m in love with Simone. We’ve been in a relationship for years.”

“Holy. Shit,” I breathed.

I scanned to the bottom.

Editor’s Note: Paul Russo was fired from Label. He is currently employed by another magazine. At the time, Label made the mistake of choosing not to enforce his non-compete and requiring Russo’s harassment victims to sign non-disclosure agreements in return for cash settlements. We have since reversed our stance on both issues. Victims will never again be silenced in our offices. On a related issue, managing editor Irvin Harvey has been fired for violating our harassment policy. Dominic Russo will take on the role of managing editor while beauty editor Shayla Bruno steps into the creative director position.

I wanted to read every word.

But first, I wanted to give Dominic his pizza.

“I need a box,” I announced to the dining room.

“Yeah. A ring box,” the lady at Table Eight harrumphed.

“A pizza box. Did anyone see which way he went?”

Every woman in the restaurant pointed to the right.

Table Two dumped their leftovers onto the bare table and handed me their box. “Thanks!” I said, shoving my masterpiece inside.

“Go get him before someone else does,” the woman said.

I hit the door at a run, pizza box firmly clutched in my hands.

“Dominic Russo!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. But I didn’t see his familiar frame anywhere.

He’d left minutes ago. He could have driven away by now. Out of my life again.

I kept running. Kept looking.

“I didn’t know Jorge’s delivered,” a guy in coveralls said as I sprinted past.

“We don’t,” I called over my shoulder.