Page 51 of The Price of Scandal

Bergman swiped his bald spot one more time. Finally, he nodded. They shook just as time ran out.

“What is the outcome of the negotiation?” Cameron called, all business.

“Mr. Bergman and I have settled on extending motion petitions to sixty-five seconds,” Emily said, a self-satisfied smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

“Ruthless,” Jane said with pride.

“And Mr. Bergman also agreed to an amended motion for a two-hour time cap on town halls,” Emily announced.

Daisy pumped her fist in the air at the head table.

“And as a compromise, Ms. Stanton, has agreed to bring in a sushi chef for our town hall refreshments,” Bergman announced.

The crowd went wild.

Wins all around.

I felt the weight of Emily’s gaze on me as I applauded with Jane. She didn’t look pleased to see me there. I winked at her.

She frowned and shifted her glare to Jane.

“Uh-oh,” Jane said, scooping up another handful of popcorn. “Boss is mad.”

“I think she’ll get over it,” I predicted.

Jane’s hum led me to believe she didn’t think that was likely.

“So, you think someone on the inside is trying to make her look bad?” she asked.

The popcorn-hoovering woman was beyond astute. “As a matter of fact.”

“I knew you were smarter than you looked.”

“I’m very smartandvery good-looking,” I assured her. “Do you have a suspect?”

She smirked. “I have a few suspicions. Of course, anyone can spin anything. Someone could even find it convenient that a crisis management expert just happened to be available when a billion-dollar scandal hits.”

“Convenient?” I scoffed. “Ask your boss if there’s anything convenient about me.”

“I think we both know the answer to that.”

“And, like your tips on wooing Emily, I assume you aren’t going to share your suspicions with me?”

“You’re a smart guy, Tea and Crumpets. You’ll figure it out.”

“And if I don’t?”

“You better or you’ll really piss me off.”

“I assume a stun gun will be involved.”

* * *

I duckedout of the ballroom in hour two of the meeting, while a debate raged over what to do about the two amorous dolphins that had apparently been putting on a nature show every afternoon along Bluewater’s coastline.

Observing Emily in a more natural habitat was fascinating, to say the least. First in the lab and then in the community she’d built. Jane was right. There was much more to the coolly professional Ms. Stanton. I’d seen it in the lab and the gym.

And it was my job to expose that human side of her to the world.