“Yes, interesting strategy. Would have appreciated a heads-up on the plan.”
“It’s a fairly common strategy, more often among celebrities. Baseball players are celebrities in their own right. Tie a problem person to a squeaky clean person. Tie a newcomer to a star. Everyone wins usually. The fans love a good relationship, almost more than the game.” She crossed her fingers under the desk, praying he believed the risky strategy.
“Sure, sure. But it’s risky, you being the girlfriend.”
“It wasn’t my first choice, or even a strategy I’d planned,” she admitted, ruthlessly suppressing the flash of fear at him questioning her already shaky plan. “When I saw the groupie, and the media in the booth in the bar, I had to do something. The rest fell into place. At that moment, I knew the groupies would never leave him alone.”
“They still won’t. They don’t care if someone is dating or even married. In fact, it’s almost better, more attractive.”
“I don’t care about the groupies. I care about the media and I had to change the story. Are you questioning my plan?” Her tone came out a little sharper than intended and she wished she could bring the words back. It was never a good idea to alienate the customer, or the person paying the bill. She couldn’t help thinking that if she had been successful in her last job, no one would be questioning now. Maybe it was unfair to think Cole would be thinking about that, but there it was, the elephant in her mind.
He shook his head, a thoughtful look on his face. “I’m a little worried, but I can’t deny it worked. I’d appreciate you keeping me in the loop in the future with any additional strategies. We originally asked just to keep him out of trouble, nothing more. This is a little more than expected.”
“Well, you wanted a babysitter,” she quipped. “Consider it a bonus. It’s in everyone’s best interest to have him looking good not just clean. Maybe we could generate some traction going into the off-season.”
He stood. “The off-season doesn’t concern me right now. We don’t know if or how Jason fits into our plans and remember,wepay your bills, not Jason. And the client is always right, isn’t that true?”
She also stood, smiling stiffly at the not-so-subtle reminder of the power holding the strings. “Of course. But you’re bringing me in and my expertise as an image consultant. It’s in your best interest to let me do my job the best way I know how.”
He walked toward the door, then paused and turned slightly, a small smile playing about his lips. “Did you really blackmail Stan Garvin into doing a feature piece on Friar?”
She widened her eyes and pretended innocence. “I don’t know what you mean, Cole.”
He smiled, not fooled. “I loved it. Always wanted to give those vultures a taste of their own medicine.” He sauntered out, greeting a couple of players as they walked by.
She sighed and sat back down. One down, one more to go. She had received several voicemails from her boss, Michael, in the days following the news story, but she had avoided his calls. He knew she was back in town. How long before he showed up? Her phone chose that moment to ring. She glanced at the display. Speak of the devil. Clicking “accept,” she walked to the door and closed it. Some conversations were better left private.
“Hi, Michael! I was just about to call you.”
“Really?” His suspicious tone shot out of the phone. “It would have been nice to discuss your plans before you pimped yourself out for the job. What you do reflects on this company. Right now, you’re on very thin ice, Stacia. This isn’t the way to win approval, especially after your last fiasco.”
Irritation laced her voice at the constant questioning of her strategy. If it had been anyone else, especially Glazier, no one would have questioned her strategy. And now, two people in the space of five minutes had challenged her, doubted her. She was in more trouble than she thought. Pain stabbed her stomach at the reminder of how precarious her position was. Even her boss questioned her, the one who always said she was his glowing star. Now she was a falling star and everyone was bailing on her.
She painted on the Kendall persona, the one she saw her father use all the time, the one that froze opponents and won victory. “I’m not going to defend my strategy and I resent your implication about Glazier. I wasn’t responsible, just the fall guy, and I don’t appreciate you calling me on the carpet like a child.” Strength. She had to remain strong and in control. Never let them know they’ve rattled you.
“Your father has called me several times, demanding that I remove you from this case. As I’ve told you before, he’s a powerful man and client. He sends a lot of business my way. I can’t afford to alienate him.”
She could hear the fear in Michael’s voice at the very real threat of her father pulling all support from his organization. Her father was never above blackmail and favors, political or personal. Family ties never mattered much to him. It was alwayswhat have you done for me lately. And lately, she was more a liability and less an asset. Michael was caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. She empathized with him, but it didn’t minimize the pain she felt at his betrayal. He would never support her against her father. Once again, she would lose, her job, her reputation, her life.
“So, you’ll bail on me, a loyal employee who’s been very successful for you, with one exception, to keep my father happy?” Even knowing the answer, she had to ask the question, know where she stood with him.
“Shouldn’t you be asking why your own father would throw you under the bus?” His tone was sharp and pointed.
She sighed. “I know that answer already. Everyone is an extension of him and his image, especially his daughter. Politics first, everything else last. So of course, he’d want to control my life and my career, even to the point of blackmailing my boss. Michael, I had hoped for better from you.”
“He’s powerful and wields that power like a club. I may not like it, but I have to respect it, especially if I’m a target.” He huffed in the phone for a moment. “Stacia, I like you. You’ve been a good worker for us, but lately, something’s changed.You’vechanged. It’s like your heart isn’t it this anymore. Anything you want to tell me?”
She sank down in her chair, despair swamping her. Was he right? She had been hating her job for some time, but never thought it had shown. “That was certainly direct. And I owe you honesty.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m not sure. I’m tired of the lies, whitewashing politicians and lying to the public. They deserve better. I can’t remember the last time I felt clean, Michael.”
“So, you pimp yourself out? Is it for the job or something personal? Are you cracking? Do you need me to send someone else? Sophie is between gigs.”
“Sophie? I thought she’d stayed with the campaign.” She sat straight up in her chair. Sophie was keeping things from her. What else was she hiding? Was she another Benedict Arnold, turning on Stacia in her moment of need?
“No, she decided she needed a break, although she phrased it as more of solidarity with you and how she felt you wereshafted. Her words, not mine. So, she has some time on her hands and could take this on.”
Stacia was shaking her head even before Michael finished. Yes, it was the smart business decision. Her head told her to get out now, take a break and let Sophie handle it. Her heart was already too involved and had overridden her brain. The thought of leaving Jason now was too much to bear, especially when she didn’t know how she felt, how he felt about her. It wasn’t the smartest business decision, letting personal feeling override her direction, but she was loath to let anyone handle this. “No, I have this, Michael. I’m actually enjoying this job.”
“Are you sleeping with him?” His voice was mild and the sudden change of topic had her off balance. Vintage Michael, always knowing how to get to the heart of the matter in seconds. He came off like a good old boy but was really a piranha underneath the suit.