Page 53 of Rough

I planted on my most charismatic smile while the health inspector continued to give me a blank stare.

“I’m sorry about him,” I said. “He’s just… stressed out lately.”

“He needs to learn how to deal with people,” the health inspector said in a begrudging tone.

“I don’t think I’ve asked you for your name,” I chuckled, putting on my charming act. “I’m Felix. And… you are?” I arched an eyebrow and reached my hand out to shake hers.

She did it, albeit reluctantly. “Sally.”

“Sally? What a pretty name. It suits you.” I grinned from ear to ear.

Sally’s eyebrows knitted in unconvinced suspicion at my over the top kindness. Maybe it was time to reel in the act slightly to make myself appear more believable to her.

“Garret is under a lot of pressure,” I said. “He just wants to run his club without all these things getting in the way.”

“Yes, well I—”

I raised my hand and gave her a gentle smile, trying to stay friendly. “Let me finish, if you don’t mind.”

Sally gave me a sullen look, but nevertheless, she allowed me to continue.

“You see, Garret is a real go-getter. He is motivated and inspired. He aspires to make this an enjoyable club for all his hardworking, paying members.”

“That may be the case, but I have a job to do,” Sally countered.

I frowned, shooting her a skeptical look. “Do you?”

“Do I… what?” Sally cast me a confused glance.

“Was it really necessary for you to traipse down here so late at night to look in his kitchen and gripe about the oil in the fryers? Is that really the kind of a health code violation that warrants sending everyone in the club home for the night?”

I had her right where I wanted her. She was cracking. I saw the fraying expression on her frazzled face.

“Well, I suppose—”

“Garret is an advocate against the bullies of the world, and he feels like he is being personally attacked by a specific bully in particular. He feels as if the spotlight is on him, and he’s being personally victimized, exclusively attacked.”

I took a step closer to Sally. She drew her hand up to her neckline. I noticed her hands were visibly quivering. The motion was subtle, but it was there.

“I’m sorry to hear that but—”

“Garret works hard. He plays hard. He does everything by the book. He has never had to deal with these types of issues before, especially all at once. I feel like he’s on the brink of losing control, if he hasn’t already.”

I paused and gave Sally a steely gaze. I didn’t blink, nor did she. We were at a checkmate.

“Sally, I’m an enthusiast for honesty. What about you?”

Sally nodded diligently. “Yes.”

“I know we don’t know each other, but I think that we should start over, don’t you? How about from now on, we be open and honest with each other because that’s what respect is all about. Does that sound like a plan?”

Sally nodded again and looked at the floor. There were tracings of guilt embedded in her features.

“I have a feeling that someone put you up to this,” I whispered quietly and gently.

I had to navigate Sally’s emotions carefully so I wouldn’t lose the progress I had already gained with her.

Sally looked up at me with remorseful, enormous eyes. “Put me up to what?”