Page 78 of Delicious Surrender
She tried again, and it kept ringing until the automated voice said the mailbox was full. Her hands started shaking. The phone slipped out of her grip and disappeared between the console and the seat. Tears ran unfettered as she pounded the steering wheel in a total meltdown.
“Fuck!” she screamed in the confines of the little car. She scraped the top of her hand raw fishing the phone out, then searched for Garrick’s email address.
Garrick, please—you must believe me. I did not write that article. I don’t know who did. But I didn’t betray any confidence and would never do that. Please call me back.
She sent it and took a deep breath. How could this happen? Who would do this to her? Margaret hated her, but she knew nothing about the club. That was a dead end. Someone whoworked at the club could have provided information, but how did it get published? And why?
She drove to the cottage and stumbled inside, her mind numb. She was hungry but felt sick to her stomach. The cup of tea and toast she made went untouched.
The phone rang, and she fumbled to hit the right button to answer.
“Nigel. Thank god.”
“Listen, Brynne. I have no choice but to fire you. You gave the sub-editor a story that wasn’t vetted or approved. You put me and the paper in an untenable position. MacLeod wants to sue us.”
“Nigel, I don’t know who did this or how it happened, but it wasn’t me. You must believe me; I’ve been in Skye dealing with my aunt’s death.”
“I am sure you regret writing it now, but you should’ve thought of that before you submitted the story for publishing.” He had never spoken to her in that harsh tone. “Margaret will pack your personal things and leave them at security. You should find a new line of work. No paper or magazine in London will give you a job. Gage MacLeod has made sure of that.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry, Brynne. I liked you and you did a good job copy editing, but I will be lucky to keep my job after this.”
Click.
Brynne took her head in her hands and started sobbing. How could she prove her innocence if they barred her from thepaper? If she was unable to reach Gage or Garrick, she had no way to defend herself at the club, either. What was she supposed to do?
She went upstairs, crawled into bed, and cried herself to sleep. It was dark when she awoke to the ping on her phone.
Jared:Any update?
Brynne:No one believes me. Garrick wouldn’t speak to me. Gage has blocked me from calling or texting. Nigel fired me and there’s no way for me to prove my innocence.
Jared:Oh, babe, I am so sorry. What are you going to do?
Brynne:I don’t know. I can’t think. There’s nothing for me in London. Nigel said Gage told every paper that I’m persona non grata. I will make a few calls on Monday, but I doubt I’ll find a job anywhere.
Jared:Maybe you should stay in Skye for a while? Let the dust settle.
Brynne:You might be right. Eventually I’ll need some more clothes, though. I didn’t bring much with me.
Jared:Why don’t I come up next weekend and bring you what you need? How far is the drive?
Brynne:Oh J, it’s a twelve- or thirteen-hour drive. I couldn’t ask you to do that.
Jared:It’s the least I can do. I feel partially responsible. I got you into the club.
Brynne:That wasn’t your fault! I wanted it and dove in headfirst. Who could have predicted this?
Jared:No one. It makes no sense—who would want to hurt you?
Brynne:I don’t know, but they succeeded in destroying my career. My reputation is mud.
Jared:Hang in there. I’ll see what I can find out. You stay put.
Brynne:Okay. I’m going to cancel my flight and figure out a plan tomorrow.
Jared:Okay, babe. Night. Xo