Chapter 98

“I'm not a celebrity,” burbles Pensby, panic flashing.

Claudia flashes brows. Grins. “You will be by the time City News has published this. I can just see the headline…” She raises hands, sweeping an invisible banner through the air, somehow enunciating a capital letter with each word. Mayor's Wife. Affair With City Hall Official. But that’ll be small fry compared with the sub-heading… Criminal Conspiracy Against Prominent Citizens.” Her grin goes Cheshire Cat-ward. “It could even go national.”

He starts to reply, but Irene rants over him. “If you publish my private business, I will sue your paper, and you personally, for every...”

Claudia clicks her tongue. Wrinkles her nose. “So sue. Or try. When the truth about this comes out, I don’t think you’ll have the funds to keep a gerbil, let alone pay lawyers or fund Lover-Boy here. Besides…” She eye-points me. “… whether not I publish depends on my friend here. What do you say, Beth?”