Chapter 42

There, in the center of the dining room, having already started on the complimentary rolls, sat Vick Handler. He sat alone, though beside him, the place was set. As he buttered his bread, he looked up to see who it was he’d been waiting for. He stood up, a wide, Tinsel Town smile on his lips.

“Deb. You look good.”

Deborah stood behind her seat, one hand on the backrest. Any evidence of her terrible night was gone. “Hello, Victor. Been a while.”

“Too long. Please, please, sit.” She did, her face impassive. If Vick had been any more pleased with himself, he would have preened like a peacock. “I have to admit, I got your call later than I anticipated. I thought you wouldn’t spare the time.”

“Well I’m not one to disappoint.” With precise fingers, she plucked a seed from her lemon before squirting the juice into her water, after which she let the rind sink to the bottom of the glass. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to get down to business.”