Look Again - Lisa Scottoline [63]
“You rat!”
“You don’t think I’m a rat. You like me.”
Ellen was mortified. “How do you know?”
“I run the newsroom. You think I don’t know the news?”
Ellen laughed, embarrassed. “Oh yeah, so what else do you know?”
“Is it true?” Marcelo’s dark eyes glittered in a teasing way.
“You answer me. Then I’ll answer you.”
“I know everybody believes that I’m attracted to you, and that’s why you’re not getting laid off.”
Ellen flushed.
“And I have to say, they’re half-right,” Marcelo answered, his voice suddenly serious. His eyes met hers across the counter, with a very adult honesty. “I would love to take you out, I admit it.”
Ellen felt a smile spread across her face.
“But that’s not the reason you’re keeping your job. You’re keeping your job because you’re a great reporter.”
“Thank you. And what if this crush is mutual?”
“So is it?” Marcelo was grinning, but she couldn’t believe they were having this conversation. Oreo Figaro listened, in shock.
“Yes.”
“That’s very nice to hear, but it’s too bad. Nothing will happen between us. It compromises you. It compromises me. This is romance in the time of sexual harassment, and that means nothing good happens, never ever. Except maybe this.” In the next second, Marcelo leaned over and planted the softest, sweetest kiss on her unsuspecting lips, and when it was over, he pulled away. “Never ever again.”
“Excruciating,” Ellen said, meaning it.
Chapter Forty-five
“Mommy, don’t go!” Will wailed, grabbing Ellen around the knees and holding on for dear life. She was dressed for the early flight, her purse on her shoulder, her roller bag packed and ready, but she wasn’t going anywhere, blocked by the Wall of Guilt.
“Honey, I have to.” Ellen rubbed his little back. “Remember, we talked about this? I have to go away for work but I’ll be back very soon, in four or five days, probably.”
“FOUR DAYS!” Will burst into new tears, and Connie intervened, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“Will, you and me will have a great time. I brought ice cream, and we can make sundaes after school today. Won’t that be fun?”
“Mommy, no!”
“Will, it’s all right.” Ellen had learned from experience that he would never calm down, so she gave him a last hug and kiss on the head while she pried his fingers off one by one, like the dewclaws of a kitten. “I have to go, honey. I’ll call you tonight. You’ll see, I’ll be back soon.”
“Say good-bye, Will.” Connie had him in hand. “Bye, Mommy, see you soon!”
“Love you, Will,” Ellen said, opening the door the second she was freed and running out into the cold with her bag.
Wondering if every mother felt like a fleeing felon, at times.
Chapter Forty-six
The sky was a supersaturated teal, and kelly green fronds on the palm trees fluttered in the breeze. Lush olive green hedges lined the curbs, and thick lawns, edged to perfection, bordered dense reds of climbing bougainvillea, the orange and yellow of tiny lantana flowers, and dark purple jacaranda. And that was just the Miami airport.
Ellen slipped on a pair of sunglasses, driving a rental car, leaving the window open until the air-conditioning kicked in. She sweltered in her navy sweater and took it off when the traffic slowed to a stop. According to the dashboard, the temperature hovered at ninety-nine degrees, and the humidity mixed ocean salt, heavy perfume, and cigarette smoke like a beachside cocktail. In less than an hour, she’d be at Carol and Bill Braverman’s.
She dug in her purse and found the paper with the home address, which she’d gotten online and MapQuested last night. The exit wasn’t far up the highway. She leaned over the steering wheel, craning her neck like a sea turtle, not wanting to miss it. The traffic was stop-and-go, in impossibly heavy congestion that took up four lanes, wider than any expressway back home.
Traffic stopped again, and Ellen reflected on her mission. She’d have to wait for an opening to get the proof she needed and she couldn’t predict when that would happen. She’d have to keep on her toes, and the hard part would be staying undercover.