Chapter 121
It was pretty straightforward, wasn’t it? After a solid seven or eight years of collaboration. FreeMan never stood anyone up. The problem definitely wasn’t on their end.
“Did he mention any specific reasons?”
Hearing that, Morgan glanced at me awkwardly and said. “He didn’t spell out any reasons.”
“Mr. Paisley, spit it out.” Hogan was clearly at the end of his rope. “If there’s no good reason, Rainbow Capital ain’t gonna let this slide.”
His fone was icy, carrying an invisible weight that pressed down on him.
Morgan, who’d been around the block a few times, could smell what Hogan was stepping in and sighed. “Somehow, FreeMan got wind that there’s some aesthetic disagreements within your company. He said he hates getting into a fuss.”
The words “aesthetic disagreements” hit my ears and I suddenly got a bad feeling. That should be our company’s confidential business. How did FreeMan get his hands on that info?
“No way, we haven’t even met with FreeMan.” Cecilia suddenly chimed in, confused. “How did he catch wind of our aesthetic disagreements, Xaviera?”
With that “Xaviera“, all eyes were back on me. I was already stewing, and now I was about to blow a gasket, “is Director Irwin implying that I spilled the beans?”
Cecilia looked downcast, “Xaviera, you got it twisted. I didn’t mean that.”
She said so, playing the victim card.
I dialed back my tone, and replied, “I’m just talking facts here.”
“Talking facts?” Hogan’s voice spiked, “Xaviera, at this point, don’t you get that you’ve screwed up?”
I looked up at Hogan, his gaze sharp as a tack, like a blade hidden in his eyes.
“What I’ve screwed up?” As I spoke, I found my voice shaking, “I’d appreciate Mr. Zade enlightening me.”
“You showing up at the art show out of the blue, nosing around and asking guests about FreeMan. Those folks can smell a rat a mile away. Did you think they wouldn’t catch on?”
I prided myself on always holding back a little, never letting slip about our internal disagreements. But now, Hogan was convinced I was the spark that lit this dumpster fire.
I mustered a bitter smile and kept my mouth shut. What was the point in arguing? It was like talking to a brick wall.
“Hogan, now’s not the time for finger–pointing.” Cecilia interjected cautiously as the atmosphere turned frosty, “Mr. Paisley, there’s a reason for everything. If it’s possible, please
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Chapter 121
let FreeMan know we’d like to clear the air with him personally.”
Morgan sneaked another glance at me, hemming and hawing. Then Hogan added, “Mr. Paisley. you’re not suggesting we let this go, are you?”
Morgan’s eyebrows shot up, his tone eager to please, “Of course not, but FreeMan’s always been a free spirit, and he’s leaving Rivertown tomorrow.”
“Leaving?” Cecilia blinked, “Is he off to a new gig?”
“Fieldwork, down in Meadowbrook’s southern parts.” Morgan said candidly, “Mr. Zade, that’s all I can share with you.”
Morgan was clear he’d done us a solid with that info. Whether we could find and persuade FreeMan was on us.
After Morgan left, Cecilia sidled up to Hogan, “Hogan, I think this is our shot.”
“Ms. March, what’s your take?”
I didn’t expect Hogan to bring me up at a time like this, but I figured he had a plan, so I said. “What do you have in mind. Mr. Zade?”
I felt aggrieved, sure, but not so much that I’d lost my marbles. After all, we all wanted the game to launch without a hitch.
But then I heard Hogan say, “Well then, the task of convincing FreeMan falls to Ms. March.”
